2) Squad Combat: A couple of the other games have promised squad combat, but they`ve really not lived up to it. They`ve had scripted AI guys or zero AI (where the squad won`t do anything intelligent unless the player asks them to do it). Brothers in Arms takes squad combat to a whole new level. It puts you in command of a real paratrooper squad and lets you easily and quickly give them orders that mirror real-life fire and move tactics. The AI soldiers have been programmed with the battle drills and standard operating procedures of the real paratroopers of 1944. You`ll use your squad not just to out shoot your enemy, but to out think him.

The write-ups for each of these maps were provided by the very folks who are making the game. It would be enough if they simply provided a short overview of each map. But the gang at Gearbox have also offered up a few hints and tips for each of the maps. Along with each of the maps are shots of the PC version of the game. The objectives and layout of each of the maps will be the same across all the consoles.

The enemies have about 6 different behaviors that they may do every time they see you or an officer. That’s on top of the 4 or 5 behaviors they have when they haven’t seen you.

We have Ais running for cover, shooting out from behind cover, or fleeing to regroup with other suspects. They will threaten and execute hostages. They will pretend to drop their weapons and then attack. You can shoot weapons out of their hands and they might draw a back-up weapon. Enemies patrol, barricade themselves in rooms and wait for you, lock doors, and even attempt to shoot through the door if they think you are coming in. As you can see they have a lot of expressability, and all of it is simulated in the AI so you will never have the same encounter twice.

Paul Hellquist: I have a question for you. Did you enjoy SWAT3? You did? Then how can you not be excited for SWAT4?! Everything you loved about SWAT3 is still here and looks about 10 times better. There is a lot more going on in the realism department, the enemy AI department, as well as the officer AI. Head to Head MP is totally revamped and improved. Co-op still rocks and you won't have to wait for 2 years after release to get the full featured product you deserve. I assure you that if you liked SWAT3 you will like SWAT4.

You command these men like a real squad leader does - you give orders to the team leader (and he gives orders to his men in a real chain of command).

The orders are really simple - they're all about fire and move. You use a one button context sensitive command system to give the orders.

Hold the button down and you can see a ring appear in the world wherever you're looking. If you look at the ground somewhere and let the button go, you give a move command to your team leader, "Corrion, get your a** over there!" If you look at an enemy and let the button go, you give an attack command to your team leader, "Hartsock, put some fire on those bastards!" When you give these commands you automatically also give the correct hand signal.

The team leaders hear the command and get their men going. Hartsock, for example, would reply (with a hand signal), "You heard the man, let 'em have it!"

The grand prize for Best Mod is awarded to Red Orchestra, an immersive combined arms infantry and armored vehicle combat simulation set on the eastern front of World War II. The development team behind the winning entry receives $50,000 in cash and a coveted Unreal Engine commercial license worth approximately $350,000.

In SOLDNER – Marine Corps, the player becomes part of a special operations squad or could even command the team. Equipped with the best weapons in modern warfare the player joins one of two teams who combat each other in an action driven tactical war. With ground, airborne and water vehicles available, it’s the players choice how to support the team and how to achieve victory.

* Amphibious and marine warfare added
* More than 10 new water vehicles like fast speedboats and agile jet skis and over 15 armed amphibious attack crafts
* More than 30 new vehicles and more than 20 new weapons. Many of them from the European armies – drive Leopards, LeClercs, fly the Tiger helicopter or even try out the brand new Eurofighter
* 2 new available classes – Scout and Scuba diver
* Improved user interface
* New map types like desert maps and island maps – ideal for tactical vehicle combats
* Improved visual effects for night vision and infra red