23.7.2002

While Prisoner Of War doesn't have the "thousands of possible solutions" boasted on the back of the box, it is still a very good game.There are 5 chapters to the game set across 3 different camps (The holding camp, Stalag Luft & Colditz Castle).The day is split into morning roll call, breakfast, morning exercise, lunch, afternoon free time, evening roll call, lights out. Each of these activities takes place in a certain area (e.g lunch is in the mess hall) and if you are found in the wrong area at the wrong time then you will be arrested (and sent to the cooler for the night) or shot (and put in the medical room for a few days).You can stash away items in your hiding place in your barracks,you can change into a disguise by going up to a mirror and you save the game at your bunk bed. This system works well in the context of a P.O.W. camp.Each chapter contains 4 objectives that you need to complete to escape. You receive these objectives from each camps "Escape Comittee". While that might sound like linear gameplay, it isn't really, as you can complete the objectives anyway you want. Do you go at day or night? Do you disguise your face with bootpolish or do you wear a guards uniform? Do you get these items by finding them, or by buying them from the "scrounger"? Do you need to find a key and/ or any other items? Do you go through a tunnel, the roof, a window, the back door, the front door?The game creates great tension when you are doing these objectives, as you try to avoid the guards (walking into a chair/bin etc will make a noise and the guards will come and investigate), or try to get back in time for the roll call (and if you don't then a "riot team" is sent after you). The musical score really adds to the tension, as it adapts depending on your situation.The behaviour of the Germans changes depending on the time of day, the Kommandant will be away from his office at roll call(giving you a chance to sneak there), the chef goes back to his kitchen after serving meals, some guards may sleep or change their patrol at night. Admittedly, the guards do have an unrealisticly small feild of vision - but the game would be impossible if the guards sight was realistic!If you are struggling with a task, then you can go back to the Escape Comittee for more help, up to three times, but it costs you "currency", which is bits of contraband you find laying around (bottles of wine, ciggarettes etc).You can interact with all the other prisoners, each has their own individual look and voice and characteristics. For example, some will distract the guards for you, others will give you information and others will get you to gamble on some of the mini-games, like card playing, dice rolling and stone throwing.If you manage to finish a chapter without being arrested or shot or receiving any hints, then you unlock a secret mode.There are a few minor niggles with the game e.g you will have to probably try an objective several times before you are succesful, which some may find frustrating - but i find that this usually helps you to think of a better solution.The cut scenes are well thought out, and sometimes funny - as the Germans are played in an old skool war movie style.As for the camps, they are quite big, and each time you return to one in a later chapter things have been moved around e.g you are put in a different barracks, this effects your orientation (so you have to learn the camp again) and the way you go about tasks, so returning to Stalag Luft and then Colditz is NOT repetetive.Overall, this is the only game of its kind, relying on stealth rather than violence (no, you dont get to kill the guards) and learning (the camps) & planning rather than the set routes of games like MGS2. It is thouroghly enjoyable and will take you a few days to complete, with the added replay value of trying to get a grade A on each mission (unlocking special modes).

30.6.2003

As you can see from the mixed reviews on this page, this game isn't for everyone. It requires dedication and patience to get through. Although it's nowhere near as brainbendingly difficult as 'Commandos 2', it does present a challenge, and not always in the way the developers intended. No, it's not perfect, but if you can pick it up cheap and you like games which require a touch of grey matter, I'd strongly recommend it.Good points: well, it's an intriguing idea, and though it has been done before, it's still unusual enough to stand out. The characters are generally good (as is the voice acting, for once) in an 'Allo 'Allo way; the game has it's tongue firmly pressed into it's cheek.There are five chapters, each consisting of four missions, and although that doesn't sound like much, you will find yourself being repeatedly captured until you figure out the best method of carrying out each task. Both the guards and the clock are against you, and there are some pretty tense moments to be had, which the music reflects admirably. There are a variety of tasks over the game, although at the most basic level they all involve sneaking around the prison camps. However, the story and the amiable characters are enough to hold your interest until the end. Despite having to repeat missions so often, I never felt so frustrated that I wanted to hurl my controller through a window (which often happens) because I could always see where I had made my mistake, and the thought of trying a new approach spurred me on. If I can get through it successfully, then anyone can (with a bit of work).The game does have faults, though. The graphics are mainly functional - they're not awful, but hardly outstanding. The A.I. of the enemies is occassionally eratic, although this will seem like a godsend when it works in your favour. But these are minor points; the main problems are those which affect so many games - controls and camera. In this kind of game, where precise movements and clear views are essential at all times, bad controls and a wayward camera can be infuriating. The camera can be manually controlled outdoors, which works fine, but not indoors, where the fixed cinematic angles, though effective, often hamper your view - although you do have a radar to aid you at all times. The controls are also problematic; you'll find yourself going round in circles and, because the controls shift every time your perspective shifts, you'll end up walking into walls or running out of doors you meant to run in... and such mistakes can prove fatal in this game. Nevertheless, these problems can be lived with, and don't spoil the fun very often. If you can bear the idea of a game without a hint of pathological death-dealing, which will challenge your mind instead, this is definitely one to consider. Despite it's faults, I enjoyed it very much, and the sense of achievement after completing particularly tricky missions is unbeatable.

30.7.2002

If you have seen the film "The Great Escape" or the funnny cop out of it, "Chicken Run" and enjoyed them, then u will definatley enjoy this game. You are playing the role of an American pilot (Lewis Stone) shot down over Germany and the made a prisoner of war, who sets out to escape the prison. You are sent out to 4 different camps. If you are expecting top notch action shooting like Medal of Honor:AA then this game isnt for you. This game stealthely sneaking around the camp looking for items to complete the different tasks. I know that sounds straight forward, but you can try numerous ways of completing the task(s)The graphics are the best I have seen for a game of this genre,

20.7.2002

Prisoner of War, for everybody old enough to remember it, is a modern 3D remake of the old Sinclair Spectrum classic 'The Great Escape'. Its basically a 3rd person exploration / puzzle game, borrowing the best bits of Commandos (sneaking around avoid the gaze of goose-stepping enemies) and mixing it the visual presentation of Tomb Raider,Although the visuals are not spectacular compared to some other Xbox releases (Halo, Enclave etc.) its got a lot of depth of game play to keep you coming back for more. On the whole a good game, and well worth a place in your collection if you're looking for something more that driving at 100mph, or mass carnage.In a nutshell you have to escape from a series of prisoner of war camps.

23.7.2002

Prisoner of War sees you playing Captain Lewis Stone - shot down over Germany Stone must escape from a number of prison camps. you must help him do this by sneaking around the camp and collecting a number of items to complete four challenges per level. There is no violence in the game - you have to use stealth.The graphics are almost top notch - there are a few places where it looks like children have drawn some of the faces. However, the camera angles do start to grate after a while as when you are inside the game determines the camera angle for you and sometimes it's not quite right. Also when moving in and out of buildings you are sometimes relying on split second timing and then the camera angle changes and you walk right into a guard and then it's off to the cooler.

23.7.2002

If you watch Great Escape every Christmas, and enjoy it *every* year, if you loved the game 'Commandos', if you enjoy stealth gameplay as opposed to out-and-out explosive gameplay, then this is the game for you. Right from the start, the game gives you no quarter, with the guards being as clever as they are at the end, the plans you concoct need to be as sharp. The game sets you as Capt. Lewis Stone (an American), who is shot down over Germany during WWII. You become, obviously, a prisoner of war, and it is here that the fun begins. You are placed into various camps, and it is your aim to escape from said camps, using (almost) any means possible. You need to use darkness, distractions,

21.2.2009

truly incredcible concept, so ur in a pow camp and it work that way exactly as it should u have to attend the camp events of teh mess hall roll call and so on whilst tryna sneek around and complete objectives given by teh escape comitee its like an rpg game bcasue every thing is simple and dull at first eventualy u meet new characters and find new equipment which all effect how teh story goes along, and it has a stupid sence of humour the nazi hav high pitch voice and in cutscenes will ramble hystericly which is funny and even inamet characters might sometimes say sumin funny like "the chef doesnt like people entering his kitchen area, hes is not one to be trifled with... heh, trifled,

24.7.2002

An cool idea for a game, executed pretty well.The game allows you to wonder around various prison camps (3 in total) over 5 levels solving various problems to escape or just generally annoy your captors.The graphics are very nice, however the camera positioning at time can be a bit poor. There seems to be muliple ways of accomplishing each task that occurs but the tasks can be a little linear.The control system is simple to pick up, so it's very quick to get into.If you like shooting and faster paced action this game may not be for you as lot of the tasks involve going in stealth to accomplish your mission.

20.7.2002

this game is very good, not quite good enough for 5 stars but very close.....the 1 thing that lets it down is its sometimes tacky controlled as they stick sometimes, however 99% of the time they work reasonably well, its so endulging. Getting people to cover for you and help you, making friends with different personallities will help you escape in numerous ways whether you want to stealth it out or all guns blazing, the graphics are better than anything the ps2 can render but knowhere near resident evil on the game cube. overall a very interesting game, original, stylish, well thought out, addictive game! why are you still reading this? GO BUY IT!

23.7.2002

Having waited months for the release of this game i was anxious about the quality of the game. however i was not to be disappointed, as the game was everything i expected, even with the reduced playing scenarios and fewer characters of the original version, the tasks and atmosphere maintain quality sweaty palm and hair raising tension throughout the missions. this is a must buy for x box owners as it not only encorporates high quality game paly like that of Halo and Project Gotham, but alos encounters upon new areas of strategy, cunning and stealth.please please check this game out for your self.

24.1.2012

I can't believe that another version of this game hasn't been brought it.The idea of prison escape is quite romantic, especially during the Second World War.The game is simple enough, you collect items that you will need in order to escape (stealth is the aim of the game), and eventually go all out for the bid to freedom.Some of the controls can be fairly awkward, especially when indoors and the camera gets trapped in walls. But all in all the game is a fabulous idea executed to a high standard.

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