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I've played all the big ones, but I keep coming BACK to DOD

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: September 13, 2003
Author: Amazon User

First off, let me begin with a little history. I downloaded the first beta version of Day of Defeat ages ago. It was a Half-Life mod dream come true. It was a truly exciting and addicting first-person shooter for WWII, and nice alternative to Counter-Strike. The voice communication addition was an incredible bonus. The Ally rifle "PING" when the clip empties and pops out was a sheer thrill. Great stuff. Then came Medal of Honor. After experiencing a more realistic feel for walking/running it was difficult to turn back, and so I left Day of Defeat behind. But with Medal of Honor, you couldn't prone (lay down)! Bad mistake, particularly for snipers. All in all, better graphic improvement and a lot of fun. Then came Battlefield 1942. I was in heaven. Every possible scenario in combat from boats to planes, tanks and jeeps, etc. The overall graphics of MOA were better, but the variety and fun was increased with Battlefield. After playing Battlefield 1942 for almost a year... now I come BACK to Day of Defeat.

Why? The other games certainly had their advantages and improvements in versatility and graphics/maps... but something about the 'rawness' and realism of Day of Defeat puts me in what feels like more real combat. The sounds I think are the best compared to the other games, and the KILL factor is much more realistic (no taking several rifle or machine gun hits and watching your health bar go down bit by bit) - when you get shot, you're DOWN! No spewing blood, no flailing arms or shouting, your body just goes limp and you collapse. The helmet 'ping' on the head shots are nice too. The grenades (though in earlier versions the explosions were massive and I miss that) still give off a better kick and are more lethal than either of the previously mentioned games - great shake and boom, followed by a cloud of smoke and debris. Not just a little 'pop' - oopps, I missed him kind of thing.

Day of defeat has more instant action in tighter quarters. Choose from a variety of weapons and use TEAMWORK to accomplish objectives. Teamwork is essential, as is the perfect combination of MG's, snipers, riflemen, etc. Since many maps have tight alley ways & corners, you need to communicate a good plan for either providing cover fire using a rapid-fire machine gun on a tripod to secure an area, or to climb to a 3rd story building to snipe the approaching enemy for example. That's why the VOICE communication is so important. Certainly you can type messages also. Concerned that this game is only for internet play? Worry not, there are many 'bot' programs out there on the net to leave you with some fun & challenge even when you have no connection or your cable is out (look for "Sturmbot", that's the best and 'official' one for DOD). I'll admit the gaming community has dropped significantly in numbers since the early days, but I still always have a decent amount of servers to choose from with great pings.

Even though I could download the game, I went & bought the retail for several reasons.

1) Support the cause - this game still stands strong!
2) I format my computer frequently and am sick of having to first install the never-played Half-Life, then the update patches, then Day of Defeat, etc., etc.
3) Nice manual, CD & box art (I'm strange that way & like the whole 'package').
4) It's the most current version, released in 2003, and even installs what you need for any other Valve mod you'd like to play, so you don't need Half-Life anymore.

If you want great, fast-paced infantry combat action that puts you RIGHT in the environment with incredible sounds and weaponry, choose Day of Defeat. In fact, with the sounds of planes roaring in the skies and occasional artillery booming around, you still feel like everything else expected in combat is happening, we're just focusing on the infantry part here. The previously mentioned games are also great, but if you like WWII action games as much as I do, you'll try them all and should NOT pass this one up! I'll see you on line!

Day of Defeat Review (PC)

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 9 / 11
Date: June 18, 2003
Author: Amazon User

The concept of building and distributing free mods for games can be big business. Popular high-quality ones are quickly noticed by the original game creators and quickly the developers are typically either brought into the fold or at the very least have the publishing rights to the mod purchased, to be packaged and sold in stores later as a boxed game.

The most famous case involves the developers of the popular mod Counter-strike, a free (though available for purchase) Half-Life mod, which is still one of the most popular games played on the internet today. What followed was an equally ambitious "selling out" (though that seems a bit harsh) by the group that developed the World War II Half-Life mod called Day of Defeat. The game's creators are now members of Half-Life's developers, Valve Software, and Day of Defeat 1.0 is now available on store shelves and is the subject of this review.

Some things to note first: Day of Defeat is still available for free download over the internet - you just need Half-Life installed to play. The only reasons why you would want to purchase the boxed game are that Half-Life is not available or it takes too long to download the 100MB+ patch off the internet. This mod (or modification) is really for multi-player use only; those interested in a single-player experience will be sorely disappointed. If you do already have Half-Life installed or available, you will need the latest patch for it installed first before installing Day of Defeat 1.0. Oh yes, 1.0 refers to the first production or retail version; all previous versions of the game were considered "beta" versions.

Now, then: Day of Defeat is a nicely rounded multi-player experience that is typical of these kinds of online experiences: times of fun metered with minutes of frustration and anger, coupled with all the of common internet issues like lag, adolescent players, cheating, and "griefing." At its heart beats the venerable Half-Life engine, heavily modified, of course. Past five years old, the engine is starting to show its age (especially on busy maps). The engine continually shows problems and is prone to crashing at various times, especially when reconnecting to a server where the connection was originally lost. The interface can be clunky and slow. Should you accidentally alt-tab or task switch out of the game, you'll lose your sound. These issues have been in the game so long, they're not bugs any more, they're unfortunate features you have to persevere your way through.

Installation and connecting to a server online is a simple process; Day of Defeat utilizes the Half-Lfie in-game browser to scan through thousands of game servers. Be sure to filter the search for "dod" game-types before getting the list; it'll help in the long run.

Once connected, you'll be given a choice to play on either as an Allied country (America or Britain) or as the Axis (Germany). Now you're given a class or type of soldier to play. Each class differs in the type of weapon you're given; a US Sergeant's main weapon is the Thompson submachinegun, while a Support Troop has a BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle). German troop types and voice commands are in German (or a decent sounding mock translation of German) but the explaining text is all in English.

The gist of Day of Defeat is to accomplish objectives on any given map. Typically this involves either capturing flags, destroying something, or returning an object to its original location. Once your team meets (or loses) all of the objectives, or time runs out, the round ends. Typically, you play a number of rounds on the same map until the next map in the rotation, though the number of rounds and the amount of time depends on the server. Some of the maps are large, others small and compact; there's a handy in-game map viewer you can use to find your way around generally - helps from getting lost in the early goings. Communication between players can be accomplished through a menu-based command/emote system, a text buffer, or by in-game voice, which works really well.

As first-person shooters go Day of Defeat is very fast-paced; like Counter-strike, it's extremely easy to get killed; many of the rifles, sniper weapons, and machineguns are nearly instant-kill weapons and can be extremely deadly if used the proper manner. Other weapons, like submachineguns and other support weapons, are best used at short or medium range. Day of Defeat also features grenades and anti-tank weapons (ie. bazookas, PIATs, etc.) - the latter of which is new to this version. Weapons amongst the three countries are somewhat balanced - the British, with the smallest variety (only three main types), seem to have weapons that do far better than the Germans or the Americans. In some situations, these particular choices play into the hands of somewhat poor and unbalanced level design.

Therefore, in some situations, gameplay can be extremely frustrating. Spawn areas can be grenade-camped (that is, as soon as you spawn you get blown up), players can run the gamut between fully helpful and totally frustrating, some maps seem to prefer one side over the other, and you can get killed quickly without ever knowing who did it. Multiplayer gaming however is still a lot of fun and with a competent team can be one of the best online experiences around - more variety however is required in the end for the game to survive. Whatever happened to the Counter-strike style one-death rounds?

Anyway, despite a variety of quibbles, once you learn the game and more importantly, the maps, Day of Defeat is one of the better multiplayer first-person shooters around and deserves a look.

Most Likely the greatest Multiplayer WW2 game around

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: August 08, 2004
Author: Amazon User

sure, youve got your battlefields and your medal of honors, but the most gripping world war 2 multiplayer has to come in the form of Day of Defeat, a mod for the original Half-Life. you can play either as allied (american/british) or axis (german). each side has different classes, like sniper/seargent or watever, and is soley sure, in battlefield you can drive/fly things on massive terrain. sure, all of the other ww2 games have better graphics. but day of defeat has simply the most amazingly designed maps to date. most maps are historically based on real world areas, and involve either capturing various locations, stealing documents, or blowing up tanks/bridges. also, it features probably the best weapon modelling around, putting even the most recent games to shame. it is in this simplicity that lies the fun of DoD. take a map like dod_glider. this map is a huge, sprawling city, filled with pitch black sewers, towers, rivers, bridges and stores. the main objective is for the allies to destroy a bridge, capture a bunker and radio tower as well as a few other locations. this city has tall buildings, perfect for snipers too. the only way you can complete these objectives is to work as a team. there are other maps like charlie (d-day) anzio (italian town) donner, jagd, and probably the funnest one, forest, complete with trenches and outposts. yes, the graphics were the best ever 5 years ago, but you can easily see past that when you play this game. its the greatest fun you'll ever have. apart from counterstrike :)

Great WWII shooter!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: December 29, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is very good compared to other WWII FPS that I have played. This game is modification of Half Life and from the creators of Counter Strike. I first saw this game in PCgamers magazine, then I wanted to get it, but I had no money. So I looked for demos but instead I found the mod. So I was happy. I downloaded it and installed it to play it. I tried to look for any server that had the jungle map. It was kind of hard to find any Day of Defeat servers, because there was so many Counter Strike servers. But eventually, I found few servers which wasn't the jungle map. I joined it anyway. I played in this map where you had to advance up the beach when the enemies were holding the line. That map was like the Normandy at D-Day and it could have been. I don't know the names of the maps. Everything about this game was so good. Games like Battlefield has vehicles and it's not as fun as shooting peolple with Bren or MP-40 than to get on a tank and just shoot anything in the way with no plan or strategy. I like game where you shoot, not use vehicles and if you use vehicles, you can't use strategies. What makes the gameplay so good. The voice communication and the guns only with objectives makes this game so addicting. Think of it as Counter Strike in WWII setting. You guys already know how fun Counter Strike is, then Day of Defeat is just as good possibly better than Counter Strike. Not only that, it's the most smooth running game because the game is dated and the system requirements are low compared to Call of Duty and other new WWII FPShooters. In my Celeron 897MH, 256mb RAM, and GeForce 2 MX400 64mb with DSL connection makes this game run without slow downs, but few lags at times. Even lags doesn't occur that much. I still recommend better computer than my computer so it can run faster. You don't even need video card to run this game. This game is highly recommended for multiplayer shooters and this is the most realistic FPS as well as Call of Duty. And even if you don't like FPS or never tried them, it will worth buying the retail version or download the mod if you have Half Life at dayofdefeat.com.

One of the Best Online WW2 Games Out There

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: January 12, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Day of Defeat is an online World War 2 game(based on the Half-life engine) set in the year 1944. It is solely European Theater(US/Britain vs. Germany).

When you pick your team you also get to pick different classes. For example German Grenadiers use Kar98 rifles & grenades and Allied Sergeants use Thompson submachine guns and m1a1 greasegun.

The action in DoD is VERY intense. A large part is due to the sound of the game. Day of Defeat has the BEST sound over any world war 2 game. You will actually feel like your in a War and not some deathmatch game. Just play the map dod_charlie and you will see what Im talking about.

The graphics are great if your on a high powered gaming rig(like me). Very smooth(60+fps).

Also this is one of the best team games out there, where you will actually have to rely on teamates to win the match, not just yourself. Also teamplay is boosted by the support of in-game voice communication(microphone needed), something more online shooters should have these days.

Overall Great WW2 game. You cant call yourself a WW2 first person shooter fan without this game.

Awesome Teamplay Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: September 09, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Why are so many people dizzing this game (mod)? Let me start by saying that I am a big fan of BF 1942 and no other game comes close to BF42 except Medal of Honor. This is a mod of Half Life not an actual game, so STOP comparing it vs. BF42. If you own half life, you don't need to buy it just download it for free(you may need to patch your Half Life game before installing it!!) If you do not know how to patch a game or do not own Half Life- Don't be afraid to purchase this game. These are the pros and cons:

Pros:
1-Awesome Teamplay - you won't win unless you work together as a team. No lone wolves!!!
2-Real time communication with teammates(just plug the mic)
3-Realistic WWII weapons
4-Weapons behave realistically- Machine guns have recoiled effect making harder to shoot your enemies unless squatting or going prone. Rifles are more steady and accurate, etc...
5-Maps are small- tight and tense fights, nowhere to hide making it almost impossible for campers and snipers to stay at a location shooting people for long periods of time. Everybody has to fight! >>>Action, lots of it>>

Cons:

1-No Classes - You only have a choice of weapons, that's it! No medics, no engineers, no covert ops, etc...
2-No single player missions in order to practice and get familiar with the maps.
3-No freedom of movement- Can't drive vehicles, tanks, use mounted guns, fly planes.
4-Graphics are good but the half life engine is showing its age.
5-Maps tend to favor one side making it very difficult for the other team to win.

Well there you have it, the choice it's yours!!! But if you ask me, I say yes go ahead ang give it try. If you are looking for an action packed game you won't be dissapointed.

MY FAVORITE GAME OF ALL TIME

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: November 22, 2004
Author: Amazon User

WARNING: ONLY ONLINE MULTIPLAYER. This is my most played fav. game of all time. I know I will never find a better online mutiplayer war game for $20. I can play this for 24 hours a day if i wanted too. I got this game more then a year ago and I really never got bored of it. Although I kind of got bored with the same gameplay/maps after about 500 hrs. of play, I found better servers, and maps.

The maps range from Anzio, Kalt, Omaha Beach(awesome map), Sterm, Bunkerhill, Merderet, and much much more. There some of the regular maps from the start. You can then play really fun maps such as Legoland(made out of legos), 5 different Mario maps, Ship Fight maps, island maps, sea maps, and much more. There is even a server where you fight a bunch of zombie bots with 2000 health each and never stop coming.

The weapon choices are great even though there arent that many, but youll never get tired of using them. You can use rifles, machine guns, shovels, knives, grenades, mortars, bazookas, and mg's.

EVERY server is also great. If you find a awesome server/clan get into the clan and take on other teams in head-to-head competition to see who has the best clan. You can only fit 2-32 people on one server, which is good because then the servers are never laggy while your playing.

OVERALL:10/10
I think I could play this game for a very very long time before i finally get bored with it all. You will always be satisfied with this game every time you play it. For $20 your getting a lot.

GREAT GRAPHICS, GAMEPLAY, WEAPONS, MAPS, and SERVERS.
MY fav. and most played game of 2003 and 2004.

Great visually, excellent playing

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: May 09, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Day of Defeat follows in the footsteps of Counter-Strike, as a uber-excellent mod of Half-Life that has been released as a stand-alone retail product.

Day of Defeat can be played on virtually all computers purchased within the past five years. However, it looks and plays totally modern. It's WW2 based environments are filled with gritty realism. The settings seems realistic, and the weapons are realistic - as realistic as a computer game can get.

The movement and gameplay is well-flowing and uncomplicated. As such, it is easy to immerse yourself into the feeling of fighting a battle, rather than fighting with your computer for which button to press.

The game has a voice-comm system which enables players to verbally talk with their teammates, so plotting our strategies and tactics in real-time adds to the teamplay aspect. Day of Defeat is an online, multiplayer game - so be ready to fight against people, not a computer program. Therefore, there is an exciting psychological aspect - you really need to play smart to outsmart the humans you're competing with. It is endlessly creative because of this human aspect.

There are 14 different "real WW2 battles" at which you can be an infantryman, submachinegunner, sniper, heavy rifle, machinegun or bazoka operator. You can choose to play as an American, British or German soldier.

If you don't have Half-Life and therefore can't grab Day of Defeat off the internet, it is well worth purchasing. You will be able to add custom models and maps as the game's players create them.

Even before DoD was retail, it was the most popular WW2 based game on the internet. The reason being it is a great game. Lots of action. Lots of teamplay. Lots of fun.

Day of Defeat = Best WWII Multiplayer Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: September 07, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Day of Defeat is by far one of the most realistic war games (Rougue Spear is close as well) I have ever played. You should ignore any review that compares this to Counter-Strike, especially on the basis of realism because these two games are COMPLETELY different. Counter-Strike's "realism" consists of snipers running around and jumping while looking through scopes and firing accurately. Also accurately firing AK-47s from the hip on full automatic mode while running around. Counter-Strike, realistic? HARDLY. In Counter-Strike, kills = victory. Sure, there are objectives that are usually ignored because players want to improve their stats instead of complete objectives. This isn't an attack on CS, but I need to say this to separate the two mods.

Sure, CS can be fun and all but it's usually just a round based deathmatch. Day of Defeat is completely different. In DOD, kills don't mean anything if you don't complete the objective because killing isn't the objective. The pathetic excuse for realism CS boasts is far surpassed by DOD. Sure, you can run around firing full automatic, but you your chances of hitting anything you'd want to hit are slim. In reality, accuracy comes from firing while standing still. Snipers aren't ridiculously powerful in DOD as AWP fanatics are in CS. Each class has a niche on the battlefield, and while snipers are quite dangerous at a distance, a rifleman or a soldier equipped with a submachine gun can easily butcher any snipers within range. I'm also pleased by the fact you can be a rifleman without being at a huge disadvantage like you would be in Battlefield 1942 or Medal of Honor. And rocket launchers are not ridiculous like Medal of Honor. Unlike Medal of Honor, they actually serve a purpose and aren't as cheap. You can't wander the map blowing people away while on the move. No, you have to shoulder the launcher to be able to fire, then your movement speed is greatly reduced. Even when you fire, your blast radius isn't as large.

So comparing CS to DOD is unfair becaue they are two completely different things. If you like realism, you'll most likely like this game.

Save your Money and Buy Battlefield 2 instead

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 7 / 12
Date: November 08, 2005
Author: Amazon User

DOD on the HL1 engine was great. DOD Source on the HL2 engine is great. However I spent about 1 week playing it and this is my advise. Buy Battlefield 2 instead. BF2 is a much better war multiplayer. It is what everyone is playing at the moment instead of DOD:S.

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