Enemy Front
Released in June 2014, Enemy Front is a first-person shooter video game set against the backdrop of World War II. Developed and published by CI Games for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, the game aimed to immerse players in less-explored theaters of the war, particularly the Polish resistance and the Warsaw Uprising.
Players step into the boots of Robert Hawkins, an American war correspondent who finds himself deeply entangled with various resistance groups across Europe. The narrative unfolds through his flashbacks, highlighting historical events and Nazi atrocities in Poland, Norway, and France. Along his journey, Hawkins collaborates with a Norwegian commando, a German SOE agent, and a French Resistance fighter, alongside his Polish allies.
Enemy Front attempts to blend stealth, sniping, and all-out firefights across its missions. The game features expansive levels, offering players different approaches to objectives. Some environments encourage a more clandestine style of gameplay, utilizing stealth takedowns and silenced weapons, while others demand direct confrontation.
However, the game received mixed reviews upon its release. While some appreciated its focus on lesser-known aspects of WWII and its level design, Enemy Front was often criticized for its dated mechanics, inconsistent AI behavior, and technical issues. Reviewers pointed out that the stealth elements lacked sophistication, and the gunplay, while functional, didn’t stand out in a crowded genre. The multiplayer component was also considered barebones and suffered from a lack of a significant player base.
Despite its ambition to offer a different perspective on World War II, Enemy Front ultimately struggled to leave a lasting impact due to its shortcomings in execution. It remains a title that some players might revisit for its unique historical setting, particularly its emphasis on the Warsaw Uprising, but its gameplay flaws prevent it from being a standout entry in the WWII shooter genre.