Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Medal of Honor: Heroes places you in the boots of three iconic protagonists from previous franchise installments—Lt. James Patterson, Sgt. John Baker, and Lt. William Holt—and tasks you with carrying out daring operations across three theaters of World War II. The missions span Italy, Belgium, and Holland, each offering a distinct tactical flavor. From stealthy infiltration behind enemy lines to all-out assaults on fortified positions, the pace is brisk and the objectives are varied enough to keep even series veterans on their toes.

The controls are tailored to the handheld format, with aim stabilizers and intuitive button mapping that let you focus on the action rather than wrestling with complex inputs. You’ll be capturing radio outposts, sabotaging supply trains, escorting allied convoys, and demolishing critical enemy infrastructure. The mission briefings are concise and to the point, ensuring you know what needs to be done without bogging down the momentum with excessive exposition.

Replayability comes courtesy of adjustable difficulty levels and a wealth of unlockables. New uniforms and weapon skins can be earned by completing campaign milestones or by revisiting past missions on higher difficulties. This system encourages multiple playthroughs, giving collectors and completionists a clear incentive to explore every corner of the game’s settings.

Multiplayer is a standout component, offering both Ad Hoc and infrastructure modes. In local Ad Hoc play, up to eight players can duke it out, whereas the infrastructure mode expands the battlefield to 32 participants online. Classic modes like Deathmatch and Capture the Flag make a return, and the addition of “Hold the Line” injects a PvE twist where players must defend critical positions against waves of AI-controlled foes. The variety of modes ensures that whether you prefer traditional fragging or more objective-driven matches, there’s something for everyone.

Graphics

For a handheld title, Medal of Honor: Heroes punches well above its weight. The environments—ranging from sun-baked Italian villa courtyards to muddy Belgian farmlands and the flooded polders of Holland—are richly detailed. Every texture, from the cracked plaster on enemy bunkers to the muddy footprints left by your squad, contributes to a surprisingly immersive battlefield ambiance.

Character models are faithful to their original console counterparts, albeit with slightly simplified polygon counts to maintain performance during chaotic firefights. Uniforms flutter realistically when you dive for cover, and weapon models sport finely rendered details, right down to the iron sights and the wooden grips. Explosions kick up clouds of debris, smoke lingers in the sky, and tracer rounds punctuate the air during heavy firefights, adding cinematic flair to each encounter.

The lighting engine adapts dynamically to different times of day and weather conditions. Dawn missions feature soft, rosy skies that contrast sharply with the harsh glare of midday sun in other levels. Storm-riddled skies in the Holland campaign imbue every raindrop and puddle with a cold, foreboding edge. All these effects come together to create distinct atmospheres that elevate the sense of being “on the front lines.”

Story

Medal of Honor: Heroes weaves together three narratives, each anchored by a returning protagonist. Lt. James Patterson’s missions feel suitably cinematic, recalling the grand scale of the original titles. His journey through Italy involves sabotage, intelligence gathering, and the slow grind of liberating occupied towns from the Axis grip.

Sgt. John Baker’s campaign in Belgium is steeped in the gritty realism of Allied infantry warfare. You’ll charge through bomb-scarred villages, hold vital crossroads, and fend off counterattacks in bitter winter conditions. His voice-over diary entries between missions provide a poignant, humanizing counterpoint to the gunfire and explosions.

Finally, Lt. William Holt leads you into the flooded lowlands of Holland. Intense waterlogged combat scenarios force you to adapt your tactics, as flanked positions can appear from unexpected angles beneath the surface. Holt’s story underscores the logistical challenges of amphibious operations and the importance of local resistance forces in undermining enemy supply lines.

While the individual narratives aren’t overly complex, they’re delivered with enough authenticity and emotional heft to complement the action. Mission objectives are grounded in actual WWII events, lending a sense of historical weight to every firefight and sabotage run.

Overall Experience

Medal of Honor: Heroes is a compelling addition to the franchise, especially for gamers seeking a portable WWII shooter that doesn’t skimp on depth or production values. The three‐campaign structure honors the legacy of its console predecessors, while the tailored mission design and replay incentives ensure that both newcomers and series veterans will find something to love.

The balance between robust single-player offerings and a surprisingly deep multiplayer suite makes for a well-rounded package. Whether you’re storming Normandy with friends in infrastructure mode or sneaking through enemy lines in solo play, the game delivers consistent thrills. Its unlockable rewards and difficulty tiers add longevity, encouraging you to revisit even your favorite levels with fresh challenges.

Performance is reliably smooth, and the graphical presentation is among the finest on its platform. Add to that the effective storytelling—brief yet poignant—and you have a title that stands as a testament to what handheld shooters can achieve. Overall, Medal of Honor: Heroes earns its place in the franchise pantheon and is an essential pick for anyone who appreciates classic WWII action on the go.

Retro Replay Score

6.8/10