Pros: New intuitive controls, Fun Once Through
Cons: Virtually No Replay Value, Steep learning curve, Weaker Particle Effects
The bottom line: If you've played it on another system, still rent it. It's worth it to see how the controls are used, but you won't play it more than once. Don't buy.
* This is mostly a port from my X-box 360 review of this title, but with non-applicable sections removed, and other sections added for the Wii's controls or other differentials.

Call of Duty 3 (CoD3) is the fourth addition to a world renowned series, as is ill-implied in the title. CoD1 gave a new life to WWII shooters on the PC with a range of perspectives from different nations of the allied forces. CoD Big Red One was the first console installment and brought the series amazing gameplay to last gen consoles. CoD2 saved a horrendous launch of the X-box 360 with some of the greatest First person gameplay to ever be seen, but the online was lacking. CoD3 for the Wii scraps the online in order to focus on a new set of controls. This makes for a great single player experience, but an absent multiplayer, be it single console or online.

Gameplay 4/5: If you have played CoD2's single player, then this title is virtually the same, but with new controls. That being said, if it ain't broke...don't fix it, and with a new grasp on the controls, CoD3 feels like a new game. CoD3 will put you in the shoes of all different Allies nations to wage historic battles of the epic WWII. Don't expect it to blow you away, if you have already played a CoD game, but do expect to have fun.

Although the level design is pretty straightforward, the situation seems ever changing. Questions always loom in you mind as to what to do. Will you smoke it out, see the beautiful particle effect in graphics section, or will you go in guns blazing. Maybe you will take the best of both and snipe those Nazi bastards. No matter your path you will have fun guaranteed.

The guns, at a glance, seem to vary greatly with different weapons for each nation, but when it boils down to it you are getting one of seven guns: rifle, submachine gun, machine gun, heavy machine gun, sniper, shotgun, or pistol. Not every weapon of each category feels the same (like the Nazi rifle opposed to the M1 Grand), but for the most part you won't notice a major difference. Even with all of the individual guns all boiling down to these categories, seven weapons is plenty to keep you interested.

The controls on the Wii function, for the most part, how you would expect. You aim, and your character aims. You push the "b" (trigger) you fire. The weird thing is how you turn. Move to about the one-third line on any part of the screen and you will start turning that way. This sounds a little clunky and a bit confusing, but once you get the hang of it, it is seamless. Another control mapped to the Wiimote is melee. Pull back and then stab forward to give those Axis a good beating. Although you can just push down on the d-pad instead, the quick jab is much more satisfying.

Now onto the nunchuck. This has two main functions, switch weapons, and reload. To switch weapons simple jerk the nunchuck to the side. This takes a bit longer than simply pushing a button, but allows you to keep you aim and always be ready to fire. To reload, pull the nunchuck up vertically as if lifting your gun to pull out the clip. This is a pretty cool feature, but you can push "-" if you prefer.

The other motions sensitive controls have to do with driving, and they are awesome. Grip the Wii mote and nunchuck as if they are a steering wheel and drive. Imagine when you pretended to drive when you were little, and that is basically what you have.

There are a few issues though. For instance, you must push the "1" button in order to use your binoculars. This button is near the bottom of the controller and forces you to left off of "A" and usually slide down off of "B" in order to push it. Since you will only need it to mark Jerrys while riding on the back of the tank, it is often easier to use your nunchuck hand to press it as you will not need to be walking.

Another issue is the steep learning curve. It took about 15 minutes to get acclimated, and 30-40 minutes to be good at it. Even with that being said, it is still harder to aim than a standard controller in most situations, which makes sense as it is harder to physically aim than to simply align a motionless reticle. It does allow for previously impossible shots though as you are not limited as vertically and can shoot over cover while exposing less of your body.

So while the gameplay is fun, and the controls give it a new sense of realism that tends to make it feel almost too real, the learning curve it just to steep, and the aiming a bit to hard to warrant a perfect score in this section, leaving the gameplay with a 4/5.

Sound 5/5: As with previous CoD games, the sound quality is amazing. The little things that make noise are what really blow you away. From the subtle sound of ruble from an explosion, to the "pshhh" of a smoke grenade. The thundering sounds are still there, and nearly as distinct as the smaller ones. The guns sound brilliant, especially the Support machine gun with a booming 75 rounds squeezed out of the trigger. The explosions are massive in size, and have the sound to match. Even drowned out sound (an effect of Shell shock) is amazing and really makes you feel immersed in the experience and the confusion of war.

The score is also well done and purely orchestral. The songs really lend their emotion to the situations, and can take you from the brink of death to the summit of victory. A musical score even begins to fade in as you are about to grab the last flag in a multiplayer game of war.

Whether through standard TV speakers, or standard 5.1 surround sound, this game will sound amazing, and will draw you in without so much as a glance at the action on screen. All this dubs the sound a 5/5.

Graphics 3/5:The graphics in CoD3 are well done, but cannot stand up to its other installments on the X-box 360 and PC. On its own though, it seems sufficient, and can be compared to CoD Big Red One.

Weapons are shiny and smooth, and even the ejected shell cases have an unimaginable detail. The grass has even been revamped, and will stay trampled when you walk over it showing your buddies, or possibly your enemies path. The characters look great, but they are all seemingly clones of each other, which has sadly become a standard in the FPS world. The real kicker are the particle effects. You will be constantly surrounded by one form or another, be it from a smoke grenade, or from the debris off a frag. Fog of war is no longer a sight draw issue, it is for real. This makes grenades as important as any weapon, especially in modes where you must capture or defend an area. Even with that being said, the Wii version's smokes can have jagged edges at times, and seem to be almost layered.

On its own the graphics are not too bad, but after going from the X-box 360 version down to this, they just can't compare. Even when looked at as being on the Wii, the particle effects are too important to the gameplay to have the jagged edges and layered effect, leaving this section with an average 3/5.

Replay Value 2/5: This is the biggest problem with this version of the game. This game has no multiplayer, single console, or otherwise. You are limited to single player alone, and although it is good, you will most likely only play through once. Sure there are different difficulties, but Veteran is even more difficult in this version, meaning you are more likely to get frustrated than to enjoy yourself. Play it once, and put it down, you most likely won't return. CoD3 for the Wii has the lowest replay value of any of the platforms with a 2/5.

Overall 3/5: This game is fun, and even if you have played it on another platform, you should pick it up for a rental. Sadly though, this game deserves only that. It is a blast once through, and a new experience that will really open up your mind to the possibilities of motion control on the Wii, but it the fun just does not last. Do not skip this title, but do not buy.
Publisher: Activision
Genre: 1st Person Shooter
ESRB: Teen