Pathway to Glory

World War II in Southern Europe, 1943: the struggle for Europe is at a critical point. Special forces are urgently needed, and you're going to lead a platoon of them. But be prepared for full immersion: one look at the painstakingly researched uniforms, weapon types, and locations, and you'll be itching to get on the battlefield. With intuitive controls and nearly innumerable variables in gameplay, Pathway to Glory is like any great game - it takes a moment to learn, and a lifetime to master. Pathway to Glory is the most anticipated N-Gage title for 2004, and rightly so - it's built to deliver more depth in detail, emotion, and playing experience than any other mobile game made before.

... oh please is it?
in a word YES. I was really looking forward to writing this review because it feels good to really big up a game when it truly deserves it and this title does, what an absolute cracker! Now that I've had the chance to play the full retail version of the game I can honestly say it's still as gobsmacking as the preview was only with far more depth. But let's get to it shall we?

But what is it?
In short it's a squad and turn-based World War II strategy game, for those old skool gamers like myself who fondly remember an Amiga title named 'Syndicate' that is the closest comparison I can come to and I have to say the style of play is quite reminiscent of older titles also and this is no bad thing. It's easy in this day and age of super consoles to assume that games cannot afford to return to this old style of simple yet effective gameplay, I for one say rubbish! Sometimes older is better. Pathway to glory while technically astounding for the N-Gage platform has cleverly returned to a time when gaming was fun.

Technically Astounding.. on the N-Gage?
Oh yes I kid you not my loyal minions Pathway to Glory is a technical masterpiece and I for one can tell you that the retail version is amazing, I said it in my preview of this title that I wanted to gush even more about how technically clever this little title is and so I'm keeping to my word because the full version is even better. With more than 800 different sprites for highly detailed graphics, 100 in-game illustrations, thousands of real-world photographs of locations, and 16 in-game languages - even motion-capturing 160 Finnish soldiers for awesomely authentic troop movement and behavior AND the speech is clear!! This is one hell of a title.

You're having a laugh surely?
Would I lead you astray? Of course not! I can only go by what I have seen heard and felt and this title ROCKS! It's not often a mobile game can tear me away from my beloved Xbox but this is one such title.

What about the girls?
This is a WWII title so there's little room for playable female characters but given the setting it's a forgivable omission. Although the packaging of this will probably appeal more to the male gamer don't be put off girls because you may well find that you're loving this more than the boys.

In the preview I mentioned that the anticipation to bring you a full hands on Review of the full title was almost too much to bear and that I hoped beyond belief that the full retail copy would be just as exciting, well I can tell you that it is and I have not changed my mind a bit, in fact it's all the better for it since I'm giving it a full on 10. If you love gaming, particularly this style of gaming you might want to make sure you have an N-Gage because Pathway to Glory is truly something very special indeed.