The Great Escape Review - PC Game Reviews

The Great Escape Review

through development in order to coincide its release with that of the movie. This results in fractured or incomplete gameplay as can be seen in Enter the Matrix or Wolverine’s Revenge.

Even though The Great Escape is based on the movie of the same name, the games developers didn’t face this problem, mainly since the movie released 40 years ago. Considering the nail biting tension and brilliant action sequences that were present in the film, many fans expected this game to be one of the better games of 2003. The developers promised to recreate the movie perfectly and even went to the extent of using the voice and likeness of the film’s hero, Steve McQueen. As in the movie, the events in the game mostly occur in and around World War II Prisoner Of War camps. During the course of the game, you’ll control each of the main characters that eventually land up in the largest POW camp in the world, Stalag Luft III. Each of these characters has his own special ability such as Flight Lieutenant MacDonald’s fluent German, Flt. Lt. Hendly’s thievery, Flying Officer Sedgwick’s mechanical talents, and the lock-picking skill of Captain Virgil Hilts (McQueen). Their joint mission is to escape the camp alive.


Visually, neither will this game win any Tony awards nor does it deserve to slink off shamefully into the sunset. Overall, the models are well done, especially Hilts. However, some textures look either too blocky or washed out. The graphics engine does a great job of recreating the atmosphere of the camp as does the music score. The voice acting is first-class, which is a good thing since conversations are often used to further the storyline. A major problem this title faces is that stealth in gaming has been refined and perfected by such titles as Thief, Metal Gear Solid and Splinter Cell. These are hard acts to follow and predictably, The Great Escape stumbles and sometimes falls flat on its admittedly handsome face. (HEY! Steve McQueen was a sex-symbol. I’m trying to make a subtle connection here!) As in most stealth titles, you are provided with a Danger Meter to let you know how well hidden you are from enemies. However, many of the stealth missions seem to have no purpose beyond parading you in front of wildly unpredictable soldiers in your search for items like saws, ropes, wire cutters etc. At times enemies will spot you sneaking directly behind them while at other times you have to do the drunken dance of death™ to get any attention at all. If spotted, you have the option of either tossing an object for distraction or engaging in combat. Unfortunately, the combat system is weak and ineffective with punches missing more often that not. A combination of the clumsy controls and jerky camera angles makes hiding from Zee Germans a little difficult. Add to the mix a console-style save system which gives you limited saves per mission plus a few missions with time-limits and you have needless frustration.


In games as in life, challenge is welcome, frustration is not. However, this game has a lot to offer, if you can look past its shortcomings. Surprisingly, it’s the non-stealth missions where this game really shines, such as the first level in the tail of a bomber or the missions where you get to drive vehicles. Ultimately, TGE does a fine job of recreating the style and atmosphere of the film. However, it does fall a little short on gameplay. Buy it if you loved the movie or like games based on stealth.

HIGHS: Great voice acting, Good Story
LOWS: Slow in parts, Erratic A.I.
NUTSHELL: Stylish yet flawed
Christof Rating: 86%