Software:Secret Weapons Over Normandy

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Secret Weapons Over Normandy
Developer(s)Totally Games
Publisher(s)LucasArts
Designer(s)Lawrence Holland
Mike Hawkins
Tony Evans
Jess VanderWalker
Aaron Keppel
Composer(s)Michael Giacchino
EngineRenderWare
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
Xbox
Microsoft Windows
Release
  • NA: November 18, 2003
  • EU: November 28, 2003
Genre(s)action
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Secret Weapons Over Normandy is a World War II-based arcade video game. Published by LucasArts and developed by Totally Games, the game is composed of 15 objective-based missions set in 1940s European, North African, and the Pacific theatres of war. The story was written by Derek Chester. The music was composed by Michael Giacchino.

Plot

The player assumes the role of James Chase, an American who has volunteered to serve as a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force starting in May 1940. After displaying above-average skill and bravery during the evacuations at Dunkirk, he is transferred to the Battlehawks: a special unit in the RAF that operates under Prime Minister Winston Churchill's Special Operations Executive. The Battle of Britain, North Africa, China, the Battle of Midway, the Eastern Front, Norway, and Germany are all featured in one or more missions. The final mission of the campaign is on June 6, 1944, with the Battlehawks flying air support as Operation Overlord begins.

The overall goal of the Battlehawks throughout the campaign is to "halt the most insidious plans of the Third Reich". The player's principal opponent is the Luftwaffe, in particular the Battlehawk's counterpart, the elite squadron of top German pilots known as Nemesis (similar to the real KG 200), commanded by Oberst Krieger. The player will also face off against the forces of the Japanese Empire.

Gameplay

The game is almost entirely from a third-person view, with the player's "camera" set to the rear of the plane looking towards it. Fuel is unlimited, but ammunition and mounted ordnance - bombs, torpedoes, or rockets - are not.

In the campaign, the player is often assisted by wingmen. They are friendly pilots who can be ordered to cover Chase's plane, follow it, attack marked units and attack enemy planes. In some missions, it is possible to land on runways and get more ammunition or even change the aircraft. The player can slow down or speed up the time at any moment. However, it also removes voice dialogue. Although most of the gameplay is in the air, certain parts of certain missions are set on the ground and the player must use anti-aircraft weaponry to shoot down enemy planes. The first part of the twelfth mission is in a turret of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bomber, and the player uses machine guns to fight incoming fighters.

During the campaign, the player can play short challenges that often have unique objectives. The story is not affected if these challenges are skipped, but they also follow the same story of the main part of the campaign. Completion of all secondary objectives during a primary mission can result in a promotion or a decoration being awarded. The player, despite being in the Royal Air Force, is given promotions in American, not British, military rank, and the majority of decorations available are American - some of which did not even exist at the time. The two British decorations that can be earned are the highest available - the George Cross and the Victoria Cross - which, if the player earns them, would make James Chase the first to receive both in history.

Throughout the course of the game, the player will have the opportunity to fly many types of World War II aircraft into combat. Most of the aircraft are American, others are British (notably the first few available planes), and the remainder are a handful of German and one Japanese aircraft. Some can be unlocked for multiplayer or single-mission use but not for the campaign, like the Messerschmit Me-163 "Komet", and others are completely unavailable for player use, like the Nakajima B5N and the Heinkel He-111.

F4F Wildcat

Secret Weapons Over Normandy is notable for the presence of several prototype designs that never flew in combat, or were used in small numbers, among them the XP-55 Ascender, XP-56 Black Bullet, Chance-Vought Flying Pancake, the Junkers Ju 390, and the Daimler Benz C. Also present are several German weapons projects that were either never completed or failed to make a significant impact on the war, such as the Mistel and the Wasserfall missile launcher.

The game features a wide range of actual weapons that were used during World War II. It also features the unlockable TIE Fighter and X-Wing starships from the Star Wars universe in the game's instant action mode.[1]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS2Xbox
EdgeN/A8/10[3]N/A
EGMN/A6.33/10[4]6.33/10[4]
EurogamerN/AN/A9/10[5]
FamitsuN/A30/40[6]N/A
Game InformerN/A7.5/10[7]7.5/10[8]
GameProN/AStarStarStarStarStar[9]N/A
GameSpot6.9/10[10]6.9/10[10]6.9/10[10]
GameSpyStarStarStar[11]StarStarStarStarHalf star[12]StarStarStarStarHalf star[13]
GameZone8.7/10[14]9.5/10[15]N/A
IGN8/10[16]8/10[17]8/10[17]
OPM (US)N/AStarStarStarStar[18]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/A6.9/10[19]
PC Gamer (US)65%[20]N/AN/A
Playboy75%[21]75%[21]75%[21]
The Village Voice6/10[22]6/10[22]6/10[22]
Aggregate score
Metacritic72/100[23]81/100[24]77/100[25]

Secret Weapons Over Normandy received "favorable" reviews on all platforms except the PC version, which received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[23][24][25]

Steve Butts of IGN praised the sound and gameplay.[17] Kristan Reed of Eurogamer praised the Xbox version, calling it "one of the best kept secrets of the year".[5] Jeff Gerstmann of GameSpot was a little more critical. He praised the simple controls and graphics but noted that they don't excel in any one area, and criticized the lack of challenge.[10] In Japan, where the PS2 version was ported and published by Electronic Arts, Famitsu gave it a score of one eight, two sevens, and one eight for a total of 30 out of 40.[6]

Soundtrack

Secret Weapons Over Normandy: LucasArts Original Soundtrack Recording
Soundtrack album by
Michael Giacchino
ReleasedDecember 30, 2003[26]
RecordedJune 2003
StudioBastyr University, Kenmore, Washington
Genre
  • orchestral
LengthScript error: No such module "hms".
LabelLa-La Land Records

Script error: No such module "Album ratings". The game's soundtrack, composed by Medal of Honor's Michael Giacchino and performed by session musicians of the Northwest Sinfonia, was released as a two-CD set by La-La Land Records.[26][27] The first disc includes the game's main themes, while the second disc features shorter cues and video interviews.[28]

References

  1. ↑ "Secret Star Wars Weapons over Normandy" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/secret-star-wars-weapons-over-normandy/1100-6084700/. 
  2. ↑ Atkin, Denny (March 2004). "Secret Weapons Over Normandy". Computer Gaming World (236): 90. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_236.pdf. Retrieved April 22, 2017. 
  3. ↑ Edge staff (December 25, 2003). "Secret Weapons Over Normandy (PS2)". Edge (131). 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 EGM staff (January 2004). "Secret Weapons Over Normandy (PS2, Xbox)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (174): 109. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Reed, Kristan (January 5, 2004). "Secret Weapons Over Normandy (Xbox)". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_swon_x. Retrieved February 6, 2015. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Secret Weapons Over Normandy (シークリット ウェポンズ オーバー ノーマンディー; PS2)". Famitsu 789. January 30, 2004. 
  7. ↑ Kato, Matthew (December 2003). "Secret Weapons Over Normandy (PS2)". Game Informer (128): 148. Archived from the original on January 7, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090107035307/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200312/R03.1215.1813.45188.htm. Retrieved April 22, 2017. 
  8. ↑ "Secret Weapons Over Normandy (Xbox)". Game Informer (129): 151. January 2004. 
  9. ↑ Air Hendrix (November 19, 2003). "Secret Weapons Over Normandy Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on February 11, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050211212718/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/31782.shtml. Retrieved April 22, 2017. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Gerstmann, Jeff (November 24, 2003). "Secret Weapons Over Normandy Review". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/secret-weapons-over-normandy-review/1900-6084557/. Retrieved April 22, 2017. 
  11. ↑ Osborne, Scott (November 18, 2003). "GameSpy: Secret Weapons Over Normandy (PC)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on February 26, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060226210028/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/secret-weapons-over-normandy/6374p1.html. Retrieved April 22, 2017. 
  12. ↑ Meston, Zach (November 18, 2003). "GameSpy: secret Weapons Over Normandy (PS2)". GameSpy. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/secret-weapons-over-normandy/6270p1.html. Retrieved April 22, 2017. 
  13. ↑ Meston, Zach (November 18, 2003). "GameSpy: Secret Weapons Over Normandy (Xbox)". GameSpy. http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/secret-weapons-over-normandy/6338p1.html. Retrieved April 22, 2017. 
  14. ↑ Aceinet (November 17, 2003). "Secret Weapons Over Normandy - PC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090125222052/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r21961.htm. Retrieved April 22, 2017. 
  15. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (November 17, 2003). "Secret Weapons Over Normandy - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090125232948/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r21961.htm. Retrieved April 22, 2017. 
  16. ↑ Butts, Steve (November 18, 2003). "Secret Weapons Over Normandy Review (PC)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/19/secret-weapons-over-normandy-review. Retrieved April 22, 2017. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Butts, Steve (November 18, 2003). "Secret Weapons Over Normandy (PS2, Xbox)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/19/secret-weapons-over-normandy. Retrieved February 6, 2015. 
  18. ↑ "Secret Weapons Over Normandy". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine: 176. December 2003. 
  19. ↑ "Secret Weapons Over Normandy". Official Xbox Magazine: 83. January 2004. 
  20. ↑ Mahood, Andy (February 2004). "Secret Weapons Over Normandy". PC Gamer: 68. Archived from the original on March 15, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060315141834/http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/06/secret_weapons.html. Retrieved April 22, 2017. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 "Secret Weapons Over Normandy". Playboy: 44. December 2003. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Catucci, Nick (December 30, 2003). "Historical Flyover Portends the Postmortem Condition". The Village Voice. http://www.villagevoice.com/news/historical-flyover-portends-the-postmortem-condition-6397517. Retrieved April 22, 2017. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Secret Weapons Over Normandy for PC Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/secret-weapons-over-normandy/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved February 6, 2015. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Secret Weapons Over Normandy for PlayStation 2 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/secret-weapons-over-normandy/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved February 6, 2015. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Secret Weapons Over Normandy for Xbox Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/secret-weapons-over-normandy/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved February 6, 2015. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Elchlepp, Simon (April 30, 2012). "Secret Weapons Over Normandy Original Soundtrack Recording". https://www.game-ost.com/albums/488/secret_weapons_over_normandy_original_soundtrack_recording/. 
  27. ↑ "Secret Weapons Over Normandy Original Soundtrack Recording". https://vgmdb.net/album/2066. 
  28. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named fsm
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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