Medal of Honor: Airborne

Parachute drops turn every mission into a tense tactical decision, making this World War II shooter feel more open than most of its era. Medal of Honor: Airborne follows American paratrooper Boyd Travers of the 82nd Airborne as he moves from the Mediterranean campaign through occupied Europe and toward Germany. Rather than placing you at a scripted starting line, each operation begins above the battlefield, with flak, wind, and enemy fire making a safe landing far from guaranteed. The tone is appropriately gritty and cinematic, capturing the chaos of soldiers hitting the ground behind enemy lines with limited support.

After choosing where to land, you push through broad combat spaces, locate objectives, and decide which threats deserve attention first. A rooftop, church tower, courtyard, or ruined farmhouse can become your initial foothold, and a strong landing position often changes how the rest of the mission unfolds. Gunfights use the familiar period arsenal of M1 Garands, Thompsons, BARs, sniper rifles, and captured German weapons, with aiming down sights and cover-minded movement giving encounters more weight than earlier Medal of Honor entries. Frequent use improves individual weapons, unlocking upgrades such as steadier handling, larger magazines, or stronger firepower, while higher difficulties demand sharper aim and smarter use of available cover.

Its airborne insertion system remains the standout feature: the opening jump is not just spectacle, but a practical route-selection tool that encourages experimentation on repeat runs. Levels offer more room to maneuver than the series’ traditionally corridor-heavy campaigns, though the overall experience still delivers a focused, single-player story rather than a massive sandbox war simulation. Visuals and mission design show their age, and enemy behavior can occasionally be rough, but the sound of aircraft engines, anti-aircraft guns, and desperate close-range firefights still sells the battlefield atmosphere. Fans of Call of Duty’s classic WWII campaigns who want more freedom in their approach should find plenty to like, while newcomers should expect a fast, old-school FPS that rewards aggressive but considered play.