The reason I say BF1942 is a genre defining game is because they have added all other elements of games that have gone before (FPS, strategy, vehicle manipulation) and take it to a another level while adding new features. Not only did the creators make the graphics stunningly beautiful, but they were able to make the engine relativley bug free. The fun factor is wicked, and the look and feel is just awesome!

But even for all the coolness factors of BF1942, there is really no single-player game to speak of, unlike say Medal of Honor which has a complete single player campaign which is quite different from the multiplayer part of the game. If Battlefield had a single/multiplayer campaign system like Hidden & Dangerous, then it would probably be the best game of all time. It is awesome but having no story kinda detracts from the game.

Multiplayer (the stuff that matters):
Battlefield 1942 IS multiplayer. That is the entire selling feature. Online and onLAN this game is stable, solid and fun to play. The maps are just gorgeous. Just grabbing a plane and flying around is fun in and of itself. There are two types of maps, capture the flag and the other is capture the flag but with a points system. BF1942is an absolute howl! One LAN we got a bunch of guys together and began "jumping" jeeps off the mountain on the Iwo Jima map, "helping" them along with dynamite packs.

The myriad of cool features are almost too many to list but here are a few: fly any plane, drive any jeep or tank, half-track, pick up weapons, see through first person, third person perspectives, sniper rifle = leebi, ability to drop dynamite and blowup at will...the list keeps going on and on. To me, Battlefield 1942 is the Hidden & Dangerous 2 that I may never get to see!

RATING 9/10