Medal of Honor is officially launching this month, January 1999, and it marks a major milestone for ZAGE's development history. This title isn't just another FPS—it's the very first ZAGE-developed World War-themed first-person shooter, and more significantly, it's also the first time ZAGE is releasing a full-fledged FPS title directly on the ZEPS 3 console platform. Historically, ZAGE has always favored the PC space when it comes to their FPS games, leveraging the precision of mouse and keyboard controls and the more open architecture of PC systems to push technical boundaries. So seeing them shift their attention and invest this level of effort into a console-exclusive FPS project is a major turning point.
What's even more surprising is how well the game is being received. It's already starting to garner a passionate following—particularly among FPS enthusiasts—many of whom had long believed that a full-scale, responsive, and satisfying first-person shooter just wasn't feasible on a home console. These players were skeptical, and not without reason: ZAGE had consistently released their premier FPS titles only on PC in the past. Yet with the Medal of Honor, that assumption has been thoroughly shattered. ZAGE has not only released an FPS on console, but one that delivers solid gameplay performance, impressive visuals, and tight control systems tailored specifically for the ZEPS 3 hardware. It's a bold move—and one that's now proving to be well worth the risk, as fans everywhere begin rethinking what's truly possible on a console.
The game showcases the full potential of first-person shooter control schemes on a home console—something many doubted could ever feel right compared to PC gameplay. Players use the left analog stick to move their character through the environment, while the right analog stick is responsible for aiming and controlling the camera perspective, offering a smooth and intuitive way to look around. The R2 button is mapped for firing the equipped weapon, while L2 is used to aim down sights for better precision. The L1 button is designated for throwing grenades, providing quick access during combat. R1 initiates sprinting, allowing players to maneuver quickly across open fields or take cover.
As for the face buttons, Square is used to reload weapons, ensuring players stay ready in tense firefights. The circle handles crouching or going prone—essential for stealth sections or avoiding enemy fire. Triangle is assigned to using healing items, keeping the character alive during critical moments, while the X button allows players to interact with objects, open doors, or even jump across obstacles when needed. The D-pad plays an important role too: pressing left or right switches between main, secondary, and melee weapons, allowing seamless weapon swapping without interrupting gameplay flow. The up and down directions are used to scroll through different grenade types—whether it's a standard frag, smoke, or a special impact type.
All these elements work together to create an impressively seamless gameplay experience using the ZEPS 3 controller. While it's true that this setup can't quite replicate the precision and speed of a mouse and keyboard, it proves that with the right optimization and careful design, console FPS gameplay is not only viable but genuinely fun and immersive. The control layout feels carefully tuned to the hardware, and once players adjust, the result is a surprisingly fluid and engaging shooter experience that exceeds expectations for console FPS gaming.
The game itself is remarkably well-crafted—it features impressive graphics that truly push the capabilities of the ZEPS 3, along with a wide selection of historically inspired weaponry that adds a sense of authenticity to the gameplay. The level design is both thoughtful and immersive, with each mission capturing the tension and tactical depth one would expect from a war-time setting. The story, while gripping and well-paced, diverges significantly from the real-world history as known by people in this world, which led Zaboru to include a clear disclaimer: "This is a fictional story—based on an alternate timeline." This upfront clarification helped set expectations and allowed players to engage with the narrative as an imaginative reimagining rather than a strict historical recounting.
Because Zaboru had completely created the Medal of Honor in his previous life, drawing from real historical events from his original world, he had a strong grasp on how the narrative and setting should be. However, the history in this new world is drastically different. In this world, the Nazi faction wasn't composed solely of Germans. Instead, it was formed by extremist groups from several other European nations despite they not representing their countries. These groups weren't officially supported by their home countries, but they unified under a shared ideology, forming a ruthless coalition that made the Nazi faction in this world significantly more dangerous and far-reaching than in Zaboru's previous reality. Their influence extended not only across Europe but also into Asia, spreading fear and chaos far beyond the Western front.
This shift in power dynamics led to a completely new historical development: China, Korea, and Japan, nations that often clashed in Zaboru's original timeline, found common cause and banded together to resist the growing threat of the Nazi coalition. The emergence of this unexpected Asia Alliance reshaped diplomatic and military relationships, forging an uneasy but functional partnership that didn't exist in his previous world. This newfound cooperation created a fascinating divergence in global history—one where cultural tensions were momentarily set aside in the face of a greater existential enemy. In this world, the three Asian nations developed a stronger mutual understanding, at least during the war period, fostering a sense of unity and respect that stood in sharp contrast to the fractured relationships of Zaboru's original past.
In this alternate world, the landscape of global conflict evolved in unexpected ways. There were wars that never occurred in Zaboru's previous life, and conversely, some key battles and confrontations that defined his original timeline never happened here at all. Events were not simply removed—they were reimagined, altered, or reshuffled into something completely different. One striking example is the infamous Pearl Harbor attack. While it still occurred in this version of history, the motivations and context surrounding the event were drastically altered.
In this world, the Pearl Harbor attack was not a surprise act of aggression by Japan alone, but a calculated and unified strike executed by the newly-formed Asia Alliance—composed of Japan, Korea, and China. The alliance had repeatedly requested military support from the United States to assist them in their grueling fight against the ever-expanding NAZI coalition that had taken hold across Europe and even made inroads into Asia. However, the U.S. government chose to remain neutral, unwilling to entangle itself in another massive war overseas. Frustrated and feeling abandoned, the Asia Alliance sought to send a bold and forceful message to the United States. They targeted Pearl Harbor not out of strategy, but out of frustration and defiance—a move seen by many historians in this world as politically reckless, emotionally driven, and, in hindsight, incredibly costly.
And yet, despite the differences, some horrors from Zaboru's past timeline still echoed through. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki still happened—but with a chilling new rationale. As the Asia Alliance grew in strength, bolstered by victories against Nazi forces in the East, a new ambition began to emerge: retribution. The alliance, emboldened and seeking vengeance for the atrocities committed against them by Nazi-affiliated forces, began planning a sweeping retaliation campaign that included the invasion of parts of Europe. The United States, already wary of prolonged warfare and global instability, issued multiple warnings. When diplomacy failed and the threat of another global escalation loomed large, the U.S. made the grim decision to drop atomic bombs—this time not just to end a war, but to prevent a new one from beginning.
The consequences were immediate and profound. The horror of the atomic bombings shocked the Asia Alliance into retreat. Fearful of annihilation, the three nations reconsidered their path and chose de-escalation over revenge. This singular act brought about the final end of World War II in this world, but it did so with a haunting reminder of the thin line between justice and devastation.
That's why this game feels significantly different from how World War II is remembered or portrayed in this world. It doesn't follow the timeline or events familiar to the people here—instead, it faithfully re-creates World War II from Zaboru's previous life, a world with entirely different political and historical developments. In this reimagined version, players step into the boots of Lt. Jimmy Patterson, an elite American operative working for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) — the real-life precursor to the modern CIA. Rather than embracing nonstop action and over-the-top set pieces, the missions are grounded in covert warfare and tension-filled operations. Players are tasked with infiltrating enemy lines, sabotaging Nazi infrastructure, gathering critical intelligence, and assisting with large-scale Allied invasions—all executed with a careful, strategic approach that adds weight and realism to every mission.
What sets this title apart even further is its rejection of the typical arcade-style FPS format that ZAGE is often associated with. This is not a power fantasy shooter full of endless explosions and rapid-fire heroics. The pacing is slower, more methodical, and the tone is steeped in the brutal reality of war. The game places heavy emphasis on atmosphere—muddy trenches, collapsing towns, the eerie silence before an ambush. Every moment feels deliberately crafted to immerse the player in the grim, harsh experience of actual wartime service. The sound design, music cues, and environmental details all contribute to creating a heavy, grounded tone that commands respect.
The result is a game that doesn't just entertain but educates and provokes reflection. It honors the emotional gravity of the conflict it depicts, creating an experience that's less about high scores and more about stepping into history—even if that history is drawn from a world only Zaboru remembers. For players in this world, it's both a revelation and a shock: a window into a version of World War II they've never known, delivered through the eyes of a soldier fighting battles in a world that was, and yet never was.
This game garnered a wide spectrum of reactions from players and critics alike. On one hand, many praised its high-quality graphics, immersive storytelling, and bold narrative choices that diverged from standard historical interpretations. On the other hand, there was considerable backlash from World War II historians and military enthusiasts in this world, who expressed disappointment at the perceived lack of historical accuracy. They felt that the game took too many creative liberties, especially in its portrayal of key events and geopolitical alignments, and were particularly frustrated that the game didn't make its alternate-history stance clear enough up front. While Zaboru did include a disclaimer noting that the setting was fictional, some players believed it should have been more prominent in marketing or even within the game itself.
Interestingly, one of the more unexpected reactions came from German audiences. Despite the portrayal of the Nazi regime as originating solely from Germany in the game's timeline—rather than as a multi-national extremist alliance as reflected in this world's reimagined history—German players did not express significant outrage. Many seemed to accept it as a fictional narrative, understanding that the game's version of World War II was an artistic reinterpretation rather than a documentary. This relatively muted response could be attributed to the cultural and generational shift in Germany, where much of the population now views the Nazi era as a dark, closed chapter of the past. As a result, they appeared less sensitive to how the regime was portrayed in entertainment media, especially in a product so openly marketed as speculative fiction. This overall acceptance further highlighted the evolving global attitudes toward historical representation in video games.
Yet for the most vocal ZAGE critics, this is something they simply cannot ignore or let slide. While the game has received praise from many, these detractors are already taking steps behind the scenes, aiming to stir controversy and complicate public perception of the game. Whether through online forums, press channels, or academic circles, efforts are underway to cast doubt on the game's legitimacy, narrative integrity, or political implications. Though their movement has not reached a full-scale backlash yet, signs indicate that these individuals are steadily organizing, consolidating their voices, and preparing to challenge ZAGE more directly in the coming weeks. Their motives are varied—some rooted in ideological disagreement, others driven by longstanding resentment toward Zaboru's influence in the industry—but their shared goal is clear: to undermine the cultural impact of Medal of Honor before it cements its legacy.
To be continue
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