Well, this demo should be hitting Xbox Live pretty soon (the 27th is the latest word), but I figured I'd give the PC version a go since it was already available. I was a little uncertain in how well my hardware would handle Unreal Engine 3--and the frame rate was pretty poor, but I played it anyway..

In the demo you have to destroy a series of AA guns, in whatever order you please.. and while that may sound like a mission straight out of the (horrible) Call of Duty 3, that's only a small portion of the overall objectives. Unfortunately, once you accomplish the destruction of the AA, the demo ends.

I must say, I'm pleasantly surprised. The open level design is actually pretty refreshing. Another gameplay mechanic that was new to me, keeping in mind that I'm not really all that familiar with this franchise, was the rewards that you're given based on your performance. I think that's a pretty interesting concept in a single player campaign, and it could keep the action interesting considering the potential duration of these levels. The graphics and sound are also pretty well done--all the guns sound and feel appropriately destructive.

The controls are pretty solid, although I wish there were a way to change the way you change stance. In the demo, when you press crouch, you toggle into that position--I would much rather stand upon releasing the crouch button, but that's a design decision I can live with. I searched the menus for an option to change the crouch controls and found none. You can also sprint indefinitely, which is pretty helpful considering the size of the level. One more aspect of the control system that I liked was the lean mechanic. You only lean when you're looking down the iron sights, and you can't strafe while in that position. I'm used to being able to lean and move, as in Call of Duty, but this actually made a bit more sense to me once I adapted to it. Unlike Call of Duty, there is no prone stance.

The one thing I don't like about this game is how dated the health and ammo systems feel. In a game that has a rather refreshing approach to level design, and some interesting new mechanics that factor into the single player gameplay, you'd think they could find a better way to manage your med/bullet supply. You simply find packs scattered throughout the level, as well as off of downed enemies, and ammo is simplified into groups, SMG ammo, rifle ammo, etc.. Personally I think it would be much more interesting if there were actually medics, supply personnel, and even engineers on the field to assist you in certain aspects of the gameplay. How come I have to plant every explosive charge anyway?

I hear there are only five levels, so they must be pretty vast in the amount of fighting that's done on each one. Overall I'd say it's a pretty solid demo. I'll definitely consider playing the campaign. Now that IW has given up on WWII, it seems like EA is stepping up to try and reclaim that sub-genre, at least until Gearbox releases the new installment in the Brothers In Arms franchise.

I just played the 360 version, and everything looks/feels about the same as the PC demo to me, including the motion blur. Runs really smooth, looks like EA figured out UE3 ;)

A good deal of aliasing, but what can ya do.. I actually noticed that the PC version doesn't give the option for AA as well, and forcing it didn't seem to work either.

Seems like a solid shooter, I'll probably rent the 360 version since it seems to run so well. Will be a nice diversion and will give me my WWII fix.. until Gearbox delivers Hell's Highway, which I have much higher expectations of.

It's not as linear as some other games--there's not a distinct path you have to follow and you're allowed to complete objectives in multiple orders. From what I understand this is just a small portion of a level too, and there are only five different sandbox environments so they must have a decent amount of variety there-in. The lean system was also new to me, at least.. and an interesting take on an old concept.

I agree that there are a lot of older mechanics that could use updating, but the sandbox, drop in gameplay, and the way the game rewards your skill by upgrading things like rate of fire is somewhat interesting... Definitely not pushing the boundaries of game design, but the level design is more interesting than it could have been otherwise.

I started up the demo yesterday and because of all the very impressive (sarcastic) video's I saw of this game my expectations were VERY low....

I got slapped in the face when I started playing this demo.... I loved the whole: "drop where u want" idea and it actually made for some interesting moments (land on the sniper tower or main AA-gun roof for example)

What also seemed nice is that u could discover special drop zones where it is hard to land but seems like a challenge (maybe an achievement as an reward in the full game?)
And I also found some new objectives by running around the level!

Graphics were pretty good also, guns, environment and characters look pretty good!
Also really like the running "animation" your character does and I was actually pleasantly surprised u could see your own arms, body and legs (especially during the plane sequence)

What I also found interesting were the recommendations u get for your different weapons... I didn't know that was in the game and when I got my first I was like: "WTF?? what's happening, this looks cool"
It seems to give you a reward for using one kind of gun or for playing good with all of the weapons! Really enjoyed that....

I also loved how the weapons have a huge amount of recoil when u shoot them with out aiming through the sights!

I also really liked that u could subtly lean around the corner (not restricted to a full or no lean).

Don't I have something to bitch??
Ohh yes I have:

Sound:
I don't know if I played another demo but i thought the gun-sounds were REALLY crap... I mean the mp40 and Thompson sounded like a speeded up pea-shooter.... Nowhere near the hard and devastating sounds we are used to from COD2/3 and the other medal of honor games...

Controls:
Seemed a bit stiff and even with the aiming speed cranked up it still went kind of slow IMO...

Overall this game surprised me and I really enjoyed this demo!