Medal of Honor: Underground is a first-person shooter developed by DreamWorks Interactive and published by Electronic Arts for the PlayStation in 2000. It is the sequel to Medal of Honor (1999) and expands the World War II experience with a new protagonist and more varied mission design.
What is Medal of Honor: Underground?
:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} follows the story of Manon Batiste, a French Resistance fighter working against Nazi occupation during World War II. Unlike the first game, which focused on a military OSS agent, this entry emphasizes espionage, sabotage, and resistance operations across occupied Europe.
Gameplay Overview
First-Person WWII Shooter
The game is played from a first-person perspective, where players use period weapons to complete missions involving infiltration, combat, and sabotage.
Resistance-Focused Missions
Instead of purely military operations, missions are centered around underground resistance activity, including:
- Destroying enemy equipment and supply lines
- Assassinating high-ranking officers
- Rescuing captured allies
- Gathering intelligence behind enemy lines
More Variety Than the First Game
Levels include urban environments, rural villages, castles, and occupied cities, giving more visual and gameplay diversity compared to the original Medal of Honor.
Weapons and Equipment
The game features a mix of WWII-era weapons and tools, such as:
- Rifles and sniper rifles
- Submachine guns (like the Thompson)
- Pistols and silenced weapons
- Grenades and explosives
- Heavy weapons in select missions
Stealth is often encouraged, especially in infiltration-based missions.
Gameplay Features
- First-person WWII combat
- Resistance movement storyline
- Varied mission objectives (sabotage, rescue, assassination)
- More diverse environments than the first game
- Cinematic mission structure
Story Overview
Players take the role of Manon Batiste, a member of the French Resistance recruited to fight against Nazi forces across Europe. Her missions involve disrupting German operations, aiding Allied forces, and uncovering enemy plans during the war.
The story presents a more personal and ground-level view of World War II compared to the military-focused original game.
Graphics and Sound
Medal of Honor: Underground features improved PlayStation-era graphics compared to its predecessor, with more detailed environments and character models.
The soundtrack continues the cinematic orchestral style introduced in the first game, helping maintain a tense and dramatic atmosphere.
Why Medal of Honor: Underground Is Important
- Introduced a new female protagonist (Manon Batiste)
- Expanded WWII storytelling perspective
- More varied mission design than the original
- Strong cinematic presentation on PS1
- Refined and improved gameplay mechanics
Tips for New Players
- Use stealth whenever possible to avoid alarms
- Conserve ammo for tougher encounters
- Learn enemy patrol routes before engaging
- Use explosives for grouped targets
- Focus on mission objectives, not just kills
Legacy
Medal of Honor: Underground is remembered as a strong sequel that expanded the series’ storytelling and gameplay variety. It helped solidify Medal of Honor as one of the most important early console FPS franchises and set the stage for future entries in the series.