Animation & Sound

Animation quality

If you think that's impressive, we haven't even gotten to the animation yet. That's one area where SoF stands high above the competition. Using the per poly collision, Raven was able to designate 26 discrete areas on the body where you can shoot an enemy. Hit someone in the foot or leg and they'll hop around in pain, then try to limp away. Shoot them in the shoulder and they'll be rocked back in that direction. Put a sniper round in someone's throat and you'll see a big splash of blood as your victim clutches at his neck and sink to the ground in a gurgle of desperation. A shotgun blast to the midsection will disembowel your opponent. The heavy machine gun can crudelly saw off an enemy soldier's legs; you'll see him crumple to the ground and maybe grasp at his stumpy limbs in agony. Plant a round in a man's groin area, and …. you get the picture. Is it gory? Definitely. Is it over the top? That depends on your point of view.

Is that a shower?

Result of a hand grenade

The sound and the fury

While Soldier of Fortune does have very advanced visual effects, it's the effort in the sound department that completes the immersion. The 9mm gives a sharp pop, while its larger relative, the .44 magnum, emits a much louder report. Likewise, the shotgun booms with a definite authority. We also liked the distinct metallic popping of the 5.56mm submachine gun as well as the more menacing growl of the heavy machine gun. Our favorite of all the weapon noises though, was probably the 9mm silenced submachine gun. This gun seems to shoot the fastest of all the weapons, and its muffled metallic clicking satisfied us the most.

Suni corporation

A rescued hostage

Aside from weapon noises, the other sounds in the game impressed us just as much. Particularly impressive (and eerie) were the sounds of dying enemies. Set someone on fire with a flamethower and they'll let out some nasty shrieks. Sometimes enemies don't die immediately after getting shot either - they'll writhe on the ground while letting out some agonizing yelps and groans. Just like the animation, these effects highlight the realism of the game.

Ninjas with uzis...coolness

Rooftop swimming pool