The internet has a peculiar way of washing up forgotten names on its shores, much like the sea uncovering buried treasures. It rekindles a fervent desire for the return of these names. “Medal of Honor” is one such case that stirs up old sensations, reminding us of the unforgettable adventures we once experienced alongside its iconic characters, whether on PC or consoles.
Lately, there has been a resurgence of interest surrounding the “Medal of Honor” franchise, sparking speculation about potential developments within the series. In its heyday, this franchise stood as a shining star, particularly during the late 90s and, more notably, throughout the first decade of the 2000s.
Don’t worry, Medal of Honor will not return
Fear not, the return of “Medal of Honor” is not on the horizon. This iconic series, initially conceived by Dreamworks’ game development division with Electronic Arts’ backing, emerged in response to the World War II craze ignited by Steven Spielberg’s film, “Saving Private Ryan.” In fact, Spielberg himself and collaborators like Tom Hanks played pivotal roles in advocating for its adaptation into video games for computers and consoles.
The franchise gained immense popularity with its early titles (“Medal of Honor,” “MoH Underground,” and “MoH Frontline”), particularly the 2002 PC release of “Medal of Honor Allied Assault.” This game, which featured an unforgettable first-person Normandy landing, stands as a cherished moment in gaming history.
However, this zenith marked the beginning of a repetitive pattern within the franchise, with subsequent titles rehashing the same formula and taking players from Europe to the Pacific and back again until 2007. As is often the case with overexploited franchises, this led to dwindling sales figures and a gradual decline into obscurity.
In 2010, Electronic Arts attempted to revive “Medal of Honor” by changing the setting, shifting away from World War II to the modern battlefield of Afghanistan, essentially entering the domain of “Call of Duty,” a franchise created by former “Medal of Honor” developers. The intention was to compete with “Call of Duty,” which was enjoying resounding success with its modern, asymmetric conflict settings and terrorist adversaries.
Although the experiment didn’t result in total failure, it couldn’t hold a candle to the success of “Call of Duty.” Furthermore, in 2012, “Medal of Honor Warfighter” was released, marking the last installment in the series by Electronic Arts—save for one exception, a VR experiment titled “Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond,” which garnered more infamy than acclaim.
So, for now, it’s best to put aside any hopes of “Medal of Honor’s” return. The gaming graveyard is filled with classics that prove revitalization is often more challenging than embracing fresh ideas. Unfortunately, Electronic Arts appears to have lost touch with what made “Medal of Honor” special, and their current release strategy suggests they are reluctant to take the risk again—although the future is uncertain. We’ll have to wait and see.