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- Battlefield 1943 serves as a good indicator of how far downloadable console games have come in just a few years. It began with the modest (but still fantastic) Xbox 360 launch title Geometry Wars, a simple 2D shooter that wasn't much more than Robotron with an extreme makeover. Jump ahead to summer 2009 and we can download a 3D first-person shooter that supports 24 players online and looks almost as good as a full retail game. Battlefield 1943 is a benchmark for digital titles and sets a new standard for what we'll be expecting. It doesn't innovate in terms of gameplay, but it's a fun and streamlined multiplayer shooter you can obtain without dealing with the nerds at GameStop.

The Battlefield franchise got its start back in 2002 with Battlefield 1942, a World War II shooter with a heavy emphasis on multiplayer fights. It grew in many directions including the future with Battlefield 2142, but Battlefield 1943 is sort of a spinoff of that first game. There are just three maps included, all from 1942. And there is only one game mode, Conquest, that sees both teams (the U.S. and Japan) trying to capture and hold five strategic points. So this is a neat and trim download that makes getting into battles as quick and easy as possible. From the title screen you can create a private match, join a quick match, or join a match with friends -- a feature I'd like to see in more games. You can also create a squad of four people to play as a unit and share a voice channel during the game. Your squad members can easily be located on your HUD and mini-map, and they have the ability to spawn next to each other.

There are three classes to choose from: infantry, rifleman, and scout. Each have different weapons and work best at short-, middle-, and long-ranges, respectively. Each respawn you can pick your class, and downed enemies leave behind their gear in case you want to switch up during battle. Any friendly flag can be a respawn point, so the more bases you control the more options you have. Players have infinite ammo but still need to reload -- a process that can take a while, so you'll need to choose your reload times carefully. The game is well balanced, and the maps provide strategic opportunities for each class. There are towers for the snipers, for instance, and bases often have a hidden entrance infantry can charge.

Vehicles have traditionally been a big part of Battlefield, and that remains true here. Scattered around each map are jeeps, tanks, boats, and planes, literally giving players access to land, sea, and air. The planes definitely have the highest learning curve, but once you get the hang of it you'll be able to pick off soldiers and bomb tanks. Even better, sharp-shooting soldiers can bring down planes.

Your presence in the game is persistent and you'll gain experience for kills, assists, and captures. As you play your rank will increase, but the only benefit is an indication of experience. In addition to achievements, there are also awards to be earned for things like weapon efficiency and generally being all that you can be.

The first time you see Battlefield 1943 in action you may not believe it's a downloadable game. It really looks great with impressive lighting effects and lots of detail on every map. There are some little glitches here and there such as a tendency to fall through the ground when you are killed. But you'll find these easy to overlook and more likely be astonished that this is what you can download these days.

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