Saboteur

World War II games typically forsake the individual details of soldiers for a simplistic narrative that throws bullets at you and occasionally jabs “good versus evil” buttons. But the ambition of Pandemic’s upcoming Saboteur is to mold the struggle against the Nazi war machine into a personal emotional experience.

Instead of a faceless and mute everyman, you’ll inhabit Sean Devlinn, a stern-looking Irishman who looks every inch a tough guy — despite the beret. He might have a reputation for racing cars and bagging dames, but he also cares deeply about his friends and family, so when the goose-steppers roll in, Sean takes it upon himself to exact vengeance.

Paris is a huge city with many districts, but one man working against many must rely on stealth, leading Sean to scale buildings, tear across rooftops, and punch and sneak his way through famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Hôtel de Ville, and the Catacombs. Sean can even don disguises that let him get cozy with targets before dispatching them.

The distinctive visuals aren’t a gimmicky tribute to Schindler’s List or Lars von Trier, either. The presence of the Third Reich drains the very color from the world, choking occupied France in a noir-ish black-and-white grip, while suspicious and plentiful Nazi thugs scrutinize your every move. Luckily for Sean, residents participate in a system the developers call the “Will to Fight,” and often risk it all to conceal you from prying eyes. As you sabotage zeppelins, infiltrate bases, and assassinate high-ranking officers, you’ll restore color and life to the world around you, a process that’s sure to be a good deal more satisfying than inspecting a territorial map.

Though Saboteur is firmly rooted in the open-world sandbox tradition that Pandemic knows so well, its rich setting and unique aesthetics could combine to unleash a memorable personal battle for the soul of Europe — and breathe new life into an old war.