View source for Secret Weapons Over Normandy

{{other uses|Secret Weapons of World War II (disambiguation){{!}}Secret Weapons of World War II}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=May 2012}}
{{Short description|2003 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Secret Weapons Over Normandy
|image = Secret Weapons Over Normandy cover.jpg
|developer = [[Totally Games]]
|publisher = [[LucasArts]]
|designer = [[Lawrence Holland]]<br />Mike Hawkins<br />Tony Evans<br />Jess VanderWalker<br />Aaron Keppel
|composer = [[Michael Giacchino]]
|released = {{vgrelease|NA|November 18, 2003|EU|November 28, 2003}}
|genre = [[Action game|action]] 
|modes = [[Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
|platforms = [[PlayStation 2]]<br />[[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]<br />[[Microsoft Windows]]
|engine = [[RenderWare]]
}}
'''''Secret Weapons Over Normandy''''' is a [[World War II]]-based [[Arcade game|arcade]] video game. Published by [[LucasArts]] and developed by [[Totally Games]], the game is composed of 15 objective-based missions set in 1940s [[European Theatre of World War II|European]], [[North African campaign|North African]], and the [[Pacific War|Pacific]] theatres of war. The story was written by Derek Chester. The music was composed by [[Michael Giacchino]].

==Plot==
The player assumes the role of James Chase, an American who has volunteered to serve as a fighter pilot in the [[Royal Air Force]] starting in May 1940. After displaying above-average skill and bravery during the evacuations at Dunkirk, he is transferred to the Battlehawks: a special unit in the RAF that operates under Prime Minister [[Winston Churchill]]'s [[Special Operations Executive]]. The [[Battle of Britain]], North Africa, China, the [[Battle of Midway]], the Eastern Front, Norway, and Germany are all featured in one or more missions. The final mission of the campaign is on June 6, 1944, with the Battlehawks flying air support as [[Operation Overlord]] begins.

The overall goal of the Battlehawks throughout the campaign is to "halt the most insidious plans of the [[Third Reich]]". The player's principal opponent is the [[Luftwaffe]], in particular the Battlehawk's counterpart, the elite squadron of top German pilots known as Nemesis (similar to the real [[KG 200]]), commanded by Oberst Krieger. The player will also face off against the forces of the [[Empire of Japan|Japanese Empire]].

==Gameplay==
The game is almost entirely from a third-person view, with the player's "camera" set to the rear of the plane looking towards it. Fuel is unlimited, but ammunition and mounted ordnance - bombs, torpedoes, or rockets - are not.

In the campaign, the player is often assisted by wingmen. They are friendly pilots who can be ordered to cover Chase's plane, follow it, attack marked units and attack enemy planes. In some missions, it is possible to land on runways and get more ammunition or even change the aircraft. The player can slow down or speed up the time at any moment, but it also removes voice dialogue. 

Although most of the gameplay is in the air, certain parts of certain missions are set on the ground and the player must use anti-aircraft weaponry to shoot down enemy planes. The first part of the twelfth mission is in a turret of a [[Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress]] bomber, and the player uses machine guns to fight incoming fighters.

During the campaign, the player can play short challenges that often have unique objectives. The story is not affected if these challenges are skipped, but they also follow the same story of the main part of the campaign. Completion of all secondary objectives during a primary mission can result in a promotion or a decoration being awarded. The player, despite being in the Royal Air Force, is given promotions in American, not British, military rank, and the majority of decorations available are American, some of which did not even exist at the time. The two British decorations that can be earned are the highest available - the George Cross and the Victoria Cross - which, if the player earns them, would make James Chase the first to receive both in history.

Throughout the course of the game, the player will have the opportunity to fly many types of World War II aircraft into combat. Most of the aircraft are American, others are British (notably the first few available planes), and the remainder are a handful of German and one Japanese aircraft. Some can be unlocked for multiplayer or single-mission use but not for the campaign, like the [[Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet]], and others are completely unavailable for player use, like the [[Nakajima B5N]] and the [[Heinkel He 111]].
[[File:Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat of VF-41 in flight, in early 1942 (80-G-7026).jpg|thumb|[[F4F Wildcat]]]]

''Secret Weapons Over Normandy'' is notable for the presence of several prototype designs that never flew in combat, or were used in small numbers, among them the [[XP-55 Ascender]], [[XP-56 Black Bullet]], [[Vought XF5U|Chance-Vought Flying Pancake]], the [[Junkers Ju 390]], and the Daimler Benz C. Also present are several German weapons projects that were either never completed or failed to make a significant impact on the war, such as the [[Mistel]] and the [[Wasserfall]] missile launcher.

The game features a wide range of actual weapons that were used during [[World War II]]. It also features the unlockable [[TIE fighter|TIE Fighter]] and [[X-wing fighter|X-Wing]] starships from the ''[[Star Wars]]'' universe in the game's instant action mode.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Secret Star Wars Weapons over Normandy|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/secret-star-wars-weapons-over-normandy/1100-6084700/|access-date=2020-09-03|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-01-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126124239/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/secret-star-wars-weapons-over-normandy/1100-6084700/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| PC = true
| PS2 = true
| XBOX = true
| na = true
| CWG_PC = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Atkin |first=Denny |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_236.pdf |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |issue=236 |date=March 2004 |page=90 |accessdate=April 22, 2017}}</ref>
| Edge_PS2 = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Edge staff |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy (PS2) |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |issue=131 |date=December 25, 2003}}</ref>
| EGM_PS2 = 6.33/10<ref name="EGM">{{cite magazine |author=EGM staff |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy (PS2, Xbox) |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=174 |date=January 2004 |page=109}}</ref>
| EGM_XBOX = 6.33/10<ref name="EGM"/>
| EuroG_XBOX = 9/10<ref name="Eurogamer_SWoN Review">{{cite web |last=Reed |first=Kristan |date=January 5, 2004 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_swon_x |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy (Xbox) |website=[[Eurogamer]] |accessdate=February 6, 2015 |archive-date=February 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206211716/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_swon_x |url-status=live}}</ref>
| Fam_PS2 = 30/40<ref name="Fam">{{cite magazine |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy (シークリット ウェポンズ オーバー ノーマンディー; PS2) |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |volume=789 |date=January 30, 2004}}</ref>
| GI_PS2 = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kato |first=Matthew |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200312/R03.1215.1813.45188.htm |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy (PS2) |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |issue=128 |date=December 2003 |page=148 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107035307/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200312/R03.1215.1813.45188.htm |archive-date=January 7, 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=April 22, 2017}}</ref>
| GI_XBOX = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy (Xbox) |magazine=Game Informer |issue=129 |date=January 2004 |page=151}}</ref>
| GamePro_PS2 = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Air Hendrix |date=November 19, 2003 |url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/31782.shtml |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy Review for PS2 on GamePro.com |magazine=[[GamePro]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050211212718/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/31782.shtml |archivedate=February 11, 2005 |url-status=dead |accessdate=April 22, 2017}}</ref>
| GSpot_PC = 6.9/10<ref name="GS_SWoN Review">{{cite web |last=Gerstmann |first=Jeff|authorlink=Jeff Gerstmann |date=November 24, 2003 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/secret-weapons-over-normandy-review/1900-6084557/ |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy Review |website=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 22, 2017 |archive-date=April 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423065835/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/secret-weapons-over-normandy-review/1900-6084557/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
| GSpot_PS2 = 6.9/10<ref name="GS_SWoN Review"/>
| GSpot_XBOX = 6.9/10<ref name="GS_SWoN Review"/>
| GSpy_PC = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Osborne |first=Scott |date=November 18, 2003 |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/secret-weapons-over-normandy/6374p1.html |title=GameSpy: Secret Weapons Over Normandy (PC) |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060226210028/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/secret-weapons-over-normandy/6374p1.html |archivedate=February 26, 2006 |url-status=dead |accessdate=April 22, 2017}}</ref>
| GSpy_PS2 = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Meston |first=Zach |date=November 18, 2003 |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/secret-weapons-over-normandy/6270p1.html |title=GameSpy: secret Weapons Over Normandy (PS2) |publisher=GameSpy |accessdate=April 22, 2017 |archive-date=April 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423063502/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/secret-weapons-over-normandy/6270p1.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
| GSpy_XBOX = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Meston |first=Zach |date=November 18, 2003 |url=http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/secret-weapons-over-normandy/6338p1.html |title=GameSpy: Secret Weapons Over Normandy (Xbox) |publisher=GameSpy |accessdate=April 22, 2017 |archive-date=March 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328140056/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/secret-weapons-over-normandy/6338p1.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
| GameZone_PC = 8.7/10<ref>{{cite web |author=Aceinet |date=November 17, 2003 |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/secret_weapons_over_normandy_pc_review |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy - PC - Review |publisher=GameZone |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125222052/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r21961.htm |archivedate=January 25, 2009 |url-status=live |accessdate=April 22, 2017}}</ref>
| GameZone_PS2 = 9.5/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Lafferty |first=Michael |date=November 17, 2003 |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/secret_weapons_over_normandy_ps2_review |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy - PS2 - Review |publisher=GameZone |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125232948/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r21961.htm |archivedate=January 25, 2009 |url-status=live |accessdate=April 22, 2017}}</ref>
| IGN_PC = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Butts |first=Steve |date=November 18, 2003 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/19/secret-weapons-over-normandy-review |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy Review (PC) |website=[[IGN]] |accessdate=April 22, 2017 |archive-date=April 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423070023/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/19/secret-weapons-over-normandy-review |url-status=live}}</ref>
| IGN_PS2 = 8/10<ref name="IGN_SWoN Review"/>
| IGN_XBOX = 8/10<ref name="IGN_SWoN Review">{{cite web |last=Butts |first=Steve |date=November 18, 2003 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/19/secret-weapons-over-normandy |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy (PS2, Xbox) |website=IGN |accessdate=February 6, 2015 |archive-date=February 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207033520/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/19/secret-weapons-over-normandy |url-status=live}}</ref>
| OPM_PS2 = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy |magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]] |date=December 2003 |page=176}}</ref>
| OXM_XBOX = 6.9/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy |magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]] |date=January 2004 |page=83}}</ref>
| PCGUS_PC = 65%<ref>{{cite journal |last=Mahood |first=Andy |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/06/secret_weapons.html |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy |journal=[[PC Gamer]] |date=February 2004 |page=68 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060315141834/http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/06/secret_weapons.html |archivedate=March 15, 2006 |url-status=dead |accessdate=April 22, 2017}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[Playboy]]''
| rev1_PC = 75%<ref name="Playboy">{{cite journal |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy |journal=[[Playboy]] |date=December 2003 |page=44}}</ref>
| rev1_PS2 = 75%<ref name="Playboy"/>
| rev1_XBOX = 75%<ref name="Playboy"/>
| rev2 = ''[[The Village Voice]]''
| rev2_PC = 6/10<ref name="VillageVoice">{{cite news |last=Catucci |first=Nick |date=December 30, 2003 |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/news/historical-flyover-portends-the-postmortem-condition-6397517 |title=Historical Flyover Portends the Postmortem Condition |newspaper=[[The Village Voice]] |accessdate=April 22, 2017 |archive-date=April 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423062954/http://www.villagevoice.com/news/historical-flyover-portends-the-postmortem-condition-6397517 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev2_PS2 = 6/10<ref name="VillageVoice"/>
| rev2_XBOX = 6/10<ref name="VillageVoice"/>
| MC_PC = 72/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/secret-weapons-over-normandy/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=February 6, 2015 |archive-date=July 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708012011/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/secret-weapons-over-normandy |url-status=live}}</ref>
| MC_PS2 = 81/100<ref name="MCPS2">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/secret-weapons-over-normandy/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy for PlayStation 2 Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=February 6, 2015 |archive-date=March 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322120208/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/secret-weapons-over-normandy |url-status=live}}</ref>
| MC_XBOX = 77/100<ref name="MCXB">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/secret-weapons-over-normandy/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Secret Weapons Over Normandy for Xbox Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=February 6, 2015 |archive-date=November 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141123233257/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/secret-weapons-over-normandy |url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

''Secret Weapons Over Normandy'' received "favorable" reviews on all platforms except the PC version, which received "average" reviews, according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MCPC"/><ref name="MCPS2"/><ref name="MCXB"/>

Steve Butts of [[IGN]] praised the sound and gameplay.<ref name="IGN_SWoN Review"/> Kristan Reed of ''[[Eurogamer]]'' praised the Xbox version, calling it "one of the best kept secrets of the year".<ref name="Eurogamer_SWoN Review"/> [[Jeff Gerstmann]] of [[GameSpot]] was a little more critical. He praised the simple controls and graphics but noted that they don't excel in any one area, and criticized the lack of challenge.<ref name="GS_SWoN Review"/> In Japan, where the PS2 version was ported and published by [[Electronic Arts]], ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave it a score of one eight, two sevens, and one eight for a total of 30 out of 40.<ref name="Fam"/>

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name       = Secret Weapons Over Normandy: LucasArts Original Soundtrack Recording
| type       = [[Soundtrack]]
| artist     = [[Michael Giacchino]]
| cover      = 
| alt        =
| released   = December 30, 2003<ref name="g-ost"/>
| recorded   = June 2003
| studio     = Bastyr University, Kenmore, Washington
| genre      = {{flatlist|
* [[Orchestral music|orchestral]]
}}
| length     = 82:43
| label      = La-La Land Records
| producer   =
| prev_title =
| prev_year  =
| next_title =
| next_year  =
}}
{{Music ratings
|rev1     = ''[[Film Score Monthly]]''
|rev1Score= {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="fsm">{{cite magazine |last1=Kennedy |first1=Steven A. |date=February 2004 |title=Score: CD Reviews |magazine=[[Film Score Monthly]] |location=Culver City |volume=9 |issue=2 |page=33 |issn=1077-4289}}</ref>
|rev2     = Game-OST.com
|rev2Score= {{Rating|8|10}}<ref name="g-ost"/>
}}
The game's [[soundtrack]], composed by ''[[Medal of Honor (1999 video game)|Medal of Honor]]'''s [[Michael Giacchino]] and performed by [[session musicians]] of the [[Northwest Sinfonia]], was released as a two-CD set by La-La Land Records.<ref name="g-ost">{{cite web | url =https://www.game-ost.com/albums/488/secret_weapons_over_normandy_original_soundtrack_recording/ | title =Secret Weapons Over Normandy Original Soundtrack Recording | last1 =Elchlepp | first1 =Simon | date =April 30, 2012 | website = | access-date =31 December 2022 | archive-date =26 January 2023 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20230126221846/https://www.game-ost.com/albums/488/secret_weapons_over_normandy_original_soundtrack_recording/ | url-status =live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url =https://vgmdb.net/album/2066 | title =''Secret Weapons Over Normandy'' Original Soundtrack Recording | author =<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> | website =vgmdb.net | access-date =26 January 2023 | archive-date =26 January 2023 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20230126221843/https://vgmdb.net/album/2066 | url-status =live}}</ref> The first disc includes the game's main themes, while the second disc features shorter cues and video interviews.<ref name="fsm"/>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/secret-weapons-over-normandy}}

[[Category:2003 video games]]
[[Category:Battle of Britain video games]]
[[Category:Cancelled GameCube games]]
[[Category:LucasArts games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Operation Overlord video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:RenderWare games]]
[[Category:Totally Games games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Michael Giacchino]]
[[Category:Video games set in 1940]]
[[Category:Video games set in 1944]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:World War II flight simulation video games]]
[[Category:World War II video games]]
[[Category:Xbox games]]