War is hell, but hell can be pretty enjoyable when it's done right in video games. This month in The Budget Bin Reviews, we revisit one of the first, and still one of the better FPS titles in this generation of gaming. It's Activision's Call of Duty 3 for the Microsoft Xbox 360.

Call of Duty 3 has gotten some next-gen props for placing you in the forefront of one of the bloodiest battles in the history of man: the Normandy Breakout en route to the liberation of Paris. This videos show the Bravo Pack maps flaunting the Rimling and Marseilles backdrops. The action is as explosive as ever, and we won't have it any other way.

The first video below shows some pretty gnarly fighting for coveted flags in urban-warfare fashion. In this mode, teams devise clever tactics (or rush headlong to their doom) to get to the flags and defend them from enemy access. Corresponding points are gained for successful runs until the game declares a winner or a beat-down platoon just loses hope and decides to turn off their consoles and get some fresh air outside.

The next video, "Marseilles Gameplay", shows a lot of the same mindless bloodshed for the freedom of the French people. Okay, so you're not going to do it for them, but hey, picking up a flag and running like hell hoping you don't bump into enemies is a heck of a rush. All you FPS fans out there better try this because it's one straight-up adrenaline rush.

Another video set in Marseilles is waiting for you after the jump!

Here's more sweet wartime FPS joy with two latest gameplay videos of CoD 3's Bravo Map Pack, as well as a video interview with Activision Producer Sam Nouriani. We give you the skinny on what's to expect with the latest expansion to the epic shooter, as well as some frantic Capture-The-Flag multiplayer mayhem.

Here's more sweet wartime FPS joy with two latest gameplay videos of CoD 3's Bravo Map Pack, as well as a video interview with Activision Producer Sam Nouriani. We give you the skinny on what's to expect with the latest expansion to the epic shooter, as well as some frantic Capture-The-Flag multiplayer mayhem.

In the video interview, we learn that the Bravo Map Pack for Call of Duty 3 actually contains five maps, with the largest (and Sam's favorite) being Marseilles. We're not surprised - the map is PERFECT for all-out skirmishes, being a war-torn city and all. Not to mention the fact that it has a ton of vehicles, most of which heavy-duty tanks built to pretty much crush all opposition. War is hell, indeed - even more when you've got the business end of a tank aimed at your general direction.

Another notable map is the Seine River map. Imagine fighting in a Silent Hill-esque city, and you pretty much have a good idea of how the map is. Night-time, bright moonlight, a slight fog rolling in - it's a perfect setup for some intense, close-combat battles with everyone on edge.

Sam ended the interview by announcing that the Bravo Map Pack will be available at the Xbox Live Marketplace on May 31, and will set players back 800 Microsoft points.

Briefing's over! Head out to those videos, soldier!

The other two videos after the jump!

Get a first hand look at what's up next in the epic first-person shooter for the Xbox 360, Activision's Call of Duty 3, with the Bravo Map Pack trailer. It's a bit short - less than a minute - but it shows a lot, packing awesome visuals and the distinct sense of awe that you're actually in a war, fighting not only for survival but for something greater.

The trailer begins with a view of a war-torn city, we're not sure which - but from the amount of debris, rubble and destroyed buildings, you'll have a field day trying to dodge incoming fire from conveniently-hidden enemy units. Battles will no doubt be fast and furious, with cover and firing position obviously paramount to getting out of that city alive.

War never looked so good, and it's even looking better with Call of Duty 3. But don't just take our word for it - enjoy the video!

As a follow up the previously released Valor Map Pack for Call of Duty 3, the latest compilation of maps dives a little further back into the past as it includes remakes of popular maps for the early PC version of Call of Duty and Call of Duty 2. Straight from TeamXbox, a Q&A has revealed that there are also new maps coming for the Xbox 360 CoD3 fan.

 

The first two maps, Depot and Kharkov, both stem from the first titles in the Call of Duty series, depicting the two Russian front maps formerly only available on the PC. Game producer Sam Nouriani explained that they chose to bring these two maps from the PC community over to the Xbox community in order to bring the classic and fast-paced gameplay to the console.

Three new maps, Aller Haut, Seine River and Rimling, all depict the scenarios during the French Normandy Breakout, following D-Day. Marseilles sports an assortment of tanks, jeeps and motorcycles, while Aller Haut grants the Allies a single tank to aid in an uphill battle. The Seine River emphasizes foot or trike mobility, allowing only motorcycles for wheeled movement. Other details include:

• Aller Haut - Allies must storm an Axis fortress perched on top of a war-torn hill.
• Rimling - narrow alleyways, small bridges and tight roads permit only close-proximity combat, skirmishes and ambushes
• Seine River - a nocturnal map designed to add stealth and dark mood to close quarters combat

The Bravo Map Pack is scheduled for a late May or early June release and should be available on the Xbox Live Marketplace for about 800 Microsoft Points (about US$ 10). Let's just hope this Call of Duty 3 map compilation doesn't come bugged, like last time.

We've got more screenshots up for you for Activision's Call of Duty 3. This time, they're action-packed screenshots across some new battlefields as we show you some of the more interesting locations of the Bravo Map Pack for multiplayer play.

Of course, as with any war, there are bound to be rations. That being said, they're rationing out these screenshots to keep players in line. There are two from the Aller Haut, two from Merseilles, two from the Rimling map, and another pair from from the Seine River map. That's a total of eight screens, and we should be happy we grabbed that much.

In the meantime, grab your kits, patch up those wounds, and get back into the fray. We'll have more screenshots as soon as we can commandeer them from Activision and Treyarch, alright?

   

More Call of Duty 3 screenshots after the jump!

Publisher Activision recently release three Call of Duty titles simultaneously, including Roads to Victory for the PlayStation Portable (PSP), and CoD 2 and CoD 3 for the Xbox 360. Now, retail chain Circuit City has a good offer for the Xbox 360 video games that is sure to save you a lot of pennies.

Call of Duty 2, which was developed by Infinity Ward, is on sale at the said retail store for only US$ 13.99, down twenty bucks from its original price of US$ 39.99. The item is currently out of stock, but check Circuit City's online catalogue or your local store every now and then and see, if they've replenished their stocks.

Likewise, fans can get Treyarch's Call of Duty 3 for a low price of US$ 39.99. The item, thank goodness, is in stock. Take note that we aren't talking about the normal package of the game here. What's on sale is the Gold Edition that includes several bonus items like a bonus DVD and a key code that can be used to obtain an Xbox Live Marketplace Token which will unlock the Valor Map Pack.

Speaking of which, it would be remembered that the Valor Map Pack had to be put down from the Marketplace at one time because of its various glitches, but Activision has previously announced that that's been fixed now. Anyway, the Read link below will take you to Circuit City's product page, so start shopping!

The Call of Duty series is a multi-million dollar franchise held by Activision. Not content to rest on their laurels, Activision will be releasing three Call of Duty titles simultaneously under their label. Two titles will be released for the Xbox 360 and one will be a PSP exclusive, and these three titles are sure to make any fan of the series drool with anticipation.

Call of Duty 3: Gold Edition for the Xbox 360: It contains everything the original Xbox 360 game has - plus a bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes footage. With an MSRP of US$ 59.99, it costs the same as the first release, so if you missed out on buying the first one, perhaps you should consider getting this now.

Call of Duty 2: Platinum Hits Expanded Edition for the Xbox 360: For those who haven't played this classic, it will be re-released with a bonus DVD that includes mission walkthroughs. With an MSRP US$ 29.99, it's a bargain.

Call of Duty: Roads to Victory for the PSP: A PSP exclusive developed by Amaze Entertainment, this game promises to bring new challenges in the form of mounted machine gun battles, sniper encounters, and aircraft attacks. Multiplayer for up to six players via ad-hoc wireless is possible as well. With an MSRP of US$ 39.99, it's worth every penny for fans of the series.

All the games mentioned will be released on March 14, 2007. We'll bring you more news as we get more information.

Activision seems to be sweetening the deal for people who decide to get their Call of Duty 3 for the Xbox 360 sometime in the next few weeks. Best Buy has this Call of Duty 3 Gold Edition product page up, available for preorder at US$ 59.99, and set to arrive on March 15.

 

What makes this edition Gold is that it has a bonus DVD "packed with features and a token for a free map pack." Are they talking about the Valor Map Pack? Answer: they never said which... Best Buy also hasn't enumerated the features in the DVD. Pity - doesn't anyone remember the jewelry shopper's constant warning: All that glitters is not Gold?

We can guess that the bonus DVD will contain stuff like behind-the-scenes, trailers, and movies from the game. Look at it this way: if you haven't gotten your COD3 yet, you're paying the same price as the regular COD3 for an extra DVD to watch, plus a token for a free map pack (but is it the Valor Map Pack?). Now if this Gold glitters enough for you, the Read link goes straight to Best Buy's product page.

Ah, the smell of gunpowder. You definitely can't beat it, but you'd certainly like to be smelling it from the firing end of a gun.

That being said, what we have for you today is more action-packed gameplay from Activision's Call of Duty 3. Specifically, we've got some running and gunning from the Allied Forces as they attempt to capture the Axis flag in the new Valor multiplayer map pack. This transmission we have from the front lines isn't very long, but it's substantial enough to get attention from the highers-up.

What are you waiting for, soldier? The smell of gunpowder awaits! Just make sure you don't get the trike blown up, alright?

Buy: [Call of Duty 3 for Xbox 360]
Buy: [Call of Duty 3 for PS3]