Canada's Top 5 roles in Video Games
by aleen634
In the anime Gundam Seed Destiny the province of Quebec is destroyed by falling space colony debris. In the television show Heroes, the city of Montreal, Quebec was hinted at playing a great role in the storyline (way to drop the ball on that guys, really you couldn't even get decent stock footage of Montreal?). But what about video games? Well from whipping boy to boy giving the whipping, Cana...
In the anime Gundam Seed Destiny the province of Quebec is destroyed by falling space colony debris. In the television show Heroes, the city of Montreal, Quebec was hinted at playing a great role in the storyline (way to drop the ball on that guys, really you couldn't even get decent stock footage of Montreal?). But what about video games? Well from whipping boy to boy giving the whipping, Canada has seen it all. Let's take a look:
5. Fallout Univserse
In the Fallout Universe Canada would be annexed by the United States of America following the Chinese invasion of Alaska. Forever the whipping boy, Canadian protests are ignored and dissent in Canada is treated harshly (see image). But as 'War never changes' perhaps it's best to start with the worst role.
4. Battlefield 1942
You're crazy, you say? Canada did not appear in Battlefield 1942. Well, you are correct. In the original realease Canada did not have any role in Battefield 1942. However, with the popularity of the game came patches featuring new maps and finally in patch 1.6 The Battle of Caen was added featuring Canadian forces and the Johnson M1941 LMG. This would not be Canada's last role in a WWII video game...
3. Call of Duty 3
Ok so probably the lowest point of the main Call of Duty series, Call of Duty 3 features several nations trying to close the Falaise Gap including Canada. Following the Canadian 4th Armoured Division and featuring one of the worst commanding officers in Call of Duty history Lieutenant Robichard, the Canadian campaign is a mix of on rails segments and assaults against heavily armed German positions. While a fun game (on easier difficulties) the Canadian campaign falters at the end due to some haphazard story presentation and buggy gameplay.
2. Red Alert 2
While not part of the main story, Canada plays an important role in Command and Conquer Red Alert 2. The Soviet Union invades the United States of America using psychic technology and their armed forces. Following an American retreat from Washington D.C., the President and the Joint Chiefs are forced to relocate to Canada. Using a base on the Canadian side of Lake Michigan the Americans launch an attack on Chicago to destroy a Psychic Amplifier deployed by Soviet forces. The amplifier is destroyed and the Soviets nuke the city in response. This gives the American President the chance he needs to open a dialog with the European Allies and thus change the course of the war. A little later in the campaign the American General Carville would form his plans to retake Washington from his base in Canada.
1. Civilization Series
Perhaps Canada's greatest role in a video game series ever would be in the Civilization series. Featuring a Canadian tribe in Civilization 2, Canada would finally get a chance to take over the world! Civilization II still features the most Tribes (in the base game) of all the main Civilizatoin game releases and while Canada would be featured in scenario maps or mods in the future, nothing would ever beat being recognized as a full fledged Tribe. But for those who would rather live history rather than change it HistoicCanada features a full Civilization 3 mod that allows you to play early Canadian history as either the French, the English or several native tribes to decide the fate of the New World in just one more turn.
Dis-honorable Mention:
Syphon Fliter: The Omega Strain
Ok let's talk about the storied history of Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain. Originally the game would feature a series of stages either set in Quebec (probably Montreal, more on that later) or Toronto depending which source you read. Now the year was 2003 and the world was still on edge because of the invasion of Iraq and terrorism was still on the mind of many. Pressure from both Ontario and Quebec forced Sony to 'remove' the level. And for those who knew about the story this was enough. The game came out and everyone was happy. But the opening stages of Carthage, Michigan contain a sinister secret. The 3 'Carthage' opening stages are the original Toronto/Quebec stages reworked a bit. Mail boxes still resemble Canada Post mailboxes and perhaps most condemning is a map of the Montreal Metro system that can be found throughout the first stage (take a right after starting the first Carthage stage and look for the white map near the staircase and garage). So now you know the dirty secret of Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain. Let's just keep it a secret between you, me and Canada.