Wars are almost always a messy affair. Homes are destroyed, loved ones are lost, and life is generally not much fun. There may be good reasons for a war, and the world can be a better place after the fighting ends, but being in an actual war zone is something most people would rather avoid. However, time passes. Wounds are healed. People rebuild. The war becomes part of history. People yearn to relive parts of that history, and video games based on the war are made. Enter Gotham Games and Conflict: Desert Storm.

As the name implies, Conflict: Desert Storm allows gamers to take control of a squad of soldiers (British SAS or U.S. Delta Force) as they infiltrate enemy territory, neutralize key targets and gather intelligence. Each elite squad is made up of specialists with their own area of expertise; Rifleman, Heavy Weapons, Electronics and Infiltration, and Sniper. Each squad member can perform any task, but the specialist is far superior in his respective area. As squad members successfully complete missions, they pick up experience points so they perform their skills better in future missions, improve their accuracy, and are harder to kill.

Conflict: Desert Storm will have 15 missions that feature a blend of stealth and squad-based tactical action with multiple solutions for completing each mission. Realistic modern weapons, enhanced artificial intelligence, real world physics and detailed 3D terrain help create an accurate simulation of warfare. Fast and deadly multiplayer modes are included to increase the game's replay value.

Gotham Games is bringing the GameCube version of Conflict: Desert Storm to stores in May of this year. The game has already been released on the PS2, Xbox, and PC. With luck, the game will be a good port and be a solid entry into the GameCube's minuscule stealth-action lineup.