Fun, strategic co-op action.
| In short, this is a fantastic title. It is a tactical action game, set in the Gulf War. In most of the missions the player controls a squad of four soldiers, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The sniper for example is weak at close-quarters combat whereas the assault specialist is poor at range. To progress through the game the player must make the squad work together, with each member using their abilities to maximum effect. This is acheived by the player issuing orders to the team via a simple but flexible set of button-press commands.. While the controls can seem difficult at first, they quickly become second nature and are surprisingly deep. Each team member has an inventory that contains weapons, first aid kits to heal team-mates, explosives and other mission - specific equipment that can be used at will and, interestingly, exchanged between team members at will. If you have an array of machine guns cluttering your inventory, simply offload them onto another character to carry around for you. If you need to get a C4 charge into hostile territory then by all means send out the demo man. But you might want to leave the remote detonator with the squad leader. Just in case.
Crucially, the game is brilliant fun to play. In single player there is huge amount of variety between levels, and this is enhanced furhter by the huge amount of freedom you have in tackling the onjectives. The game actively encourages the player to think for themselves, be creative and use your inventory however and wenever you want. You are simply given objectives to complete and a stash of equipment and are left to get on with it however you wish. The feeling of satisfaction that comes from a carefully deliberated but risky plan unfolding successfully should not be underestimated. Level design is excellent and there are many hidden areas to discover which usually contain extra weaponry. Impressive explosions and exciting set - pieces punctuate proceedings, and add to the enjoyment. It is in multiplayer mode that the game comes into its own however, with four players working co-operatively in the main missions it is simply amazing. All the strategising and planning becomes a lot more fun when you're working with friends and sending that demo guy out on his own with the C4 becomes a dramatic mix of teamwork and trust exercise as one player holds the others detonator and life in his hands. The action becomes even more tense as you try to protect your friends with covering fire etc. The feeling is completely different when the welfare of friends is dependant on you doing a good job rather than just the rather braindead AI |