Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising - (Xbox 360,PS3,PC )
Developer: Codemasters
Format: Xbox 360,PS3,PC
Genre: Action


The perils of combat are all too real in this tactical soldier shooter



War is hell. Largely because it's hard, very hard indeed. With that in mind welcome to Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, a tactical soldier shooter with a difficulty curve similar to the North face of the Eiger. Rewarding - but as we say, hard, very, very hard.

Players fill the boots of an infantry marine, helicopter pilot, Special Forces officer or a tank commander, each engaged against the full force of the Chinese PLA. The game doesn't have levels, more 'areas of operation', you'll rarely see the whites of the enemies' eyes and death will be a constant companion. This is a 'realistic' war simulator - that offers you (and up to three co-op mates) the chance to engage in countless long range kills and progress, slowly and wearily through an unforgiving war game. It sounds like we don't like this title - that's not strictly true, we just have a grudging respect for how tough it makes the experience. Call of Duty may insist that you rush an enemy position head-on, Operation Flashpoint teases you with such a notion before leaving you face down and bullet ridden in a foreign field of broken dreams.

This game will have you occasionally waving the pad at the screen in frustration, sometimes due to just how clever the enemy is, and others down to how stupid your AI team mates are. As you progress through changeable terrain past invisible checkpoints (that get further and further apart the harder the difficulty) you will come under continuous long range rifle fire followed by a barrage of mortars. Hitting the dirt and scoping the horizon is normal - what is less expected is your team mates running directly in front of your line of fire in order to get a better position. Sometimes the battle sense of your comrades is severely lacking and although the enemy AI does a great job of changing up tactics and often posing as a formidable and intelligent foe, the same cannot always be said for your AI buddies. But fortunately that's where 4-player co-op comes in - which can potentially improve the game immeasurably - assuming the other players realise that run and gun will lead to shot for fun.

During the course of the considerably long Campaign stage (incorporating nearly a dozen missions, each with a multitude of objectives),you will get lost, become confused and face what will often appear to be insurmountable odds. The experience as a gamer is not always entirely satisfying but the deliverance of a 'realistic tactical soldier shooter' cannot be denied. Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising has fulfilled the mission brief - by serving up an authentic slice of army manoeuvres where life is cheap, death comes quickly and the fog of war often clouds judgement. Armchair generals - the call to duty is hard to ignore.