Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising Hands On
Gaming Union was fortunate enough to attend an event hosted by Codemasters, where they were showing off the latest build of Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising. After watching a demonstration in a movie theatre, the opportunity arose to check out the game with some good hands-on time.
For those who aren't aware, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising is the sequel to Operation Flashpoint, which was released way back in 2001 for the Xbox and PC. It is a first-person shooter (FPS) which has a largely tactical focus, and this is what separates it from the other military FPS titles out there. Gameplay isn't just a case of running through levels like Rambo, as the opposition will just mow everyone down. Instead, tactics must be used effectively to control the 4-man team. However, it's worth stressing that there is no "correct" way to complete a mission.
The game features an exceedingly large terrain, and it's possible to walk all around. It might take a while though, as it's all scaled accurately. Great strives have been taken to make the landscape as realistic as possible, and the draw distance is very impressive. There is also a fully operational time-cycle in place, so it's possible to see the sun setting during the middle of missions.
The level of depth may seem intimidating for novice players of the game, with there being over 60 different weapons, and an array of military tactics. This has been countered by offering players three difficulty levels. The "assisted" difficulty has a full user interface available and plentiful checkpoints, whereas "hardcore" is recommended for those that want a truly immersive experience. Checkpoints are taken away, and there is a very minimal user interface; to achieve success on hardcore will require a lot of patience and strategy.
During our play session, we had the opportunity to check out the co-operative gameplay. This allows four friends to undertake the same missions, as part of the same team. This can be done either online, or via system link and voice chat is definitely recommended. Team work is not essential for success, obviously, but it's definitely recommended. When things start to get tough, it's reassuring to know there are some buddies watching your back.
The campaign itself focuses on a conflict between the three major powers in military: the USA, Russia and China. The US forces are fighting against the Chinese military, in order to free a Russian island that's been taken over by PLAs. IT all sounds a bit confusing, but there are 11 missions which will hope to explain the situation. There will also be a lot of variety in the missions, with them taking place all over the island, and during different times of day. There will also be a certain amount of vehicular-based combat, just to keep things fresh.
Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising is going to try and take the FPS genre by storm when it's released on the 9th of October, 2009 on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. Based on what we saw, it will definitely offer a cerebral experience and looks like it's definitely one to keep on the radar.
