Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis

"A game very, VERY well done"

Imagine this: You and the rest of your squad of raw recruits are rumbling down the road in a noisy military truck. You've just received new orders in the town of Montignac. You're excited and a bit nervous, hoping to finally see some action after being in the quiet little village of Morton for so long. As you begin to pass a part of road with dense woods on either side, a bullet rips through the head of the driver, splattering blood all over the windshield. The commander quickly gives the order to disembark, and it becomes apparent that you've drove right into a Soviet ambush. A moment after you jump out of the truck, a rocket propelled grenade hits it, sending an inferno of flames everywhere. There is no hope for you or any of your comrades. You drop to the ground, foolishly spraying ammo, trying to pick off the reds in the woods. A swift bullet to the groin quickly silences your rifle...

Any and all of this plus much more is possible in Operation Flashpoint. Since that's a fairly lengthy into, I'll get right onto the review.

Graphics- 8/10

For my computer, these graphics are excellent. Whether it be running through a field in early morning or camping in a woods at dusk, they really make you feel like you are on the tiny islands or Everon, Malden, and Kolgujev. The islands themselves are to be marveled at. From the tallest peak a solder can see for miles, and from inside of a tank you may feel a bit claustrophobic. They do, however, have flaws. There is a great deal of pop-up and other small graphical glitches, but I personally have no major complaints. The size of the islands easily makes up for these shortcomings.

Sound- 9/10
Music- 9/10

The sound in this game is also very well done. The guns all sound true to their real-life counterparts, as well as the boats, planes, helicopters, radios, birds, etc. The only gripe I have about the sound is the radio voices. Hearing phrases like ''DAMN, 2 IS DOWN'' and ''ALL, MOVE TO tree, 2 o'clock'' get very old after a short while, especially when the voice on the other end sounds like a drunk. Like the graphical errors, the radio is more helpful than it is hurtful, and takes away from the game very little.

The music is astounding. There is a tune to fit every occasion, whether it be somber, intense, scary, or even relaxing. Included in the game are also some punk rock songs by a group named 7th, which really aren't that bad.

Story- 7/10

Operation Flashpoint doesn't involve a Hollywood style plot with a great deal of detail, but rather a shallow plot line that, while lacking intricacy, holds the game together. The chronology of events is very clear. Don't expect to be moved by the storyline, but do expect to experience fear and guilt, two things this game does the best.

Gameplay- 10/10

I bought this game in early May. Today's date is October 7th. Why haven't I written a review for it yet? Well, you see, I've been too busy playing it. The number of different things to do in this game is staggering. First off, the islands are huge, and consist of almost every physical feature possible (except for rivers and ponds). As you can imagine, this makes all kinds of strategic maneuvers possible. Is your squad getting pinned down at the foot of a bare mountain? Why not sneak through the forest on the side, and then flank your enemy from behind? Or perhaps you'd prefer to hop in a T-80 and take them out the easy way. Wait, those Abrams tanks will certainly create a problem, won't they? Better find someplace to hide, seeing as how they're moving your way and all. You could hide out in the forest, or maybe even lay some mines along the road.

Commies don't kill themselves, do they? Well, don't worry, there are plenty of weapons at your disposal. You might choose to use an M-16, M60, LAW Launcher, or even an M21 Sniper rifle (and that's just scratching the surface). This game may be a little too much to handle for a casual Quake-playing first person shooter person. Not every gun has a scope, and often, you will hardly be able to see the enemy you are aiming at. Also, if you should happen to be in charge of a platoon of guys, managing them during a battle may feel like a bit much. Same with being the commander of a tank. But the more you play this game and practice at it, the more you will appreciate the demanding situatoins. With over 40 missions in the campaign, a handful of single missions, and a mission editor with endless possibilities, there is something for everyone.

~In Closing~
All in all, Operation Flashpoint is a great game. One of my favorites made within the last five years, in fact. I highly suggest that before buying it, you look at some of the FAQs on this site for a complete listing of all the vehicles, weapons, airplanes, etc. They will only want to make you buy the game more.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 10/07/02, Updated 10/07/02