WinBack: Covert Operations

"This is not a MGS or Syhon Filter clone. You will enjoy this title."

Words: 872

**Operation: Winback**

You are Jean-Luc a tactical squad member of the military group: SCAT. Your mission is to “winback” what was stolen from the government. If you fail you will contribute to the beginning of the end for the free-world and western civilization, as you know it today.

O.k. before I start this review I want to scold all those fools who compare this game to “Metal Gear: Solid” and “Syphon Filter”. This game does have similar elements to other tactical games but to call it a “clone” is wrong. If you look at all the tactical games that came out around the same time they are all very similar. Besides, I remember when people were calling Syphon Filter a MGS clone!

*****Gameplay – 9/10 FPS goodness with an over the shoulder view.*****

One thing that really burns me about the initial PS2 releases was the gameplay. Most games would be decent but failed in this department. Some games were very sketchy in control (Oni) or just plain old hard (Deep Faction). I suppose these game makers figured a new “gen” console means “harder” and more difficult button tapping and perfect stick control. Winback is simple and smooth. No complicated controls and no “jerky” controls.

Winback (like TimeSplitters) falls back to the old KISS concept or Keep It Simple Stupid when it comes to Gameplay. And thank goodness for this because then the game would score lower then normal. Basically, you use the stick to control Jean-Luc. You do the basic “run” and “duck” and the “back against the wall”. To shoot, you use L1 and O and to reload you tap X. Easy enough! To dodge the bullets tap Square for the “back against the wall”. Easy enough! The cool thing is that you can peek around corners, shoot, and go-back safe from the bullets. All of these actions only require a tap of two buttons. I cannot say this enough. The controls are easy and quick to learn.

There are other options that you can utilize, like a map function but believe me you wont need to use any of these things. The game is simple and very easy to play. Gameplay for this game is heavy on technique and finesse and not brains.

So a shotgun, a handgun, and an automatic walk into a bar. Get used to it because that’s all you will be using in Winback. Don’t play this game if you want a plethora of guns. Just like real life, this game relies on “two or three shots” does the trick no matter what kind of gun it is.

This game does not have “real time” saves. To save you must go to certain check points and when a mission is completed the “save” option comes up. One thing that is nice is that certain points allow you to continue from in case you eat some terrorist metal (which happens a lot).

Finally, there is a “Bot” and “Team” play to go head to head with your buds but “Unreal Tourni.” Is much better for this.

*****Story – 6/10 Ever hear about the one who saved the world from terrorists?*****

O.k, so this game is not strong in the story department. There are times when you scratch your head and say “why?” because you have seen this all before. You are a team called SCAT and your job is to rid the world of pesky terrorists big deal. I give this section a 7 because the story is somewhat decent and solid. Of course you meet up with bosses who are eager to meet your demise. If you ask me it’s a big yawn in this section.

*****Audio/Video – 8/10 Better than stick people but we’re not talking “SquareSoft” here.*****

The graphics are sound but nothing to write home about. The game is clear and crisp. I do think this game would have done fine on the PSone. I am glad it’s not because the load time is really short. The audio is decent. They did a good job with the details. You can hear the metal casings hit the ground and hear the “lock and load” action on the guns, which is always cool. There is character voicing and it’s fine. Some people say “Jean-Luc” sounds like a dork but I say who cares. Not all “heroes” have to sound gritty and in fact welcome the change.

I would have given this section a 7 because the game is average but the special care to detail and the voice acting sends the score to an 8.

******Replayability*****
I have not beaten this game but am far into the game. I don’t think I would play this game again. The game has “bot” and “team” play to tinker around with but there other games that are better. Rent it. The game is worth 20 bucks but that’s it.

Overall:

Gameplay: 9/10 If you want simple out of the box goodness get this game. If you want to break the controller over lack of smooth controls and complicated maneuvering get something else.

Story: 6/10 YAWN!

Audio/Video: 8/10 Basic and average but solid.

Total: 8/10 A solid game that offers somewhat of a challenge.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 08/21/01, Updated 08/21/01