Spec Ops: Stealth Patrol

"As stealthy as a firework"

Spec Ops was one of the first of the co operative third person, strategy based shoot em ups to grace the Playstation, following in the wake of the very poor PSX version of Rainbow Six.

The way the game looks in not a major problem for Spec Ops. The game takes a viewpoint and layout that is very similar to Syphon Filter, with weapons and compasses appearing in game and gives the player all necessary information without being intrusive. The backgrounds are not at all special but are functional and certainly good enough, again looking rather similar to the excellent Syphon Filter 2. But the main flaw in the visuals section is the sparsely detailed enemy and player characters. Explosions are also typically very poor and some of the other weapon effects seem muted when compared to other shooters. Its also difficult to understand the title of Stealth Patrol when you consider the majority of the Ranger's weapons are high power, loud unsilenced rifles. The environments at least are varied, taking in desert, snow and industrial backdrops that at least make progressing fairly interesting.

Spec Ops much boasted of 2 player co-operative mode would certainly have been an interesting and very unique experience 5 years ago, but the limitations of the game itself and superior next generation games expose Stealth Patrol's co-op as more frustrating than anything. The game is stunted by the laughably poor enemy AI and confusing mission objectives. Your Co-Op buddy is so incompetent and inept at following orders that you'll more often than not find him useless in completing the mission which is a real drawback as it makes a large part of the game virtually useless and ill planned.

The game attempts to compensate for the puzzling approach to missions with an in game map that is so overbearing and yet again confusing to negotiate you are better off ignoring it and trying to get your bearings naturally, which again is fairly difficult.

The game's strategy element comes into force in its one player mode, directing your troops to do certain things before the mission starts. There are plenty of options and ways for which you can approach objectives and missions so there is a moderate amount of license involved and freedom, which is certainly a good thing, for instance certain types of soldiers – snipers, explosives experts – are more useful for different missions.
You are also privy to a fabulous arsenal of weapons with which to dispose of your enemies, with the game including Automatic Shotguns, AKs, M60s and M16s – there is a great deal of depth in parts of this game.

Whilst it is true that this game has an interesting premise and an extensive arsenal to play aorund with, there is no doubting that the game suffers very badly by its confusing approach to the game, below par AI and an average graphical display. But what hurts the game more than anything is that it is a real pain to play and a bind to persevere with at times.

Reviewer's Score: 3/10, Originally Posted: 04/24/06