Spec Ops: Ranger Elite

"Short Review Of Take2's New Stealth-em-up"

Plot: The game see's you taking control of a two man ranger team which you select from a pool of 5 rangers. You fly around the globe protecting Uncle Sam's Interests with ''Intestinal Fortitude'', whatever that may be.

Despite the general cheesiness of the introductory sequence, I was pleasantly surprised when the game itself started. The graphics are not the best I have seen but they are far from terrible. The game itself runs smoothly at a fast pace although there are occasionally some graphics glitches. A good example of this would be on the first mission in China where the entire landscape formed a sequence of lines causing us to have to abort the mission and start again.

Without a doubt Special Operations: Ranger Elite is GOOD fun especially in the two player mode but there are several major flaws which detract from the fun.

First up, navigation is terrible especially on the later levels, Working out the directions to the next way point is very difficult and on several levels I was very frustrated to lose a level not to the enemy but to inept level design.
Second, even the most well aimed sniper shot can miss because it fails to register as a hit.
The game is very short and I managed it in a few short days.
Finally, the weapons all suffer from terrible accuracy without scopes, there is auto targeting but it has difficulty when aiming up or down hills. Enemies are hard to spot and the lack of warning when they are targeted means that you can be sure if your next volley of gunfire will send them to meet their maker.

Despite this, it IS genuine fun. Especially in two player. Never underestimate the fun that's too be had hiding in a dark room and shouting ''Go Go Go'' at your friend! And it is only £10,

There is plenty of variety in the game and the military enthusiasts will be happy with the weaponry available. Sniper rifles, machine guns, shotguns, assault rifles, grenades and a submachine gun plus a host of grenades. Bizarrely, there are no pistols available which I found odd, these are the best of the best (of the best etc) yet they seem to be unable to afford a side-arm. But the best fun to be had is certainly two player especially if you have a large television. Remember, the game is fun and that's what its all about (That and gunning down the communists apparently). And remember, £10 for a game isn't bad, especially when you consider that there are loads of really bad games out there that would set you back $40 or more!

7/10:
Comments:
Go buy it now soldier! THAT'S AN ORDER!

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 04/25/01, Updated 04/25/01