Full Spectrum Warrior

"OoooohRA!"

First off, I would like to say this is a unique type of game. You won't be driving tanks or shooting people point blank with a rocket launcher. As a result, I think people who are into games like Unreal and Doom may not “get” this game. This game is more for people who like SOCOM, Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, and, more specifically, people who like RTS games on PC.

As you all know by now, Full Spectrum Warrior was created by Pandemic and Institute for Creative Technologies as a simulator for the U.S. Army's MOUT training. Pandemic then decided to make a retail version. And although it's not the exactly the military version (which is unlockable, but more on that later), it's still one of the most realistic games you'll play on Xbox.

Basically, the gameplay works like this. You command two teams (or one team in multiplayer), Alpha, and Bravo. It much works like a real time strategy in the way you move you're squad around and giving fire orders, only from a third person perspective. Those who said the game would not be good because you can't shoot are mistaken in that, even though you are not directly shooting, it certainly feels like it. RTS gamers know that it's still fun, due to experiences with RTS games online.

Grapihcs-9.5: Although not exactly Splinter Cell, (of which we have been spoiled by) the graphics are quite good. The Camera bobs up and down when moving you're troops, giving you that “war journalist” feel. The animations are smooth and realistic, and don't look robotic. Like you're right there with them. The draw distance is great. And the “3-d Fog of War” lets you see what flanks you don't have covered. The shadows on the ground of “Little Birds' and Apaches, as well as seeing them yourself, let you know the developers went the extra mile. And the environment is rendered it such a way that you do feel like you stuck in the middle of a middle-eastern city. The player models are detail, as are the weapons. The explosions are good as well, much better than in many other Xbox games. In one instance, during the training missions, the LT told me to call in artillery on a BMP. Now, I was expected something along the lines of the artillery in Return to Castle Wolfenstein. What I go was a huge overkill tat leveled nearly half a city block. The Havoc engine is great, and although one of you're men may fly 7 feet in the air on occasion when he's been shot, the system works well. Soldiers launch backward in relation to the bullet that hit them, and the degradable cover and environment looks great. Not to mentioned the cutscenes, which look awesome and are done very nicely with perfect lip-synching.

Gameplay-8.5: The gameplay is tense. You'll bite you're nails as you struggle to find cover when you're men get caught in the open. If one of you're men get shot, you have to get to him before he dies, otherwise it's mission over. Once you get him, you have to bring him to a CAS-EVAC for treatment. As a result, having a good teammate online is essential, especially on the higher difficulties since you ammo runs out so much faster and the HUD is off. The enemies also get more accurate and tougher to deal with. Grenades are a precious commodity, wasting them is not an option as you will get less with each rise in difficulty, and since you can only resupply rifle and SAW ammo at CAS-EVACs, you must be selective.

Sound-9.5: By far some of the best sound in a game in recent times. Explosions and weapons sound great and enemies shout “American!” when they spot you. One of the coolest thins is how you're team leader changes his tone of voice based on the situation. For instances, if you're just walking around in a safe zone, he uses a more normal voice. But if you're under heavy fire, he will change is tone entirely. You're men will also say many things that will make you laugh, although, since the level of vulgarity is high, I would rather not say here. The sound is so full of stuff. You're teammates have their on personalities and you can distinguish their voices well. And the voice acting itself is well done. Add Dolby 5.1 to this setup and it just adds to the experience. Even the cutscenes are in surround sound.

Replay Value-9.0: The game does take a small hit here. But with downloadable content, it extends the games life. Not only that, but the Army version is unlockable. The Army version plays different. It's a bit more realistic, and the controls are also different. By far the best feature though, is that you can customize ALOT. From enemy and civilian presence, their aggression, weapons load-outs, weather, and all kinds of R.O.E.s (Rules of Engagement). You kind even adjust how well they are trained! Online, it adds more to the game seeing as the difficulties vary, which I mentioned before. But it can be a different experience depending on you're partner.

Overall-9.0: I think if you like RTS games, this is a must. RTS games usually fail on consoles do to the controls, because the keyboard adds so much that is needed. But since Pandemic ran the army version on an Xbox, everything fits perfect. There are no sub menus when pressing buttons like in Rainbow Six 3 and other games. It's all contact sensitive and very streamlined. This game is unique and is warranted a rent at the very least. Especially if you're looking for something different amongst Xbox's plethora of First Person Shooters.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/07/04