Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising Review

By Simon Parkin Published 6 October, 2009

Beyond the call.

Version tested: Xbox 360

Infinity Ward is a liar. An excellent liar with a clutch of fantastic, irresistible lies, but a liar nevertheless. Its Modern Warfare games claim to show players the future of professional conflict, a virtual replication of the horrors and thrills that will soon buffet soldiers to their particular nation's greater good. And we swallow the story. Who knows if, like many of Hollywood's action movie producers, Call of Duty is part-funded by the US military? It would certainly be money well spent. As an army recruitment tool the series is unrivalled: how many young men have been drawn to real battlefields, inspired to enlist by their glories on those virtual ones?

But Modern Warfare's relentless firework display of mortars and corridored, Michael Bay-esque set-pieces are, in truth, little more than a theme-park approximation of combat. The slick drama, that flows largely absent of reality's upsets, is more military-themed rollercoaster than sober training tool. As a result, in some far-flung theatre of war, a gamer soldier today lies facedown in the sod, his friends dying all around, no mission checkpoint markers to guide his advances or soft-save his progress, cursing the day he swallowed the lie. Codemasters sidles up alongside him, drops to one knee and presses Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising into his wounded hands, whispering: "If it was truth you were after, soldier, you should have played this."

Mission 7: Bleeding Edge. My four-man squad is huddled close to the battle's edge, but not quite close enough. It's a long walk to the first objective: an enemy AT team blocking a road that must be cleared out before our vehicles can advance. If there's one thing you're going to be doing a lot of in Operation Flashpoint, it's walking. The game's much-touted 35-mile draw distance may be an excellent back-of-the-box boast, but you'll rue the scale when you have to trek across it. As a simulation, even these fit marines tire soon enough when running at full pelt, the frantic pulse of their hearts soon vibrating loud through the controller. Moreover, take a stray bullet to the leg and you won't be running anywhere in a hurry.

As such, I order the team to a nearby armoured vehicle: two in the back, one on the mounted gun; I drive. The road is clear ahead, the desaturated, next-gen screed of greens and browns uninterrupted by the wobble of enemy movement. Foot down, I move to call up the overhead map to take point but, before the input registers, there's a thwap and the screen falls black. In Operation Flashpoint, like war, there are no archangels to soundtrack the transition from this world to the next. Death is instant, usually unexpected and never vainglorious. I didn't even get to see my mind splatter on the windshield, or the cold smirk of the twitching sniper who, two kilometres away, took the shot.

'Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising' Screenshot 1

Each mission has a hidden criterion that, if matched, will unlock an achievement.

When it comes to military simulations, console gamers have been poorly served in recent years. The Ghost Recon series' transition from Xbox to Xbox 360 shifted the game from military sim to military rollercoaster, thus doing away with one of Xbox Live's most popular serious multiplayer war-games. It's this long vacant niche that Dragon Rising steps into, its business primarily frowning over huge maps, plotting paths through enemy patrols before inching forward through the undergrowth, breath bated, knees a-knocking.

Through a single-player campaign of 11 missions you take control of a four-man squadron of US marines, taking on the Chinese army in an effort to free a Russian island taken over by the PLA. Each mission is divided into a handful of objectives, which you are free to make your way towards in pretty much any fashion you see fit: direct, as the crow flies through enemy machine-gun emplacements, or via sweeping detours around the island. The emphasis on realism means that, despite the contemporary weaponry, you're not guaranteed a headshot just because you lined one up perfectly. For players mollycoddled by recent FPS military titles this will be a rude awakening. Want to switch from an assault rifle to a bazooka? Then you'll have to sit through a painstaking 10-second animation in which you lay the weapon on the ground before uncasing a rocket and gingerly loading it. Every manoeuvre has to be carefully plotted, closing distance before attacking, making use of terrain and the islands copious foliage cover, thinking like a soldier rather than an action game hero.

Death becomes a close acquaintance to the reckless. While on the lowest difficulty you're given a sparse HUD that lights up enemy positions on a simple compass read-out, there's no indication of a target's distance from you. With tall grass covering the island, trepidation is crucial, especially as it's very difficult to distinguish between friends and enemies in the field. Play at a higher difficulty and the HUD disappears completely, leaving you feeling as though you've had the stabilisers taken off your FPS bike, disorientated by the lack of read-outs and safety nets we rely so heavily upon.

By default your squadron will move as one, but it's possible to split the four-man team up in order to flank enemy holding positions. While the basic radial menu for ordering your team around is quick and intuitive, actually dividing them into groups and managing them is fiddly. It's something that far better handled in, for example, Full Spectrum Warrior and makes fast, efficient execution of advanced strategies more tortuous than it should be in a game of this ilk. For that reason, it's preferable to approach the campaign via the solid co-op mode, working with up to three friends, negating the need to wrestle with in-game tactical menus altogether.

There are a number of shortcomings in regard to realism. In one early mission you're asked to defend a village from enemy attacks. Instinctively you hole up in a building, shooting out the windows before assuming a defensive stance. However, once you've opened a door, it won't close again, leaving huge gaps in your otherwise secure position. Likewise, nestle yourself into a good spot by a window, your gun pointing over the frame, and more often than not your bullets will just thud into the woodwork, despite the clear shot on the enemy presented down the rifle's scope. Finally, while it's possible to loot dead soldiers, appropriating their ammunition (a valuable commodity) and guns, the bodies inexplicably disappear after 30 seconds or so, taking their assets with them. The game has a relatively small population per mission, so this design trait is both anachronistic and irritating.

'Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising' Screenshot 2

Two competitive multiplayer modes ensure there's online content here once the co-op missions have been exhausted on 'hardcore' difficulty.

As with all of Codies' recent output, Dragon Rising's presentation is sparse yet exemplary. The studio knows how to create maximum impact at minimal expense and as such, the simple, economic motion graphics the flit across the screen, introducing the background to the conflict, or displaying campaign stats during load times pack more impact than a thousand pre-rendered cut-scenes. There's no soundtrack in the game outside of the haunting melody that backs the menu screens, but the game's front-end is so effective that it colours the whole experience, setting the tone for the missions it embeds.

Nevertheless, it's hard not to come away feeling the developer made a robust, strong military sim engine but failed to fill it with engaging missions. There are high points, such as defending an airfield from helicopter attack or escorting hostages across hills while under heavy fire, but they rarely sizzle with excitement or novelty. This isn't helped by the dev's reuse of key locations, something that ensures the relatively short campaign begins to feel samey towards its conclusion. There's also a lack of fine polish with a few noticeable bugs interrupting play every hour or so.

Even so, Operation Flashpoint offers a sobering counterpoint to the riotous action of the typical contemporary console FPS and as such is very welcome. As with Race Driver: GRID, with which it shares elements of its engine, some will find the concessions to reality go too far while others will say they don't go nearly far enough. There is, however, just enough range between its difficulties to appease both ends of the spectrum: those who want an unflinching recreation of island-based warfare, and those who want a manageable, mostly enjoyable military videogame. But its mild shortcomings ensure that, until Codemasters can fill its framework with a little more imagination and purpose, neither group will come away fanatical about the effort.

7 / 10

Read the Eurogamer.net scoring policy
Picture of Simon.

About Simon Parkin

Simon Parkin is an author and journalist on video games. A regular contributor to Eurogamer since 2005, his work has also appeared in Edge, The Telegraph, Gamasutra and Boing Boing.

Read more articles from Simon by visiting the Simon Parkin archive page.

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Comments (167) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • DAN.E.B #1 2 years ago

    I just want a game like the original ghost recon before UBI dumbed it down!

  • George-Roper #2 2 years ago

    So, typical Codemasters release then?

    LOL @ -24. It's like Codemasters release quality products all year round and I just somehow manage to miss them....
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/09 @ 13:03

  • phatb0y #3 2 years ago

    'Likewise, nestle yourself into a good spot by a window, your gun pointing over the frame, and more often than not your bullets will just thud into the woodwork, despite the clear shot on the enemy presented down the rifle's scope.'

    That one statement alone has put me off. This was a fault that pissed me off no end in the original OpFlash. Is it cover? Isn't it? Who knows?

    If there was one thing the editor taught you it was that the engine just couldn't handle interiors or anything more complex than a waste-high wall without baffling the AI or causing clipping/FOV issues.

    It sounds like Dragon Rising has more of the same, which is a great pity as I was really looking forward to a bit of OpFlash. I just don't know whether I can be arsed with the same niggling issues that plagued the original.

  • coastal #4 2 years ago

    Hmm I don't really need half the review to tell me that rushing in to battle will result in instant death. There's too many games in this genre now for this to be obvious.

    And Simon concludes by saying that Codemasters have probably got the balance right between full blown military sim and the more gamey FPSs so why only a 7? Seems a little harsh.

    I can appreciate the re-use of areas - isn't that what war is all about? Otherwise it'll be called Operation Steamroller.

  • ChthonicEcho #5 2 years ago

    Reads like an 8, really. Then again, Eurogamer explained that accessibility is one of the things that are accounted for, and I suppose Dragon Rising sure isn't accessible to all those trigger-happy Halo kiddies.

    I'll have to try this one out with a friend or three.

  • Hullfire #6 2 years ago

    That really is a lazy review. One brief mention of the co-op mode, sparse detail throughout. Pretty poor. Can we have more information please? You know - enough to give us a balance view as to what we might be buying? I kind of thought that was the whole point of reviews.

  • skillian #7 2 years ago

    No PC tag on the review? Has a new precedent been set?

    Still sounds like something I'd like to try, although I would have liked to have heard more about the co-op and multiplayer. If the lack of imaginative missions is one of it's biggest problems, then the PC community might be able to address that if there is a decent level editor or SDK. If that aspect lives up to Arma II, it'll barely be a problem at all.

  • UncleLou #8 2 years ago

    Read a German review earlier that gave it a 7.7 or something, complaining about terrible animations, voice-acting and enemies that stand on the spot instead of going for cover. Hohum.

  • DAN.E.B #9 2 years ago

    This game was made for VS multiplayer any chance we could have some info on it?

  • skillian #10 2 years ago

    Yeah, as one of the most popular online FPS ever it seems weird to read a review taht doesn't even mention the multiplayer.

    BTW, this (PC version) is available for £17.99 in a few places (Amazon, Play). I'm willing to take a few chances at that price point.

  • TheRealBadabing #11 2 years ago

    From what I have read, there is some unusual adversarial multiplayer stuff in addition to the co-op. Problem is, none of the reviews I have seen dwell on this or in *some* cases, even mention it. Is this because the service wasn't available at time of review?

  • Spooke #12 2 years ago

    Yeah, what about Multiplayer? it was one of the most compelling features of the original.

  • EMULOUS #13 2 years ago

    "once you've opened a door, it won't close again, leaving huge gaps in your otherwise secure position, and more often than not your bullets will just thud into the woodwork, despite the clear shot on the enemy presented down the rifle's scope. Finally, the bodies inexplicably disappear after 30 seconds or so, taking their assets with them".

    Was looking forward to this but looks like they were being a little lazy looking at those comments, shame. Co-op with friends might be ok but the review doesnt expand on that area. Might pick it up when it drops to £20 or so.

  • karstux #14 2 years ago

    So, when's the PC review coming? If you do one, please consider heavily the mission editor and compare it to Arma II...

  • Drool #15 2 years ago

    The moment I saw the PC tag missing (I know it's coming out in 3 days but you also know it's not going to get a seperate review) and the instant mentioning of MW comparison (whether they compare it or not) I knew it would be a lacking review, shame.
    It is more a description of the genre rather than the actual game. Sure, the buggy window and door bit seems lame to me as well but this isn't in-depth at all. And for who is this reviewed? The run-n-gunner or the hardcore simmers? It looks like it isn't reviewed for the group inbetween in it(which I think is the majority). The people who don't want to be shot by a sniper who just leaped off a building and perfectly scoped in midair in your face but don't want full hardcore (read: boring) tac-sim either.

    So it seems quite good for the group in the middle but it looks like the reviewer never had that group in mind, only the two fanatical counterparts at the other ends. And like said; more elaboration on the multiplayer aspect (be it co-op or vs) would have been nice.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/09 @ 10:38

  • beastmaster #16 2 years ago

    This has gone from being a day 1 purchase to a not so certain anymore :-(

  • dirk_aircool #17 2 years ago

    sounds like its been rushed out to beat Modern warfare . shame this games had a lot of hype . I loved original op Flash on the Pc but that was a long time ago . console gamers are not forgiving of bugged games . might wait to see if it gets patched before I commit to buying , by which time it will be Bargain Bin fodder . I agree the review was rubbish .AGAIN . the reviews on this site are getting worse.

  • Kapo! #18 2 years ago

    So, as good as Dead Space then?

  • cianchristopher #19 2 years ago

    Hmmmm, I think I'll pass on this (I'm still smarting from my decisions to purchase everything that looked good in 2007 & 2008, especially with the torrent of releases in those years).

    In a way, I'm glad Modern Warfare 2 scared off everyone else this year, I might actually save some money for a change :-)

  • Spooke #20 2 years ago

    Why are EG doing these half arsed reviews all of a sudden? Cash? Time?

  • gallow #21 2 years ago

    Well I just cancelled my pre-order has I have just realised I won't have the time to crawl for 30 minutes through undergrowth with baby no 2 due any time now. I really fancied playing it to.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/09 @ 10:47

  • actionfitz #22 2 years ago

    agree. reads like an 8 review.
    will have to try out the co-op at some point.
    :)

  • Spooke #23 2 years ago

    The co-op looks like it will be easier and simpler to find players on the consoles but the £18 price tag on the PC version is very tempting.

  • Nephirion #24 2 years ago

    7, So its not dumbed down for the console at all then?

    /Awaits " Proper " PC review

  • ybfelix #25 2 years ago

    Disppearing corpse, the greatest mystery since the dawn of video games.
    Apart from immersion breaking, players who lack a sense of direction (eg. me) need a trail of dead bodies to prevent backtracking! :(

  • Nephirion #26 2 years ago

    @ squarejawhero

    Operation Flashpoint was a simulation of modern infantry warfare, I concur that a port was made to the original xbox but its focus was on simulation more than anything. To appeal to a much wider audience sacrifices to realism and the like must have been made also a greater simplification of the control mechanics to suit the controller aswell as gameplay (Dumbed Down). I think would have been better was to keep this a PC exclusive like Crysis as the PC would play to the strengths of a simulation. I am hoping that there will be some unique PC benefits but i very much doubt they will be significant being a multiplatform release :(
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/09 @ 11:01

  • smernicki #27 2 years ago

    sounds like a fair review. i think it's great that Codemasters have made this game, but IMO it does sound like some elements would be too frustrating. Might give this a go if i can find it cheap somewhere in a couple of months

  • syphaa #28 2 years ago

    Yeah strange review, almost as though the reviewer didn't really have much hands on with the title, and as the other comments suggest here to miss out talking about the multiplayer aspect is just criminal in a game that I am sure will be at its best online against other like minded sim players!

    I am so hyped for this title still and I think anyone who has been looking forward to this title will not be disappointed, a high quality sim war title has been long needed on the 360, personally I can't wait to play co-op 4 player and watch my buddies head getting blown apart :)

  • XAleX360 #29 2 years ago

    Yet again another Xbox 360 review for a natural born PC game.

  • ybfelix #30 2 years ago

    Console players are not inherently dumb, I would totally play a faithful xbox port of ArmA II if they manager to clean up the bugs at least a bit. because my PC is not up to date and can't run it. I believe out of tens of millions console players, there ought to be some one stuck in a similiar scenario

  • Spooke #31 2 years ago

    Nephirion we are talking about Codemasters, the money grabbing whores of the gaming world, no franchise too sacred to sell out to the Americans, no game too loved to screw over for a fast buck. They have had so many great titles only to screw them over to widen their appeal and line the shareholders pockets further.

  • DEMONOUS #32 2 years ago

    I see nothing wrong with the review, it seems the reviewer has a fairly unbiased view unlike some people in the comments section

    only thing is there is nothing on the multiplayer aspect, which I guess I'm gonna have to see for myself

    as for the comments mentioning MW2 why not compare it? MW2 is the biggest FPS game this year, be stupid not to mention it.

  • skillian #33 2 years ago

    I am hoping that there will be some unique PC benefits but i very much doubt they will be significant

    Mission editor! But yeah, I get what you are saying.

    And although a verdict on multiplayer would have been very welcome, it's the price you pay for getting early reviews. Can't test the multiplayer if there's no-one to play with.

  • Drool #34 2 years ago

    "as for the comments mentioning MW2 why not compare it? MW2 is the biggest FPS game this year, be stupid not to mention it. "

    He's saying how they are different genres within the FPS scene, he's not comparing them. You say you think it's a good unbiased review yet didn't take the time to even properly read the first page?

  • XdarXideX #35 2 years ago

    'Likewise, nestle yourself into a good spot by a window, your gun pointing over the frame, and more often than not your bullets will just thud into the woodwork, despite the clear shot on the enemy presented down the rifle's scope.'

    Bullets don't come from the scope. Just because you can see over a window ledge through the scope, it doesn't mean the barrell (a few inches below the scope/sights) has cleared the woodwork. I think I'll judge this "issue" for myself when I buy the game.

  • UncleLou #36 2 years ago

    He said the gun is pointing over the frame though, not the scope.

  • Nephirion #37 2 years ago

    @ squarejawhero

    Your reasons are why I am opting for the PC version, ongoing community and mod developement.

    To the person that marked me down for saying that " it would be better if OPF2 had stayed a PC exclusive " why do console owners think they deserve to have every game an exclusive on their platform? I own a PC and a 360 and am adult enough to admit that there are games that work on PC better than on 360 and vice-versa purely by design

  • XdarXideX #38 2 years ago

    @Unclelou

    Yes I know... but this is an FPS and if you look at the following statement about the scope it's clear that he can only guess that his rifle is positioned above the window frame from his perspective. If you look down the scope of the gun, you won't be able to see the barrell.

  • Crovax20 #39 2 years ago

    I am really missing a review of the online options... how do they play etc..

  • john_silence #40 2 years ago

    I am greatly annoyed by the way Eurogamer veers off further and further away from proper PC reviewing. I know the economy is going that way, but still - to not even post this review in the PC section?

    There's not a single word on Arma II inside the review, and it is sorely lacking as a means of assessing the balance of simulation vs accessible action. But hey, Arma II is PC-only for now, so I guess it has no place inside a console-only review... It's a shame, really. Especially since Dragon Rising's engine will run better on mid-specced PC's than Arma II's, making the prospect of getting it for the PC instead of consoles potentially appealing to a lot more people.

    This is the reason why I, a PC-only gamer, actually skip the PC section on EG and start my browsing on the home page, which is full of stuff I don't give a toss about. That's not a good user experience, and other sites handle that better (happily for EG, their reviewers' average IQ level is about 30 points lower, which means I'm not leaving anytime soon).

    Well, I can always hope for a separate PC review; please make me look angry-silly, EG!
    Edited by 2 at 06/10/09 @ 11:41

  • superdelphinus #41 2 years ago

    wish they had a "if you like this game, maybe you'll like these too" type thing on eurogamer

  • wobblyman #42 2 years ago

    [rant]
    It always grips my S**t when reviewers go on about "real war, realistic this and realistic that". How the hell do you know what its like and what qualifies you to say what its like being pinned down while mortars and RPGs are landing all around you? The only people that can give any game a tick of authenticity are soldiers who've been there, not some media graduate whos closest dice with death is driving his car to work everyday. If you reviewers want to bang on about authenticity then why don't you contact the numerous amounts of regiments from all over Europe (Except the non combatant French) and I'm sure they will be able to provide you with a trip out in te Green zone in Afghanistan so you can make a REAL call on authenticity. And yes, I've been under fire and its not fooking nice and if people are so dumb as to think its all shits and giggles then maybe they just deserve their comeuppance. Real war and computer war are two completely different things so lets not forget this eh! Also, lets have some respect for all thos poor lads who have died on the battlefield instead of glorifying and painting a picture of a wounded soldier being handed a copy of this game while he lies there dying. Fucking shame on you!
    [/rant]

  • local_celebrity #43 2 years ago

    @wobblyman

    So what kind of guns do you carry? Ever shot a man in the head?

  • trooperdx3117 #44 2 years ago

    I don't understand why was there no mention of the PC version review surely a lot of people want to know how the game will run on PC's and how the mission editor is.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/09 @ 21:28

  • ChaK #45 2 years ago

    waiting for PC demo I'm not convinced

  • Drogul #46 2 years ago

    Is this becoming EuroConsoleGamer? If so, please open a EuroPCGamer channel please.

  • vegard #47 2 years ago

    +1 point to Codemasters for NOT including Travis Pastrana in this game.

  • skillian #48 2 years ago

    Look, at least EG aren't trying to make out this review applies to the PC, and that's surely an improvement when compared to Risen, which was presumably the inspration for this change.

    That does mean that multiformat games will generally won't get a PC review, but really that's the same is it ever was - the only thing that's changed is the tagging.

    It would be nice to get PC reviews of multiformat games, but EG have to cater to their audience. If you want that, you pretty much have to go to a PC-based site now.

  • ChaK #49 2 years ago

    and that PC only site would be?
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/09 @ 12:08

  • Jeepers #50 2 years ago

    I'm not a big fan of this review style, where the thudding musings of the journo about the brutality of war overshadow any commentary on the game itself. I'm not looking for bullet lists of features, but a few more details would be nice: How's the AI? Is co-op splitscreen or online only? How's the netcode for multiplayer? How does the engine perform?

    I guess these things aren't as fun to write as The Secret Diary of a Play Soldier, aged 27 and 3/4, but it's useful to - you know - your audience. Can we have a little less creative writing practice and a little more detail on the game itself next time?

  • Foxis #51 2 years ago

    I usually don't comment but this review is honestly one of the worst I have ever read. Irrelevant and disgusting intro, very sparse on the actual gameplay, not to mention no word whatsoever on adversarial multiplayer, the number of maps etc.

    Like someone else, I thought the whole point of a review was to enable the reader to form an opinion regarding whether to buy or not. Which is impossible based on this review.

    That said, I have it on preorder for the PS3, but am not that sure any more... :s

  • Nephirion #52 2 years ago

    /awaits Travis Pastrana " Boom headshot " mod

  • skillian #53 2 years ago

    @ChaK

    Although it's a blog rather than a review site, http://www.rockpaper shotgun.com/ is my favourite. Also CVG regularly features reviews from PC Gamer which are normally pretty well written.

    If anyone can recommend anything else (and it's not incredibly rude to ask on an EG comments thread - I will still read here, I promise!), please do.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/09 @ 12:13

  • Foxis #54 2 years ago

    I'm also looking for other review sources. And I don't care if it is rude doing so in the comments. If EG wanted to retain my mindshare, they'd better write less-than-horrible reviews.

  • local_celebrity #55 2 years ago

    IGN UK review is way more scathing than this. Paragraph after paragraph slating the controls and awkward squad management mechanics. Yet they still give the game an 8. Odd that.

  • john_silence #56 2 years ago

    @skillian
    As you say, Rock Paper Shotgun is fine, but it IS a blog. Quite professional and all, but a blog. PC gamers shouldn't be confined to reading blogs, are we that small a minority? In truth a separate review would be overkill, but a couple of sentences here and there stating the largest discrepancies between the PC and console versions of the same title is NOT asking too much.

    You shouldn't take it for granted that EG is just catering to a predominantly console audience and is therefore justified in taking no care whatsover of its PC following. Actually, I'm still convinced that's not EG's guideline, or I wouldn't be clicking all over this website anymore.

  • JensonJet #57 2 years ago

    Wobblyman, I think you're missing point about 'realistic' games. Of course no game can offer the fear for ones life, the terror of being shot at, or the horror of seeing dead friends. I'm pretty sure no developer, no game, has ever stated that it's capable of such a thing. The 'realism' comment is usually specific to the in-game characters speed, movement and ease of death. And maybe occasionally a developers better understanding of the laws of physics. The American military oversaw and produced the game America's Army. I considered this as realistic as military games get, but of course it never gave me a sense of the danger of real combat. The 'realistic' game you imagine will never exist. So called realistic games are like Black Hawk Down compared to the Rambo movies. One attempts to purely entertain with comic-book/cartoon violence, and the other tries to give you a glimpse of the realities of combat (while still being a Hollywood big-budget action movie).

    About the review: totally agree with peoples comments. The review is too short and lacking in detail. It's lack of enthusiasm, while not surprising in a era of market-saturated casual gamers is disappointing. If comparisons were required to write this review there are more realistic combat shooters than Modern Warfare worth mentioning. As with all reviews I think a better reviewer for the job would have a passion, an interest, and experience of the genre. The need to mention how easy it is to get shot in the game is just strange. Is this not the case with any shooter? If getting shot was a shock I can only imagine the suprise when the reviewer realised weapons could be reloaded!!!

  • ChaK #58 2 years ago

    yeah I'd like something like a real site, but PC focused.

    Tired of reading xbox reviews and taking that for PC

    th skillian anyway =)

  • john_silence #59 2 years ago

    Also, wobblyman, why "non-combatant French"? Just asking. I'm French. French soldiers died in Afghanistan a week ago, so I was wondering if it was just jingoism or you had a bad experience of French soldiers (tragi-comically, the soldiers I'm talking about did not actually die in combat, one was hit by lightning and the other one drowned in the course of what must have been REALLY BAD WEATHER - peace to their souls).

  • cianchristopher #60 2 years ago

    Ahhh, I balked at the 7 initially, then wrote a comment saying that I'll pass due to my history of buying everything that I like the look of (by the way, that's really not helpful in terms of having rewarding playthroughs and actually finishing games)....

    But, but, but, but..... I think I'll cave and get this (on PC) - it really does look and sound like a brilliant game.....

  • jimbo118 #61 2 years ago

    Eg only review the 360 version of multiplatform games anyway from what I've read before.

    Also so little about the MP. It's like reading a review for a Battlefield game and concentrating on the SP.

  • viper_h #62 2 years ago

    Yeah, this review is pretty terrible.

    I don't like how the penultimate paragraph just skims over "a few noticeable bugs interrupting play every hour or so" but doesn't go into detail on what these bugs might be, or how gamebreaking they are.

    Very, very poor review. And I also thought the intro was in very poor taste.

  • ChaK #63 2 years ago

    my concern with MP game is only 4 humans and 12 IA :/

    IA in arma 2's MP were a pain

  • Spooke #64 2 years ago

    [link url=http://www.rockpaper shotgun.com/2009/09/17/operation-flashpoint-mulitplayer-trai ler-screens/
    ]http://ww w.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/09/...[/link]

  • mkreku #65 2 years ago

    Ok, hmm, so Risen and this game was of interest to me.. An avid PC gamer. None of these reviews tells me squat about the game I'm about to buy (Risen already bought, excellent game!).

    Is Eurogamer having a string of less-than-informative reviews or am I getting old and whiny?

  • skillian #66 2 years ago

    @john_silence, ChaK

    Well, maybe there's a gap in the market then. If anyone fancies working to try and fill it, it's something I've been thinking about for a little while, so PM me or something.

  • oktava #67 2 years ago

    I agree on the intro having poor taste.

  • SBfistfun #68 2 years ago

    I think the intro tasted nice

  • hiddenranbir #69 2 years ago

    Sounds like it has a few patch needing but otherwise, I think it is £17 well spent.

  • mega7ech #70 2 years ago

    You what?! You mean it doesnt play like Halo? A complete no sale for me then!

    - and I'm sure "real war" is pretty much like Firefight mode in ODST anyway. Even some kid online agreed with me on that!

  • beastmaster #71 2 years ago

    Videogamer gave the SP a 7. Moans a lot about what's wrong and then says what it gets right. Also states in the review it's a pre-release so multiplayer could not be reviewed as nobody to play with.

    There.

  • essgee #72 2 years ago

    stunned there's no mention of ARMA 2 in this review.

    I didnt expect an opflash 2 because we all know the original devlopers did arma instead, and codies will ultimately do something totally different (which is what they've done).

    I dont think i'll be buying, will stick with arma 2 for now.

  • El_MUERkO #73 2 years ago

    not the greatest review ever, no detail on the multiplayer, no mention of the PC version

    i'll bet 7/10 is on the button but this game deserved greater attention imo

  • ajwm #74 2 years ago

    "I just want a game like the original ghost recon before UBI dumbed it down!"

    now you are talking my language - couldn't care less how many people buy this as long as there are enough of us to get some decent live action. bring back the castle on gr1!!! Never has sniping and voice teamwork been so enjoyable

  • PrivateJoker #75 2 years ago

    Right up my street. Day one buy.

  • superdelphinus #76 2 years ago

    i think wobblyman really just wanted to tell us he's in the army

  • superdelphinus #77 2 years ago

    i've only played the 360 version of graw 2. what was the xbox one like?.

  • Johnsters #78 2 years ago

    @Nephirion

    Not having a go, but why do people have a PCs capable playing most games in the Xbox360 catalogue and also own a 360.
    Serious overlap? I guess playing games on an Xbox is more relaxing as you cant sit on the sofa in the lounge with the PC etc, but I hear the PC versions tend to be better.
    I always thought the better compliment to a Games PC would be the PS3 or the Wii, just for the slightly varied games catalogue. Just an observation.

    Edited by 1 at 06/10/09 @ 13:57

  • JensonJet #79 2 years ago

    For a more informative review, as someone previously mentioned, check out the review on IGN.

    In short it seems playing single player isn't as enjoyable as playing co-op, which from my experience is always the case anyway. The AI team mates are sometimes a little useless. There's a suprise! The so-called SAS team in Modern Warfare that's supposed to help me clear the aeroplane in Mile High Club were as useful as a bunch of girl guides, so any improvement on that is a massive bonus, in any game.

    In terms of graphics they mention the colour palette. I'm sure these reviewers would complain Vietnam films are too green, or images from Iraqi combat are too sandy/light brown in colour! For as long as grass is green, trees are brown and green (depending on the season, tree type of course) and camoflauge matches the location, I can't see why any review bothers to mention this.

    The final complaint is that the missions aren't varied enough. Modern Warfare justified a larger variety of missions by having us play as an SAS soldier. If the lack of de-arming nuclear weapons or jumping onto terrorist infested ships at sea makes a game boring, then Operation Flashpoint clearly isn't your cup of tea.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/09 @ 13:36

  • NKSR #80 2 years ago

    I would have thought this game would have more in common with Arma2 and Bad Company than MW2

    But still, I'm kind of glad the reviews are negative - I couldn't have afforded it anyway

  • hypersp #81 2 years ago

    Considering a rather uninformative review about a game that i was at a crossroads with, i have pre ordered it (PC Version) and looking forward to playing it on friday.
    My bro is also getting in on the 360 the differences will be interesting, but im sure PC will be better although a pc upgrade might in order.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/09 @ 13:36

  • striker #82 2 years ago

    I know I'm repeating what has already been said, but...

    No mention of ARMA II ???
    No mention of Operation Flashpoint 1 either?

    Clearly a review by someone who isn't mildly interested in the genre...

  • superdelphinus #83 2 years ago

    "and let the rest of enjoy using our brains for once. "

  • ybfelix #84 2 years ago

    JensonJet: Actually OPF1 had a great variety of mission types, thanks to that you play as 3 (or 4?) different persons, and a lot of plot twist. And mission count was high, too

  • Darren #85 2 years ago

    Operation Flashpoint, ArmA and its sequel have not appeared on a console yet but even if they had, has anyone considered that the reviewer, Simon Parkin, may not have actually played any of them to be able to comment on how they compare with Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising? Just a thought... ;)

  • JayKwon #86 2 years ago

    This review seems a bit.. short... For my feeling I'm missing a whole lot of info about this game and how it plays.

    Oh and please mention something about how the PC version runs, like with Batman: AA or something. I still would like a PC review (or something) of Risen as well. Lucky you didn't put the score of that review on metacritic for the PC version.

  • UncleLou #87 2 years ago

    for all you negative nancys and cod fanboys/girls please do us a favour stick to your whack a mole hand holding mind closed railway runners and let the rest of enjoy using our brains for once.

    Erm. I've not really seen any complaints that it's "not like CoD". Bit of a a random rant, maybe?

  • AlvySinger #88 2 years ago

    Does anyone know if the PC version features a (yes lazy) quick save option.

    Based on review sounds like a dealbreaker for me, even with the superb £17.99 price tag.

  • Whizzo #89 2 years ago

    Operation Flashpoint, ArmA and its sequel have not appeared on a console yet

    My copy of Operation Flashpoint Elite on the Xbox must be a mirage, it also managed to include a mission editor. It was cut down in comparison to the PC version but at least it existed, quite why the same doesn't apply to Dragon Rising is a mystery.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/09 @ 14:18

  • striker #90 2 years ago

    Operation Flashpoint, ArmA and its sequel have not appeared on a console yet but even if they had, has anyone considered that the reviewer, Simon Parkin, may not have actually played any of them to be able to comment on how they compare with Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising?)


    Well, obviously, but this is a reviews site, not Simon Parkin's blog.
    And as Whizzo mentioned the original OFP is available on the Xbox.

    But it's up to the editors to decide if to review a game like this the reviewer should or shouldn't have some experience in games like the original Flashpoint and ARMA.

    Doesn't Tom Bramwell review the FIFA and PES football games?
    Would you agree with PES 10 being reviewed by someone foreign to the genre?
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/09 @ 14:24

  • Turrican #91 2 years ago

    This is a review that feels lacking in detail, taste and context. Is something going on behind the scenes because the PC Tag seems conspicious by its asbsence, as does any reference to PC features and Arma 2? It would be very reassuring if the Editor could state whether a PC review is coming seperately, because you can see in these comments that the majority of people are feeling the same about the review, and these are not rabid fanboys either. The Editor's job is to pre-empt this kind of reaction by controlling what goes up on the site...

    On another note, I think a very important question needs to be asked by Eurogamer's management why, a week(?) before this embargo was lifted, Eurogamer.cz put up a 4/10 review for the game and pulled it, only to post it up again today. This is of course the same country that hosts Bohemia Interactive (Op Flash 1, ArmA), and has the stench of bias written all over it. Perhaps someone can translate the review so we can see how they've justified the score?

    As a long time admirer of Eurogamer, backing you during such contoversies as the Darkfall review, the events surrounding this game are worrying. Hopefully a clear PC review will be forthcoming but for now I will be looking elsewhere for a review.

  • JensonJet #92 2 years ago

    ybfelix, I'm sure. I was only summing up what IGN said about Operation Flashpoint 2.

    While I may be quick to complain about a whole number of issues in games, but I've never had any complaints with mission varieties. Most shooters are based one simple mission anyhow: go to X, kill enemies along the way, complete object Y. Perhaps the reviewer was talking more about location varieties.

  • chessboxer #93 2 years ago

    A pirate copy got leaked for the 360 today. I wonder how many people are playing it right now...

  • JensonJet #94 2 years ago

    cod teabagging chavs... haha, nice. And I thought the lowest of low insults was calling someone a 'Halo-player'!

  • Miths #95 2 years ago

    "As with all of Codies' recent output, Dragon Rising's presentation is sparse yet exemplary"

    Say what? I take it the reviewer hasn't heard about DiRT 2 or GRID? They are obviously in an entirely different genre, but Codemasters games nonetheless, and sporting some of the best graphics out there - at least in the racing genre.

  • geeza2020 #96 2 years ago

    "As an army recruitment tool the series is unrivalled: how many young men have been drawn to real battlefields, inspired to enlist by their glories on those virtual ones?" - on CoD.

    The only people who are likely to enlist in the army after playing that are morons and psycopaths, and frankly I dont care if they do go off to the army and get shot to shit. meh.

  • Darren #97 2 years ago

    @Whizzo - OK then I sit corrected. I had no idea that Operation Flashpoint was released on the Xbox, I only played it years ago on the PC. I'm surprised the game managed to even run on the Xbox, it was quite a demanding game for the PCs of that time just as ArmA II is now (but that's more down to poor coding/optimisation IMO).

  • ChthonicEcho #98 2 years ago

    I don't see why everyone is blaming Eurogamer for not reviewing (presumably superior) PC versions of multiplatform releases. It's not their fault. They review what is sent to them. Companies can't afford to send all versions of their games to all reviewers for free, and professional reviewers can't be expected to buy games in order to review them. Alternatively, not all websites can allow themselves to review the same game on different platforms due to time or financial constraints. I think Gamespot and IGN are among the very few websites that are known to do that.

    Edit: Also, I'm a raging PC fanboy, so don't think I shun the PC.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/09 @ 15:37

  • mandella #99 2 years ago

    Operation Flashpoint getting low score on consoles... Who cares. Give us the review of the PC version.

  • ChaK #100 2 years ago

    IGN review reads like a 6, but scores 8. That's a strange review

  • metalangel #101 2 years ago

    Disappointed, but not really surprised by this result. Codebastards haven't got a clue any more and I despaired for this game when I found out they were making it. There are plenty of "accessible" soldiery games out there, this is a "franchise" (why else are you applying the OFP name?) with a reputation for realism, WHY DISPENSE WITH THE REALISM TO APPEAL TO 6 YEAR OLDS, you know they'll all buy Call of cunting Duty 6 anyway. Instead we're left with a game engine capable of loads but doomed to play out a tiny handful of crappy scripted missions so that the story that someone badly in need of punching decided this game should have. Prepare for dozens of vehicles that you only use once, a huge environment you'll see 10%, and a shoddy experience all round. I'll wait to hear what the Flashpoint community says before deciding, but have a horrible feeling that unless ArmA2 comes to 360 we'll be stuck with this pretender.

  • JahB #102 2 years ago

    so last time EG reviewed a lesser console version of a game they added a PC tag and everybody freaked out. now they leave out the PC tag and everybody freaks out.

    PC gamers are even stranger than their console counterparts

  • kendoji #103 2 years ago

    It would be nice if every platform version of every game was reviewed separately, but that would take up much more time and money, meaning we'd get far fewer games reviewed. So let's settle down.

  • Foxis #104 2 years ago

    @ Jahb:
    If you actually read the comments you might notice that most of them comment on the quality of the review, or rather the lack thereof (it is utterly, utterly poor).

  • metalangel #105 2 years ago

    @kendoji: true, dozens of 360 games go unreviewed here as it is. What happened to the review round-ups?

  • lavalant #106 2 years ago

    What happened to the multiplayer? I mean if you review COD-MW for just it's single player it gets around 7/10

  • metalangel #107 2 years ago

    I've just seen on wikipedia that in co-op you have to stay within 275m of the other player! If this is true it seriously limits your tactical options, can anyone confirm it? Also, donnie, fanboy much?

  • E-Raz0r #108 2 years ago

    Eurogamer-Reviews are always entertaining to read and well written but the information provided about the game is almost always zero. It's like pack five facts everyone knows in a two page article.

    No Word on AI, bullet physics, vehicles, handling, performance... and where is the pc-review? The pc-version gets a mission editor.

  • stoopidgreg #109 2 years ago

    i don't think i'm the first to suggest this, but that was one of the worst game reviews i have ever read. it gave absolutely no detail, no comparisons to the main obvious competitor ARMA 2 (has the reviewer even played this, or the original OFP? sounds like he hasn't a clue!). eurogamer really need to consider leaving this review as is, because it read like a poorly written preview by someone who has only played halo and the call of duty games. i am sick of stupid reviewers moaning that you have to run a bit in this game, or that you can die instantly if you aren't fully aware of your environment. you had to run a lot in the original OFP and you also died a lot, but it was a glorious game. please EG consider having someone review this game who has actually played OFP and ARMA 2.

  • beastmaster #110 2 years ago

    I've changed mind on this. Friday morning I'll be buying the game on the 360. Multiplayer here I come!

    I understand Ubi are doing a new Ghost Recon? I kind of think it'll be given the COD treatment as this will sell. But what else if there for consoles? Bad Company 2 perhaps?

    Had a go on COD -W@W this morning and was bored shitless. I prefer the scale of the maps compared to MW. But got bored very quickly.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/09 @ 17:53

  • jimbo118 #111 2 years ago

    from the wiki: ''The multiplayer numbers are 16vs16 on PC and 4vs4 + 3 AI per person on consoles''

    Hmm I never realised the MP was limited to so few players. 4 v 4 with 3 ai teammates per human player.

    do not want

  • shogo10 #112 2 years ago

    Its a shame to read a review where little effort or thought. EG's uncharted 2 review was actually quite good and well written and 3 pages long. So why can't a game like opflash 2 receive the same treatment? Because it isn't as popular? Not worth the time? Its unfortunate because this sort of thing won't happen to a game like MW2. Even if opflash isn't as popular as COD, people have been looking forward to its release (including myself) for a long while. Its been a decade since the first opflash was released on pc and we get treated to a poorly written review.

  • JensonJet #113 2 years ago

    stoopidgreg,
    you haven't checked out the reviews on the official Xbox 360 website! All of them are as sparse as the one here for Flashpoint. The kind of review you'd expect if the writer had only spent 10 minutes on the game. As I've mentioned before, check out IGN's review for a more enthusiastic and informative article.

    Eurogamer,
    I geniunely think gamers who go to the trouble of checking websites to know more about games are a little more clued up about what they want and what they're looking for. Surely reviews should suit the target audience or am I missing the point, and the Flashpoint review is outstanding work and the writer will be recieving a payrise, and will make Editor soon!

    While it may make the writers feel 'creative' going off on a tangent in an attempt to spice up their reviews, it ultimately ends up producing a pointless article for all. We want information, to either feed our interest in a game, or help us make a more informed choice. Game features, framerates, anything tech related to the engine are welcome, and a run-through of a mission or begining of one is good too. Agendas or a lack of experience or interest in the genre being reviewed is pretty weak for an industry as large and as established as videogames.

    The news sections of the websites I go to are usually outstanding, as Eurogamer's is too. Reviews and previews on the whole seem to be aimed at the wrong audience... the clueless casual gamer. Surely the majority of gamers who read these sites are a little more knowledgeable.

  • MrCarrot #114 2 years ago

    '"As with all of Codies' recent output, Dragon Rising's presentation is sparse yet exemplary"

    Say what? I take it the reviewer hasn't heard about DiRT 2 or GRID? They are obviously in an entirely different genre, but Codemasters games nonetheless, and sporting some of the best graphics out there - at least in the racing genre.'

    Miths, the bit you quoted is talking about the menus isn't it? He's not dissing the graphics - he's praising the menu design!

  • QotSAfan #115 2 years ago

    I liked the review, i thought it gave a good impression of the game.

  • Colliers #116 2 years ago

    If I want an impression of the game I'll watch a trailer. I've been waiting for this game for ages, hoping they could make a polished game like Operation Flashpoint and Armed Assault. Armed Assault is a little too buggy for my taste. This review doesn't tell me anything new. It doesn't even tell me how it compares to Armed Assault or even the original. Has the reviewer even played the original?

    I'm not often disappointed by Eurogamer reviews. But really, this doesn't tell me anything. I've read contradicting reviews and facts all over the place. Which is really anoying. I'm gonna have to buy this now without knowing what to expect. But I have a feeling I shouldn't be expecting the original Operation Flashpoint experience.

    Come on Eurogamer, remove this review. Write a proper one, and at least tell us what the differences between the console and PC versions are. I didn't read anything about it in the FIFA review as well. Which is just really bad journalism.

  • EmiliasHorse #117 2 years ago

    I loved Ghost Recon on Xbox, the later GRAW games were good but lacked something. Dragon Rising reads like an 8 or 9 and I for one want it more than MW2.

  • Ryuken #118 2 years ago

    Alternatively, not all websites can allow themselves to review the same game on different platforms due to time or financial constraints. I think Gamespot and IGN are among the very few websites that are known to do that.

    Euh, are you trying to say EG is smaller than GS and IGN because that would be a really awkward statement? Just like it would be weird to say they don't have the resources to review each version separately. This kind of mess-up (OFP was a multiplayer and modding phenomenon on PC, not on the original Xbox) is the bane of multiplatform sites/magazines everywhere and one of the key reasons why platform-specific blogs are gaining more popularity and why any PC-related opinion or article by a multiplatform site is being frowned upon as not enough and not well informed.

    It's already bad enough when publishers start to release console versions weeks/months earlier or don't even bother for PC (exclusive) titles but seeing most games publications taking up the same attitude is a sure way to bury your own PC section into the ground. What's up guys, is Alienware not coughing up enough cash to maintain some professional and consistent PC coverage?

  • UncleLou #119 2 years ago

    Euh, are you trying to say EG is smaller than GS and IGN because that would be a really awkward statement?

    http://www.alexa.com

  • Ryuken #120 2 years ago

    Traffic is everything then? Odd then that EG can get just as much if not more exclusives from publishers than the American sites. You can't tell me EG can't spare the resources for reviewing every version properly when the EG network itself is booming and launching several localised EG sites.

  • ChthonicEcho #121 2 years ago

    Euh, are you trying to say EG is smaller than GS and IGN because that would be a really awkward statement?

    Are you serious? IGN may focus on games, but it covers so much more, from films to comic books. IGN Entertainment owns websites such as GameSpy, Rotten Tomatoes and a few more I can't remember but will happily provide you if you so desire. It is also older than Eurogamer.

    As is Gamespot, which offers not only a wider variety of news, but it's renowned (as GameFAQs) for providing the best walkthroughs on the Internet. Its forums are gargantuan, covering each and every game. Gamespot also hosts downloads, from patches to demos, regardless of size. CBS Interactive currently owns Gamespot, thus finances are not an issue.

    Both Gamespot and IGN are older than Eurogamer, have a much larger workforce and most likely shit tons of money. I'm not a fan of either, but I certainly am not ignorant enough to think - as far as the global scale is concerned - that Eurogamer is on par with Gamespot and IGN.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/09 @ 20:01

  • Turrican #122 2 years ago

    Well still no comment from the staff about the issues raised in this comments thread, although I'm sure they are reading them.

    Perhaps a nice long Digital Foundry article would be able to include more information about the PC version as well as the technical analysis...? Can you commit to that at least Eurogamer?

  • George-Roper #123 2 years ago

    @donnie080208

    Rubbish, codemasters are one of the best MPlat devs around with grid/dirt2 being arguably the best visuals in a racing game this gen(non exclusive) their EGO engine is amazing with the best damge modelling around and looking at op flashpoint one of the most versatile too. ALSO they never turn in a shoddy ps3 code in their games either so +1 to codies

    Codemasters completely lack imagination. Their games are safe, their games are bland to the nth degree and their games rarely hit AAA level. The only real exception being their most recent driving games, which to be honest are marmite.

    Overlord 2 was a fucking joke of a game. One of the worst gaming experiences of the last 5 years, for me. Truly awful, generic, bland shite.

  • mcmothercruncher #124 2 years ago

    I pretty much don't read the first bit of reviews on EG anymore in order to get past the initial 'witty' 'worldly' 'knowing' Edgestyle parawank bit.

    Will probably grab this Friday for the PS3 as my PC is creaking a bit these days.
    Feel like I'm winging it a bit now though- I used to rely on you EG for the final (detailed) word. You fuckers!

  • Velios #125 2 years ago

    Im a little disappointed that this didn't score higher, I was really looking forward to a VERY strong counter argument to the forthcoming modern warfare 2. Perhaps it will be better on the PC?

  • orpheus #126 2 years ago

    I can't see why people are whining about the score. This game looks excellent, if you need a review to tell you that, you probably shouldn't be buying it! The co-op factor alone makes this so much more appealing than the squeals and trashtalk from 15 year olds on MW1 or 2. ;)

  • blackbriar101 #127 2 years ago

    I own a PS3 but yeah i agree the review should be primarily PC for tactical open world shooters,i think the release time is excellent because like myself im sure people are bored with COD 4 and want something new that gives satisfaction through difficulty and freedom.PC gaming owners may laugh at console versions,but i like this game and will definitely pick up a copy.

  • Master09 #128 2 years ago

    Hey folks, go to the CodeMasters forums. A lot of people who have played the game have been disappointed.

    http://co mmunity.codemasters.com/forum/f... (PC)

    http://co mmunity.codemasters.com/forum/f... (Consoles)

  • jmee91 #129 2 years ago

    the reveiwers missed the point i feel i l;ot of people have grown tired of cods much done run and gun (me), and find arma 2 a bit too realistic. game looks juust right for me and i cant wait

  • Sulphur_Man #130 2 years ago

    Is this the much-delayed, hotly anticipated sequel to Operaton Wolf?
    Edited by 1 at 07/10/09 @ 09:16

  • jambo74 #131 2 years ago

    @everybody

    What did you expect. EG have been putting lazy reviews for years. I remember the Carew incident which lead to me not buying Champ Man for my university club - costing the developer a few thousand in the process.

    EDIT - We have bought another football management game instead. CVG are doing an article with us in 2010.
    Edited by 1 at 08/12/09 @ 13:29

  • metalangel #132 2 years ago

    @Sulphur_Man: You mean Operation Thunderbolt? You're 20 years late to the party, pal!

  • Zidargh #133 2 years ago

    Having missed out on the first, I will continue to pre-order this game for I will have nothing to compare it to besides the generic FPS which Eurogamer seems to deem is appropriate. It will be a fresh experience at least, surely boosting it to an 8 in my eyes for I am bored of the run and gun atmosphere of CoD.

    I think the moral of the story is that a review, at the end of the day, is someone else's review. Whilst it may give a good indication as to the potential of what you plan to purchase, the only impression you can trust is that of yourself. Especially when reading reviews as lacking as this. I haven't played the first and even I know various elements were skipped over.
    Edited by 1 at 07/10/09 @ 09:41

  • Master09 #134 2 years ago

    And a lot of people who have played the game have NOT been disappointed....go troll somewhere else.

    Umm.. mate you don't know me. So don't abuse me. I actually am still getting the game despite its criticisms.

    I made that post to show that a number of folks who have the played the game have been disappointed as well so folks can stop bashing the reviewer.

  • Snowy #135 2 years ago

    A few of my stateside buddies were playing this last night. They were playing on 360 and said the single player was good - a few buggy issues but nothing that wrecks a very entertaining experience. A few gave up on hardcore, because it's just too brutal.

    It seems it's in co-op where it really comes alive though - to a man they thought it was absolutely fantastic.

  • costa_k #136 2 years ago

    This should have been a PC only release.I played it on the 360 and it feels the most tiring and boring FPS.To command the 3 guys from your squad is a nightmare of button compinations and menu after submenu after menu after buttonpress...FFS,games are supposed to be fun,this simply isn't.I'm sure with a keyboard things will be different.

  • striker #137 2 years ago

    @Master09
    I made that post to show that a number of folks who have the played the game have been disappointed as well so folks can stop bashing the reviewer.

    People aren't bashing the reviewer's opinion, but the quality of the review itself...
    Edited by 1 at 07/10/09 @ 10:54

  • JensonJet #138 2 years ago

    costa_k,
    Why should any game be a PC only release? And more importantly why is it that PC gamers seem to be the quickest to suggest a game should ONLY be available for their system.

    I geniunely don't care whether a game I play is available for the PC, the Playstation, the Wii, a mobile phone! It doesn't bother me at all. Perhaps what you fail to understand is that the 360 has an amazing community for co-op gaming and Operation Flashpoint may well end up with the biggest community on the 360. Again, I don't care whether it is or isn't, I'm just happy to be able to play it with friends on Live.

    While I agree that the mouse/keyboard is superior to joypads, consoles are the dominant system and PC gaming will forever shrink! The games industry is as big as it is today inspite of the PC, not because of it. I have nothing against the PC, but the market, the industry, is changing and the days of Operation Flashpoint as a PC dominant or exclusive title are over. How many console game makers now only make PC games, and how many once PC only developers now produce console games?

  • Buran #139 2 years ago

    The PC version crushes the PS3 and Xbox 360 badly in the technical department. The game looks decent in gameplay, but lacks in the "simulation" field -you can't even walk, always running-.

    It's ok, but i leke more ArmA II despite the bugs.

  • mcmothercruncher #140 2 years ago

    There's a much more to-the-point review of the game mechanics and functionality over on;

    [link url=http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/operatio n_flashpoint_2/review-2.html
    ]http://ww w.videogamer.com/xbox360/operat...[/link]

    That ends with a 7. Worth a read, much more informative.


    Edited for auto HREF nonesense.
    Edited by 2 at 07/10/09 @ 12:36

  • davymackie #141 2 years ago

    got this game today and sorry people but it is really bad. you will see for your self soon.

  • metalangel #142 2 years ago

    Co op can make even the worst games seem good. Hell, Left4Dead was built around this principle.

  • Ryuken #143 2 years ago

    Are you serious? IGN may focus on games, but it covers so much more, from films to comic books. IGN Entertainment owns websites such as GameSpy, Rotten Tomatoes and a few more I can't remember but will happily provide you if you so desire. It is also older than Eurogamer.

    How about comparing just the separate gaming portals? Gamespy is owned by IGN but it has its own editors and crew, Fileplanet doesn't need to be taken into account as well in this comparison as EG doesn't have anything comparable. Seriously, EG can and should do better instead of generalising the gaming scene more and more. The US sites are far from perfect but some dedicated platform editors can do a lot, just look at how much PC.IGN got improved over the last few years. I'd easily give up a Belgian and Dutch EG site for some more focused content on the main site...
    Edited by 1 at 07/10/09 @ 17:55

  • gizmo #144 2 years ago

    Well, just cancelled my Amazon pre-order which had sat there since August 14th my account said. Damn.

    All they had to basically do was give Op Flashpoint elite a graphical overhaul and chuck in some fresh missions!

    Co-op where you can't move 250m away from your comrades? In Operation Flashpoint?! Major F**kup codies.

    The crew on this game obviously didn't understand the soul of Flashpoint. All those articles about Bohemia being the real deal were obviously spot on.

    Disappointed.

  • Drool #145 2 years ago

    Got to love it when people adjust their purchases just because of some random pixels claiming things.

  • TASTYRYAN #146 2 years ago

    So any readers here that actually played the GAME or demo? I canT trust eurogamer.net these days.

  • Fightclubber #147 2 years ago

    I sold my copy of flashpoint today its fucking arse!

    Got it 2 days early my excitement ended after i played it. The game just dumps you in the shit, no training level to tell you what button does what or how to use your squad.

    The few missions i played were painfully bland add to this clunky controls a slightly confusing interface and to much fucking walking make a game im glad i sold.

    The game focus's so much on the realistic tactics and weapon handling that it seems to forget what actually makes for a fun level or game.
    You have to build around the sim like quality's of the game to make it engaging

    Plus it fails in the a.i department, team members will walk in front of you while your firing they will fail to walk up the smallest of hills and decide to stop or just walk in circles.
    Regardless on were i stand on sims, but poor A.I is the fuckin stake in the heart when it comes to a game like this.
    The games a Squad based shooter, failing to make a game with a decent squad is like making a racing game with shit cars.

  • spookyzombie #148 2 years ago

    @ Fightclubber.

    I was disappointed with the game too, but it did explain squad commmands and movement right at the beginning of the first level. It does it in a bit of a basic way though.

  • JensonJet #149 2 years ago

    Fightclubber

    Back to Modern Warfare then for your 'simulation' of combat then?

    AI is and always will be crap. Developers make more money from flashy graphics, or numerous amounts of items (cars in racing games, guns in shooting games, etc), and not in clever AI. AI is years behind graphics or features in games. And it will always lag behind because, clearly, after all these years the whole industry has barely moved on from the AI in ancient games like Doom. The best way to enjoy a game with 4-player co-op is to play it co-op. You can also engineer much better strategies and by working together you'll find completing missions far more rewarding. Or maybe this just isn't the game for you. Right, gotta go... I'm off to the shops to buy it. Can't wait. Getting this game today is as exciting as Christmas morning as a 10-year old. I have a strong feeling my experience of the game will be the complete opposite of yours! I'll let you know if I'm as miserable as you are about the game in a day or two.

  • zakrocz #150 2 years ago

    Bought it for 360 from shopto.net, delivered Wednesday, played it, sold it on Amazon the same day!

    Squad control is a complete pain in the arse. Was hoping for OFP1 where for the first half of the game you were part of a squad taking orders but CM decided to do away with that part of the game & you start off in control of a squad & that's when the game falls apart. Shame because I was really looking forward to a deep sp hardcore war experience something we haven't had since the original bar Arma which I've not played.

  • mcmothercruncher #151 2 years ago

    £27 in Asda if you're a buy-it-in-a-shop-on-the-day kinda guy...

  • JensonJet #152 2 years ago

    If you don't like the squad AI... play it co-op. Like Left4Dead it can be played single player, but to get the most from the game play it with others. If teamplay, co-operation and communication don't interest you, then I guess this isn't the game for you. Perhaps that's not a bad thing, as poor teamplayers ruin games like this. Once all the Halo/Modern Warfare gamers have decided to move on, we should be left with a bunch of people who want and enjoy working alongside others! Er... game's loading my hard drive, so I'll find out if I'm a closet-Halo player soon!

  • metalangel #153 2 years ago

    Anyone who's had it - what's the multiplayer like? How does it work? Can you configure options like weapons and vehicles and locations and stuff? And is it really true you have to stay within 275m of your co-op buddy?

  • JensonJet #154 2 years ago

    metalangel, can't answer the question about multiplayer yet. Still getting comfortable with the game, so I've just scratched the surface of the single player game. Yes, it's true you have to stay reasonably close to your team. They're not handcuffed to you, but if you want to go Rambo and run around by yourself then I would suggest you shoot your team mates and then you'll be all by yourself! It's not as restrictive as it sounds. But yes, if your 'strategy' is for the whole team to move in opposite directions, then you're going to be disappointed.

  • mcmothercruncher #155 2 years ago

    I picked it up this morning and have spent 3 or 4 hours doing a couple of the single player missions and twating about online.

    I'm really sorry to say that the game is pretty rough and does feel a little thin. It has some fairly jarring aspects, none of them dealbreakers admittedly, that nevertheless do serve to break the immersion from time to time. Crawling into a rock when under fire will quite often see the game just standing my character up. Not crouched, fully standing up while under fire :/ And my team-mates seem to be playing some sort of military simon says when I move. Take the tiniest step in any direction and they instantly move with me like we're attached by poles or something- it's a bit comical and a tad distracting now I've spotted it. They quite regularly stand up pointing in the wrong direction when trying to pin down an area too.
    I can't share the criticism of the command wheel thingywatsit though, it seems to work fine for me- it's just a question of learning set patterns you can use when you need them.

    The engine is a little rough graphically but does have it's moments. There are some decidedly last gen aspects like smeary less-than-anisotropically-filtered textures, pretty crude 2D foliage and trees that shimmer as the engine dicks around with drawing their leaves while you glance about. In a game where you spend a lot of time staring hard at the distance to spot things it takes a fair bit of getting used to. It is lit nicely though and the framerate is solid.

    Online I've had a couple of reasonable games that played smoothly but also a handful of periods unable to connect to the online component and/or unable to connect to games in the server list. A first when using the PS3 online.

    Weirdly though, with all that said, I do feel compelled to push on with it. The original Ofp is my fave military game by a long chalk. I can see why people that are new to the Ofp approach will find it jarring and go all OMFG! on it's arse. Ofp however fanboys (like me) may be more forgiving of it's badgers arse approach and find enough in it to remind them of the best bits of the original game- it does that slow, tense, one-shot-is-enough thing the same as it always did.

    I think it's hooking me in, providing I can continue to tune out the dodgy stuff or, better still, codemasters can patch it out.

    The menus are gorgeous though ;)

  • Talbot #156 2 years ago

    I stuck this on PC and it reeked of console. Will push on however.

  • JensonJet #157 2 years ago

    Well the first problems have already occurred. Accessing servers, or worse still trying to get into a Ranked (points earning) match with a friend is bad. Took half an hour to get into a game with one friend. One and half hours (yes!) to join up with another! Codemasters really are a bunch of c....ts

  • stoopidgreg #158 2 years ago

    i've written about 4 pages worth of bugs i've experienced just in the 3 hours i've played it. and there are loads of other bugs and brainless game design littered everywhere. see: [link url=http://community.codemasters.com/forum/showthread. php?t=384131
    ]http://co mmunity.codemasters.com/forum/s...[/link]

    but saying that, it does feel somewhat compelling, the feeling of shooting people is just right, and most of the bugs listed are definitely fixable, it's just a matter of whether codemasters actually get on the case. but having seen them publish a game with so many bugs and in such an unpolished half-arsed state, i really don't hold much hope.

  • GI-Joel #159 2 years ago

    I much prefer ARMA 2. Its just a crying shame that bohmia and codemasters parted company. We would have had on our hands the best soldier sim ever.
    There both a Knats cock away from being brilliant games. im bored of all these run jump and shoot fps these days. But then again im just showing my age.

  • mcmothercruncher #160 2 years ago

    Have played it a lot more too this weekend.

    It's sucked me in big time despite me loosing count of the number of times I've been laid out on the ground bleeding to death while the medic looks on unconcerned. There are WAY more bugs than are reasonable, the netcode's broken and codemasters are guilty of breaking several promises about the scope of the game but the very FPS-ey core of it is unique and feels just the same as the old OFP did- twatting awesome.

    If you're a fan of the original, you'll likely love this despite it's raw state, if you are any other type of FPS player you'll, quite understandably, bloody hate it.

  • wobblyman #161 2 years ago

    After the long wait I can put my hand on heart and say that ARMA 2 is the true successor to Op Flash. This is in no way reminicent of the original game and feels more like an openworld call of duty in my opinion. This coupled with the fact that after 2 days the only way I've managed to get a multiplayer game up is by getting a co-op game going over hamachi means that i've been in pretty shocked by the standard of the game upon release. Sure, ARMA 2 has lots more bugs but at least I can play the bloody thing online with zero problems. A totally unfinished game and for us PC gamers a disgrace as its plainly a console port.............including crappy console buttons like the xbox AYXB littered over your page to navigate. Even the very first splash page that you get to asks you to hit "START" ffs. A very dumbed down Op Flash wannabe and in my opinion not a very good one. I'm now considering cancelling my PCZONE subscription after being a subscriber for over 15 years as I'm starting to think that either backhanders or some sort of "obliged reviews" are coming out of the towers at the monent. Giving this game 90% is a total disgrace. Either that or they managed to get hold of a copy of the game that is a later release than what went retail.....or they were all bladdered when they reviewed it.
    Edited by 2 at 12/10/09 @ 15:49

  • hypersp #162 2 years ago

    I understand that of2 isn’t polished yet. But for those apparent "I bought it and sold it the same day" people, go back to call of duty. Obviously not giving the game a chance it’s pathetic. Why even bother purchasing the game?

    I feel this game has a lot of potential and if Codemasters are on top of patching and listening to what the people want then this can turn out to be a very good game.

  • beckyh #163 2 years ago

    I bought this game last Friday, played up until the 3rd level and I could not bear it anymore and sold it off. It is a very buggy game. For example I called for a medic and the medic just stood there in front of me and did nothing and I could not move from my standing position. I had to tell the medic to go and heal others so I could unstick myself from the scenery. While calling him back to heal me I died because it took so long. Very frustrating game, and pretty tedious gameplay.

  • adamsky3 #164 2 years ago

    Is anyone else having trouble connecting to online multiplayer? I ave the ps3 version and when i try to log in it always says failed to connect to server

  • Ant1975 #165 2 years ago

    Been playing this Monday and Tuesday night 4 player co-op and enjoying it immensley. playing it on hardcore last night was superb.

    Guess it depends which of your mates are leading, funnily enough some of us mess up more than others and end up dead.

    really pleased with the game so far.

  • mooseman721 #166 2 years ago

    @ donnie080208

    Lol.

    Crap review, crap game. Bought it friday, returned it monday. Horrid, broken and on PS3 (and only on PS3), ugly. Online was good the ONE time all weekend I could connect, but short lived as it disconnected after 10 mins.

  • Boomerang #167 2 years ago

    Will we ever get a PC review of this?

    Please?

    I'm bloody loving it...
    Edited by 1 at 16/10/09 @ 16:24