SpecOps II: Green Berets
Published By: Zombie Games
Reviewed by HerrHu
1/7/2000
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First
Impressions:
After
spending countless hours with the first installment of the title's
line "SpecOps:Rangers Lead the Way" and trying desperately to
like that game, I was anxious to tear into SpecOps II to see the
improvements that were promised in this game. For the most part,
I was not disappointed since I was a fan of the previous game.
However, from a fresh perspective, this game may be a bit of a
let down of you have been playing other tactical combat games
such as Rainbow Six or Rogue Spear.
If you were a fan of the first installment of this series, this
is a list of the improvements you can expect:
- Multiplayer is now built-in.
- Higher polygon models for better graphical detail.
- More "buddies."
- Your "buddies" are a little smarter this time around (read
that as Improved Buddy AI).
- Dynamic Lighting Effects.
- New weapons for your enjoyment.
- You can control your "buddies" with a GUI tool.
- Multi-stories interiors of buildings.
- Direct 3D and Glide Support.
- You can drop and pick-up weapons.
This installment of SpecOps sees the player taking on a role of
a U.S. Army Special Forces team also known as "Green Berets." Conceptually,
you are tasked with various missions around the globe in which you
and your team must complete. The missions are seemingly unrelated
and take place in specific regions of the globe. You are at the
ready for your military masters at SOCOM (Special Operations Command).
Graphics:
What's
a game these days unless the graphics totally rock?
While this game offers better graphics than the original SpecOps,
it still falls "way" short in many areas. In all fairness, the
graphics offered in the game are a major improvement and makes
more better look and feel when moving in and about the terrain
features of the maps. Nice little enhancements such as SNIPER
ZOOM make for some fun times in any scenario and damage modeling
in various locations on your target adds to the realism of the
experience.
Yet, in some scenes, the graphics can often appear jumbled, slow
to load and cache, and also appear confusing and downright ugly.
Compounded with clumsy movement of the characters, game play can
get frustrating at times. The higher the resolution used to play
in, the better the graphics seems to be. However, you will notice
poor frame rate performance when playing at higher resolutions.
Sound/Music:
The
sounds effects are very nice. The game uses various "environmental"
sounds that add flavor to particular areas. Forested areas are
full of insects; arctic areas are complete with wind noise and
snow crunch. AI and strategic audio cues such as footsteps, ambient
voice sounds and opposing forces speaking in their native tongues
are all well done.
There is no background music in the game scenarios themselves,
and with background sound effects like these, who needs it? There
is background music during the menu screens and it is pretty much
what your would expect from a military simulation.
Gameplay:
The
actual gameplay in the game is a bit cumbersome to the newbie.
After a year of playing Rainbow Six, I found it very difficult
to get back into the game and memorizing the key commands and
controls. At least, I had some prior experience with the interface.
You are allowed the option to remap your keyboard should you wish.
It took a few days to get into the groove but it all seemed to
work. The game does come with a Quick Reference card that is a
ready-made reference that you can tape to your keyboard for default
key command references. I used it extensively. Playing the training
missions, in some cases several times, will aid you greatly in
learning the keys.
The game menus are very simple but functional.
The most annoying thing is setting video options. You can select
your graphic card and driver but you cannot select a default resolution.
You are asked to select your resolution before playing each game.
This annoys some players, while some see this as a power tool.
My vote is in with those that are annoyed by this "feature."
The game offers these modes of play:
Training: These four missions step you through training
and will introduce you to the basics that you need to know before
stepping out on that first mission or campaign.
Single Missions and Campaigns: You can select missions in
different regions (Campaigns) of the world. The missions can be
played in any order and are seemingly unrelated. You and your
buddies "squad members" can earn promotions as you advance through
these missions.
Enjoyment:
This
is an enjoyable game once the frustration of navigation and commands
are works out and learned. Multiplayer is an extreme blast when
quality teams and opponents are found online.
Multiplayer:
This
is really a saving grace for the game. While the stand-alone game
is pretty good, it does get old after a while. Using RTIME technology,
finding an Internet game is pretty easy. Multiplayer offers LAN
support as well. Game types offered are: Death Match, Team Deathmatch,
Cooperative Missions, Team Missions, and the always popular "King
of the Hill."
Overall
Impression:
This
game is a major improvement over the previous offerings in the
line. It is hoped that Zombie continues on to develop this line
and take into consideration the feedback from the rather large
SpecOps players community.
Marketing
Efforts Towards Women:
Historically,
few women find interest in war or military games. However, I feel
that the marketing gurus of Zombie may have missed out on the
Tactical Shooter niche that many women are members of today. There
should be some interest in this game from women gamers that play
Rainbow Six or Shadow Company. The marketing departments in the
major game publishing houses need to take note that women wield
virtual M-16's just as good as their male counter-parts and in
some cases may be more tactically sound, if not effective.
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