Operation Flashpoint 2 Preview

Developer: Codemasters
Engine: EGO Engine
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Playstation 3
Genre: First Person shooter (FPS) and Military Simulation
Release Date: Autumn 2009

Plot

The game is set on a fictional island located off north coast of Japan called Skira. The island is a contested territory between the Russians and the Chinese and becomes a centre for armed conflict between both the sides. The game begins with you playing as an US soldier part of the American military which is tasked to take over the island for the Russians from the Chinese.

Brief info on previous Operation Flashpoint

The previous Operation Flashpoint was set in the cold war crisis where you take the role of 3 different soldiers as you move along in the game. You play as a part of the American military which is to stop a hostile takeover from Russia and prevent them from nuking down the whole of America. The game featured a good old open world though in missions you couldn’t just run away as that would count as a betrayal but in single player missions or self made missions using the Map Editor you could go on doing what you wished. The artificial intelligence was quite nice for that time of game. And the physics were quite impressive like when you got hurt you could only craw along and if you tried to run you would give a scream of agony and fall in crawl mode. The game also featured many drivable vehicles such as helicopters, A-10 thunderbolt aircraft, anti air vehicles, tanks, armored transport and other ‘fancy’ vehicles like Sports cars, Jeeps and such. Operation Flashpoint Cold War Crisis as it was named won the Title of the Year award. But it is to be noted that at that time Flashpoint was developed by Bohemia and Codemasters. But now it is being done soley by Codemasters. And the upcoming Codemaster titles have not been very interesting or famous.

Features of Operation Flashpoint 2

First of all just as the previous game the game will feature a multiplayer mode which will allow 32 (16 by 16) to have a match against each other. Co-Op is being wished for but the feature still remains unconfirmed as to whether it will be present or not. Then just as the previous game in its title the game will feature an all out Open World. The game follows a set of objects which it quite focuses upon to add to the realism of the game. Such objects are to complete the objective within a given amount of time as you are part of an invading force and 1 object will also in turn affect everyone. One of the new features added to Flashpoint 2 are the full environment damage. Now every and I mean every building can be destroyed and thus bought to rubble if wished. This is quite a nice feature as it will allow the players to blast some holes in specific buildings where they can take cover as a sniper or as a support. Not only can this be used as an advantage but it can also be used to flush out enemy snipers and soldiers taking cover in them. One of the great features of the game is that the A.I isn’t dumb and it like you can enter any building at any time whether it’s for taking cover or ambushing purpose. Vehicles found on the battlefield can be commanded, and weapons of the fallen can be picked up by the player.

A.I Intelligence is one of the improved features of the game. The creators have taught the A.I tactics from the US training manual itself so it can act accordingly. The A.I now has a bit of mind of his own and can do the objects it is commanded to in many ways than one making it a more difficult target to hit. The A.I squad mates have a self sufficient mind of their own and act on their own if not commanded to do so. They will get pinned if suppressed and may complain or abandon your team if you insist on doing tasks that the A.I deems wrong such as e.g.: running straight into a machine gun placement. The A.I has morale of its own and values its life. The team will only give its best performance if it is led perfectly.

The ability to use night vision goggles and attach weapon enhancements has been confirmed and so has the feature of realistic ballistic and limb dismemberment. Unlike the previous game 3rd Person view of the player has been removed and can be only be used when in a vehicle.

The difficulty has been improved as well. Like in the hard mode you will no longer see your bullet’s and health bar but you will have to remember how much bullets you have wasted and what is your teams health. This makes the game in my opinion much more fun and interesting as it gives you something to look forward to. This is the best opportunity for you to test out your skills and strategy and let’s not forget your tactics.

According to Game Informer there are over 70 real life weapons in the game. These include weapons ranging from normal pistols to 2,000 pound bombs. These can be modified and equipped with optics, grenade launchers, laser sights and suppressors. Each weapon has its own ballistic which has been developed not by game developers but by the real developers of the weapons themselves. Each animation in the game ranging from getting inside a vehicle to reloading has been performed (and then motion captured) by real soldiers who use these weapons every day. This has been done to create a sense of realism. There are 50 different land, air and sea vehicles. There are drivable helicopters, tanks, boats and APCs along with a few vehicles and weapons which cannot be used directly, but can be called from off map to aid the player and provide him support in difficult situations. Each of these weapons have their own advantages and disadvantages. One of the best features which I like in the game is the elimination of ‘magic-pockets’. This means that a person will only carry the stuff that he actually needs and that he is able to carry. For example: a Sniper will not carry a machine gun or a backpack full of mines. A communication specialist will carry a radio on his back and not something that is irrelevant to his field of specialization.

The game has a viewable distance of 35 kilometers. Fire, smoke, and dust will be simulated according to the weapon.

Conclusion

I have played the first game and I hope to play the second game in the franchise as well. The only thing I am wishing for is that the game meets the standards of a quality game. As the content and info so far suggests the game is marvelous. Now if only its storyline is good and the things that are mentioned in this info are true to their words, then this game will I wish yet again win the game of the year award.

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