OPF (Operation Flashpoint) is set during the Cold war period, and is based on a fictional confrontation between NATO and a Russian Soviet force in a quest to conquer a group of fictional islands. At first you assume the role of a lowly soldier, but gradually the game breaks you into other aspects of the game perfectly such as Tank Commanding, a squad leader, flying aircraft and covert operations. The speed at which it does this is just right, and you never feel like you want to hurry up the game. It always has something fresh and original for you to do, even if you’re the lowly soldier. I haven’t even completed the game yet. I am right near the end on mission 40 or something stupid (lost count)! And I am still not bored, and am still doing new things.
Realism in mind
The fact that you have one life and if you get a grenade in the face you WILL die, actually does make this game enjoyable. Any other game (Project IGI being a good example) and you would be pulling your hair out. You also actually end up doing tactics you would do in real life to avoid being killed, such as taking cover, lying down, running around, and even hiding (Yes I know that is rather cowardly, but I survived!)! rather than going in guns blazing like you do with so many other games. It is quite refreshing to actually use your mind in this sort of game.
This of course in turn makes the game more difficult, but manages it so that for the most part is not frustratingly difficult. A challenge for all but the most hardened gamer.
The A.I. for the enemy is variable and I can’t make up my mind on it. At times troops act fairly smartly, not advancing until its safe, taking cover etc. But some of the time it is obvious how stupid they can be. Tanks drive off in totally the wrong direction to your intended waypoint, troops lay behind cover unable to shoot over it, troops mindlessly drop to the floor even though no shots are fired or no enemy is present, to name just a few. Sometimes soldiers just rotate on the spot ?!?
For the most part you won’t realise it. The simple AI works well with the frantic action in the game. But when its more calm and you start paying more attention you do see it. But again subsequent patches have dealt with a few of these issues now, and there is even a Super A.I. mode attached to the latest upgrade which is dam hard!
Editor
What makes OPF better than the rest is the addition of a very easy to use editor, with many official and unofficial maps are being made all the time. Although so simple that you cant edit the landscape (only troop placements) it still makes a interesting and worthwhile addition. This game will keeps you going for ages, even if you do manage to complete the many missions in the Campaign game.
Multiplayer
The multiplayer experience is merely adequate, sometimes miles below that. The missions the game provides you with are poor, and it feels as though they were crammed in at the last minute. The annoying long respawn time, commonly associated with other conflict simulators such as Counter-Strike is also present, something which I personally find frustratingly unnecessary. Unless you’re a hardened Simulator fan, then like me you will find nothing interesting about trying to find your friend for 15 minutes, getting killed before you even meet/see him, then having to wait 1 minute to respawn then try and find him for 15 more minutes. They are just not frantic enough!
Saying that, for tactics and team engagements this game might be more up your street (it does strive for realism after all), but for most used to FPS like ‘Return to Castle Wolfenstien’ or ‘Quake 3’ multiplayer with OPF is probably not going to be your thing.
Another annoying aspect about multiplayer is that it is done, unless you know peoples IP addresses, via Gamespy. I personally can’t stand it, and think it’s a sign of sloppy developing to be fobbed off with settling for Gamespy only, rather than a fancy in-game server to find matches with ease. So many games do that now I know, but still it is irritating.
