This is not the military simulator that Operation Flashpoint was (and ArmA II is). It’s not even fun for the most part, it’s just frustrating and the number of errors in the game are astounding. For example, blowing up a building where enemies are, does not in fact stun the enemies or kill them usually. However, if you’re standing near something and it blows up you will either die or need to patch yourself up with the field dressing.

The graphics on the game are fine. They’re not great. Character models are bland, uninteresting, and when they die they look like people are wearing those rubber Halloween masks. The weapons and vehicles are finely detailed and if they had paid that much attention to every aspect of the game it might have been worth something. However the environment, while very large and totally free to roam about in, is not so great. Many things are complete flat, as in two-dimensional and just look like mottled colors thrown together haphazardly.

The sound on the other hand is extremely well done. Perhaps Ego should stick to doing this instead of making full games because it’s the only shining piece of the whole fiasco. Everything is crisp and well done in regards to the sound and it really is sad that it was on such a poor game. I mean every aspect of the sound was great. In fact the music is so cool that I’ve left it on in the background at times while working.

The controls on the game are fairly standard for Xbox 360 shooters.  But to change weapons you have to stop moving, unless you want to press B five times to get to the weapon you want. In the game you’re the leader of a fire team which means you’ve got three guys with you. Giving them orders is a major pain. It consists of holding down the Right Bumper then navigating a four-direction menu system. This is a great way to get yourself killed in the game because when you’re in the menu the game continues. While things happening in real time when you’re trying to give orders is realistic, giving orders through the menu is not. A voice-based control a la EndWar would have been a great option here. In fact, lots of things would have been great options here, just not the one they chose.

Multiplayer consists of three modes via either Xbox LIVE or System Link. I couldn’t find anyone playing the game which isn’t all that surprising really. The three modes are:

• Annihilation - Team Deathmatch
• Infiltration - Attack or defend the base
• Cooperative - Play the game or a single mission with some friends. Up to 3 friends can be in your fire team.

None of the modes are all that interesting. It seemed like they just did this because everyone else is. However if they had left it out altogether it would have been an even bigger mistake as it might be the only actual fun way to play, that is if you find three other people who also purchased the game.

I was often just amazed at how truly not fun this game is and perhaps that’s the point - war is not fun. It’s not very realistic in some aspects so it won’t appeal to true fans of wargames or military simulations. It’s not run-and-gun fun so it won’t appeal to many arcade-style FPS fans and it’s not stealth, so I find myself asking the question: what is this game and who is it for?  I’ve heard people say it’s a ’war is hell’ style game. That might be true, if war were uneven in its application of physics.