Title: Spec Ops: The Line

Release Date: June 26

Price: $59.99

Genre: third Person Action Adventure

Publisher: 2KGames

Developer: Yager Games

Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, PC

The previews just keep coming in around here. Recently, I got the chance to get some hands on with Spec Ops: The Line and I honestly have to admit my mind was blown away (do not worry it is still mushed in my head) as I played the game in front of me. War games or games based off Middle Eastern conflicts are not usually my forte, but I had to make an exception when I played Spec Ops. If there is one word to put forth all the emotions I am feeling as I am writing then it is this “Badass” It may seem like a generic term for Spec Ops but it holds heavy meaning.

As soon as you get into the demo, you will be amazed at the overall presentation of the game. You start off hearing a familiar voice heard in most triple AAA titles in our current generation and that is Nolan North. Yes, Nolan North is playing the lead character in this epic third person shooter and it seems like his team is in over their heads in this title. As soon as you are thrown into the game, you start in a helicopter controlling a mini-gun, when enemy helicopters that want to kill you attack . You are flying through the city in a sandstorm and will be weaving in and out between buildings to avoid enemy fire. Now you control the mini-gun as you have to shoot the other choppers protect your transport. The event is gets hectic as you will be flying past tons of buildings and a huge amount of destruction will follow. You will shoot copters through buildings and if you fail, well there is not much of an option for failure here. At the end, however a rocket shoots your helicopter and you crash into the city. As soon as that happens, however you witness a flashback to preceding events before the mini-gun sequence.

The gameplay in Spec Ops is extremely easy to pick up and play. There are many areas where you can take cover. The environment and sand plays well into your favor when you are under heavy circumstances. What we were shown this in the demo is one of the instances where a bus is full of sand and you are pinned down and the best way to deal with the enemies is to shoot the glass so that the sand will pour all over the enemies and take them out for you. Creative ways at using the environment makes this a game worth playing.  You can also direct your NPC’s to attack enemies that would otherwise be unable to be defeated to you. It is reminiscent of Tom Clancy’s ghost recon.

Melee combat in the game is great and will change over time. As you make tougher decisions to decide the fate of enemy NPC’s your character will change over time. The choices you make will decide how you react in certain instances. One execution melee attack that really stood out to me was when knocked the enemy down and initiated a move that involved my main character taking there boot, shoving it into their neck and cracking there spinal cord. In short, a curb stomp was committed. Where they go from there, I honestly cannot fathom.

The graphics and settings in Spec Ops are magnificent. I truly loved the feel and area that were everything was placed. The destruction and carnage that happens between battles and events really bring to life that holy crap moment of being left up the creek without a paddle to save you. Presentation is something that most war shooters do not do well. I have to say that as I played Spec Ops, the game had a very Saving Private Ryan, meets Full Metal jacket feel as I progressed. If that is anything worth mentioning that means that, we can expect great things from this game’s story.

Voice acting in a game of this caliber is extremely great and it seems the developers really know that and trying to engulf us into a very interesting story. A couple of the talents that are lending their voices to the game are Nolan North and Kid from Kid n Play. The dialogue between the characters is great and really brings to life that friendship that people can expect from a squad that is trapped out in a foreign land trying to bring one of their own soldiers home.

Finally, Spec Ops The Line was great from what I saw and played. The emotion and drama is there and shown through the characters in the game. I really loved the gameplay mechanics and how you can use squad based attacks and sand to aid you in certain instances. The game really looks like it is very well done and I really appreciate all of the hard work they have put into the game so far. If you are interested in Spec Ops be sure to stay tuned as the game will be releasing on June 26^th, only a couple months away! In the meantime enjoy the new trailer posted below!

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