andy343's Full Review: Conflict: Desert Storm for PlayStation 2
Conflict Desert Storm, as the title suggests this game is set during operation Desert Storm in the gulf war. This game has taken a completely unoriginal war theme and turned it into something special. Conflict Desert Storm mixes fun and realism which is a refreshing change from other ‘serious’ tactical shooters.
The game is very simple, but don’t get me wrong this is by no means a bad thing, you play a special forces squad leader called Sgt. Bradley. You lead you’re squad consisting of a sniper (Foley), an infiltration expert (Jones) and the heavy weapons expert (Connors) on many dangerous missions (fifteen to be exact). From the hot Kuwaiti desert to the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, you’ll wage war and wreak havoc upon the unsuspecting Iraqi military.
The best feature of the game is its incredible AI. Surprisingly, I’m not talking about the enemy soldiers, I’m talking about your own squad. Their intelligence is so realistic I actually feel sorry for the Iraqi’s. Not only do they take you’re orders correctly they also have the ability to think for themselves. They can select the right weapon for the right situation and even maintain their own health without you having to nanny them. There’s no need to worry about you’re squad in Conflict Desert Storm, they can take good care of themselves. Providing you’ve told them what to do and positioned them correctly you can create ambushes, you can surround the enemy and perform many other maneuvers. In some cases you can sit back, relax and let them do the work. However in most parts of the game you’ll have to contribute considerably to the mission and provide you’re squad with an intelligent and resourceful Commander. This is a great game so pick up you’re M16 and pack you’re Bergen because we’re about to kick some Iraqi behind and give Saddam something serious to think about! (aside from the usual nuclear weapons)
Graphics
The graphics are the solid foundation of a game, you can have the most immersive plot and a game more realistic than real life, but without decent graphics nobody will buy it. Fortunately in Conflict Desert Storm the graphics aren’t a problem. The only bad thing about them is that they’re very basic in some places. Its hard to explain but there is definitely a lack of objects in the environments. The colours are also very bland, lots of browns and yellows.
The characters are a bit cartoony in a way. Not only from the way they look which is small and fat but from the way they react to bullets. The enemy soldiers seem to fly up in the air and then land back down like a piece of paper does, very slowly. However, you and the squad look very realistic which is a good thing.
The attention to detail is slim, there are a few things dotted about the levels like mops and buckets for example but here could have been more. Perhaps I am expecting too much after having played games like Metal Gear Solid 2which has possibly too much detail. There are plenty of lockers and tables but these things should come as standard in a modern videogame.
There isn’t much interaction with the environment aside from picking weapons and ammunition up as well as destroying the occasional fuel barrel but hats about it.
Overall, not too bad, a bit simple perhaps but this by no means makes the game a bad one.
15/20
Sound
The gunshots leave a lot to be desired but that’s about the only let down in terms of sound. They sound too soft, a realistic gunshot is a short and sharp crack but unless you’re really bothered by this kind of thing it shouldn’t annoy you.
The other effects are good, including explosions, ricochets and voiceovers. The running and walking effects are surprisingly good. Believe it or not but if movement effects are done badly then it really will bug you, a lot.
The vehicle sounds are also quite spectacular, everything, from the sound of an engine to the slow grind of a tanks tracks as it moves past.
There is also a good soundtrack to go with the game. It doesn’t provide tension but instead adds to the pace of the game and changes to match the mood.
The great soundtrack and brilliant sound effects of Conflict Desert Storm are definitely one of its main assets!
18/20
Gameplay
Conflict Desert Storm is a squad based tactical shooter. However, much of the tactical stuff that you see in other games such as the Tom Clancy games has been taken out. One of these things is the pre-mission set up, love it or hate it, the pre-mission setup takes ages and if you don’t get it right then you’ll suffer as a result. In Conflict Desert Storm there is no hassle, the mission objectives are challenging but simple. The missions range from hostage rescue, recovery operations and seek and destroy missions which are usually associated with destroying Scud launchers.
Despite the simplicity of this game you will still have to think fast and keep on you’re toes throughout. Its by no means an easy game and you have to think before you do something rather than run in all guns blazing. This game really brings out the special forces Commander in all of us.
The AI of you’re squad is very impressive so they can take care of themselves and providing you position them correctly than can carry out a number of useful maneuvers.
Sometimes you can find yourself in a tight spot when the hunted become the hunted. For instance, when you’re hunting Iraqi troops or Scud launchers and suddenly a tank and a couple of platoons of republican guard (Well trained soldiers, loyal to Saddam). When this happens you’ll have to keep cool and lay down some serious firepower in their direction. As the fifteen missions get increasingly harder this will happen more often, a lot more often than you’d like, good job there’s a huge arsenal of weapons at you’re disposal. These include M16’s with grenade launcher attachments, rocket launchers, AK47’s, Hecklers (a type of sub machine gun), sniper rifles, handheld grenade’s, mounted machine guns and lots more. You will be very thankful for the variety of weapons as different weapons suit different situations; this will give you a tactical edge over the enemy.
Conflict Desert Storm also gives you the option of being able to swap weapons with you’re squad during missions. You can also take their weapons after their dead but if they do die you can revive them with a medkit from you’re inventory. However, this option is only available for a short amount of time, once their gone beyond a certain point their dead and there’s nothing you can do about it.
In this game, like many other tactical shooters, you have the ability to play every character. You do this by simply switching character in the mission. This is useful if you want to arrange them in a certain way. During the game you and you’re highly skilled special forces squad will be able to ride in vehicles as well as destroy them. There are many new things in this game that we haven’t seen in other tactical shooters, this is just one of them.
There is also a training section in Conflict Desert Storm if you consider yourself to be a bit of a novice. The training is very thorough and will prepare you well for what’s in store.
Altogether the gameplay is fast paced and its not hindered by loading times or lots of cutscenes. The action is tactical but there is a big element of the gun ho approach as well which means the game will appeal to a wide audience. This is a dynamic tactical shooter that has elements of intense action. This is a new type of war game, its so realistic you can even smell the smoke.
25/25
Lifespan
There are fifteen missions in the game as well as multiplayer and a training section. Conflict Desert Storm has an average Lifespan for a tactical shooter. You will enjoy many hours of fun and adrenaline soaked action.
The multiplayer is fairly impressive, this is another new feature for tactical shooters. There are no Internet multiplayer options unlike in the tactical shooter soon to be released, SOCOM US NAVY SEALS.
Overall, not massive but certainly not small either so slam that disk into you’re PS2 and prepare yourself for a good week’s gaming.
19/25
Originality
Conflict Desert Storm employs a whole new approach to this type of game. Instead of serious, down to Earth action with complicated pre-mission setups there’s an element of fun as well. For instance, the slightly cartoony approach to the characters and the option to go in all guns blazing instead of having to plan everything before you do it. Unlike in most tactical shooters there isn’t a ten step approach to killing someone, you just go with you’re instinct most of the time.
There is also the ability to use vehicles which, as far as I know, has never been done before in a tactical shooter. The AI is very impressive as well.
Altogether, an original approach to something that’s been done before.
8/10
Overall
Overall, this is a great game. The graphics are a bit plain but apart from that everything’s perfect. It’s a whole new approach to a tactical, squad-based game. Its fast, its addictive and it’ll make a fine addition to you’re PS2 collection.
SOCOM US NAVY SEALS will most definitely surpass Conflict Desert Storm but it won’t be on the shelves for a while yet so you might as well enjoy this game in the mean time.
A brilliant game if you’re into tactics and a brilliant game if you’re not!
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