Review: Spec Ops: The Line pushing boundaries or over-hyped? – 3

By: Moses Abaortae

  |   October 26th, 2012   |  

Uncategorized

Part 3:

Atmosphere

Apart from the desolate environments, the game constantly reminds you of the overall grim, desperate tone of the game. Soldiers can be heard talking to one another like everyday guys, discussing sports, their family and friendship and unlike other games, where they are the bad guys, this time around you just don’t know why you’re killing them.

That is a subject that the characters of the game touch upon at various points in the game, just why are they killing everyone?

The soundtrack adds the confusion and descent into madness. The droning rock music just does something to whoever is playing the game and takes them to a frame of mind they don’t want to be and we mean that in a good way, as that is what the game is all about.

Atmosphere Score: 8/10

Verdict

The game is far from perfect, in fact, if one was to rate the game on its gameplay alone then it would be a truly forgetting third-person shooter with clumsy mechanics and a basic cover system. Its not broken or horrendous, but there are better games in the same genre out there.

When it comes to the story then its not for everyone as it takes gamers places they normally would not go or have not gone in other games.

In terms of atmosphere its dark and depressing, with the player left questioning himself over and over again during the last few chapters of the descent into madness.

While Far Cry 3 may be about the descent into insanity, this game is more about questioning the genre and how it can be turned against us.

The story and atmosphere really stand out and there are a number of memorable moments throughout the game but not those you will remember with fondness but rather those you will think back to and wonder about. They will be etched in your mind and you will begin to understand just how hollow the other shooters out there are.

To sum things up, you will be looking to vindicate your actions throughout the game. You just killed over a thousand people but you did it for the right reasons is a them that other shooters are built on but Spec Ops: The Line not only draws a line between right and wrong it blurs it. Throughout the game you wonder whether or not you are doing the right thing.

That is the game’s strength, its ability to make you think so deeply even though you are just playing a ‘mundane, waste of time’ video game.

Spec Ops: The  Line is the type of game, capable of redefining the genre. It proves that deep, engaging experiences can be had on the medium and although it does not get full marks it comes highly recommended. Every shooter fan needs to play this game at least once.

Verdict: 9/10

Part 2

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the editorial policy of Wishfree.com in any way.