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| Special Forces put gamers straight into the United States Army, starting at boot camp | The combat in Special Forces is much more focused, and just plain better |
Special Forces put gamers straight into the United States Army, starting at boot camp. Gamers will experience boot camp, all-out combat, regular Army procedure and policy, medic training, and even the military brigade, or firing squad, if you break the Rules of Engagement. As in the previous game, you have to complete a certain number of basic training missions that will educate players on game controls and military principles. You will practice target shooting with your rifle, go through an obstacle course, and learn how to use special weapons.
After basic training, or boot camp, is completed, players have the option of going for more advanced schooling. Options are endless, there is airborne school (jump out of high towers and planes), medic training, and advanced marksmanship (such as for snipers). While the boot camp and instruction sections are interesting and realistic, they don’t hold a candle to the deployment mode and combat. You’ll be dropped from a helicopter straight into full blown, all out combat.
The combat in Special Forces is much more focused, and just plain better. The play zones are more dense and feel more like a war zone, there are extensive indoor environments, and both civilian and rigged up military vehicles. New components are added to the art of warfare here as well, such as zip lines, tear gas, night vision, gas masks, and grappling hooks. Special Forces produces war gaming that is more like reality and much more satisfying. Special Forces feature eight new, never seen before maps with a European flavor and feel.
Wondering what exactly is going on and what is being fought over? The Navy Seals, the Russian Spetznaz, the MEC Special Forces, and the Rebels are all fighting for zone control. Battle zones vary greatly. You will be in places like an industrial arena that is completely surrounded by wilderness or on an air craft carrier (this will be more intense and in the face combat).
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| The Navy Seals, the Russian Spetznaz, the MEC Special Forces, and the Rebels are all fighting for zone control | Battle zones vary greatly |
When putting a team together it is important that you have a variety of people. On a team you will have sergeants, captains, and corporals. Special Forces are those who have ability as a rifleman, medic, marksman, and grenadier. At the beginning of matches you will pick a class. This is a case of the early bird getting the worm, the earlier you are the better choice of options you have. You will be able to change your class periodically throughout the game if you so choose. Which class you choose will determine what type of weapon you will be working with the most. Only those in the Support class are able to get tear gas, only the Assault kit is equipped with a Flash Bang, Marksmen have various sharp shooter weapons like the M82A1M, and so on. In order to have everything available to you, you cannot stand alone.
There are a few new vehicles featured in Special Forces, such as a jet-ski and BMP3 APC (uses a tank shell cannon). There are all-terrain vehicles like four-wheelers and aviation vehicles like the helicopter. There are not near as many tanks present in Special Forces as there was in Battleship 2, mostly there are just passenger vehicles.
All of the sounds and visual effects are about the same; the only new and added sound effects are for the new vehicles, weapons, and other items that have been added. The only new visual effect that is noticeable is a blur effect all over the screen when you are stunned. Graphics overall are spectacular: gigantic explosions, great textures, well animated characters, and lots of environmental odds and ends. The only thing really wrong with the games look is a long load time on occasion. Sound is wonderful, as before and as was expected. Bullets, loud explosions, vehicle engines, radio chatter, vehicles sliding around, everything you would expect. Voice communications are very clear and understandable.
The other gamers you will be chatting with seem, for the most part, experienced and know what they’re doing. It’s almost like your sitting around together playing the game. Of course, there will be times you’ll run into someone who doesn’t know what’s going on and will kill the wrong people, but that is with every game and is to be expected. The way the weapons are balanced really encourage and practically demand team play. No one will be able to win the war on their own with one gun. It’s just impossible. If you like team oriented games, Special Forces will be your dream game.
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| The only new and added sound effects are for the new vehicles, weapons, and other items that have been added | Graphics overall are spectacular: gigantic explosions, great textures, well animated characters, and lots of environmental odds and ends |
In order to make Special Forces more accessible, EA is making it available on their official web site as well as the usual retail channels. The total downloading and installing process should take an average of 2 ½ to 3 hours.
BATTLEFIELD 2: SPECIAL FORCES VERDICT
The bottom line is, if gamers liked Battlefield 2, then they will undoubtedly like Special Forces as well. On the other hand, if players didn’t totally get all into Battlefield 2, then the changes made here and there in Special Forces will likely go unnoticed. Once you finally are ready to play and begin, don’t be surprised to find yourself totally enamored and obsess about this game, even if you get pissed waiting for things to load. It’s a small price to pay, really.
TOP GAME MOMENT
Letting loose with the newly featured tear gas and watch the enemy start crying, coughing, and then dying.
