Covert operations involving U.S. soldiers in foreign lands. You begin to ask yourself – is this real or imagined? And if it is real, why haven’t we heard of this before. If imagined, those involved deserve great credit for the reality of the situations.

Spec Ops: Platinum Collection is a well-conceived game from Ripcord Games and Zombie. This special edition incorporates Spec Ops: Rangers Lead the Way, Spec Ops: Ranger Team Bravo, Spec Ops II: Green Berets, and Spec Ops II: Operation Bravo. In all, there are 100 levels of game play bundled here, though only one new program, Operation Bravo, which is an add-on to the Spec Ops II: Green Berets product.

Installation of this program created a few initial problems. Disk one, the Spec Ops Rangers programs were first installed on a Pentium III 800 MHz with a DDR GeForce2 card utilizing the latest drivers available. The program didn’t like that. Installing it in Open Glide mode provided graphics cut in half with the bottom half at the top of the screen. The game simply wouldn’t work with either the Voodoo 1, or Voodoo 2 install options. It kept asking to update the drivers. In exasperation, and because the game only asks for a Pentium 200 to begin with, it was installed on an older computer (P200 with a Voodoo 1 chipset running on drivers that are one-year old). The program ran perfectly fine there. However, Spec Ops II almost did the reverse. It installed on the P200, but the graphics were spotty. On the PIII 800, the game played very well.

This is a two-CD set containing four games. Each game must be installed individually with the root program on the first disk being the first installed. The first disk is the Spec Ops Ranger package while disk II is the Green Berets and add-on mission pack.

The Operation Bravo mission pack is much the same as the other programs: it features three difficulty levels and a number of scenario locations. You can choose from alpine, desert, jungle, MOUT (mountain) and urban. Each setting features five missions. In the mission set-up menu, there are numerous weapons to choose from, and you can equip each member of the two-man team with various devices, from med kits to explosives. Unlike the missions in the Ranger package, the missions in the Green Beret add-on are mostly recon or clear missions. Scout out enemy encampments or clear bunkers of enemy troops. However this program still provides on-your-toes action in a wide variety of settings.

Graphically the game has a few drawbacks. Using sharp-angled polygonal characters, the program seems to have a bit of a problem with clipping. Your characters can merge with furniture and walls to a certain degree. While objects have a three-dimensional look, the elements you cannot interact with seem a touch soft (not in sharp focus). The sound elements are appropriate and provide solid support to the video.

The controls are easy to manage and take little time to learn. Though the aiming is a little disjointed until you learn to use both mouse and keyboard in conjunction, the added elements of night vision and sniper scope give this program a little zing.

There is little doubt that Spec Ops: Platinum Collection is a value-packed bundle. With, for the most part, strong graphical elements, and a host of levels of play, this is a strategic-shooter game that will provide many hours of enjoyment.

This program is rated Teen and does support multiplayer gaming.

Install: A mixed bag. The program does not require a lot from the hard drive, but each program must be installed and that takes time. Add to that the way each program responded to different systems and you have a confusing situation for novice gamers who merely want to pop in the program, install and play.

Gameplay: 7.5. The game boards are fairly big and have terrific landscaping elements which create obstacles. Once in a mission, there is no stalling, only real-time action.

Graphics: 7.5. The overall look of the game is pretty good, there are just a few problems with angular polygonal figures and clipping. The program also features a nice differential in graphical elements when employing either the sniper scope or night vision apparatus.

Sound: 7. Exactly what you would expect from this type of program. It is solid and supports the graphics very well.

Difficulty: 7.5. The game is tough – featuring quick-paced real time action. However, included in this bundle is an official strategy guide which will walk you through each scenario.

Concept: 7.5. This is a value package feature four solid programs and a strategy guide.

Overall: 7.5. Spec Ops: Platinum Collection is a host of programs that will provide enthusiasts of this genre a ‘bundle’ of fun. The program features action, strategy and excitement.