Operation Flashpoint Gold Edition

For those of you who have already played OPERATION FLASHPOINT, the game needs no introduction, but for those of you who are new to the game, here is your chance to pick up the original game combined with the RED HAMMER Soviet Campaign add on, and the PRIMA Strategy Guide (which gives you complete walk through for each mission, multiplayer strategies, and a guide to using the mission editor to create your own missions), all in one great package.

The game is a first person shooter setting you as a Special Forces soldier. You will encounter missions that require solo action as well as team orientated operations. OF Gold also puts you into missions that will require you to operate several military vehicles and aircraft such as trucks, tanks, and helicopters (that's something that most FPS games lack) Each mission will give you a briefing, complete with area map and location of objectives (and you have access to that map at any time during play), and your groups members and weapons. Then armed with standard issue military weapons, you are off to complete your mission or die trying. Some of the missions require you to command your squad, these can be rather difficult, but luckily, OF Gold comes with the strategy guide that will help guide you through the rough spots. The guide will even tell you which weapons you should carry for the selected mission, believe me, that's a BIG help! The game is very linear, but follows an interesting story line.

Due to the number of different control types, solo, squad command, vehicle operations, ect. the interfaces may seem a little confusing at first (that's where the manual and a neat little quick reference card they give you comes in very handy, the quick ref card even folds and locks together to make a stand up, no more searching under the keyboard for it!), however with a little practice the controls become quite natural.

While the graphics pale a bit compared to the newest releases, such as Medal of Honor, or Return to Castle Wolfenstein, they are very adequate for the game and do have quite a bit of detail, especially when you consider that you are getting the game, add on missions, and strategy guide all in one package at a very reasonable price. That makes this package a deal worth looking into.

Installation: Easy

Gameplay: 7.5
Linear Gameplay follows a story line when played in Campaign mode, starting with a short boot camp to familiarize you with the controls. Then it progresses into the missions which you have to complete. Successful completion will advance you in rank and experience. Use the guide that comes with the game to avoid failed missions. Other visuals guides will appear in the game to help guide you to specific locations or objects. And I really like being able to go to the prone position for firing and observation.

Graphics: 8
Good graphics with plenty of details. Models and vehicles all look very realistic. Don't expect the cutting edge graphics from the latest releases, they aren't there, but they are very close and what you do get is still very good and totally adequate for a realistic game.

Sounds: 7
Most of the sounds in the game are pretty good, but there are a few weak sounds, such as the truck motors. Could have used a little more work on the sounds, but is hardly noticeable when immersed in the Gameplay.

Difficulty: 7.5
There are difficulty settings that will allow you to set the difficulty . Some of the missions are tough if you try to play them without any help from the strategy guide, but hey, you have it, so use it! The combination of mission styles, solo, squad, and vehicle operations, keeps the game interesting.

Concept: 7.5
I liked the story line that guides the game, along with the multi-mission type Gameplay keeps things interesting, almost like putting three different types of war games into one, Helicopters, Tanks, and an FPS (First Person Shooter). The Red Hammer add-on adds Soviet missions and vehicles to that dimension.

Multiplayer: 8
Multiplayer is available through LAN connection or Internet play. Playing with a group of live counter parts and enemies is very different from singleplayer mode and requires different tactics. I find live play to be much more fun and interesting. Communication with your other squad members will make or break your on-line mission. Several missions are specifically for multiplayer Gameplay.

Overall: 8
I was very pleased with this game and all of the goodies that come with it, the add on missions, the strategy guide, the fold up quick ref guide, and the general manner in which all of it is presented is top notch, easy to read, understand, and use. This Gold Edition game will make a great addition to any FPS collection. I would recommend it, I play it on-line and love it. Ovaldog gives OPERATION FLASHPOINT, GOLD EDITION two thumbs up.