E3 2002Operation Flashpoint: Resistance impressions

The forthcoming expansion pack to what was easily the most innovative action game released last year was on display at the Codemasters E3 booth. Currently in development at Bohemia Interactive, Operation Flashpoint: Resistance is only a few weeks away from completion. The development team has been working on the game for the better part of a year, and from what we saw of it, Resistance looks like it will certainly please fans of Operation Flashpoint.

In addition to adding a brand new single-player campaign to Operation Flashpoint, this expansion pack includes several other notable additions. The first such enhancement we noticed are the improved graphics. Resistance boasts high-resolution textures on all the in-game objects, including the soldiers, vehicles, buildings, and terrain. Flashpoint's 3D engine has also been given a shot in the arm in order to increase its already far draw distance, and it shows. You can now see terrain, cities, and other objects for miles and miles. Likewise, the multiplayer code has also been given an overhaul in order to reduce lag time during play over the Internet.

The game itself is actually a prequel to the events of Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis and its first expansion pack, Red Hammer. You play the role of an ex-Soviet soldier who's piecing together a group of resistance fighters in an attempt to repel an impending Soviet invasion of his home island. You start out the game with nothing other than your own personal rifle, and you'll be forced to acquire your equipment, weapons, and ammunition from the enemy through any means necessary. As the game progresses, you'll receive additional equipment through subversive means from American operatives, similar to the way that the CIA trained and equipped Mujahideen during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Interestingly enough, Resistance will have a certain role-playing element to it, as all your equipment, weapons, and ammunition will be persistent throughout the entire campaign. That means that if you expend all your ammo in one mission, you'll start the next completely empty, and you'll have to make do or restock somehow. You'll also have several squadmates join your resistance movement during the course of the game, and they too will be imbued with a bit of role-playing in that they'll actually gain experience from mission to mission, and you'll notice that characteristics like their aim and stamina improve over time. Resistance will even have branching plots, and you'll be given a choice of sticking with the resistance or betraying your squadmates to the Soviets.

Other parts of the demonstration included the actual Soviet invasion of the island. This mission opens up with a heavy beach bombardment by warships on the horizon. If you survive this initial onslaught, you'll be tasked with gunning down the landing crafts using several machine guns nestled atop a number of beachside cliffs. Another level depicted a sprawling urban area, complete with tall buildings, paved streets, and pedestrian traffic.

Resistance is currently due out in June, and it requires a full version of Operation Flashpoint to play. Be sure to read our previous coverage of the game.