I have only played the PC version so I can't comment on the Xbox version. The game itself is put together well. The story is good - not great - but it serves to move things forward. In terms of gameplay the AI on the part of allies is surprisingly good (they will shoot each other when suppressing fire, though, so be careful), however, the enemy AI is pretty much the same old scripted, "Dummies" that don't offer much of a challenge at all. Like the GameSpot review said, you pretty much do the same thing everytime: Suppress and move your other squad through. Graphics are pretty good offering a nice color pallet and decent (albeit a bit console-ish) textures. The thrill in this game, however, is in the RTS element. Although it may look like it - this is no run and gun joint. Each move has to be thought out, corners need to be checked, and you need to keep your troops out of open sight. Most of the time you will have at least two squads to worry about so you'll often have squads on different parts of the map complimenting each others attacks. This can sometimes be tricky and you'll need your GPS to help launch coordinated flanks. Because of the RTS element the game can be a little slow. So if you have a short attention span - heed my warning. Also, there is no quick-save for you PC gamers. However, save points are usually plentiful and I never really had a problem with the lack of quick save. The drawbacks of this game are that, even though the game likes to think it's not, it's very linear. You are also permanently confined to the ground. Meaning, that you can't go in buildings and look out windows, no going up ramps - no nothing. It's as flat as flat can be. You are also stuck with pretty much the same armaments and troops throughout. I can't tell you how many times I wish that a new weapon would be made available or SOMETHING...but, no, it's the same old same old from top to bottom. There is one shining moment in the game where you take control of a couple of Army Rangers that are equipped with laser-sighted rifles. Now THAT'S what I'm talking about! It's almost as if the developers saw the redundancy of it all and threw these guys in for a level to break it up. This is what I meant by the game having potential. I imagine being able to control all different divisions of the US Army, Marines, etc. How about a water level for the SEALS? How about a jungle level for the Rangers? All with different weapons and opportunites. It would be cool to raid buildings, too, a la Rainbow Six. The locales are pretty much the same place in this version; buildings and sand - and more buildings and sand. So, despite these short comings it is definitely worth a buy for $35 (no more than that, though). I was enthralled and couldn't wait to get home from work to play it every day. If you are especially into the minutia of how a military unit moves than you'll get an extra thrill out of this game. Overall, a great, solid game. Full Spectrum Warrior II should smoke this if, in fact, there is going to be one.
Full Spectrum Warrior was designed off of an engine built by the U.S. military. I haven't seen the version of this game that supposedly trains US soldiers in tactical awareness on the battlefield, but I'm guessing that t... Read Full Review
I first encountered the game on the Xbox in my local Game Store... The dry felling sand blowing in your face mixed with the good blend of music captured my mind for days... I then desided to buy the game as soon as it w... Read Full Review
