The second in the OF series shines with beautiful graphics and sound realism, but suffers from a poor porting-syndrome
The graphics were different then, but the bulk of the second in the series: Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising is the same, save a few terrible adjustments... which is a dismay to both casual and die-hard gamers.
Here are the basics that take-away, rather than enhance the new version:
* Altered controls (probably due to its release on multiple platforms. The original was first made solely for PC, then it branched out...): such as the command system.
On the PC there is no helpful hints with finding the correct controls. It took me a more than ten minutes to find out which key to press to order my troops around. Even the controls in the menus did not provide enough help. I realized this is likely due to their testing on PC's and X360's at the same time...using X360 joysticks with the PC....something most people don't have connected to their system.
Ordering soldiers is streamlined somewhat...for example, you have about 16 different commands, in addition to different air-assault type of commands. A small menu appears with four directions to choose. One is "move" to move units. Another is "Offense" to command an attack.
* So, micro-managing your troops isn't possible, it seems... You can't, for example, send a single soldier to crawl towards a tree with "stealth".
*No civilians. Just the Chinese forces and the USMC forces.
*Much of the marketing was focused on "the realism" and the hard work that went into adding "great AI" to the new Flashpoint game...however, when it came do DELIVERY they made a glaring omission: the vehicles still don't have realistic damage, and simply stop running when they hit a rock or a tree with sufficient speed. They feel like concrete blocks. GTA 4 had better models with realistic damage physics.
*The map editor is an external application. It is unknown why this was done on the PC version because it was both convenient and friendly to use in the original, not to mention the replay value it added to the multiplayer side of OF.
*There is no easy difficulty for casual gamers. And even on "normal" the first two campaign missions are extremely difficult. I believe I died over thirty times altogether -- on the first two missions. The second mission is still unbeatable to me. If this is AI improvement, then yes, they have clearly made the computer intelligence far outweigh any intelligence I have in military strategy and silent-missions...at least playing OF 2: Dragon Rising.
*The so-called realistic blood is noticeably absent. Once upon a time, when you shot a soldier in the head it would leave a large mark where the bullet entered. Now there is nothing but a blurred smear of red.
*Camera controls are extremely rigid (or non-existent) when in vehicles. Only first-person camera for this game. A nightmare to occlusion, which effects the "commandeering" aspect which was integral to the original series.
* It's a major turn-off when the producers claim they've added some gore--but in reality there's just a little bit of "chunky" head or leg body parts. And the blood is dismal and fake-looking -- for 2009, this is a joke. For a "realistic military shooter" this is just criminal.
* No rain. The grass looks "wrong" despite highest resolution settings.
What about the positive values OF 2 brings to military gamers?
* A beautiful and immensely large Skira map. Glow effects are overwhelming at times, but at different times of day the game is very pleasing to view.
*The gunfight sounds and soldier models are very detailed and on-par with Call of Duty 4--the leader in this genre.. It's possible that the sound simulation in OF 2 is even better.
* Many locations for firefights. Almost all the buildings are usable for cover...however, be sure not to rely on them as safe-havens because they're completely destructible!
*Guns are detailed, and provide real-feeling recoil
All in all, Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising is a disappointment that doesn't deliver on what it promised, despite the usual graphics-generation improvements and ragdoll physics.