What has been seen...
The pros:
I was generally pleased with the gameplay mechanics. The clunkiness of movement is a little difficult to get over, but only a minor setback. The game usually knows when and where you want to be in cover... usually. Again, though, I don't often play FPS games. I noticed the easiest way to work around the clunkiness is, for example, if you're in cover and want to move to another cover ahead, already be facing it in a straight line. It would have been nice if they gave us a similar option to "swap" (where you can move to adjacent cover in one fluid motion), but I can't complain. At least cover works.
Although linear, and teased with choices that don't particularly affect the outcome, the story is highly entertaining. Watching Cpt. Walker's mental devolution was a treat, and as the game progresses his in-combat dialogue gets progressively darker. I noted a couple holes in the plot, but the writers seem to have taken a page out of Fight Club (or three), and in a good way.
Animations, particularly facial ones, are remarkably well done. The slow-down of both audio and gameplay upon scoring a headshot is a nice, unobtrusive touch. Voice acting is excellent, with every last line being delivered with appropriate emotion. And as the GS review says, the soundtrack couldn't be more fitting. It progresses, much like Walker's mental state, from light-hearted, gung-ho American soldier style, to grungier, darker music. Oh, and the textures on the main characters get progressively more damaged and bandaged up, another nice touch.
The game puts up a fight. As always, I played it on Hard, and not being a common player of FPS games (but still pretty good aim), there were some frustrating parts where I had to use all I had, then scrounge for more weaponry in the heat of combat as my bullets ran out. The game does a great job of emulating the ever-changing theater of war, and presents you with ample options to get the job done.
Performing executions is thoroughly satisfying, as not only does it seem to recover your health and keep enemies off you while you do it, you get a healthy bonus of ammo and grenades just for looking like a badass. Sign me up.
Cons:
I don't know about anyone else, but it seemed like going through this game stealthily was impossible. We're teased with being able to command Lugo/Adams to help perform stealth kills, but this mechanic becomes a moot point very early in the game. After the third or fourth mission, I stopped using the team control command for good, save for the times where they prompted me to use it.
Clunky movement mechanics, particularly for sprinting, moving around cover, etc. Fortunately, even on Hard difficulty, the enemies seem to give you a second or two to get into cover; I have a feeling this was done intentionally to keep the game from being too frustrating.
Likewise, enemy AI is on the mediocre side. Why would you move to flank me in my covered position when your new position also exposes you? And even if you have a shotgun, why would you vault RIGHT NEXT to my position so I can just melee/execute you before you even finish the animation? They present the illusion that the enemies are adaptable, but this is offset by the EXTREMELY conveniently-placed weapons that are, surprise, their counters.
One exception to the above: the knife guys. F*ck those guys. Even though you don't see them often, you better blow them up quick, because somehow for being less visibly armored than everybody else, they still take more bullets to put down. Not to mention, they will eff up your ess. Punch them if they get too close, then pray you have a shotgun in your back pocket or you're a damn good hip-shooter.
Like I said earlier, you're teased with "choices," but don't have much.
Lugo and Adams seem just as crazy as Walker. This is the main plot hole that bothered me. Without spoiling too much, let's just say any sane person would have noticed something very wrong with him early on.
For being in the desert, it seems none of the main characters ever get thirsty. Since this was a main point in the game, I feel they should have included some survival-style mechanic regarding water. Especially if it was scarce at the end of the game. Woulda been a nice touch; perhaps they scrapped the idea.
Overall:
The game is an excellent experience, a very enjoyable ride. While I wouldn't quite put it on a pedestal as Yahtzee did, I can agree that Spec Ops: The Line deserves a play-through by fans of both FPS games and those who enjoy a good narrative, particularly fans of psychological thrillers. The production quality does not disappoint with this one, and while it may be a little rough around the edges, hey, after playing this, you will be too.