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Madden NFL 2007
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Pub.: EA
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Dev.:
EA
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Score: 8.6 |
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Shadow Ops: Red Mercury Review
by 007
The threat is real, or at least that's what Atari's latest first person shooter is telling you. Shadow Ops: Red Mercury arrives onto a crowded, yet popular genre on the Xbox and Xbox Live. Delivering a war-movie like experience, Shadow Ops gets many ideas from the Tom Clancy series along with the theatrical film Black Hawk Down. Sounds like we have the making of a classic, right? Wrong. While the ideas have been written down, the execution is what's lacking and one of the sole reasons why Shadow Ops isn't one of the finer first person shooters out there.
Features:
-Enthralling Missions
-Xbox Exclusive
-Online Multiplayer
-5.1 Dolby Digital
-THX Certified Game
-480 Progressive Scan Input
Gameplay:
Shadow Ops: Red Mercury plays like a movie, reminiscent of Red Faction 2, a game that was filled with cutscenes from beginning to end. Players will take the role of Frank Hayden, a spec-op. You'll hunt down "Red Mercury", a weapon of mass destruction by going through over twenty missions that take place all around the globe. There will be twenty guns at your disposal, many with zoom/snipe features that help with shooting accuracy.
Shadow Ops' primary mode of attack is stealth. There are levels that will allow forend combat, the nature of the game is to use stealth, and use it to your advantage. Not only will it keep you on a lower level of radar, you'll be able to attack more efficiently and be rid of your enemies quicker. Usingend combat makes you more vulnerable to numerous enemies, making you more prone to taking heavy fire.
The lean feature is one of the more unique aspects the gameplay has to offer. When in stealth, you can lean over from objects or walls and get a more direct approach at firing at your enemy. Not only will it save you time and ammo, you'll have a less chance of being hit if you're spotted.
There will be missions where you'll have allies with you to help aid in your mission. For the most part, they get the job done, but they aren't the most efficient. You'll encounter many problems where your teammates will take precious time in eliminating an enemy, which can become frustrating at times. As time goes on, you'll learn that it's best to do the dirty work yourself and let your teammates follow you from behind. Unfortunately, Shadow Ops doesn't enable you to command/move your teammates to specific areas or attack the enemy which is disappointing.
The AI will cause some of the biggest problems and annoyances. Your enemy isn't the smartest, but they've got real good shots. Again, the AI is reminiscent of Solid of Fortune 2: Double Helix, where your enemy could be compared to a cardboard box. There are quite a few glitches you'll come across, most of them occurring duringend action sequences. Don't be surprised if you're enemy is facing the wrong direction or gunfire coming through walls. These aren't really enough to deter from the gameplay, but there still there and quite noticeable.
Game Controls:
Left Analog Stick: Move
Right Analog Stick: Look/Melee Attack
Directional Pad: Zoom/Weapon Change
Left Trigger: Aim
Right Trigger: Fire
A Button: Action
B Button: Crouch
X Button: Reload
Y Button: Jump
Black Button: Throw Grenade
White Button: Roll Grenade
The controls in Shadow Ops are as standard as they come for a first person shooter. The design is kept simple but there is still enough depth to keep the controls fresh.
Xbox Live Impressions:
Other than the fact that Shadow Ops features split-screen co-operative play, the game also has full Xbox Live support that supports up to eight players in ten different and unique maps. The modes of gameplay seem to be too generic for an Xbox Live title - deathmatch, team deathmatch, capture the flag, and VIP. It isn't going to offer you what other Xbox Live shooters like Return to Castle Wolfenstien, Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow, and Rainbow Six 3 will, but it will offer some good moments.
Graphics:
Shadow Ops provides plenty of explosions, action, and is very well presented. The environments are convincingly real and sharply detailed. Whether you're in Russia or the Congo Jungle, each location is top-notch visually. The character models are finely tuned but can still be taken onto another level. For the most part, the framerate runs smooth but can sometimes slow up during heavy action sequences. Shadow Ops supports 480 Progressive Scan Input, which enhances the game visuals even more.
Audio:
Shadow Ops: Red Mercury is one of the few Xbox games that push the audio to the max. The cinematic scenes are done exceptionally well with voice acting. The sound effects are unreal, with explosions, gunfire, and dialogue being spilled out brilliantly. The games soundtrack consists of symphonic music that is elegantly played. Shadow Ops is supported by 5.1 Dolby Digital and is a THX Certified game as well. Both of these audio components drive your audio experience to the max. If you don't have either one, it wouldn't be a bad idea to invest in one.
Overall:
Shadow Ops: Red Mercury won't be considered or remembered as one of the foundation first person shooters that help put the Xbox on the map, but it is a game that offers a solid game experience and fun. While it's an Xbox Exclusive, it isn't pushed far enough to make it a stellar title, even though it does have some spectacular areas (audio, graphics). The Xbox Live component doesn't really offer what most first person shooter fans will be looking for, and that might disappoint some gamers. All in all, Shadow Ops offers some enjoyable action but it might not be able to fit the bill in some circumstances.
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| Rating |
| Gameplay: | 7 |
| Graphics: | 7 |
| Sound: | 8 |
| Value: | 6 |
| Tilt: | 7 |
| Overall: 7 |
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