Operation Flashpoint Elite Xbox Review

[Akeldama]

It's been a long time coming, but Bohemia Interactive's epic military first-person shooter Operation Flashpoint Elite has finally arrived on Xbox. Here we are towards the end of the platforms life and we receive one of its finest games. For Xbox Live players especially, Flashpoint is a cut above the average military shooter. You can read a full review of the game over at Boomtown (http://xbox.boomtown.net/en_uk/articles/art.view.php?id=9706).

[fitbabits]

Too. Many. Games!

Nice review, though.

[Vjornaxx]

I'm pleased to hear that the reviewer thought well of the game. I'm just a little doubtful that his view will be the view that other reviewers have. He said he played and enjoyed the PC version... and that's fine with me, but he kind of says that he thinks that it's OK that the Xbox controls are awkward because they were awkward in the PC version. He also says the same thing about graphics and animations. While I loved the PC version and I have a lot of hope for the xbox version, I think that newcomers are going to be a little discouraged with the controls and graphics given the competition that's out there right now.

Still... I might just have to pick this one up.

[Vandenh]

Damn.. another good game??? I promised myself to stop buying XBox games 3 months ago and I already bought 2 :(

I will wait a bit until other reviews are in.... i could use a game like this on Live.

[Akeldama]

I didn't find the controls awkward. It's just that I had quite a choice of control methods and took some time working out the best combinations for me.

As for the graphics. It's something of a tradeoff really. I don't think they had the time or money for a new engine. But there are still many improvements to the look of the game compared to its release on PC. However it's one of those games where you appreciate the visuals more when you play it than you can from screens, it's that view distance in action, or the interaction of light and shadows in the forrest that makes for some good use of the hardware - rather than very detailed models or great animation.

I'm quite glad to offer a different view to other reviewers though, it's a personal view of the game, not trying to fit into some IGN-led cultural zeitgeist. I loved the game, simple as that. :)

Don't forget, in the UK at least, Flashpoint has been released at the budget price of £20.

Glad you enjoyed the review though.

[The Iron Weasel]

But I Have To Save For A 360 Dammit! Gah, Why Cant The Xbox Just Die? :D

[Vjornaxx]

I played the original and I understand that to fit the 100 sq km island in, they need to have a trade off in some areas. I don't have a problem with that. I'm not worried if I will enjoy it becaue I'm sure that I'll love the game. However, I think that people who are new to Flashpoint and are used to the visuals offered by Halo and Splinter might not give Flashpoint enough time to really understand the depth of the game because it doesn't have that immediate visual appeal.

[novicius]

Either spoiled by Halo/Splinter/et.al. or spoiled by GR:Summit Strike's absolutely fantastic gun-porn. :D

That being said, I'm still keenly interested in this title for the original X...

[zorper]

.... However, I think that people who are new to Flashpoint and are used to the visuals offered by Halo and Splinter might not give Flashpoint enough time to really understand the depth of the game because it doesn't have that immediate visual appeal.

You're right, and that is too bad. I think that the original suffered in sales (at least here in U.S.) because it wasn't ever pretty. What people have missed out on was a military shooter with the broadest scope, ever. Everyone freaked out when GTA had free roaming gameplay, but OFP already had it with great combat simulation to boot. (I'm not putting down GTA here, just making a friendly comparison.)

I plan to live on Live with this one, if anyone else but me buys it.

[The Iron Weasel]

I might just get it. But I have a new pc so i haven't really been using my consoles.

[BabyJesus]

Looks great, I love that game.... The only thing that was clunky was some of the controls, hopefully I can adapt to the gamepad, but all in all most of the time gamepads make things easier, except aiming accuracy...The size of the "levels" is simply awesome. I remember kind of screwing up one mission on the PC version that took me a bunch of attempts only to be like 3 miles away from where I was supposed to be and having to "virtually" huff it back, took me forever. But it was cool to see that kind of space to cover it made it feel that much more real...

[Paltry]

So whats the verdict... who bought this and hows the live play

[zorper]

I bought it on release and I've been very happy. I've had a great time on Live playing co-op missions. It's been stable for me and pretty easy to set up a game. The framerate seems to stay pretty constant, but the draw distance is kind of limited. But before you buy, just remember:

1) It's Operation Flashpoint: with wonky controls, a lot of shooting little grey soldiers hiding in grey foliage, one shot kills, and bugs that can ruin a mission.

2) Most players on line are making thier own missions, which ranges from kick-ass to shit. (I've fallen in with a couple of very good mission designers, but that may not be normal.)

3) There aren't that many players on line, although I can still host a pretty good game.

4) It's Operation Flashpoint: with HUGE maps, lots of weapons, vehicles, weather and time of day effects that matter, a powerfull mission editor, and AI that's aggressive and sometimes totally flanks your ass from nowhere.

[Paltry]

sounds sweet, thanks for the reply