Shadow Ops: Red Mercury
- July 02, 2004 14:48 PM PST
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Atari?s brand of FPS action falls short as a meager, less-than-stellar shooter.
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Ordinary Operations
Atari touted it as a next-generation cinematic shooter; instead, Shadow Ops is a ho-hum, average gunslinger. With the exception of its wonderfully orchestrated sound effects, which boom in 5.1 surround sound, much of Shadow Ops is standard fare. You play as a highly trained military operative whose primary objective is to retrieve and destroy the dangerous substance called Red Mercury. This isn?t cloak-and-dagger stuff (although the game features several levels of using just silenced weapons) but in-your-face, aim-and-fire gameplay. In each level, you?re given three types of guns, a handful of grenades, and a whole bunch of armed resistance. A few enemies are intelligent, but most are just plain dumb, which makes for uninspiring game time. Additionally, the levels are strictly linear with very little room to flank or use alternate paths to surprise enemies.
Shadow of Doubt
Disappointingly, Shadow Ops doesn?t live up to today?s standards in visual presentation. Bland environments and sparse detail offer little eye candy to what should be a frenetic battlefield full of explosions and mayhem.
You will, however, have no problem handling your weapons in the war zone. Pulling the trigger with your right finger and pushing the buttons to lob grenades, open doors, and jump make up the simplistic control scheme.
The multiplayer modes are just as rudimentary. Split-screen co-op missions offer some variety, while playing online comes in a distant second behind the solid Rainbow Six 3, which comprises more options and prettier environments.
There?s not much pizzazz to Shadow Ops. It had potential, but at the end, this is one FPS that?s good for a one-night rental at best. There are far better games already out to set your sights on.?Four-Eyed Dragon
