Unlike most military shooters the story is the first and foremost important part of the game and the single player campaign is more important than the multiplayer...in fact just forget the multiplayer, it's a waste of time.
Story:
Spec Ops the Line defies conventions due to its story focusing on character's emotions with such intricate details that's seldom seen in shooters nowadays. It doesn't focus on global annihilation or any large scale threat but a small and focused journey that's most definitely worth experiencing, in fact it's worth experiencing at least twice as you make choices during the campaign. It is these choices that make the story so engrossing and engaging as they actually feel important, not really because of their effects but because of the way in which they make you feel about yourself. These choices you encounter are not easy choices and present many moral dilemmas and it is because of them that I myself began to feel insecure about my own morality, and then consequently, because of this, I began to really feel for the characters in the game unlike I had ever done before. Without spoiling too much the story actually feels incredibly relevant and as though it has a purpose to demonstrate moral issues and how actual soldiers may feel as well as perhaps a few other things. It is because of the relevance of this story that, all though I did absolutely love the last of us, I feel that story wise Spec Ops the Line is even better than the Last of Us. This is also partly because Spec Ops the Line is shorter, more concise and more focused as it is only a 6 hour game, but don't worry though you'll still get a decent amount of play time because you will definitely want to play it again.
Gameplay:
Although competent the gameplay isn't the greatest that we've seen in a shooter. Many have criticized it's cover mechanic however I actually loved it once I had gotten used to it, you feel like you're in control as you move from cover to cover rather than in some games like the latest ghost recon where you have to just wait for your character to move to the cover that you've selected. It is disappointing however that there isn't an option to turn a corner easily though. Although I have said that I like the cover system it is still a little disappointing that the combat just mainly consists of popping out of cover and popping off people's heads, at least however due to the games length it doesn't feel necessary for more detailed mechanics to be introduced.
Graphics:
Simply put the game is stunning. There's actually a bright colour palette which, like it's focus on story, is rare amongst shooters nowadays.
Sound:
I personally found the sound design to be superb especially since there will be music occasionally playing that will link in heavily to the story...but I don't want to really spoil anything.
Multiplayer:
Forget it, it feels like it was just a requirement set by the developers but it doesn't detract from the overall experience of the game.
Conclusion:
To conclude Spec Ops the Line is a once in a while game that everyone must play. Despite it's slightly mundane and fairly unoriginal combat it's still managed to sneak into my list of favourite games. The game is criminally underrated and it should blow you away.
Cultured Vultures: In the spirit of preserving some kind of history of this industry, we’ve decided to list some of the best games that you just simply can’t get hold of digitally at the minute.
I just started playing Spec op. I've had it for years on steam and forgot about it. Such a good game.
Yes great game spec ops! Since the time we’ve been asking sony to make one:/
Auto Modelista.. a PS2 capcom racer!! A blast to play and great graphics!
Maximo!
Rival Schools!
all the games in the above list are bang on. this is the only reason we need backwards compatibility and physical presense of games for the upcoming future, no matter what.
Honorable mention to the excellent Driveclub, one of the best racing games of all-time and one of my favourite games ever.
yes! incredible rain effects; so good to drive along in rain with your Spotify playlist blaring
I really wanted a MotorStorm using the same engine, Driveclub is easily one of the best looking games on PS4 and I'm surprised they didn't even give it a PS4 Pro patch.
I adored Driveclub and the Bike expansion. I also loved Motorstorm. Evolution shutting down was a crime
Outrun Online Arcade, Sega Rally Online Arcade, After Burner Climax... all good stuff. I keep my 360 hooked up to play these as well as the TMNT games that were also delisted.
wow...I have all of them except the Nintendo ones either in physical or digital version.
Also..Deadpool the Game is missing on that list.
Tim and Luis talk what they’ve been watching and playing along with the news from the past week, including all the games from Sony’s “State of Play,” Evil West, Silent Hill: The Short Message, Hideo Kojima weirdness, Spec Ops: The Line delisted and more!
A stellar work of sobering proportions, Spec-Ops: The Line is an outstanding third-person shooter that on first glance conceals its hidden depths.
It's really a shame that the Spec Ops reboot didn't continue into a series. Obviously the story in The Line is over. But each game could have delved into the different psychological effects of war as well as exploring different takes on Heart of Darkness. In a sea of mindless military shooters it was nice to finally play a shooter that actually had something to say.
This game was the last of a dying breed, a signifier of where shooter games (and videogames more broadly) COULD have gone if developers didn't pivot so hard into the online services, micro transaction, season pass, yada yada.
New narrative territory exploring the actual art form of gaming and storytelling within it.
A brilliant depiction into what war can really do to a person and doesn't glorify it in any way.
I heard this game might be getting delisted, which is a travesty, this is one that should be preserved forever
I think the title was unfortunate - it was when Moder Warfare got big so I assumed it was yet another clone. Fortunately, because ps plus I checked out this gem of a game.
