Spec Ops: The Line

While most war games out there tend to glorify the violence, this game (it's hard to call it a game when it isn't exactly fun and it's so narrative-focused) shows the player the reality of war in all of its horror. In fact, it may even be safe to say that this could be considered a horror game by definition. After going through the campaign on this game, I found myself more appreciative of what our men and women on the frontlines go through every day, because this game, as I said, shows you the reality of war and not its glorified state like in so many others such as Call of Duty and Battlefield. How? It removes the "hero" aspect. This time you're not killing Nazis, Al-Qaeda, or aliens; you're going into the beautiful Middle- Eastern city of Dubai to help evacuate its refugees from the worst sandstorm in recorded history. I won't spoil who the enemy turns out to be. While that does sound well-intentioned, the way the plot unfolds takes Captain Walker and crew into an extremely brutal fight for survival. Unique to video games, there's also non-linear storytelling in the game as well when the player is forced to make some remarkably unpleasant decisions. One may even argue that some of these said decisions are things that real soldiers must make from time to time, just to be called war criminals for doing what they HAD TO DO. There needs to be more (not games) interactive experiences like this. the game is a masterpiece

There are typically different people making different parts of a game, so if one part seems to outclass the rest, it should not seem to be a mystery. The writer of this title did a damn good job, creating an interesting tug-of-war that we rarely see in games. The narrative will have you questioning the choices you've made; wondering if you should have picked differently. Like I've heard elsewhere, Bioshock may have been the last game I've played that has these types of interesting thematic elements.

So the story side is great; graphically and gameplay-wise is it also great? Mostly.

While you won't be blown away by the uniqueness of the gameplay, you will find that the graphics are a beauty. There are times when I just pause to look at the scenery. The gameplay I'd say is comfortable. Much like playing BF3, Gears of War, or COD feels familiar every time you play it, in that "comfortable" way. Similarly Spec Ops is pleasant, you can dive right into the narrative without fumbling with controls for the first couple of hours.

The music and score throughout the game are pretty nice as well, however the sound effects feel lackluster. Bullets and weapons just don't have the audio impact that they should. Having been in the army, I can tell you that when you fire a weapon, it's a powerful thing, but in Spec Ops (as with many games), these sounds are glaring because of their lack of impact.

Overall though, this is a fun to play, harsh to consume game. And its great.

8/10

Speaking freely, this is the only game that has ever made me feel truly uncomfortable while playing it. I've played hundreds of games and have laughed, cried, felt guilty or even despressed while playing but with this... I felt like throwing up. I felt like crap. I felt like a monster - I even felt a bit like blowing my brains out (but in a good way).

Bottom line, the jokingly dubbed "PTSD" Simulator lived up to what everyone said it would, surprisingly.

9/10. Only misses the 10 due to weak gameplay mechanics and laggy controls.

My only regret is not playing this sooner.

Spec ops the line isn't you'r typical cod experience, an underrated masterpiece that faded between all these shiny war marked i.p s.

Tho the game contains a massive amount of violence and disturbing scenes, unlike other third person action shooters out there, they have a target: to show you the real face of war.

The story of the game is colored in gray, you may find yourself as the savior for the first few hours of the game and willing to even kill your fellow comrades in pursuit of that goal but it costs, not only for them, and not only in the physical world, it will slowly break down your mental health and before you even realize it you're lost. But that's not it, this is the real world and soon you'll find out trying to be the hero only made you the main villain. A lone man will never be able to decide for the lives of others, no matter how good your intentions are, your ignorance will take you down as you are nothing but one human in billions.

With all that is said the story progression is just too perfect that its hard to close the game even after finishing it. 10 out of 10

the graphics and arts are both realistic as they should be and good enough to score 8 out of 10.

Unlike other parts of the game, its gameplay doesn't offer anything new, a well made cover system game with its own little innovations. Generally 8/10.

And at last but not the least the music, there is not much to say except that nothing can express the game more than its track album. If you're asking me check out the glasgow track from mogwai, 10/10.

In overall spec ops the line is a fine 9/10. Once you've played the game you will never forget it. Its not a game to play in you're free time to waste time, its the type that will come to you before sleep time which proves how well made it is.

While most war games out there tend to glorify the violence, this game (it's hard to call it a game when it isn't exactly fun and it's so narrative-focused) shows the player the reality of war in all of its horror. In fact, it may even be safe to say that this could be considered a horror game by definition. After going through the campaign on this game, I found myself more appreciative of what our men and women on the frontlines go through every day, because this game, as I said, shows you the reality of war and not its glorified state like in so many others such as Call of Duty and Battlefield. How? It removes the "hero" aspect. This time you're not killing Nazis, Al-Qaeda, or aliens; you're going into the beautiful Middle-Eastern city of Dubai to help evacuate its refugees from the worst sandstorm in recorded history. I won't spoil who the enemy turns out to be. While that does sound well-intentioned, the way the plot unfolds takes Captain Walker and crew into an extremely brutal fight for survival. Unique to video games, there's also non-linear storytelling in the game as well when the player is forced to make some remarkably unpleasant decisions. One may even argue that some of these said decisions are things that real soldiers must make from time to time, just to be called war criminals for doing what they HAD TO DO. There needs to be more (not games) interactive experiences like this.