Conflict: Denied Ops
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| Conflict: Denied Ops | |
|---|---|
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| Developer(s) | Pivotal Games |
| Publisher(s) | Eidos Interactive |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows |
| Release | February 8, 2008 (World) February 12, 2008 (US) |
| Genre(s) | Tactical shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer (split-screen & co-op campaign) & online play |
Conflict: Denied Ops is the fifth game in the Conflict series. Originally, the game was to be called "Crossfire" but was later changed. It is the first game in the series to be released on the PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, but it was also released on PC and on GameTap as of March 20, 2008. It was released on February 12, 2008.
Gameplay
The game is played in a first person perspective, instead of the third person viewpoint of the four preceding titles, and is also the first game in the Conflict series which does not feature four main characters. Denied Ops is based around two CIA operators, each having his own weapon and style: a sniper named Lincoln Graves who uses an SR-25 with an undermounted M26 MASS, and a machine gun operator named Reggie Lang who uses an M249 PARA with an undermounted M320 grenade launcher. [1] The two characters have quite opposite personalities. Lang likes it loud and noisy while Graves likes it quiet and stealthy.
In single player mode, the player can switch between controlling each agent. In co-op, each player controls one agent. The agents only use their weapon of choice, and cannot pick up enemy weapons. Ammunition for firearms is unlimited, but explosives are not and must be replenished at resupply boxes found throughout the levels.
Plot
The story takes place in a fictional war where a Venezuelan conflict is taking place. General Ramirez and his associates have staged the Ramirez regime where Ramirez is slowly plotting to take over his country. First he sends his troops to seize the Petro Nivera Oil refinery then threatens to deploy nuclear weapons if the USA continue to "meddle in his country's affairs". Immediately two special agents, Lincoln Graves and Reggie Lang are sent on a series of missions to take down General Ramirez and any other possible threat. First the two agents are sent to the ruins of the Santa Cecilia monastery to retrieve important data on Ramirez's connections and associates. After extracting via their commander, code named King Six, they encounter a number of different conflicts all seemingly connected to Ramirez. Eventually they track down Ramirez and end up arresting him.
Characters
- Lincoln Graves- A former Delta force member and expert sniper. Graves is highly disciplined agent but is not really the kind of partner for small talk or getting along with. His last partner was killed in Afghanistan in what Graves calls an "Occuputional hazard". Working with Lang, Graves does not like Lang's gangster like attitude in what he considers too noisy and undisciplined. Graves hides a dark past with Delta Force in which he doesn't want to share with Lang.
- Reggie Lang- The exact opposite of Graves. A rookie and newcomer to the CIA denied ops team, Lang likes to get the job done with explosives and a M249 PARA. Lang especially enjoys blowing stuff up. He however has a habit of calling Graves his bro, which annoys Graves. He also makes fun of Graves's age and jokes that he (Graves) was the sniper that killed JFK and numerous off color comments such as calling him "Whiteboy" and "Redneck".
- Dr. Alexander Pessich- A scientist who is forced to make nuclear bombs for Morchenko. Morchenko is holding Pessich's wife and daughter hostage. After being rescued, Pessich decides to redeem himself by disarming all the bombs he made and is extracted by Lang and Graves. His fate is completely up to the player.
- Paul Foley- The Codex Red Team sniper who survived the ambush in Colombia in the previous game Conflict: Global Terror. He was one of the main four characters in Conflict: Desert Storm and Conflict: Desert Storm II. He was traded by the drug cartel that captured him and is being held hostage by a Colombian arms dealer named Clay in Suriname. His fate is completely up to the player.
Terrorists
- General Ramirez- The mastermind of the regime. He stages a coup in his own country and the US intends to take action for his violent actions. In response Ramirez has his troops capture the local oil fields and threatens to deploy nuclear weapons quoting only "If the US continue to meddle in his countries affairs". He is the primary target for both Lang and Graves to capture and the primary antagonist. He is captured at the end of the game.
- Abasi Atongwe- A rich African businessman and ruthless African rebel leader. When Graves and Lang are in Africa to determine the source of a transmission Atongwe somehow finds them and ambushes them. He is eventually tracked down to the ATAK Diamond mine and killed by the agents.
- Morchenko- A Russian brute. He supports the regime by forcing a doctor to make nuclear bombs for him. When Lang and Graves rescue Pessich, Morchenko is killed in the process.
- Clay- A Colombian arms dealer. He is seen dealing with Atongwe's lieutenant Kwennoir. He is also holding Codex Red Team sniper Paul Foley hostage. Clay is eventually killed.
- Lt Jean-Baptist Kwennoir- Atongwe's Lieutenant who deals with Clay. He is eventually tracked down and killed.
- Jacques- One of Atongwe's men. He is holding a Navy inspection team hostage on his ship and personally kills one of them in a cutscene. He is eventually killed by the agents.
Reception
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Game Informer | 5.75/10 |
| Official Xbox Magazine (US) | 5.5/10 |
The game has received average to negative reviews from critics, earning averages of 57 on Metacritic[2] and 58% on Game Rankings.[3] It was criticized for its unoriginal and generic gameplay and broken co-op system.
Both PC and console versions of the game have also suffered from serious sound problems. Most PC sound cards are not compatible with the game and thus output no sound, while on consoles certain guns do not make sounds. However, there has been an update released for the console versions which fixes their problems.