Spec Ops: The Line Demo

Shooters have probably evolved the most in the last couple of years, because, unlike other genres, a lot of different mechanics can be implemented without really affecting the core gameplay. On the other hand, these core features have also changed a lot as well, since shooters are not all about taking out as many enemies as possible anymore, like they used to be. Instead, they also have to make the players form a connection with the characters and try to learn something from the events unfolding on the screen.

Spec Ops: The Line is a third-person shooter that aims to be more than a mindless gore fest and deliver a slightly more memorable experience, using a few psychological tricks to achieve its purpose. However, there's plenty of shooting as well, coupled with a fair share of disturbing moments to paint the overall experience in slightly darker colors and provide you with a bit of food for thought in between gaming sessions.

The setting is surprisingly original, for a change, since it does not involve terrorists or the second World War, which is indeed a very welcomed sight. Hence, the action takes place in the city of Dubai, which is almost in ruins after a powerful sandstorm destroyed almost everything it had and killed a lot of people in the progress. After the disaster struck, the United States sent a special rescue division to help those in need, but the team soon stopped responding and all contact was lost. In order to find out what's happening, a new, smaller team is sent to investigate, while you play the role of their leader, Captain Martin Walker.

Originality hasn't affected the gameplay department, unfortunately, since everything is pretty much how you would expect it to be in a title of this caliber: run from cover to cover, duck whenever the screen turns red and shoot whenever the bad guys reload. However, due to the fact that your character is in command of the other two team mates as well, you can give them specific orders, such as to take out an enemy using the sniper, or throw a flash bang. While this can turn out to be quite interesting from time to time, the gimmick quickly gets repetitive and you'd rather suffer through than hear the same line exchange every time you ask the sniper to do his job.

The other part of the gameplay revolves around the moral dilemmas you are faced with throughout the game, since the story evolves in a curious manner along the way and many decisions await your resolution. Do not expect too much depth, though, since you cannot influence the end of the story or your team mates, despite their reactions. However, you do get to see a few disturbing things and you may or may not feel responsible for some of them, depending on what choices you make.

Lastly, the graphics are worthy of praise as well, at least when it comes to level design and the amount of work that went into picturing the devastated city of Dubai. The soundtrack can be quite inspired at times, with some very good songs playing in the background during intense moments. On the other hand, the voice acting for secondary characters is far from impressive and it can sometimes topple the illusion.

Thus, Spec Ops: The Line is definitely a good game and it is worthy of a playthrough, especially if you enjoy a good shooter with a fresh take on the genre. However, you also need to be prepared for some rather boring and repetitive shooting sequences, as well as poorly scripted enemy soldiers and the annoying red screen that comes and goes whenever you greet bullets with your face.