Does Dragon Rising make a splash in the war FPS?

This isn’t your Call of Duty style of war these is a tactical sneaking affair, unlike the conventional run and shoot which we have been graced with for many years. So unless you’ve got your wits about you and don’t rush things you should be ok.

Dragon Rising is set in the near future where oil is the fighting point between two countries Russia and China. And guess who comes in to save the day, none other than the country that saves everyone the US. You play as one of a team of troop’s task with the objectives of blowing up weapons and clearing areas to make way for your vehicles and personal to get through. The missions aren’t the most exciting we’ve ever played but the fighting during the missions, do salvage the some of the languishing excitement.

You soon realise that this is proper war you won’t be able to get shot many times and still survive, one shot could end your life. This is a great change from the conventional shooters and makes your thing of your next move before you’ve thought of your first. Luckily a simple but yet effective squad command system is in place, the easy to use system is beautiful implemented and it needs to be as you’ll still be on the heat of battle while giving out your orders.

Unfortunately your squads AI seems to be somewhat lacking in intelligence, if you’re trying to sneak past enemies and you haven’t told your squad not to hold their fire they will fire and give your position away. I know this is probably my fault for not telling them to hold their fire, but I would automatically expect them not to fire straight away as I’m the squad leader.

Fire fights are usually fought out over long distances, but to get to see the enemy they is allot of travelling to do. The maps are huge with different objectives spread out over the vast landscape, and like in the first mission you do all the objectives you will be going from one side of the island to the other, with your heli ride out of there being at the start of the map.

The graphically qualities of the game let it down the graphics are somewhat basic for next-gen systems, with for some reason slow loading trees and at times disappearing tress when looking past them. The lack of real animations is also a problem, with some moves such as applying dressings to wounds having a loading circle instead of a real animation.

One of the big selling points for Dragon Rising is it’s online co-op mode, you get to play through the campaign mode with up to four other players. It a solid edition to the game and adds the longevity factor to the game, but the rest of the multiplayer left us a bit dry. You get two game modes Annihilation and Infiltration, both game modes have just enough enjoyment to keep you going for a short while.

Lack of different online gameplay modes and maps is somewhat disappointing, the games seem to have quite a few bugs that need ironing out including annoying lag and respawn positions.

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising is a great addition to the tactical war games where realism is key, and we have to say the guys at Codemasters have done a sterling job. A few problems with gameplay and online modes do dampen the games overall appeal but if you’re looking for an alternative to COD this is the game for you.

7.5/10