So we all know that 2010 is going to be a big year for gaming, if not the biggest. We have Bioshock 2, Mass Effect 2, Splinter Cell, Bayoneta, Battlefield and Final Fantasy 13 and this is all before the summer. But what about the games we haven’t heard much of? In this series of articles I will be looking a few games that in my opinion have a chance of coming from nowhere to grab that converted title of game of the year.

 

The first game of the series is Spec Ops: The Line™. The game is currently under development in Germany by Yager for 2k games. First off I can hear you all saying “Yager?” Well they were founded in 1999 and released “Yager” a shooter on the original Xbox gaining mediocre scores at best (6.7/10 Gamespot) and that is basically all I could find on these guys. Any way enough of that lets get down to business…

The game was announced last year during the Spike VGA’s with what can only be described as a breath taking trailer. The third person shooter will be the 9th in the Spec Ops series (Although “The Line” is a standalone game) and will be released on Xbox360, PS3 and PC late 2010 (No official date as yet.)

 

The game is set in a post apocalyptic Dubai, no not your nuclear war etc… but a series of sandstorms that have all but wiped out the Arab city. You, the player, will play as Captain Martin Walker who is accompanied by a Delta Force bravo team to rescue U.S. Army Colonel John Konrad and his loyal squad who remained behind in Dubai when everyone else was fleeing. Unable to reach anyone after the storms hit the US Army fears that Konrad and his team are dead. Until they pick up a week distress signal resulting in the rescue mission. During the game the player will face the common A.I enemy threats as well as threats that are posed from the ongoing natural disasters that are bombarding the city. As the game progresses better weapons and equipment become available along with squad commands.

 

The game uses the natural sandstorms to constantly change the arena of battle. The game will use an unpredictable engine that randomises when, where and how powerful these storms will be. The storms may block or open paths, turn a battle in your favour or indeed put you on the back foot.

 

Although gameplay footage is not available yet the trailer and screenshots that are available look stunning to say the least. The screenshots show a great variety of locations both in doors with equally nice textures and lighting effects. The atmosphere created in the trailer gives a real indication that the game will be not just about fighting and killing but also the human sacrifices’ made in order to complete the mission.
Multiplayer is included however details are sketchy. Currently Yager describes the games multiplayer as “a campaign that expands the single-player experience.” So the possibility of co-op, maybe?

 

The game is poised to be one that will truly surprise the vast majority of gamers. Bringing together the apocalyptic game styles of Metro 2033 and modern warfare styles as seen in Battlefield and Modern Warfare 2 to create what will hopefully be a great game that can really challenge for the game of the year title. I for one am really looking forward to this title and really do hope that it holds out as a really good game.
So make a note of Spec Ops: The Line™ coming 2010.

 

Useful Links
Screenshots (Gamespot)
Videos (Gamespot)
Official Site

By James Taylor UK