Anyway, ActionXtreme has put up a review of TalonSoft's Hidden & Dangerous. Here's a bit on choosing your loadout carefully:

Choose your firepower carefully, throughout the game you will be able to "loot" enemy bodies and collect weapons. Try not to overload your team or else you’re not going to be able to carry off much booty from the bodies. Try to round off your team, your light machine gunners will not be able to move and fire at the same time as the weapon uses a bipod causing your character to lie down and fire. Snipers can fire from any position however I recommend kneeling or prone for stabilization. Be extremely careful when throwing grenades, you’ll kill your own team as fast as the enemy will if your careless. Also mines don’t know the difference between friend and foe.

Spec Ops 2 beta test news [19:29:24 EDT] by - Rush
John form Zombie made the following post over at the SpecWar forum:

Here is the official scoop on Beta Testing (from me, the official scooper).

A very select group of people have copies and are testing them for us. Providing us with some initial feedback and a few weapon corrections. From the beginning I have tried to tell everyone that the beta testers will be selected at random.

At the end of next week, I hope to be able to send out CDs to a slightly larger group of testers (selected mostly at random, but I have weighted a few people).

As for my Beta testing philosophy, I don't believe in (or can afford) sending out beta copies until the big bugs are killed, otherwise all I get are reports of huge, glaring bugs that I already know about, when what [we] want are reproducible bugs that I don't know about.

The main gist of it is that the code is still changing on a daily basis, and it would probably impede productivity to do a larger scale beta test at the moment. Hang tight folks!

Delta Force 2 MP modes and goodies [02:50:17 EDT] by - Rush
Morgo over at Delta-Force2.com has scoped out word of the new multiplayer modes that will be available in Novalogic's upcoming Delta Force 2. Along with the regular Co-Op, DM, Team DM, CTF, KOTH and Team KOTH, there are:

And Team Colors are now Red, Blue, Yellow and Violet.

I'm always an advocate of giving more control to the player, and while the new lean feature is nice, it's not enough. And even though you can now lean, duck, hide behind desks and peek around corners, you still can't jump, crawl or swim. But Red Storm has heard some of the cries for more realism and adapted the weapons used in the offensive to more closely mimic their effects seen in the real world. The most dramatic result seen from this is the new sniper mode, which limits the action to those equipped with sniper rifles and also allows the player to remotely control a sniper's decisions. The end result is that sniping has a whole new attitude in Rogue Spear and plays a much bigger role than it did before.

There are 16 missions to complete, all set within Los Angeles and covering acts of terrorism, kidnappings and nutters with guns holed up in buildings. Surfaces can be shot through, so you can now use heat goggles to see a suspect behind a wall and fire through the wall in an attempt to hit him. While the story in each mission is fixed, events are randomised each time you play - there's no set script to making it out with your team intact.

DF2 news [00:22:06 EDT] by - Rush
The guys over at EvilAvatar.com have put up a review (plus screensnaps) of the Delta Force 2 beta demo. Here's a clip about the gunplay:

Sniping is one of the main modes of play in Delta Force 2. Crouching in tall grass and picking off the blocky people can be pretty fun. Watching them scurry around as you pick them off. Even when they do see you their aim is about as good as the bad guys in any Schwarzenegger film. Soon the enemy encampment was empty and I was ready for the base, which brought me to the next flaw in the game, travel.

They also have info on another release of the DF2 trailer, that's larger (56MB), and is of much better quality. Grab it here.

Navy SEALs lives! [17:23:53 EDT] by - Rush
I missed this a few days ago, but it seems that Navy SEALs is again back in production according to an article on GameCenter. Here's the relevant part:

In addition, work will resume on U.S. Navy Seals, which has been on hiatus for several months. U.S. Navy Seals, currently scheduled for a year 2001 release, is a team-based tactical combat simulation being developed in cooperation with former Navy Seal-turned-author Richard Marcinko.

That's great news indeed. Thanks to Ofir for the heads-up.

Even more Rogue Spear interviews [17:05:14 EDT] by - Rush
I'm just gonna sum these up again. 

Both are really great reads.. check em out..

SWAT3 shots [16:51:43 EDT] by - Rush
360 Degrees has posted a few new SWAT3 shots. Here, look:

Good stuff, check out the rest..

Rogue Spear reviews [01:16:51 EDT] by - Rush
Ok, I'm gonna just sum these up:

Just noticed the bit about the Delta Force 2 rumor on Tactical Planet, and I wanted to clear up any confusion. I'm not sure where the idea came from that there were multiple versions of the demo floating around, but there seems to be some sentiment that we pulled a fast one. For the record: NovaLogic never said the demo that went out for general distribution on Monday would somehow be more complete than the one that went exclusively to the Delta Force fan squads last week. In fact, they're the same demo, based on a beta version of the full game. We simply released it to the squads first to thank them for the great support they've given Delta Force. There *will* eventually be two more versions of the demo. There'll soon be another pre-release demo that adds multi-player support (which owners of the current demo can upgrade to by clicking "Update Demo" in the Settings screen when it becomes available). And there'll be a final demo based on the game's finished code and released after the game masters.

Welp, there ya go. Both demos were indeed the same, and its still considered Beta as well, so those of you that were unhappy with the framerates and such can look forward to better things to come. Personally, I thought the game played fine on my P2-450 w/128 MB and TNT gfx card.. :)

Delta Force 2 preview [18:11:07 EDT] by - Rush
GameSpot UK has put up a preview of Novalogic's Delta Force 2, which slated for U.S. release on October 21^st. Here's a clip on the new realism tweaks they've added:

The improved ballistics system takes account of gravity and wind speed, making long-distance sniping harder and more realistic. There's also a larger range of weapons to choose from, and more slots in your inventory for storing the new choices. A rebreather is needed to stay underwater - if you don't have one you will need to resurface after several seconds.

Sounds great to me. Check out the rest of the article.

SWAT3 multiplayer (not) [08:46:36 EDT] by - Rush
Welp, I'm sure we all knew this before, but I guess its now 'official': SWAT3 will ship without multiplayer support. It will be added when Sierra releases the multiplayer patch in Spring 2000. Hit AVault for the full scoop.

Delta Force 2 press release [08:32:54 EDT] by - Rush
The guys over at Tactical Planet have snagged the Novalogic press release that heralds the use of 3D acceleration in their latest Voxel Space graphics engine. Here's a snippet:

Delta Force 2 will use the Windows Direct3D standard to support 3D hardware. Because the Voxel Space 32 engine uses 32-bit color, 3D support will require a 3D accelerator with true 32-bit color depth, like those based on NVIDIA's RIVA TNT and TNT 2 chipsets and ATI's Rage Fury. But 3D hardware is not required to play the game, and even in Delta Force 2's software-only mode, graphics are greatly enhanced over those in the original game.

The whole PR was a  bit on the fluffy side.. Can't blame NL form trying to hype their goods tho.. :)

Spec Ops 2 preview [08:21:17 EDT] by - Rush
GameSpot has put up a nice in-depth preview of Zombie's Spec Ops 2: U.S. Army Green Berets, including some great screenshots. Here's a snip on some of the new things you'll see:

The physics have also been polished and are now an essential part of the gameplay. Soldiers who aren't fatally shot will bleed, leaving a blood trail for trackers to follow. Rocky terrain will hinder your movement, while walking on softer terrain will leave footprints. All the character models in Spec Ops II adhere to hit-specific reactions. Shoot someone in the shoulder, and his arm will fly backwards. Nail someone in the gut, and he'll keel over in pain.

Finally an article that gets it right and pays homage to Spec Ops for creating the tactical-combat simulator genre!

Delta Force 2 design notes [08:11:08 EDT] by - Rush
Novalogic has put up a page of designer notes on the Delta Force 2 demo.  Here's a snip of some of the new features you'll see in the demo (and thus the full game when it ships on October 21^st):

Climbing - You can now scale towers or the sides of buildings simply by running into a ladder and looking up or down. Try it out!

Tall Grass - You'll find patches of tall grass all over this map. Drop to a prone position, and you can crawl through it with almost total concealment.

Destructible Buildings - In Delta Force 2, some buildings can be destroyed with satchel charges - in fact, that's part of your mission in this demo, so feel free to do some property damage.

Great stuff..

Novalogic announces DF2 demo [19:37:46 EDT] by - Rush
Novalogic has finally announced the Delta Force 2 demo.. Too bad its the same one we already have.. Grab it here if ya still haven't got it yet.

Delta Force (DF) was the first game to follow the SpecOps (SO) mould but do it a little differently. Not only where the graphics near completely different but the gameplay was radical in the methods it had combined with that of its engine (Voxel Space3(16Bit)). DF remained a game with limited objectives, landscapes and for that matter, graphical effects. You would essentially trundle across vast landscapes eliminating patrols silently so as to not alert anybody before reaching your objective.

Good preview.. Check it out.

Delta Force 2 demo info [09:23:32 EDT] by - Rush
Word around the 'net is that the 'official' DF2 demo released yesterday is still the same as the pre-released 'beta' demo, the only thing being changed was the removal of the 'contest' screen at the end when you exit the game. I haven't done any real testing, but the file sizes and dates are nearly identical, and I certainly noticed nothing new in the official demo vs. the pre-release one. Even the version numbers are the same. Novalogic hasn't posted any word on this, so its all up to speculation.. Go figure. 

But still, if ya have the horsepower, and are a fan of DF, its a nice little demo. DF2 should be hitting the stores in the U.S. in October. Look for it! (And perhaps a 'real' demo soon too!)

Rogue Spear review [08:32:23 EDT] by - Rush
24 Hour Gamer has put up a 'review' of "the full version of Rogue Spear." (Dunno how they can review a game that hasn't been shipped tho! So it must either be a beta review or a preview..) Anyway, here's how they sum it up:

I think that the game is a success, in the end. Red Storm Entertainment did a nice job in creating this sequel. They cleaned up some things missing in Rainbow Six, the original, and they also improved in places that needed it, such as the preparation for campaigns as I mentioned earlier. I would suggest to anybody who liked the original to go out and buy this game, Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear. I would also like to encourage the people that did not get a chance to play Rainbow 6, to try this one. If you're not one of those people who like to sit down and drill your brain, then maybe this game isn't for you. But, if you're a REAL man/woman, then you need a challenge, and this is it!

Overall Game Rating: 4.5/5

I guess they liked it. :)

Rogue Spear demo review [08:18:16 EDT] by - Rush
Thresh's Firing Squad has put up a review, with snazzy screenshots, of RSE's recently released demo R6:Rogue Spear. Here's a snip on the new sniping mode:

Don't worry, all you Rainbow Six lovers - that interface you've come to know and love hasn't changed. In fact, the mission setup screens and the in-game commands are virtually identical to those of the game's predecessor, with a few important additions. The most prominent difference is, of course, sniper mode. Pressing shift once will get you into sniper mode, and depending on which weapon you're using, pressing it again will either zoom you in closer, or take you back out.

SWAT 3 preview [15:34:09 EDT] by - Rush
GoneGold has posted a very in-depth preview (with some great screenshots) of SierraStudio's upcoming SWAT3. Here's a snip on the game's AI:

The Artificial Intelligence of your team members is outstanding even in this early build of the game. I ordered my Element to clear a room (It was a bar in the hotel our mission took place.) and the men moved in cautiously. They moved in quite professionally and used excellent tactics to clear the room. As I stood there and watched them do their job, they actually leaned around corners protecting themselves from exposing a full body shot. Once they were sure the room was cleared, they message you with an "All Clear" communication.

The way it was handled really brought a smile to my face because these on screen Police Officers were doing the job correctly. Outstanding.

The article is written by Rich LaPorte, who is a retired Police officer himself, so you know the article was written by someone who's been there. Great read.. check it out.

More site news.. [00:12:17 EDT] by - Rush
I switched HTML editors and can now update the site from remote, but some of the colors are messed up.. Still working on it!!

[John Williamson] They are re-releasing Spec Ops1/Ranger Team Bravo (formerly known as the Pro-Pak) as Spec Ops Gold. As an added bonus, you get a demo of Spec Ops 2 and a demo of Spec Ops Mission 2000 (a more urban version of Spec Ops 2). It should be on the shelves next week. So if you are jonesing for Spec Ops multiplayer, there should be some fresh meat on line very shortly.

Spec Ops Mission 2000? Sounds cool to me! Looking forward to that.. Great interview too.

Delta Force Demo review [20:35:35 EDT] by - Rush
I noticed over at SimHQ that PC-Arena has posted a review (with 9 screenshots) of the pre-released (whoops!) demo of Novalogic's Delta Force 2. Here's a snip:

As with the previous endeavor, I see that the threat of Airborne Helos are back - and the Gazelle now has PRC markings. Explosion effects are now touched up and sport that photo-realistic look. And as in the original release, hop onto that truck and hitch a ride into the compound for some really good times... : )

Pretty short review, but still a good read... and the pics are cool of course! :)

3DGN p/reviews [20:26:21 EDT] by - Rush
Ok, now to catch up on some news... 3DGN has put up a 'quickie' on Novalogic's Delta Force 2. Here's a peek:

Aside from the plethora of new weapons that will be added, the most interesting part of the sequel will be the new terrain effects that will change how the game is played. The addition of grass is one such feature. The tall grass will provide cover for you and your team as you crawl towards a terrorist hide out. Sounds fun to me, how about you? Now the danger here comes in when you realize if you can crawl through grass, so can the evil evil bad guys. Vision isn't such a useful commodity when trying to track down a baddie in this type of situation, so you'll have to listen closely to the sounds enemies make. Then take aim and blow them away, but not with your standard issue sniper rifle, this is close distance battle, boy. You've got to take the enemy down swiftly and without hesitation, and be sure to use a quieter, suppressed weapon.

We've seen it all before, but hey, news is news.

And they also posted a Rogue Spear demo review as well. Here's a snip:

I swept my teams through the rooms and stacked up on the hostage area. I held my breath and issued a go-code. My boys took the room in a flash of light and the spark of controlled gunfire. The hostages wept as we took them to safety. All done, all good.

Slightly tongue in cheek review, but don't let that stop ya from checking it out. :)

REVENGE of Floyd!! [18:33:11 EDT] by - Rush
Ugh! Sorry for all the down time. Tropical Storm Floyd did wreak some havoc as I feared.. Power went off for like 6+ hrs and the UPS system only held out for so long. On top of that, once power came back on, the webserver software totally wigged out(!?), so I had to do a complete re-install. I'm working as fast as I can to get everything back in order.. Please bear with me!!

Delta Force 2 demo out! [13:36:03 EDT] by - Rush
Readers MikeT and Willie sent me email to let me know that AVault has posted the demo of Novalogic's Delta Force 2. (31.7 MB) MIN. REQUIREMENTS P200MMX, 32MB, Win95/98,DirectX. Here's the PR:

In Delta Force 2, as in the original, you're a member of the U.S. military's elite anti-terrorist detachment, Delta Force. It's a first-person action game, but it's based on reality; you use real-world weapons and tactics in real-world hotspots, capturing terrorist bases, rescuing hostages, destroying enemy structures and weapons.

The pre-release version of Delta Force 2, supports a limited number of 3D cards. Delta Force 2 will support cards that are truly 32 bit color polygon renderers, including TNT, TNT2 and ATI Rage Fury. 3D card support is provided through Direct 3D. DirectX 6 or greater is required. Note that only polygon-based objects in the game will be accelerated.

There's also a mirror of it at 3Dfiles.com.  And let us know what ya think of the demo in the forums!

Are you going to include a mission editor? If so what will I be able to do with it?

Yes, there will be a mission editor included in the release version. We haven't ironed out all of the details yet, but users will be able to choose from a variety of terrains and objects to build both single player and multiplayer missions.

I'm looking forward to that..

Delta Force pics galore! [16:51:29 EDT] by - Rush
Quite the slew of Delta Force 2 shots hit the net today.

Delta Force preview [09:27:11 EDT] by - Rush
CGO has posted a great preview of Novalogic's upcoming Delta Force 2 from a demo copy they received.  Here's a snip of their first impressions:

In playing the demo, which still has some acknowledged bugs, it's pretty clear the new game will look better than the old, but it won't be a radical difference at first glance. The most notable thing about Delta Force 2's look is the new tall grass and brush, additions to the voxel space terrain that adds some tactical depth to play by providing some nasty places to hide and sneak in. The landscape still looks fabulous, if a bit melted in the fashion of voxels everywhere, and the 32-bit color palette contributes mightily to the overall richness of the game's look. NovaLogic promises fog, snow, and rain effects in the final game, too, though none are present in the demo.

The maps in Rogue Spear are impressive. They are much larger than the Rainbow 6 and Eagle Watch maps and include many places to hide and ambush your opponents. Kosovo and the Rail Yard were two that we think will be favorites for large scale fire fights...these are very expansive maps with interesting hiding spots, ambush areas, strong hold points and many more features that give the players a feeling of immersion and reality. When you couple these features with the new movements, sounds, and other new enhancements included in Rogue Spear, you really get the feeling of being there.

Great review in typical SimHQ fashion.. Check it out.

You'll have the choice between cooperative and adversarial multiplayer modes. Adversarial offers a slew of choices, such as Terrorist Hunt, Assassin, Fortress and other variations that will challenge your strategic and targeting skills. Cooperative allows you to complete all of the single-player maps (including the training missions) with friends. Each server can support up to 16 players, with a maximum of two teams of 8 players each.

Well kids, what do I think of Swat 3 overall? One helluva fun game, even in beta bugs weren't too bad and the AI went over really well, the interface is awesome, the level design is incredible and the AI will blow you away. Never before have I played such a realistic game and I would recommend this to anyone.

Sounds like they liked it. :)

As always, the mission must be carefully planned before executed. After picking which men or women you find suitable to embark on the encounter, you must equip them next. Rogue Spear offers many more variations of weapons than the original did, and also offers many more types of clothing to camouflage your troops (some are only available in multiplayer though.) After you've outfitted the squad you'll be taken to the mission planning. This is where you'll tell everyone to go. This is no run and gun operation; there are lives at stake. Full frontal assault is not the name of the game with Rogue Spear, which is why it's so much more interesting than your typical first person shooter.

Nice preview.. check it out.

Spec Ops 2 pics/article at GameSpot [16:24:04 EDT] by - Rush
GameSpot has put up a small article (mainly to showcase 9 screenshots they have) of Zombie's upcoming game, Spec Ops 2: U.S. Army Green Berets. Here's a snip on the new 3D engine:

SpecOps II boasts an updated version of the Viper engine used in SpecOps and SpecOps: RTB, which now allows for multiple light sources and more realistic physics. Gone are the sprites that littered the first two games. In their stead are objects like trees, shrubbery, explosions, and smoke -- modeled completely with 3D polygons.

* Missions - There are 18 missions with two training missions

* AI - The AI code was written by a member on my team named John Anderson. John is responsible for the AI for Microsoft's Close-combat series. The AI is very unique and nothing like anyone has ever seen in a game.

All these titles share one common gameplay element: missions based on realistic military or paramilitary commando operations at the tactical level, aimed at direct action, counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and special reconnaissance. One thing is certain, all the developers have done their homework, as the level of authenticity is quite high. Whether it's Spec Ops II's co-op mission with the British SAS to address a Pakistani nuclear situation or SWAT 3's terrorist takeover of the control tower at LAX, the action is gritty and authentic.

Really sweet pics too! Nice article. Check it out.

Delta Force Rev 5 patches (again) [12:59:56 EDT] by - Rush
NovaLogic has finally updated their Updates Page with the Rev 5 patches for Delta Force. These are the same patches we reported on a few days ago, so if ya already grabbed them, you won't need these. :) These same patches are also available in-game from the 'update' function. Still no word on what the patch fixes..

Rogue Spear demo review [10:54:12 EDT] by - Rush
I'm sure we'll see a ton of these over the next few days, and so EvilAvatar has put up a review (with cool screens) of RSE's Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear. Here's a blurb on the museum mission included in the demo:

In normal R6 style, the sections of the Museum you can visit are populated with objects including some Medieval Knights, a Viking Ship, and some Egyptian artifacts. The level is very detailed with nice texture work. Like most Rainbow Six levels, attention was paid to the level design to make it a functional multiplayer level as well as single player. It is very circular, with lots of stairs, balconies, and objects to hide behind.

I didn't have much time to spend with the mission, but its looking really great so far. Def looks like 'more of the same' tho..

Hidden & Dangerous info from ECTS [02:22:06 EDT] by - Rush
I noticed over on the Tactical Planet forums that The Serious Software Co. has put up an article about the ECTS show in London. Among other things, they rap with Petr and Tomas from Illusion Softworks about Hidden & Dangerous. The reporter pulls no punches as you'll see. :) Here's a snip on the Mission Pack:

As for Illusion Softworks future offerings, Tomas told me to look out for the H&D Mission Pack, which should be available before Christmas, as it will feature improved graphics and the chance to drive a German Assault Gun.

Novalogic presents the sequel to Delta Force, the definitive military combat sim. Delta Force 2 will see gamers taking command of a team of up to 10 soldiers, leading them into the heat of the battle, giving orders and setting waypoints as they go. With the very latest weaponry, communications, and military training you are in complete control from the pre-battle planning and weapon acquisition to the final assault. With NovaLogic's ground-breaking Voice-Over-Net technology you can now shout orders to team mates during the heat of the action!

Hmm, I was unaware you'd have up to 10 soldiers on a team. Interesting! :) Kinda funny, Spec Ops comes out, controlling 2. Delta Force 1 comes out giving you 1 plus 4, Hidden & Dangerous comes out giving you 4, Spec Ops 2 will have 4, and now DF2 will have 10.. (I forget how many R6 let you control.. 4 was it?)  But it seems like every new game gives you a bigger squad. (Single-player games obviously.) No complaints tho!

Another Rogue Spear preview [22:54:30 EDT] by - Rush
Hot damn its been a pretty busy news day. Case in point: GamePen has put up a preview (and some awesome snaps as well) of RSE's R6: Rogue Spear. Here's a snip about the various settings in the game:

The settings in Rogue Spear are excellent, and the variety is highly welcome. The original game lacked the feeling of a real world, everything was a bit too static and lacked subtle touches that made it feel like a real place. Here they've added some of those touches like in the highly detailed art museum that is the focus of the first mission. Obviously the designers looked at real museums, not just to see what was in them, but also how they are laid out. We see a transition in the different wings instead of generic rooms of faceless art and much of it is highly dynamic. Here you can't blow up an Egyptian obelisk, you can shoot up the glass cases and do some other damage to the place.

Great preview.. check it out!™

Rogue Spear designer diary update [17:40:41 EDT] by - Rush
Continuing with the onslaught of Rogue Spear news, Greg Stelmack has updated his designer log over at the official Rogue Spear website, describing the graphics file formats.

Rogue Spear demo out! [15:44:39 EDT] by - Rush
Tactical Planet wins the scoop award by reporting that the Rogue Spear demo has been released. Grab it here. (53.1MB) (MIN REQ: P 233, Win 95/98, 32 MB RAM, D3D video card, DirectX compatible sound card.)

[Update 16:50]: Found a mirror here at PCGamer.
[Update 19:07]: Another mirror at 3Dfiles.

SWAT3 preview at CNN [13:19:09 EDT] by - Rush
I saw over at Tactical Planet that CNN has posted a preview of SierraStudio's upcoming SWAT3. Here's a bit on what you'll be doing in the game:

In the game, as in real life situations, team leaders must outfit their teams with gear and weapons, assign positions and make tactical decisions.

Decisions include when and where to use lethal force, choosing to move in either stealth or dynamic (aggressive and sometimes violent) modes, identifying targets and deciding whether or not to use mirrors, chemical agents and stun grenades.

Players use SWAT tactics like maximizing distance to potential threats, leaning and "slicing pies" around corners and doors, using angles and plans to maximize the field of fire and stacking and entering rooms using correct procedures.

SWAT3 is also slated for a November release. Look for it!

Spec Ops 2 ship date update :) [11:52:06 EDT] by - Rush
According to Zombie's John Williamson, Co-Producer/Designer of Spec Ops 2, the ship date of November 1st (as reported earlier) is indeed accurate. The exact ship date is up to Ripcord (their publisher) and SouthPeak (their distributor). So there ya go, right from the horse's mouth. (No offense John! )

Rogue Spear demo update (again) [10:28:16 EDT] by - Rush
According to Avault, the Rogue Spear demo won't be out till the 8th (tomorrow). Check it:

According to Gigex, a demo of RedStorm's Rainbow Six sequel, Rogue Spear, is slated to be released this Wednesday, Sept. 8, after the expiration of Redstorm’s exclusive with a print magazine covermount. The full, retail version of the 3D squad-based tactical action game is slated to hit stores Sept. 22.

[Update 22:56]: Its out! Go grab it.

More DF2 info from ECTS [09:00:09 EDT] by - Rush
I noticed over at Delta-Force2.com that Morgo has posted an article on DF2 as he saw it at the ECTS show in London. Here's how he describes the start of a particular mission:

The mission started off with the DF troops parachuting into enemy territory. Novalogic have taken advantage of artistic license, giving players the ability to use their weapons while strapped in the harness. The animations certainly seemed smooth… although I wasn’t convinced when the men hit the ground. The parachutes unclipped from the back of the soldier, sank into the ground, and disappeared without trace. It would have been more realistic to see a quick animation showing the chute being stashed away… although on the other hand this would have meant that players couldn’t hit the ground running, so to say.

Interesting.. :) Here's another bit on his reaction to the gameplay:

My first impression of the gameplay is that it remains faithful to the original. The DF2 graphics are still very similar to its predecessor… however I did note that the ground textures, immediately in front of your character, looked far more realistic. The addition of tall grass is an element that has been hyped. I must admit that it was pretty awesome crawling through the undergrowth to get to the ridge of a mound… and still remain unspotted while you decimate the enemy within the locality. It is definitely going to affect how you play the multiplayer game… new strategies will need to be developed to defend against people sneaking through this cover, and of course new offensive tactics will evolve.

He also makes mention of a DF2 demo to be released in about a month, so that's awesome news too. Great article. Check it out!

Ripcord's upcoming titles [07:39:11 EDT] by - Rush
GameSpot has a small blurb on publisher Ripcord's upcoming game lineup. Here's the relevant part about Zombie's Spec Ops 2: U.S. Army Green Berets:

The anticipated Spec Ops II: US Army Green Berets is the first title. Developed by Zombie Interactive, it features a much more immersive environment than the first, 32-player network games, and more. Legend of the Blade Masters is the second title. Developed by Ronin Entertainment, it's a 3D action/RPG. The last title, called Noble Armada, was developed by Holistic Designs, and it is a 3D space strategy game based on the RPG universe Fading Suns.

The games are expected to ship on November 1, November 29, and October 12, respectively.

Rogue Spear preview [05:13:02 EDT] by - Rush
GamePower has put up a preview/interview of RSE's R6:Rogue Spear. The preview was a bit on the fluffy side, but here's a snip from the interview with RSE's Carl Schnurr, producer of RS on a few of the game's new features:

GP: What is your favorite part of the game?

C.S.: There are so many, but I think I'll choose the two biggest ones -- the replay and the mission editor. The replay feature allows the viewer to watch from the perspective of any team member on the team and, if time allows, from the perspective of hostages and terrorists as well. Movies can be passed around from person to person on the Internet. We are also including a different camera mode this time, a third-person cinematic camera that tracks the teams from corners of rooms they're passing through. The mission editor will allow users to alter existing missions by changing everything in the game *except* for basic geometry and textures. We really didn't want people to be able to create maps or spaces that aren't really up to the quality that people have come to expect with the R6 brand.

Rogue Spear demo update [02:43:51 EDT] by - Rush
According to Rainbowsix.net, the Rogue Spear demo will be out on Tuesday! The demo will be out first on Mplayer.com. Here's what Mplayer says:

The full retail version of Rogue Spear doesn't ship until later this month, but if all goes well Mplayer.com will have the multiplayer demo available this Tuesday, September 7. Spread the word--this is not to be missed!

All the classic WWII weapons are available, like the Bren guns, Sten guns, sniper rifles, bazookas, pistols, land mines and explosives. One excellent feature that has been included is that you can pick up weapons in the game by taking them from dead soldiers. By doing this at every opportunity you build up your arsenal for the next mission, and if you don't you will probably run low on weapons by the end of the campaign. The ability to use all the vehicles in the game has its advantages--you can steal cars, trucks, armoured trucks, motorbikes, boats, and tanks... and you can even fire out of a Lancaster bomber in certain missions. This was to help me get out of some tricky situations as certain vehicles have heavy machine guns mounted on them, excellent for mowing down your enemies in a quick and easy manner.

Good review.. check it out.

Delta Force 2 trailer [08:32:52 EDT] by - Rush
Novalogic has released a trailer for their upcoming game, Delta Force 2. Delta-Force2.com has a mirror of it. Grab it here if ya want it. (15MB) Pretty cool vid.. check it out!

[Update 18:26]: Delta-Force2.com has pulled the file cuz of bandwidth restrictions. I should have a local copy up soon.
[Update 19:29]: Found 2 more mirrors for ya: NovaCentral & 3D Action Games. Thanks VE.

Renegade first-look [08:12:12 EDT] by - Rush
John from GA-Source sent me some email letting me know that they have posted a first-look at Westwood's Renegade. Here's a snip on what the game's about:

Mixing the elements of such hit titles as Tribes, Half-Life, Rainbow Six, and the console game Metal Gear Solid, Westwood hopes to create a game that gives the player the sensation of being part of the world around them. In C&C, when you called in an airstrike, you simply saw them execute it, but how did they know where to go? How did they know what to target? You'll be able to see now that it was a Commando down on the ground, sighting the target with a laser.

Delta Force interview at SimHQ [15:30:55 EDT] by - Rush
John 'Spoons' Sponauer from SimHQ sent word that they have posted an interview with Wes Eckhart, producer of Novalogic's upcoming Delta Force 2. Here's a bit on how DF2 differs from the competition:

After years of drought, there seems to be a bumper crop of tactical shooters....the Rainbow Six and Spec Ops series, Hidden and Dangerous, etc. What sets DF2 apart from them? Why should a player choose your title over the others? Are there components of some of them that you want to or have incorporated into DF2? What can the others learn from DF2?

A lot of these games have elements in common, but I'm sure most players will agree that they're all very different games. Delta Force 2 is an action game that incorporates real-world weapons and tactics and allows players to begin playing immediately with a very smooth learning curve. It also has the advantage of being able to depict long-range outdoor engagements as well as indoor skirmishes, while games like Rainbow Six and SWAT 3 put more emphasis on just the close-quarters side of the equation. Those games also involve more preliminary planning, while Delta Force 2 is more about jumping into combat and thinking on your feet.

We think Delta Force 2 has the edge in multiplayer, with a wider variety of games and support for 50 players.

Spec Ops RTB patches [13:33:42 EDT] by - Rush
Seems like Zombie updated the dates on their RTB patches which is causing other sites to report them as new.. :) These patches are old, but grab them if ya need 'em!   

The SpecOps.txt FAQ seems new tho (and even mentions my DeadBodies mod for SO1, but you can grab the files from here now.)

Team Fortress 2 goodies [00:22:04 EDT] by - Rush
Clan FHA has posted a really great article on Valve's upcoming Team Fortress 2. The article includes:

In addition to some extremely well built models (that are a good bit smoother than their predecessors), Spec Ops II features some truly impressive texturing, a full dynamic lighting system that supports (very accurately I might add) lighting from multiple light sources. On a more dramatic note, the game also makes great use of particle systems to portray fantastically realistic explosions that shoot hot metal projectiles from the point of impact. The game is also much heavier on indoor environments this time around, something the last title has a tendency to get a bit skimpy on.

Good informative preview. Check it out.

H&D patch v1.2 [20:22:37 EDT] by - Rush
A day late, but the Hidden & Dangerous v1.2 patch is out. Go grab it from Tactical Planet. Here's the list of fixes:

Another H&D review [15:32:11 EDT] by - Rush
Thresh's Firing Squad has put up a slightly humorous (at least I think that's what the reviewer was hoping for..) review (and plenty of screenshots) of TalonSoft's Hidden & Dangerous. Here's a snip on the scenery:

Even though the game's characters are swanky-lookin', the area where the graphics really shine is environments. Each level is a whole new story, from forests to river locks to oil refineries to airfields. Also, the scenery is always detailed. For example, different sorts of trees, log cabins, and dirt roads line the forest, while the airfield is in a clear, flat valley, with mountains rising on all sides.

Overall, it seems they weren't happy with the game. While the game isn't perfect, its still a lot of fun. :)

Another Rogue Spear preview [00:56:17 EDT] by - Rush
CNET Gamecenter has put up a preview, this time of RSE's R6: Rogue Spear. Here's a snip on the enhanced AI you'll see:

Many Rainbow Six veterans will tell you that the original game had a few problems with its AI. Computer-controlled characters would get stuck in doorways, not react properly to threats, and exhibit other inane behavior. Judging from the beta I've been playing, it looks as though Red Storm has fixed those problems. The "tangos" (commando-speak for "terrorist") truly act human now. They're ruthless and smart, and they know how to counteract you. Depending on the situation, they'll call for reinforcements, find cover, retreat, or merely cap one of the hostages they're holding. Most of the time they're on alert, making your job that much tougher. And when you happen to catch one unprepared, you find yourself breathing a sigh of relief as you take him down before he can bring his weapon to bear.

Again, not much new info since we've seen so many previews already, but still a good read. Check it out.

New DF patches [00:43:17 EDT] by - Rush
NovaLogic has released "Rev 5" patches for the Euro, French, UK and US versions of Delta Force. Grab them from Nova's FTP site. No word on what fixes are included.  I hope these are indeed for public consumption, so standard disclaimer applies.

Hidden & Dangerous review [00:29:54 EDT] by - Rush
Cy, webmaster from BeyondTron sent me word that they have put up a review of TalonSoft's Hidden & Dangerous, the WWII-based squad combat shooter. Here's a blurb on using stealth during the missions:

As the British SAS, you specialize in stealth. This is where crawling (used quite often) and kneeling comes in handy. It’s much easier to kill the enemy before they notice you. While on the ground, you have the ability to roll quickly, which becomes extremely useful in a firefight. Overall, there are a lot of available movements for the characters making this game much less limiting than most.

Not much new info as we've seen a bunch of reviews already, but a good read, and some nice pics along with it.