When it comes to true military tactics in tactical shooters, it's hard to get more authentic than the U.S. Army. The boys in green are striving to make America's Army(available for free public release) the most convincing military-themed FPS you've ever played. Along with the obvious access to uniforms and weapons (with accurate ballistic properties and reloads), America's Army: Operations benefits from the Army's wealth of tactical expertise. Gameplay stresses the coordinated nature of a modern infantry warfare, punishing you for lone-wolf play and greatly rewarding playes who stick to the Army's doctrine of four-man fireteams operating in support of one another.  "The thing about Army tactics is that they WORK," explains Project leader Mike Capps."You'll quickly learn the benefits of cooperative action in the game." To ensure high fidelity to the real-life concerns of a firefight, the designers made use of the Special Forces arsenal of world firearms in an effort to produce a game that models the unique tactical situations of different weaponry."[Those guys have] everything, including stuff I'd never seen before,"says Capps."If it's ever likely to encountered anywhere in the world, they've got it, and they've made Special Forces operators familiar with how to use it." This attention to detail means you can see the weapon mechanics to impact your tactical concerns in a battle -- these weapons jam at appropriate intervals, and require an adequate amont of time to clear. (If your M-16 james on you, you'll sit through an animation sequence as your in-game avatar goes through the proper jam-clearing procedure.) The SAW light machine gun is a devastating weapon, but only when the shooter is lying prone; this harsh fact necessitates that a SAW gunner be supported by his teammates when he's in a prone firing position. Tactical dimensions are influencing the game's deep training modes. In addition to Basic Training mode, where you lear the fundamentals of marksmanship and manuvers, AA will include an in-game Airborne School where you add a parachute-assault qualification to your character; a Sniper School where you'll develop long-range rifle skills; and a Ranger SChool where you'll be taugh advanced concpets like unit leadership and small-unit cohesion. Once you've successfully completed the schools, you'll have a badge to carry into multiplayer lobbies, advertising your special abilities and making you a choice addition to any unit. But most importantly, your units will be organized along real Army structures. Thus, you'll find yourself as a member of a four-man fireteam, led by a Team Leader. Three of there teams will constitute a squad, under the comman of a Platoon Leader and his Platoon Sergeant. Leadership roles will be assigned based on your training in various in-game schools, as well as your overall player rating (honor). Smart gameplay, done in accordance with effective Army doctrine, will add points to your rating, making you a more favorable choice for a teammate and a canidate for a leadership position. Just as in the real Army, the most efficient under fire will quickly rise to the top of the leadership ranks. One thing you'll quickly learn -- the Army is not a place for would-be Rambos. Ultimately, it's through deliberate, coordinated action that your unit will rise to renown. Through amazing gameplay, graphics, squad tactics and impelling the fact that your teammates rely on you, putting right in the battle, America's Army proves to be the most realistic FPS, ever. AA proves that the government does control EVERYTHING. (PC Gamer, Sep. 2002, Vol. 9, #9) -hoplite CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AMERICA'S ARMY
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