Spec Ops: The Line
The game begins in medias res with Walker, Adams, and Lugo flying in a helicopter past the skyscrapers of Dubai, shooting down several pursuing helicopters until a sudden sandstorm forms, causing one of the pursuers to spin out of control and crash into the trio. The story then jumps back to the start, with Delta traversing the storm wall to the outskirts of a mostly buried Dubai, being taunted on broadcasts by the Radioman (Jake Busey), a DJ and former journalist speaking for the 33rd. After coming across refugees being rounded up by the 33rd and engaging in a firefight, Walker elects to disobey orders and find Konrad. Receiving a broadcast of CIA agent Daniels being interrogated by the 33rd, the team chooses to interfere. Tracing the signal's origin, they find Daniels already dead and the broadcast was a trap set for fellow CIA agent, Gould. Gould helps Delta escape, but is later captured and killed while assaulting a location called the Gate. The team heads there and continues the attack. Finding it heavily guarded by the 33rd, the team employs white phosphorus to obliterate their opposition and advance further into the city. While walking through the aftermath, they realize they accidentally killed 47 civilians moved to the Gate for shelter by the 33rd. Walker blames the 33rd and vows revenge.
Game Discussion
Steam User 56
Spec Ops: the line originally released in 2012 in a cloud of generic cover shooters and would ultimately be lost in the crowd.
Eventually it found its fame several years later on the guise of friends telling one another "don't look into it or read up about it, just PLAY it" which lead to the fan named sub-genre known as "PTSD simulator"
Sadly the only people that can read this review and agree with it are people whom have also bought the game.
Anyway, 2K renew the licence please, otherwise this game is gonna be lost to time and pirates, it is a masterpiece and deserves an eternal resting place, not a grave.
"Do you feel like a hero yet?"
Steam User 40
A Serious Masterpiece
This game has such Spot on Storytelling the charcters are well developed
And the way the combat works is also really nicely done
Just add it back to the store steam XD
And yes this game also gives modern Remakes a run for their money :p
Steam User 31
This might be one of the few shooter games where killing an enemy puts me at unease.
You play as Martin Walker, commander of Delta Forces, who is on Dubai trying to evacuate the civilians from sandstorm. The 33rd Division went there first, but never returned, so it is up to you to continue their task... or not.
I mispredicted the game would take the usual cliche "rescue mission gone awry because someone screwed it up" - but I was wrong, completely wrong..
With its gripping storytelling, the game it delves to the traumas of war, the ambitiousness of war (that war isn't black and white), and. most importantly, how accustomed we are in murdering faceless people as entertainment. The game started with the usual heroic "we're going to save the day, lads" pro-war stance shooter games usually have, but as you progress, it turned its head to portray how terrible trying to act as an hero can be.
I also like the minor details. In every cut-scenes, you're given options how to deal with conflicts presented. E.g., should you rescue the civilians or an agent? Should you shoot the enemy or let them talk first? Should you shoot that guy, this guy, or... abandon order at all?
The consequence doesn't have major effect, but it opens up different reaction and dialogues. Even the smallest ones like standing in front of your teammates while they are zip-lining. The environment is also rich in details: barricades are destructible, bullet goes through clothes, etc; sometimes giving you different tactics to progress through the levels.
The cons of this game - well, the covering system sometimes doesn't really work well. So sometimes it's kinda difficult to move from one cover to another. But mostly it's not really a problem. Also, the game punish you for running and gunning; it's more tactical shooter like, so if you're coming from Call of Duty or the like, you would need to adapt.
This game has one of the most intense and gripping story I've played since long; I'd say it's fitting to say this game as a war thriller movie bundled as a third person shooter. The game deserves an award for its mind-blowing narrative.
Where war games give you the ultimate feeling of completion, Spec Ops: The Line asked you the grim question, "do you feel like the hero yet?"
Steam User 71
Bro is not the Dubai grim reaper!!!
I think the game is pretty important, no other game of this scale really attempts to do what it does here. Although, I cant say I ever want to experience it again.
The IDF still uses white phosphorus in Gaza.
8/10
Steam User 33
Currently (at the moment of this review), there is no legal way to play this game unless you obtained it when it was available, if a friend within your family group owns it because they acquired it when it was available, or buying an overpriced used physical copy for consoles due to how difficult it is to get your hands on the game these days. It's a real shame that 2K doesn't appreciate this great game the way it deserves. No Call of Duty or Battlefield portrays how cruel war can be as well as Spec Ops: The Line.
Please 2K, bring this gem back to the gaming world. Save Spec Ops: The Line.
Steam User 37
What a fucking shame this game has been removed from the Steam store. This is the ultimate problem with digital. Once the licensing or whatever stupid corporate claim expires, the whole game is gone. I had a lot of fun with this game, I am so glad I bought it while it was available because damn, this is why I will always prefer physical copies over digital purchases.
Steam User 37
Welcome to hell Walker.
Goodbye Spec Ops: The Line, gone but NEVER forgotten, you pioneered the anti war movement in gaming and thus you have your mark in the industry forever!