Delta Force is Dodging The War First-Person Shooters Never Win

Delta Force is Dodging The War First-Person Shooters Never Win

As a seasoned gamer who’s been around since the golden age of gaming, I’ve seen my fair share of military shooters come and go. The Delta Force franchise, with its storied history dating back to 1998, is one that holds a special place in my heart. And now, after a 15-year hiatus, it’s making a triumphant return!


Despite lying dormant for 15 years now, the Delta Force series enjoyed quite a long-lasting popularity in its heyday. The franchise first appeared way back in 1998 and was highly praised by critics for its military simulation realism and strategic elements. Over the subsequent decade, numerous sequels and spin-offs were released, culminating in 2009’s Delta Force: Xtreme 2, a game that received generally negative reviews.

As if fate itself was on its side, I find myself gearing up once more for the return of the legendary Delta Force. Once known as Delta Force: Hawk Ops, this unit has undergone a surprising name change in August. By year’s end, it will storm onto Steam early access as a first-person military shooter. And trust me, when it does, you’ll witness up close how Delta Force manages to dodge battles that other military shooters just can’t seem to conquer.

Delta Force’s Multiple Settings Could Be Its Greatest Strength

Call of Duty, Battlefield Are Stuck In a Lose-Lose Situation

Over time, both “Call of Duty” and “Battlefield” series have encountered a recurring issue. As soon as a fresh installment of either franchise is unveiled, one of the immediate queries from fans revolves around its timeline or setting. These first-person shooter (FPS) franchises have ventured into historical settings, contemporary times, distant futures, and various periods in between. Although many supporters appreciate their efforts to explore new environments, a significant segment of each fanbase often expresses dissatisfaction with the chosen setting, regardless of its nature.

For instance, if the next Battlefield or Call of Duty returns to a World War 2 setting, that vocal portion of the fanbase could criticize the developers for relying too heavily on nostalgia, or claim that players have seen this setting more than enough already. But if Call of Duty or Battlefield announces a futuristic setting, it could be criticized for being too unrealistic. And if Call of Duty or Battlefield confirms their next game will feature a present-day setting, some fans will argue the developers are playing things too safely and not experimenting enough.

Delta Force Has Two Settings In One

However, Delta Force could navigate these tricky situations. In its free-play multiplayer aspect, Delta Force transports players into a 2035 near-future scenario where they assume the role of a peacekeeper tasked with dismantling the wicked Haavk Corporation. With an array of contemporary weaponry, devices, and vehicles at their disposal, players can eliminate adversaries across the various free-play multiplayer game modes offered in Delta Force.

In terms of its single-player mode, Delta Force is set to transport gamers back to 1993, immersing them in the intense Battle of Mogadishu. The single-player storyline of Delta Force will essentially reimagine the 2003 video game Delta Force: Black Hawk Down, inspired by the 2001 Ridley Scott film with the same title. Players can expect to wield and operate vehicles and weaponry that were characteristic of the 1990s conflict.

This two-pronged strategy could be a shrewd move for franchises such as “Call of Duty” and “Battlefield”, allowing them to satisfy all their fans. By providing a single-player narrative confined within a specific era, and a multiplayer environment in another, they can offer a taste of both worlds. In fact, “Call of Duty” previously tried this approach with “Black Ops 2” in 2012; its single-player campaign transitioned between various time periods while the multiplayer mode was set in the year 2025.

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2024-10-12 19:04