There are some things that never change with videogames as the technology progresses, ultimately gameplay matters more than graphics and we are still clinging to the old model of game design which focuses on completing levels to progress your game. I'm not saying this is true for all games and in some cases it is necessary. For example, a game like SWAT GST would be ridiculous as one continuous narrative as the locations in the game are vastly different from one place to another. Other games hide levels within the illusion of one continuous story. This is used mostly within the RPG genre; you could view each planet as a separate level in Star Wars KOTR or each map location in Baldur's Gate. This is by no means a bad thing and does help to guide us and get the most out of a game. Then there's the freeform category, in which games such as Civilisation and Black & White reside. Continuous, evolving games that let you decide what to do and where to take yourself. You might wonder where i’m going with this but you could say that without modern technology, it is unlikely that we would be playing stealth action games today. You need more processing power for higher quality AI that is aware of its surroundings and can react to things such as light, movement and shadows. All these elements are at the core of this genre and that leads me nicely onto Rogue Ops. Lumped in with classics such as Metal Gear Solid and Splinter Cell, how does it stand up to class creations like these?

Gameplay:

First off, Rogue Ops plays like a stealth game. If you've played any of the other similar titles, you'll be at home with this one. It's probably a good idea to have played another similar game because the first thing you'll be aware of is the difficulty level of the game. It is rock hard from the outset and is pretty much relentless to the end. You might think this is a negative aspect of the game, but the fact that the puzzles and ways through, around or over obstacles and enemies are on the whole very well balanced makes it so much more rewarding when you get past that tricky segment. Just take time to look around your surroundings and you'll find the answer to your predicament. It's great to play a game that challenges you on the right level and you know it's your own foolishness that gets you into trouble. It's not all kittens and roses though, the frame rate tends to take a big hit in crucial action sequences and some of the controls go into the 'nice idea, shame it didn’t turn out right' category. The most frustrating aspect will see you in a 'Myst' style of hovering the camera around the scenery to activate an action icon in your HUD. Let me explain.

Your movement around the levels is done by the dual analogue sticks. Move with one, look with the other. Simple enough. There are all the regular controls such as jumping, crouching, drawing your weapon etc. But to climb a ladder, for example, you will have to walk up to it and press the 'Action' button. Your character will mount said ladder and you take over to climb or descend. Nice and convenient enough. On the other hand this can prove rather frustrating when you're looking for a convenient ledge to sling your grappling hook on. It's not disastrous but it loses some of the atmosphere that the designers have worked so hard to create. Sneaking up on opponents is also handled in a unique way and it just doesn't quite fit with the rest of the game. Moving slowly towards an enemy facing away from you brings up the action icon, pressing the relevant button at the right time takes you into a Streetfighter II situation where quick stick movements and button presses in a certain sequence leaves the enemy on the floor. It doesn't flow with the rest of the game but it is good to see developers not sticking to one formula and trying something a bit different.

Graphics:

Full marks here for varied and interesting locations, both indoor and outdoor and the game has its own style, looking slightly cartoony with bold colours and vivid depictions of objects from the world around you. It's not as good looking overall as the other contenders in this genre but it never pretends to be. It's functional and as the story is over the top, the rest of the game follows. Nice shadowing and laser effects from the, um, laser trip 'wires' adorn each level as well as some nice fog effects provide the right feeling as you sneak your way to glory and retribution.

The animation is nicely presented but as I’ve said previously the frame rate lets this game down where it matters most. A fluid, easily controlled game for me is much more important than volumetric fog tables and other graphical niceties. I would take a graphical hit over a performance hit any day but hopefully this is something the developers will get to grips with in their future releases.

Sound:

Oh my. The sound effects are very nicely presented and the music is a very high quality and does much to convey a twitchy atmosphere but the voice acting is terrible. It really is. I would have easily preferred to just read subtitles or text for the cutscenes. If you compare this to say, Star Wars KOTR which shows us that high quality dialogue has a place in today’s gaming world, the over-the-top am-dram acting sticks out like a bald man at a mullet convention.

Longevity:

Eight large taxing levels will give you a lot to get through and you'll have a great time experiencing them but unfortunately the title offers little replay value. The game will challenge you in most of the ways it should but also offers up some very annoying gameplay elements that may challenge some of the more easily frustrated of you to give up on this game too early.

Roundup:

Rogue Ops is an admirable take on the stealth genre, it brings some nice fresh ideas but also suffers from the same old same old that brings down so many other games. I don't equate it to laziness and i definitely don't think anyone wants to make a bad game but i guess sometimes there are too many ideas to be packed into a tight schedule to polish every single element of gameplay. Don't get me wrong, there's enough here to satisfy most gamers who enjoy a challenge and to take on two of the heavyweight franchises and nearly pull it off suggests there is much to enjoy from this title. Play it yourself and have fun, that's the idea behind gaming, no?