Conflict: Denied Ops

Reviewed by John Burrell Jr.
March 31, 2008

Developer: Pivotal Games Publisher: Eidos Interactive Website: Click Here Platform(s): Xbox 360, PS3, PC Players: 1-2 ESRB Rating: M

Screenshot from Conflict: Denied Ops . Courtesy of Eidos Interactive.

Playing games with your friends is always fun (unless you got one of those friends who can't seem to quit bragging about how great he is after he wins once). That's why games like Golden Axe, Gauntlet, or Double Dragon were so popular back in the day. For those who have no idea what these games are, think Co-Op like Halo, or Army of Two. So Co-Op gaming is on the rise again with a slew of games that are Co-Op based or include it as an option of play. Now, whenever anything gets hot in the world of game development, companies jump in to cash in.

Enter Pivotal Games and Eidos Interactive to join the Co-Op party, but you'll wish they never got the invitation. Now, if you take one part horribly written dialog, two parts cliche' characters, and sprinkle in some bad graphics and horrible AI and you get a recipe for this new Co-Op disaster, Conflict: Denied Ops. I had high hopes for this title when I first saw it was coming out. Those high hopes that I had were shattered once I began playing this bland piece of software (What did you think I was going to say?)

I would give you the normal plus and minuses format that I usually do but there's only one plus and it doesn't stay a plus for very long. The fact that you can play with a friend allows you some fleeting enjoyment but, that's about it. Now on to the list of minuses. The graphics aren't up to par with the rest of the next gen crowd. The backgrounds are pretty bland. The missions are pretty much the same thing over and over. You don't have the ability to switch weapons for your character other than what you start with. Oh yeah, and the main characters are freaking annoying with the married couple-esque bickering. I think I mentioned everything that irked me about this game...I think.

So, I guess I'll give this game a Low Evo Factor. I would give it worse but We don't have a rating lower than that. I'm not sure if they put this game together super quick in order to cash in on Co-Op gaming's recent surge but it sure seems that way. Let's hope they give us something better than this next time out.

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