Playing Renegade Ops can be like a trip down memory lane. It is reminiscent of the golden days when games were about skill and the plot was but a flimsy excuse to cause huge explosions. That is pretty much what Renegade Ops is about. The story goes that the Renegade Ops team is attempting to stop the evil Inferno from taking over the world. However, not everything is what it seems and there´s a few plot twists along the way to keep the story interesting.
In Renegade Ops the combat is done on top of a buggy at all times. This makes it much easier to navigate the map as it´s adapted to be steered efficiently for those times when it´s necessary to drive in tight corners. In order to shoot players will have to use the right stick and aim at a desired direction. It’s an efficient combination that makes it easy to shoot and move at the same time. To add some strategy to the game each character is given a distinct power up to use. Unfortunately most of the power ups are hard to adjust to so that only one can be used efficiently. It’s also possible to pick up upgrades so that weapons become more powerful. But these upgrades don´t really make much of a difference when it comes to combat. In fact it could be said that the game could still be played without making much use of the upgrades. It will be handier for players that choose to play the game in tougher difficulty levels.
Each level in the game takes a fair amount of time to get through. There’s a set amount of objectives to complete in each levels. For the perfectionists out there it’s also possible to complete optional objectives. The objectives set aren´t very imaginative and will either be about destroying enemy controlled areas or escorting civilians. But the campaign has a lot of levels that will ensure players will spend a good few hours playing it. This is actually one of the lengthiest digital titles to date and the fact that it can offer such variety in the art for each level is fantastic.
The game can also be played in a competitive manner. A score will be given at the end of each level. As various factors are taken into account, it means that players can repeat levels, in order to find different ways to improve the score. In order to get better scores players are encouraged to perform tricks with the buggy too. Renegade Ops is not only a single player experience. It’s possible to play it locally and online with positive results. Those playing on the same system will find it easy to do so, due to the efficient split sideways split screen, which makes good use of the screen size. There is enough screen space for both players to play the game properly. Online is even better since it allows for more players to get together for explosive results.
Each level has its own theme that will make it worth playing through. Players will take on Inferno’s army and enormous fighting toys in places like jungles and underground caverns. It’s also interesting to see the flimsy, but yet entertaining, story develop into what might be unexpected territory. The visuals for the game have a retro vibe that is sure to please gamers, but it’s the various explosions, that make it a worthy trip. Throughout the game players will be able to cause massive explosions by destroying various objects found in the level. It could be said that it´s one of the best aspects of the game.
Renegade Ops is certainly a worthy effort from the same team that developed Just Cause. In fact it’s possible to see some similarities, between both, when playing the game. It’s a game that is meant to be about massive explosions and it’s not ashamed of it. Those looking for something to keep busy with will enjoy this. However, do not expect much of a meaningful experience. A welcome return to the glorious days of old school shooting games.
8/10
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