Operation Flashpoint is Back

It seems that I’m going to be saying “woo-hoo” to yet another game. Operation Flashpoint 2 looks like it’s going to be one darn good game. Yes: information  is still a little sketchy, but the plot seems good, albeit amusing.

About five to ten years ago a huge oil and natural gas field was found on an island (somewhere near China, Japan, Russia and USA). This island has more natural resources than the entire Middle East, so it has gained a lot of interest from all the surrounding major empires. Originally the Chinese held it, but the Japanese kicked them out during WWII, and they then granted it to the Russians. BP (the oil company) was there for a while, however the Russians sent them packing, and there’s a small U.S. backed company on the island defended by a small contingent of Marines to protect American interests.

With each country wanting control, a confrontation seems inevitable. The Russians, caught somewhat unawares by a Chinese incursion, ask for U.S. assistance. It’s at this point that you step in and start your fight. Just like in COD4, you take over a number of different people across the island, from fighting on foot, to piloting a helicopter or squeezed into a tank.

What I personally find amusing is the concept of the Russians asking for American help to defend against the Chinese. However, this does promise to be a good game with great graphics, and in the tradition of Operation Flashpoint’s gameplay which mimics real life.

While Codemasters published the original game, Bohemia Interactive actually developed it. However, Codemasters and Bohemia have had a breakdown in relations and so Codemasters will be developing the game in-house. Using the Next-Gen EGO Engine they plan on releasing a game with stunning graphics and brutal realism. Unfortunately there is little information on the technical spec of the EGO Engine.

Codemasters has decided to release Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising with a “Games for Windows” label. They will also be releasing this game on the PS3 and Xbox 360. Let’s just hope they forget to take the label off when doing the artwork for the console versions.

It’s expected to be released in May 2009, so we don’t have long to wait. So to all you OFP fans: start saving up your pocket money, you’ve got a game to buy soon.