SWAT 4

 SWAT 4 by Gareth Von Kallenbach

With the world of today swamped with Dangers, the need for top flight security forces are at an all time high. With that in mind, Vivendi Universal has tasked gamers with taking charge of a highly skilled team of counter-terrorist team in the new release SWAT 4. Players will take command of a squad of up to 4 team members as they work there way through 14 missions that range from hostage crisis, delivering documents, and maintaining order amongst chaos. Since careful choices and use of force is key to the success of the game, rather than running and gunning, players must often think before they act. One such example is the ability to divide the squad so that you can access a room from various points of entry. If this is not enough, you can also look in on other players points of view via helmet mounted cameras. Since the goal is not a bloodbath, teams are outfitted with everything from lethal to non lethal ammunition and weapons. Using a shotgun may be a lot of fun, but it is hardly the right weapon for close quarter engagements with hostages and other friendlies. I really got a charge out of a mission set in a club where I had to let me team unleash the full range of our arsenal, which was a good thing considering that the enemy was well entrenched and not about to make it easy on my time. The main key to the joy of the game is the capable A.I. of the NPC. While your team for the most part follows orders and does what needs to be done, the varying behaviors of enemies makes the game random as you never know how they will react to your presence. The game thankfully includes a training mode to get you up to speed as trying to complete the career mode without it is not recommended. Some players may have a slight bit of frustration as players looking to shoot everything in site will become frustrated, as procedures must be maintained in the course of gameplay Multiplay offers the standard deathmatch, team deathmatch and some co-op modes to name a few and can handle up to 16 players. Graphically the game looks solid as the details and textures are solid and the maps are detailed and with more than enough locations and nuances to plan and execute ambushes. The sound effects are solid and the gameplay will delight fans of the tactical genre, especially those who cant get enough Counter-Strike. While some may be frustrated with the procedure, and pacing, of the game as they have an itchy trigger finger, most tactical fans will find this game a delight.

4.5/5

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Gareth Von Kallenbach