Joint Operations: Typhoon Rising Member Review for the PC

Let me tell you a bit about this game: It's basically the climax of the DeltaForce series, a series with ample on and offline fragging experience. That's how I like to think of it.

I must have visited the local EB a dozen times before they restocked this game, and it was worth every trip. The account creation system it uses is quite simple, you simply type in your account name, select your starting weapons, and you can go join online games (provided you already have a Novaworld account). Basically, you can get into the action fast.

The same is true once you've found yourself a server. Spawn waiting time is low, and you can get right into the action. However, you'll die just as fast as you spawned, as incoming fire is realistically dangerous. This ain't Halo, son. This forces you to try non-conventional tactics. No more "Run into the base, capture the flag, run out". You will likely make use of the tall grass, the ample cover, the vehicles...whatever the case, the game seems much more entertaining when you have to show some thinking to accomplish your goals.

That's not to say that it's all tactics and no fun, though. There's plenty of firefights and explosions to be had, keeping every second fast-paced and dangerous.

The vehicles are extremely well balanced, too, as any infantryman can destroy a helicopter or APC if he's smart about it. $150 RPG > $60,000,000 Blackhawk. Like any game, every vehicle takes a certain finesse to pilot well. Though the basic controls are quite simple, you will find that skimming the tree-tops with your loaded helicopter and making tactical insertions or extractions are not as easy as the WASD/Mouse controls would have you believe.

The same is true for infantry weapons, you will find. One must get used to the kick of the machine gun or the arc of the long-rifle bullet. Just another way everything balances out.

The size of the levels is...well...HUGE. It will take you FOREVER to cross a map on foot. Seriously, they're huge maps. Size does matter.

As an aside: While I'm not always picky about authenticity in a game, I was quite pleased that "Iron-sights" were included in this game.

Overall, this game had authenticity, simplicity, ingenuity, and scope in just the right amounts. It is genuinely FUN, and it's replay value is second to none in its genre.

PS: Anyone see my username in the GR Review? Many thanks and apologies to the GR Crew for jacking this username.