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Delta Force: Hawk Ops | Aiming Higher Than AAA Standard? - First impression of Code Zero Beta

25K View2024-03-09

As one of the most anticipated FPS titles of 2024, Delta Force initiated its "Code Zero" test on March 7th, unveiling its ferocious side to the entire FPS market. What's shocking is the game's target audience; it seems to have expanded from players who favor specific gameplay styles to encompassing all shooter game enthusiasts.

Impression of new gameplay revealed in Code Zero

During its multiple previous tests, Delta Force has already garnered plenty of praise among domestic FPS players for its top-notch shooting mechanics, rhythm of combat, diverse tactical combinations, and weapon customization. Hence, a week before the test commenced, eager players queued up at a pop-up demo event, hoping to be among the first to dive into the game's new offerings.

This "Code Zero" test, building on the foundation of previously acclaimed qualities, aims to showcase the game's astounding range of content. Previously, Delta Force spotlighted its "Dangerous Operation" mode, where players gear up, select operators with roles like assault, reconnaissance, or engineering, and enter large battlefields to defeat opponents and complete a variety of complex and perilous missions to extract resources and earn rewards.

This test introduces a new operator from China named "Wei Long," specializing in tactical explosions and charges, adding more variety and flair to the tactical combinations previously limited to just four operators.Furthermore, "Dangerous Operation" reveals a new map: Zero Dam. This map offers a completely different experience compared to the initial "Longbow Valley" map. It's smaller, with more indoor scenarios and complexity, leading to more frequent encounters with enemies and significantly reducing players' time for looting, resting, or even observing the situation.

Consequently, players may need to reconsider their operator lineup, weapon selection, and even the extent of their firearms' modifications. Engineers capable of setting traps, like "Shepherd," become crucial, as do P90 series submachine guns and related suppressor attachments, making the experience resemble close-quarters FPS gameplay more closely.

Yet, what intrigues me more are the four sealed maps alongside "Longbow Valley" and "Zero Dam" in the map selection menu. Delta Force producer, Shadow, mentioned that upcoming maps would provide distinct combat experiences for the "Dangerous Operation" mode. You could say Longbow Valley was made for E-type players, and Zero Dam for I-types. The other four maps will cater to players who prefer different shooting rhythms and styles.

However, what truly caught my eye beyond the recent trend of highly competitive extraction modes was the test's newly introduced "Total Warfare" mode. A classic gameplay style of the "Delta" series, "Total Warfare" returns to massive 32v32 PvP battles, with operators and weaponry from "Dangerous Operation" still in play.

My experience with "Total Warfare" surpassed expectations: the unending explosions and gunfire created an immersive atmosphere. The high-intensity combat fueled by rapid respawns, the inclusion of vehicles, and the ever-changing dynamics of indoor and outdoor environments offered a fresh FPS gameplay experience that's hard to find elsewhere.

They All Failed, What Makes Delta Force: Hawk Ops Different?

When I asked Delta Force producer, Shadow, if their goal was indeed to captivate every FPS player on the market, he replied:"We hope that every type of FPS player can find their niche within 'Delta.'"

In the fiercely competitive world of first-person shooters (FPS), Delta Force stands as a testament to audacity and innovation. Unlike its predecessors, who attempted to blend mature FPS gameplay only to meet with unprecedented failure, Delta Force seeks to unify the FPS audience, transcending traditional gameplay boundaries.

Take Call of Duty's "Black Ops 4," which tried incorporating operator modes into its core gameplay, leading to the lowest sales in the franchise's 15-year history. Even the addition of large battlefield play and Tarkov-esque DMZ modes in subsequent titles struggled to resonate with the COD base.

Similarly, the Battlefield series, known for its vast combat arenas, introduced operator systems and "Hazard Zone" in "Battlefield 2042," only to be met with the lowest player engagement in its history. The game's ecosystem began to recover only after moving away from these additions.

"Rainbow Six Siege," long celebrated for its operator gameplay, gambled on integrating evacuation mechanics in its new title "Quarantine," which quickly fell into obscurity upon release.

Delta Force faces a far more complex challenge: creating a cohesive gameplay experience that combines a free, dynamic economy, intense gun customization, and a deeply cooperative operator system. Moreover, it ambitively plans for content, maps, operators, and gameplay modes that continually evolve post-launch, across PC, console, and mobile platforms. The ambition is to not just offer another FPS game but to create a unique, unified experience catering to every FPS player's taste. Whether you prefer strategic team play, thrilling battle royales, or classic campaign challenges, Delta Force aims to be your next battleground.