Spec Ops: The Line is a new original title from 2K Games that features provocative and gripping Third-Person modern military Shooter gameplay designed to challenge players' morality by putting them in the middle of unspeakable situations where unimaginable choices affecting human life must be made. Features include, a gripping, storyline reminiscent of Apocalypse Now and Heart of Darkness but set in a ruined Dubai, tactical squad-based Delta Force gameplay throughout a horizontally and vertically oriented world, devastating sandstorms which can be used in combat, a variety of multiplayer modes and maps, and deep support featuring two factions.

It’s been 6 months since Dubai was wiped off the map by a cataclysmic sandstorm. Thousands of lives were lost, including those of American soldiers sent to evacuate the city. Today, the city lies buried under sand, the world’s most opulent ruin. Now, a mysterious radio signal is picked-up from Dubai, and a Delta Recon Team is sent to infiltrate the city. Their mission is simple: Locate survivors and radio for Evac. What they find is a city in the grip of war. To save Dubai, they’ll have to find the man at the heart of its madness—Col. John Konrad.

Gameplay

Spec Ops: The Line is an action-packed Third-Person Shooter that delivers heart pounding physically close combat through a squad-based play mechanic. Players lead a team of three characters, Captain Martin Walker, Lieutenant Adams and Sergeant Lugo. Each character has his own distinct personality and specialized skills, and the mature story they each play a role in explores the dark side of war in a realistic way, in which there are no good outcomes, only hard choices. As missions are completed more advanced weapons and equipment are made available. In addition, the desert environment of Dubai is brought into the game in a unique way with stunning visuals, and dynamic sandstorms that actively effect level designs, and which can be used to help and hinder progress. The vertical interiors of Dubai high rise buildings also provide tactical advantages and risks that can used be by players. Multiplayer campaigns bring new modes and unusual situations and environments to expand the single player experience.

Key Features

  • A new portrayal of the military shooter experience with twisting narrative uncertainties.
  • Action packed 3rd Person Shooter gameplay provides an up-close and personal view into the brutality and emotion within the combat.
  • Command an intelligent and powerful squad of Delta-Force soldiers in a dangerous and unpredictable combat zone.
  • Cross “The Line” in a mature story that explores the dark side of war, where there are no bright outcomes, only bad or worse choices.
  • Unique Dubai setting strikes the imagination and transports players to a larger-than-life playground for vertical gameplay and stunning visuals.
  • Sand-filled Dubai provides new gameplay experiences including sand avalanches, and powerful, disorienting sandstorm combat.
  • Customisable, Class-Based, Blazing Multiplayer
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Spec Ops: The Line can no longer be bought on Steam. Last I checked, it was still available on GOG, but that is likely to change. 2K doesn't seem interested in renewing the licenses necessary to have Spec Ops in stores - a sharp contrast to Remedy going above and beyond to get Alan Wake's music licenses renewed. The game will be leaving digital storefronts, and chances are high that it won't come back.

What now, then?

Spec Ops left a serious impact on me, just like for countless other players.

Game communities can still survive even when they are reduced to abandonware. Look at Manhunt 2 or Jurassic Park: Trespasser if you want to see players and content creators still toying with games not on storefronts! Spec Ops certainly can survive on its own, but my concern is whether it will.

Spec Ops: The Line has always been a niche sort of game, from its 2012 release to its cult following developed by years of video essays praising it. Its modding scene is still fairly new, especially with its most effective tools only releasing in 2023.

UPK Explorer has opened up a new world of model changes and texture edits.

I don't have any answers yet, but I hope that a combination of the attention brought on by the delisting, the detailed videos people make about it, and the mods coming out to expand upon it will keep the community alive. I've been doing my part with mods: two major releases came out in this year already, and we're barely a month into it!

What matters most is to keep Spec Ops in the spotlight. Everything helps, from artwork to fanfictions to discussions of the game itself. There are plenty of ways to keep the community alive beyond modding! Even if I'm not a fan of its multiplayer, organizing matches for that would be a great way to keep that subsection of the community strong. That mode has its fans, after all.

That said, I'm a sucker for mods. I love seeing what creative and downright brilliant modifications players can come up with.

Ryan Gosling in Spec Ops? Absolutely!

I don't want Spec Ops: The Line's community to flicker out. I've met some great friends through it and learned a lot about the ins and outs of game design thanks to it. It's a shooter that earned every bit of praise it got. It's a shame that 2K won't renew its licenses to keep it around, but that's their call to make.

That means it just falls on us to keep the game alive.

-Yossarian

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WitheredPoppiMk-4
WitheredPoppiMk-4 - - 118 comments

"Gentleman, Welcome to Dubai."

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