Review: Arma: Armed Assault game

Armed Assault – ‘Arma’ to its friends – is the latest game from the team that produced the successful Operation Flashpoint. It’s a similar style of game, a ‘tactical’ shooter that requires a bit of thought to work your way through each mission, rather than a gung-ho shoot ‘em up where you simply blast anything in sight.

Arma: Armed Assault is set on the fictional island of Sahrani, which is divided into two warring provinces. You’re part of a US team helping to train the troops in the southern province, and you get caught in the crossfire when the northern province launches a surprise attack.

You then embark on a series of missions to repel the enemy troops. These missions can take you across the entire 400sq mile landscape of the island, and allow you to use tanks, motorbikes and helicopters as well as ordinary firearms.

The 3D graphics are impressive, and add to the sense of realism as you weave your way across rolling hills or duck and dive along narrow city streets. There are both single-player and online multiplayer modes, as well as an editor that allows you to create new scenarios and missions of your own.

Some people prefer more action-oriented shoot ‘em ups, but if you like a game that requires a bit of tactical thinking as well as a fast trigger finger then Armed Assault should keep you engrossed during the dull winter evenings.

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