Delta Force - Review
Delta Force, the latest installment in the long-standing first-person shooter series, made its return on December 5, 2024, after a 15-year hiatus. Developed by Team Jade and published by TiMi Studio Group, this free-to-play title aims to carve a niche in the crowded FPS market by blending large-scale warfare reminiscent of Battlefield with tactical elements akin to Escape from Tarkov.
Gameplay and Modes
Delta Force offers two primary multiplayer modes:
Havoc Warfare: This mode features 64-player battles where teams compete in objective-based missions across expansive maps. Players can choose from various operators, each with unique abilities, and have access to a wide array of customizable weapons and vehicles, including tanks and helicopters. The gameplay emphasizes strategic coordination and tactical execution, aiming to deliver an immersive large-scale combat experience.
Hazard Operations: An extraction shooter mode where squads of three players are deployed into environments populated by both AI-controlled enemies and real players. The objective is to gather valuable loot and successfully extract, balancing risk and reward. This mode caters to both newcomers and veterans of the extraction shooter genre, offering a more accessible entry point compared to titles like Escape from Tarkov.
Graphics and Performance
Utilizing Unreal Engine 4 for multiplayer and Unreal Engine 5 for the upcoming single-player campaign, Delta Force delivers impressive visuals with detailed environments and realistic character models. The game runs smoothly, with stable performance reported across various hardware configurations, contributing to an immersive gaming experience.
Weapon Customization
The game features an in-depth weapon customization system, allowing players to modify firearms with a variety of attachments, including optics, barrels, and stocks. This flexibility enables players to tailor their loadouts to suit personal playstyles and tactical requirements, enhancing the depth of gameplay.
Operator System
Delta Force introduces a roster of operators, each equipped with unique abilities that can influence the outcome of engagements. While this adds a layer of strategic depth, some players have expressed concerns about the potential impact on game balance and the necessity of unlocking operators through gameplay progression or microtransactions.
Anti-Cheat Measures
The implementation of Tencent's Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE), a kernel-level anti-cheat system, has been a point of contention within the community. Initially, ACE remained installed on players' systems even after uninstalling the game, raising privacy concerns. The developers have since addressed this issue, ensuring that ACE is removed upon uninstallation. Despite these assurances, some players remain apprehensive about the presence of kernel-level anti-cheat software.
Community Reception
Upon release, Delta Force garnered a mixed reception. Players praised the game's gunplay, graphics, and the variety of game modes. However, criticisms were directed at the operator system, vehicle handling, and the initial issues with the anti-cheat software. As of now, the game holds a "Mixed" rating on Steam, reflecting a divided player base.
So what we we thought
Delta Force's return brings a blend of large-scale warfare and tactical extraction gameplay to the free-to-play FPS market. While it offers solid gunplay, impressive visuals, and diverse game modes, concerns regarding the operator system, vehicle mechanics, and anti-cheat measures have impacted its reception. Ongoing updates and community feedback will be crucial in determining the game's long-term success and its ability to stand out in a competitive genre.