[OFP] Night Strike by Wadi

Review by The-Architect

Overview

Not bad. The pic had a border but it was a bit scruffy.

Intro

The Intro showed a bit of the base I had to infiltrate. It was very short, and maybe that was because the author didn't want to give the base layout away. Maybe, I dunno.

Briefing

This was a fairly good briefing. It gave me the info I needed, had a weapon selection, and even pictures. However, it failed to give me as much info as I would have liked. Being alone in this mission I felt that I needed as much intel as I could get. Unfortunately, I had to gather most of it on the ground.

Mission

Here's where the mission lost points for me. I decided that I would have to do a CTR (close target recce) myself, so as to find the best place to enter the base. I did a dog-leg which would take me to the north-east corner, and then I thought that I would work my way round whichever route provided me with most cover. As I got about half-way between the start point and the edge of the base, I passed the area of the Evac, as marked on the map. Sitting there was a Blackhawk with the crew standing outside. I won't spoil it but I shot a guy I shouldn't even have seen and then carried on with the mission. You'll see what I mean when you play it. You will play it. Well, I hope you do, it's good.

Anyway. Once I'd found a nice entry point into the base, I moved in. I had decided that my main concern was a T80 crew in close proximity to their vehicle. I crawled closer and fired. Hmm. Alarms started ringing after I'd dropped the first guy and then, as if by magic, the rest of the crew instantly appeared in the turned out positions of the tank. I dispatched them and then went around the base sytematically clearing section by section as I went. It was hard going and I died once. I really wish that the author had given me a buddy or two to help me out.

The mission had gone from covert to overt a long time ago and soon I was flinging RPGs all over the place on the way to a great and crushing victory. I only completed two of the three objectives however, as when I got to the Office to collect the papers I was after, nothing happened to signify I had them; also, the objective in the briefing stayed a circle denoting I hadn't completed it.

At the end of the mission I got a very well shot cutscene which was slightly marred by the fact that I had walked into the Evac helo crew at the beginning. Never mind, it was a small blip on an otherwise enjoyable romp into enemy territory.

Outro(s)

Well shot and very watchable.

Special

Not an original theme for a mission but a solid one which always works. The author has left the door open for a sequel, too.

Overall

(Review Date: Jan 2005) If you like sneaking about then you'll love it. Some of the enemy placement leaves you perplexed, and some of their behaviour too. You know, the guy in safe mode who casually watches his mate's face cave in, without batting an eyelid. Apart from that the mission is sound. A little bit more spit and polish would make this a permanent resident on my hard drive, without a doubt.

Download it. Play it.