The term “first-person shooter” spans a wide range of games. Whether it’s the horror-filled adventure of F.E.A.R., the sci-fi escapades of Metroid Prime, or the demon-slaying action of Doom, this genre covers a lot of ground. Even within the subset of “military FPS” games, you’ll find the linear campaigns of Call of Duty, massive PvP battles in Battlefield, and the intense extractions in Escape from Tarkov. Delta Force, the latest in a series now over a quarter-century old, attempts to meld these elements with its own twist—offering large-scale PvP action, a separate extraction shooter mode, and a yet-to-be-released campaign. While it’s still early days to deliver a conclusive opinion, my first hours with the game have piqued my interest enough to anticipate another round on the live servers this week.
Technically, this game is beginning an endless “open beta” phase—essentially marking its release in the world of free-to-play. At launch, only two out of its three main modes are available, with the campaign set to come as paid DLC later on. Among what’s currently offered, Warfare mode stands as Delta Force’s take on the big-team combat akin to Battlefield. Picture 64 players clashing for dominance across expansive, varied arenas. During the early review phase, we dived into the Attack and Defend option within Warfare, though modes like King of the Hill and others are expected to join the fray soon.
In Attack and Defend, one team charges forward, seizing crucial points before their limited respawns deplete, while the defenders hold their ground with unlimited lives. Should the attackers succeed, their initial resources refresh, and the skirmish moves to a fresh area, repeating until the field is entirely overtaken or the defense successfully halts the assault. Starting with the advantage, the offense benefits from favorable terrain and a fleet of vehicles. But as the match unfolds and defenses draw nearer to their stronghold, the balance shifts, giving each team a chance to experience being both the hunter and the hunted.
The battles indeed deliver a grand scale, which is fantastic. Quick respawns mean each side fills with troops, and once the chaos erupts, with bullets and rockets whizzing past, the thrill is undeniable. It’s especially satisfying when you commandeer a vehicle and wreak havoc; a fully-manned tank can dominate, yet even a mounted machine gun on an armored car shouldn’t be underestimated.
While abilities in the game are advantageous, they don’t guarantee victory in skirmishes. It’s comforting to know that even under the barrel of a tank, you’re not entirely helpless, thanks to the diverse operatives available mid-match. These characters balance between simple loadouts and tailored heroes, fitting well with Delta Force’s theme of versatility. When swamped by vehicles, opting for a rocket launcher might be wise, whereas open combat could require reaching for your sniper rifle. Each character’s unique abilities, like Luna’s Detection Arrows that temporarily expose foes, are strategically beneficial but not overpowering to sway battles singlehandedly.
Yet, the combat could be more refined. With bullet trajectory demanding precision, aiming at distant targets becomes a game of prediction. Coupling this with quick time-to-kill makes gunplay reminiscent of military simulations like Arma. It seems fitting on its own but clashes with the rapid pace driven by objective-centric modes like Attack and Defend. Slow bullets, affected by gravity and lethal on impact, sometimes clash with the intense energy of contesting pivotal areas.
Switching gears, Operations mode embraces the familiar blueprint of extraction shooters. You team up with two friends, embark on missions to shoot, grab loot, and escape. Anything you haul back can be traded, stored, or reused in future missions, but fail to extract, and it’s lost forever. Though the formula isn’t groundbreaking, Delta Force’s polished execution outweighs the familiarity.
The operational landscapes are open sandboxes teeming with objectives. Well-marked maps highlight key areas for capturing bounties, raiding safes, and decoding intel. It might seem trivial, but in a field often led by games like Escape from Tarkov—with their intentionally cryptic nature—having accessible, upfront information sets Delta Force apart. I appreciate the ability to place waypoints and anticipate the challenges ahead without rote memorization of the maps.
Upon choosing your route, you’re met with AI opponents and occasionally human players. Each conflict involves measuring risk—whether to engage and potentially reveal your location or sneak by, bypassing threats. These quick decisions with limited intel keep the gameplay strategic and engaging, especially when real players enter the scene, posing greater threats but also enticing loot opportunities.
So far, I appreciate the variety of enemies. We’ve tackled bands of riflemen, dodged sniper shots, and orchestrated flanking tactics against riot shield bearers. One intense moment saw us pinned by a massive armored adversary with a minigun, as we took cover and retaliated with grenades. Another time, while cracking a safe, a massive alligator almost derailed our operation from around the corner.
The main concern with Operations now is the loot loop. There are containers aplenty—from file cabinets to coat pockets—but after several hours, I’ve stopped opening many, knowing where the valuable items usually are. Hopefully, the maps won’t feel “figured out” too quickly, but they’re already becoming predictable with each playthrough.
In between missions, downtime is spent at the Black Site, your home base. Here you can buy, sell, and upgrade, with a focus on expanding your stash’s storage. The loadouts system is a standout feature, allowing you to quickly pack and rebuild kits with a few clicks. Items are sourced from your inventory or automatically bought from the store, offering a seamless transition back into battle—cushioning the blow of failed extractions.
These impressions are just the start—grasping the effectiveness of PvP modes like Warfare requires time, and I still have Operations left to explore before drawing conclusions. However, the extraction mode is fun in its infancy, and Delta Force’s large PvP meets are impressive, even if I’m still evaluating the gunplay’s fit with this style of action. It’s evident there’s a skillful free-to-play shooter here catering to varied FPS preferences, yet the question remains if it can maintain interest once its initial charm wears off.
