Renegade Ops Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

System: PS3
Dev: Avalanche
Pub: SEGA
Release: September 13, 2011
Players: 1
Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p	Blood, Language, Violence

This is why multiplayer in Renegade Ops is so much fun. You can either play in local two-player split-screen or online in four-player rooms. When multiple people are playing the game at once, they can split up to handle multiple objectives. You'll find yourself barking orders to your friends to go handle the approaching mortar teams while you attempt to rush survivors to the safe haven of a church. Tackling a single objective together can make things easier, but splitting up allows you to tackle more of them at once. It's a risk/reward system that is unique to the multiplayer mode only, and it rewards teamwork and well-planned strategies. Even though online co-op through the story is all you can do (there are no vs. modes or any other online modes outside of the leader boards), it's still a well-implemented feature that gives the game tons of replay value.

Renegade Ops Screenshot

If I had to choose one thing to gripe about in Renegade Ops, it would be the controls. Yeah, the dual-stick formula has worked out fine in the past, and I have nothing against left stick to move right stick to fire. However, you are controlling vehicles in Renegade Ops, not people, and, believe it or not, this game engine has actual vehicle physics. So if you are going fast, you'll find yourself making wide and reckless turns that cause you to crash right into enemy missile trucks. Turning around in particular feels awkward, as your momentum comes to a near stop in order to let your vehicle make a U-Turn. In fact, movement is so loose that it's nearly useless in the middle of a battle. You can't really strafe or dodge missiles with any sort of accuracy. Instead, you just drive up to an enemy tank and hope your guns kill it before it kills you.

That being said, Renegade Ops is still a lot of fun if you are into this sort of thing. There are bullets, missiles, and exploding vehicles everywhere. It feels a lot like you are playing "The Expendables" in top-down shooter form. In my opinion, the game is definitely worth a try, and it only gets better once you add your friends to the mix. Download the demo and give it a shot. If the 2.5 GB download doesn't turn you off, the gameplay surely won't.

By Angelo M. D’Argenio
CCC Contributing Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.4

Graphics
The motion comics are great, but it is actually kind of easy to lose track of your character among the carnage.

2.8

Control
Unfortunately, massive armored death vehicles tend to skimp on the steering, breaks, and transmission.

3.7

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
It's a cheesy story filled with cheesy dialogue and over dramatic voice actors. That's exactly how it should be.

4.2

Play Value
Get four guys together online and try to beat the game on hard mode. You'd be surprised how little it frustrates you.

3.9

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

Players have the choice to fight alone in single player mode, team up offline with two-player split screen or join the dynamic 4-player online co-op experience.

Blast your way through enemy lines by working together, or compete for achievements as you and your friends aim to top the online leader boards.

Defeat enemies across a range of stunning environments using a wide variety of vehicles, from tanks armed to the teeth to fully loaded helicopters.

Unleash your full arsenal of weapons and destroy anything that stands in your path as you battle to protect the free world in any way possible.