[Review] Americas Army: Special Forces

[Tami]

Originally Posted By Trinity on the KillaGraphix Forum September 2 2004


Name: Americas Army: Special Forces
Latest Version: 2.1
Genre: 1st Person Shooter
Url: http://www.americasarmy.com
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Review:
Americas Army: Special Forces is a very unique game, and one that has quickly found a new niche in the market of over 2 million users. America\'s Army is developed by the American Army, as the name suggests, with help from the creaters of Unreal Tournament.

AA:SF is a full, 1st person shooter with over 20 maps, as well as realistic training. It is played online against other live users, there are no \"robot\" or \"cpu\" players. AA:SF is available FREE. AA:SF is developed by the Army, and is made to be as realistic as possible, using weapons available to the infanty today. America\'s Army is updated every few months with new maps, weapons and bug-fixes. These are just a few of the selling points of the Army\'s 21st century recruiting tool.

After downloading AA:SF, users register with an online database that tracks all AA:SF players. They then need to complete Basic Training, which consists of four sections, before they can play online.
These sections are:
- Marksmanship (learn to aim and shoot)
- Obstacle course (learn various controls)
- US Weapons Course (learn about the different weapons)
- CQB (learn Close Quaters Combat)

After completing these training courses which have instructors just like real army bootcamp, users can join a server and start playing against people from all over the world.

There is also additional training. If you get 36 or more out of 40 on the Marksmanship test then you can complete Advanced Marksmanship Training, where you learn to shoot the two sniper rifles. Unless you complete this training, you are unable to use the weapons in the game. You may also complete Airborne School, where you learn to parachute into combat zones. There is a Medic Qualification Course, where you learn first aid in the classroom (in the game). This is a similar introductory course to the one that is used in the Army. If you complete this course you can be a medic in the game. Finally, there is Special Forces training which consists of a written and practical test so that you can play the restricted Special Forces maps in the game.

As there are no \"levels\" or \"cpu\'s\" to beat, the game uses a different system to award players levels of achievement. This is called Honor. Every new recruit starts with 10 honor, and as you play you get \"experience points.\" These points contribute to your honor, which slowly goes up in incrememnts. The higher honor you are, the more experience points you need to gain another honor. There are very few players who get above 90 honor.

When you are in the game, you are divided into two teams. Depending on the mission, these may be Assault/Defence or Escort/Ambush. You may have one or many objectives, or you may have to escort your leader to various checkpoints. There are a number of different missions and maps that are designed to be like real combat situations.

Inside your team, there are certain weapons that you can choose, and certain positions of rank. You get graded on your Leadership Role, your Goal Points, and your Kills/Deaths. The idea is to kill the OpFor (Opposing Force). If you kill or injure your teammates you lose points.
Here is a break down of the squad roles: http://www.americasarmy.com/intel/squadroles.php

You can communicate in the game with various preset voice commands such as \"Roger\" and \"Hooah.\" You may also type in the console, within your own team or to the whole server.

Visit this link to see screenshots of the game: http://www.americasarmy.com/gallery/

I think that this is an amazing game. There are many clans and tournaments that occur, and there are over 2 million registered users. There is a huge community of players on the offical forums as well as AA Tracker.

Rating: 9.5/10

By Trinity
03/09/2004