The term “first-person shooter,” or FPS, covers a vast array of game types. It can encompass everything from monster-laden horror games like F.E.A.R. to sci-fi quests such as Metroid Prime, or even demon-slaying thrill fests like Doom. Even when you narrow it down to a “military FPS,” you’re still talking about a range that includes the directed campaigns of Call of Duty, the colossal PvP showdowns of Battlefield, and the nerve-wracking extractions of Escape from Tarkov. Enter Delta Force, the freshest installment in a shooter series that’s been around for 26 years. It pulls elements from all three of those styles, offering a hefty PvP mode, a separate extraction shooter experience, and an (as yet unreleased) campaign. It occupies an interesting spot in the world of FPS, touching on different aspects of each style. While it’s still early to call it a hit or miss, my first few hours with the game have piqued my interest and I’m eagerly awaiting my next deployment with the live community later in the week.
Since this release is technically kicking off an open-ended “open beta”—realistically meaning the game is out for a free-to-play market—only two out of the three main modes are accessible now. The campaign will come as a paid DLC sometime in the future. Of the two modes available now, Warfare is Delta Force’s take on massive team battles similar to Battlefield. Here, 64 players clash across a range of huge, detailed arenas. During the early review phase, the matches focused primarily on the “Attack and Defend” gameplay within Warfare. However, modes like King of the Hill and others geared towards time-based objectives are set to debut at launch.
In Attack and Defend, one team’s mission is to capture strategic points before their limited respawns deplete. Meanwhile, the defending team holds these areas with unlimited lives. If attackers succeed, they restore their respawns, advancing to capture a new section of the map until they grab everything or face a full stop from the defenders. Initially, attackers have the upper hand with terrain and vehicle advantages, but as the game proceeds, defenses gain ground, leading to tense, balanced matches where each side takes turns pressing the attack and bracing for impact.
The scale of these battles really feels impressive – a positive thing indeed. Quick respawns mean both teams are packed with soldiers. Once the action kicks off with bullets and rockets flying everywhere, the ensuing chaos on the battlefield is exhilarating. It’s especially thrilling when you hop into a vehicle and wreak havoc on the opposing team. Tanks with full crews can be unstoppable, but don’t underestimate what an armored car with a machine gun turret can do.
The battles offer a wild ride, but abilities alone won’t turn the tide. I’ve been on the receiving end of tank fire more times than I care to admit, but I’ve never felt completely powerless thanks to the array of operatives available mid-match. These characters play like a blend of standard loadouts and custom heroes, echoing the flexible jack-of-all-trades nature of Delta Force. Swamped by enemy vehicles? Maybe now’s the time to bring out the rocket launcher specialist. Stuck in open spaces? Perhaps a sniper rifle will do the trick. Each character brings unique abilities to the fight, like Luna’s Detection Arrows that intermittently mark enemies, but none so overpowering as to single-handedly win you a skirmish or match.
I just wish the gunplay felt sharper. Bullet arcs and trajectories play a big part, requiring you to lead targets accurately at a distance. Paired with a quick time-to-kill, this gives gunplay the feel of a military sim, akin to Arma. While interesting in theory, it clashes with the frenetic pace that the objective-centric Attack and Defend mode demands. Slowly-arching bullets that can take you out instantly seem better suited for airsoft than they do heated combat over crucial chokepoints.
Switching gears to the Operations mode, this adopts the classic extraction shooter format: team up with two buddies to become a trio and dive into areas for some shoot-and-loot action. Gather as much gear as you can, then haul it back to base between missions. You can sell, stash, or arm yourself with these spoils for future endeavors. Lose a round or fail to escape, and all your hard-earned goodies vanish. It’s a well-worn concept, yet Delta Force executes it with such finesse that the lack of originality is forgivable.
Each level presents itself as an expansive playground packed with tasks. Maps make it clear where points of interest like bounty targets, plunderable safes, and intel are. In a genre where mystery often reigns supreme—think Escape from Tarkov—having quick access to key details helps Delta Force stand out. It’s a relief to drop a waypoint and know the lay of the land without memorizing it in advance.
When you decide on your objective, prepare for combat with AI soldiers, and occasionally, real players. Each encounter forces quick decision-making: fire and risk exposure, or move stealthily and leave a potential threat behind. Such spur-of-the-moment choices pool together to craft gameplay that’s both fun and strategic. Other human players pose greater risks than bots, but might also offer tempting rewards.
I’ve appreciated the enemy diversity in Operations so far. My team has squared off against wandering soldier units, dodged sniper fire by darting indoors, and staged spontaneous flanking maneuvers to slip past riot shields. One unforgettable clash had us pinned by a heavily armored opponent wielding a minigun, forcing us into a fierce grenade barrage from cover. During another operation, as one squadmate was busy cracking a safe, a massive alligator sprang around the bend, nearly making me leap from my seat.
I’m a tad concerned about the loot loop in Operations, though. With containers of all sorts scattered everywhere—think file cabinets, coat pockets, even enemy corpses—I’ve found that after just a few hours, I skip them more often than not, knowing where the real treasure lies. I hope the maps don’t become predictable too soon; they already feel a bit repetitive each time through.
Between missions, downtime is spent at the Black Site, essentially your home base. Here, you can handle transactions, upgrade storage, and craft loadouts. The intuitive loadout system lets you quickly prepare multiple gear setups for efficient redeployment. Anytime you outfit a new kit, pieces first come from your own inventory, then buy automatically from the store if needed. This helps you bounce back swiftly from failed rounds, lessening the sting of defeat.
These are just my opening impressions, though. Getting a full grasp of PvP mode efficiency or completing Operations takes time, and until I experience live server action, my verdict stays open-ended. That said, the extraction mode delivers great enjoyment at this early stage, and I appreciate the scale of PvP skirmishes in Delta Force. I’m still not entirely convinced the gunplay meshes well with the gameplay, but it’s evident this competent free-to-play shooter has something to offer fans of diverse FPS experiences. Now, whether it has the lasting power to maintain my interest once the novelty fades remains to be seen.
