RATING:
Pros: Loads of maps, modes, gear & modifications to keep players entertained
Cons: Having every action on the spacebar by default feels awkward
TBD
We were granted media access to the CBT of Hazard Ops (known in North America as Zombies Monsters Robots) and want to share with you the first impressions we gathered from this fast-paced 3rd-person shooter from developers Yingpei Games which is published in Europe by Infernum Productions. And, by the way, you can also look forward to a first look gameplay commentary video we’re about to publish pretty soon.
Before getting into Hazard Ops, we want to remind you of our recently published review of Zombies Monsters Robots you probably like to check out as well. However, we are here to talk about Hazard Ops, so let's go for it.
The MMO boasts a great mix of extensive PVE including in-depth campaigns and wave-based survival modes as well as a huge amount of PVP modes and levels. When stepping into the game for the very first time, we already had an idea of what to expect from our previous profiles, but were eager to learn whether what was promised on paper would be delivered by the actual product.
Our first undertaking was creating a character, for which players are provided with several preset template stock faces, hairstyles, etc. to design their own mercenary. However, your character will be equipped with an overwhelming amount of gear and armour, so you can easily imagine what it will look like anyway. Moreover, character immersion isn’t exactly of high priority with this type of free games. Nevertheless, being granted the option to create your hired mercenary only adds to the overall experience.
The game then instantly takes you into a tutorial mode which teaches the basics of movement in combat and how to benefit from taking cover by pressing yourself against walls or low objects where you could blindly fire from or pop in and out of combat for more accurate shots. When not taking cover, you are able to perform acrobatic roles to dodge enemy fire or grenades and leap across open areas to find cover quicker.
Afterwards, players are taken into a PvE survival co-op which consists of 3 waves/ rounds with an allied AI bot helping in pushing back attacking zombies. Here we were demonstrated one of the more unique mechanics of environmental destruction/ repair: attacking zombies crushed the barred windows leading to our location to get inside, while we were able to repair the destroyed ones in between waves in order to prepare for the following zombie attack.
We then took an extended look into the gear/ loadout menu and were presented with a huge array of costumes, amour, weapons and so on which allowed for even further customisation of our character’s loadout. We already started out with some money and had access to such interesting weapons as a crossbow for stunning enemies and a few more high-powered weapons. However, most of the available weapons require a specific level in order to be used.
We got to participate in team-based deathmatches on two different maps, both of which allowed for fast-paced and thrilling combat. However, it may take a bit in order to get used to the cover mechanics, for the spacebar isn’t only used for taking cover and perform acrobatics but also held down to sprint. We therefore occasionally found ourselves pressing against walls when we actually intended to run away.
PVP can be pretty brutal and punishing as death often awaits quite in a jiffy when you expose yourself to direct shots from a sniper rifle rocket launcher, but otherwise we didn’t found that we did all that bad. Death has a listing mechanic where you still have hit points once you fall, so that other players can still try to bring you back onto your feet unless the opponent (whether another ruthless player or an AI enemy) gets to you first.
We also checked out one of the campaign missions which consisted in trawling through a town area filled with green irradiated swamp-like water as we had to push through each checkpoint, battling spawns of enemies that continuously grew tougher as we progressed through the level. We unfortunately met our maker as some flying giant killer bees dropped grenades on our head.
Too many attacks dropped us too quickly, not even allowing our team members the chance to try and revive us while the game unfortunately told us we were going to time out after a 2-minute countdown if we wouldn’t jump back into the game, which we had no idea of how to do so. It was only later we realised that players have to purchase resurrection coins to be able to jump back into battle. Alas, we found out too late, thus ending our experience.
All in all, gameplay was fun and the graphics are great for a 1st-person MMO, having a real console feel about them and the traditional TPS.
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