Delta Force: Task Force Dagger
Developer: Novalogic; Publisher: Novalogic
Preview by samoht (10 July 2002)
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NOVALOGIC'S DELTA FORCE SERIES has always been popular with those who like their FPS fix served in a more realistic fashion. Its blend of real-world settings and military authenticity provided a unique experience for quite some time and its only in recent times that the series experienced any real competition. The latest additions to the Delta Force series see Novalogic approaching even more 'realistic' territory and it will be interesting to see how gamers react to this approach.
Delta Force: Task Force Dagger is set in Afghanistan and is based around the actions of various special forces units after the September 11 attacks. Many have found Novalogic's choice of content surprising and perhaps even distasteful considering that it only occurred a matter of months ago. Novalogic however believe that portraying these events in the game is a 'tribute' to the soldiers involved and will also be of interest to fans of the genre. Regardless of how you feel about the issue its sure to stir up some comment on its release.
In terms of technology Task Force Dagger uses an update and modified version of the engine that first appeared in Delta Force: Land Warrior. In terms of improvements to the engine don't expect to see anything too major. Task Force Dagger is more of an add on pack rather than a full stand-alone title. The big visual and technological improvements will come with Novalogic's next big DF release, Delta Force: Black Hawk Down. We saw BHD at E3 and it is looking very impressive. We'll have more on that title at a later date.
Zombie Studios have been handling the development of Task Force Dagger and their experience at taking existing engines and adding enjoyable content was obviously a big factor in Novalogic's decision to get them on the job. So what have they added? TFD features 10 different types of 'special forces' soldier from around the world. Players will be able to choose from the following:
SFOD - Delta
2/75th Ranger
SEAL Team 6
SFOD - SF Viper Team (Green Berets)
CIA Spec Ops
UK SAS 22 Regiment
Australian SASR
Canadian JTF 2
Marines Force Recon
USAF CSAR
A variety of different missions are also on offer, all based around real events that occurred during the Afghanistan operations. What you saw on CNN you'll now be able to recreate in the comfort (or discomfort if you're the type who REALLY digs realism) of your own home. Some of the 25 single player missions that appear in the game include the following:
Take over the Kandahar Airport
Raid rebel headquarters in Mazar-e-Sharif
Ambush a convoy near the Pakistani border
Eliminate a control and command compound in Kandahar
Demolish bunkers in the foothills of Kabul
Destroy a SAM site
Raid the Abu Khabab chemical weapons facility
Other new features that have been added to the game include the ability to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to gather intelligence on enemy forces. The ability to use air strikes to take out key enemy positions has also been included. In case all of that isn't enough 17 new weapons have been added to the game to keep completists happy.
Novalogic have made an interesting choice to use such recent events to provide the basis for this stand-alone mission pack. Fans of realistic and authentic military based games will no doubt be pretty enthusiastic about the concept while others may be a little more wary. Whatever you're stance you can't argue with the fact that there isn't a more qualified company to deliver this type of title. Novalogic have the experience, the engine and the military contacts to pull it off.
Check out the Official Site.
