The term “first-person shooter” (FPS) can cover quite a diverse range. You’ve got your horror-packed terrors like F.E.A.R., sci-fi adventures reminiscent of Metroid Prime, and then there’s the intense demonic madness found in Doom. Even when you try narrowing it down to “military FPS,” the diversity remains. Consider the linear campaigns of Call of Duty, the large-scale PvP showdowns in Battlefield, and the tension-filled extractions in Escape from Tarkov. Now, Delta Force, a new chapter in a 26-year-old series, seems to be standing at the crossroads of these categories. It promises big PvP modes, an extraction shooter experience, and an anticipated campaign yet to arrive. While I’m not yet set on a full judgment, the hours I’ve spent exploring it pre-launch have certainly piqued my curiosity. I’m eager for more action when it officially hits live servers later this week.
Though this launch is technically an indefinite “open beta,” which is essentially a fancy way of saying “it’s out there” for free-to-play gamers, only two of its main modes are present. The campaign will eventually debut as a paid DLC. For now, there’s Warfare mode, Delta Force’s hefty answer to Battlefield-style battles. Imagine 64 players colliding in a sprawling arena. During my early play experience, the focus was on an Attack and Defend option within Warfare. There’s buzz about other modes like King of the Hill being available at the full launch.
In Attack and Defend, one team is on the offense, capturing strategic points before their limited lives run out, while the opposing defenders have unlimited respawns. Should the offensive team succeed, they get a life refill, starting a new push elsewhere on the map until victory—either through capturing the whole field or being halted by defenders. It’s a compelling setup, with the attackers initially holding an upper hand through advantageous terrain and vehicles, but balance is restored as defenders fall back toward their base. So each team has its moments as both predator and prey.
These skirmishes undoubtedly feel grand, which is good fun. Rapid respawns keep the fight densely populated, and when bullets and rockets start flying, it’s pandemonium in the best way. Vehicles add a thrilling element. Get behind the controls, and you’re in for an adrenaline rush. A tank with gunners can dominate, but even a machine gun turret atop an armored car shouldn’t be underestimated.
Abilities aid in combat, but they won’t guarantee a win.
Encountering a tank from the wrong end doesn’t equate to helplessness, thanks to the game’s variety of operatives available mid-game. These characters balance between simple loadouts and custom heroes, fitting right into Delta Force’s diverse approach. If enemy vehicles are overwhelming, spawning with a rocket launcher is wise. Wide-open terrains? Time to utilize that sniper rifle. Each operative possesses unique skills—like Luna’s Detection Arrows, which offer enemy visibility—but none are overwhelmingly powerful, maintaining the need for strategic play.
I do wish the shooting felt more refined, though. With bullet arc and trajectory at play, leading targets is crucial, aligning more with military sim games like Arma. While that’s interesting on its own, it conflicts with the fast-paced nature of objective-driven modes like Attack and Defend. Bullets that swoop due to gravity yet kill instantly just feel slightly too much like airsoft in what should be intense battles for key choke points.
Getting in, grabbing loot, and making it out unscathed is another exhilarating venture offered by Operations mode. You, alongside up to two friends, navigate areas aiming to shoot, loot, and escape. Survive and return to base with your haul to sell, store, or use for the next mission. Die or miss extraction, and your gear is lost. It’s a familiar formula, owing much to its predecessors, but its execution stands out.
Operations features open sandboxes filled with potential objectives. Maps clearly highlight key spots for things such as bounty targets and safes, a noteworthy convenience compared to the often obscure style of games like Escape from Tarkov. The clarity in navigation without the need to memorize maps feels refreshingly different.
My appreciation also extends to the diverse enemies encountered in Operations. Our squad has engaged with wandering riflemen, evaded sniper fire, and executed flank maneuvers on foes with riot shields. One standout moment involved my team holding ground against a heavily armored brute with a minigun, while another had me on edge when an alligator surprised us as a teammate cracked a safe.
My main apprehension with Operations is about the predictability of gaining rewards. Various containers await for looting—file cabinets, enemy pockets, what have you—but after a few hours, I’ve largely ignored them, knowing the best locations for substantial rewards. While hoping the maps don’t feel “solved” too soon, they are becoming less dynamic each run.
The time between matches plays out at the Black Site, functioning as your base for buying, selling, and upgrading—particularly concerning stash storage space. It’s also where you manage well-organized loadouts. Save various kits to rebuild quickly between rounds, with parts drawn from your inventory first, and then auto-purchased if needed. This streamlined process facilitates quick recovery after failed extractions.
What I’ve shared so far are initial impressions—time will reveal how well Warfare mode holds its ground. There are still elements I haven’t fully explored, so a final verdict is not on the table until further live play. However, I can attest to the enjoyment found in the extraction mode’s early offerings and the grand scale of Delta Force’s PvP battles, even if the gunplay’s style isn’t an immediate match. At the very least, Delta Force seems like a robust free-to-play FPS catering to diverse tastes—a promising start, though only time will tell if it retains its charm as the dust settles.
