Conflict: Desert Storm (PS2)

Set around the events of 1991's head-to-head with the Iraqis, Conflict: Desert Storm presents a stylised view of the confrontation, allowing players to see the war unfold through the eyes of either Delta Force or the good old SAS. Combining first and third-person perspectives with a thoroughly well-designed team-based model, the game manages to pull off the almost unthinkable double for a console by being both engaging and easy to manage--not something that comes easily when you have a limited number of controller buttons.

The plotline is standard military sim fare--strategic targets must be blown up, prisoners rescued and bullets expended by the thousand--but the extra edge provided by the ability to drive vehicles and to creep around undetected by the excitable Iraqi guards makes this a must-have rather than a nice-to-have. The maximum squad size for any given mission is four team members, each soldier having a special ability ranging from marksmanship to explosives use. In theory, handling four troops simultaneously sounds like a tall order but developer Pivotal has done a great job of creating a control system that works well, even in the heat of battle.

Desert Storm is not an easy game by any stretch of the imagination and the learning curve can be quite steep; stick with it, though, and there's much to recommend it. For the cautious player there's an excellent training mode that gives thorough instruction on how to perform all of the basic functions and is guaranteed to turn you into a killing machine. --Chris Russell

"Deftly mixing gung-ho combat with stealthy dune-ducking, Conflict Desert Storm gives the third-person shooter a superb team-based spin. 8/10."

"Squad-based gaming hits the PS2 in style. It's got the looks, the realism, the sand and the gameplay. 85%."

Set against the background of the Gulf War, Conflict: Desert Storm is a fast-paced 3D action stealth game. Utilising a next generation 3D engine, Conflict: Desert Storm places you in control of a team of four special forces soldiers, each with their own skills and abilities. Switch quickly between each soldier or move them as a group as you engage in fast and deadly combat during the Gulf War. Each of the soldiers excels in one area: rifleman and infiltrator, heavy weapons, sniper, demolitions. All soldiers can perform all tasks, but the specialists are superior in their respective areas. As the missions progress the soldiers become more experienced and improve their skills which improves their chances of survival.