Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis

 PC
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 178 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 154 out of 178
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 178
  3. Negative: 10 out of 178
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Belvadeer
    Jul 8, 2011
    9
    Operation Flashpoint was a stunner when it was released, but for anyone who hasn't played it and wants to get into now, this review is for you. Firstly, the graphics aren't exactly what they used to be back in 2001, so get ready for a whopping change if your coming from modern shooters, secondly, if your a hardcore COD and Halo shooter fan, you will probably hate this game for one simplyOperation Flashpoint was a stunner when it was released, but for anyone who hasn't played it and wants to get into now, this review is for you. Firstly, the graphics aren't exactly what they used to be back in 2001, so get ready for a whopping change if your coming from modern shooters, secondly, if your a hardcore COD and Halo shooter fan, you will probably hate this game for one simply reason...one shot, one kill; this game will eat you alive, this is the most realistic tactical shooter ever made, so if your into running and gunning, leave now. And last but not least, be patient, this game is HARD, and takes many tries to complete missions at times, but at the end of it all, this is a fun game if you really sink your teeth into it, even in 2011, this game still never fails to impress me. I highly recommend it to any tactical shooter fan, or just a shooter fan in general because you just may fall in love with it.… Expand
  2. dragon_2712
    May 10, 2012
    10
    It's the middle of 2012, and I just rebooted and played all three OpF games again - CWC, Red Hammer and Resistance - and it still, for me, is the best gaming experience I've had. Contrary to what many say, I still feel the graphics stack up - particularly the distance rendering. The feel of playing in a huge open world is there. Some missions on the Everon island are so picturesque I pauseIt's the middle of 2012, and I just rebooted and played all three OpF games again - CWC, Red Hammer and Resistance - and it still, for me, is the best gaming experience I've had. Contrary to what many say, I still feel the graphics stack up - particularly the distance rendering. The feel of playing in a huge open world is there. Some missions on the Everon island are so picturesque I pause for a few minutes just to look around.

    I've played almost every FPS there is, and still, more than ten years after it's release, no game has come close to capturing that feel of actually being in the middle of a war. Of being a lonesome soldier, who can make a difference, and yet is just a small cog in a larger scheme. Knowing that facing a patrolling tank is almost certain death, and yet get your hands on an RPG launcher and the watch tables turn. This game gives you everything - the tension of being outnumbered and alone, the joy of launching large scale attacks, the pleasure in commanding an M1A1 abrams and destroying all in your path. Not to mention playing as a highly trained black op and dealing silent death.
    Basically, I could go on and on. This is still THE benchmark shooter for realism and it's ability to draw you into the world. As much as I have enjoyed the CoD series, this game is really what separates the men from the boys, so to speak.
    Do yourself a favour, if you haven't played it, and get your hands on a copy ASAP.
    For those who have played it, and know exactly what I'm on about, give it another go. For nostalgia.    … Expand
  3. Zetetick
    Feb 13, 2012
    10
    I know that METACRITIC is strewn with user reviews giving any old mediocrity 10 out of 10 (often tactically deployed to balance out the also utterly unjust Zeros.)
    Well, this game is worth 12 out of 10 and is (IMO) the very best FPS/Military Shooter you can get!!
    Completely open World that lets you approach objectives as you see fit - wonderful 1st/3rd person gunplay - HUNDREDS of vehicles    I know that METACRITIC is strewn with user reviews giving any old mediocrity 10 out of 10 (often tactically deployed to balance out the also utterly unjust Zeros.)
    Well, this game is worth 12 out of 10 and is (IMO) the very best FPS/Military Shooter you can get!!
    Completely open World that lets you approach objectives as you see fit - wonderful 1st/3rd person gunplay - HUNDREDS of vehicles (inc user made MODS) from pedal-bikes to F16 Jetfighters, from inflatable dinghies to Nuclear Submarines and aircraft carriers, tanks to beach buggies...
    A million user made missions (running the whole spectrum from utter bilge to utter genius),great epic multiplayer faceoffs between dozens...But best of all to me is the community of modders and mission makers (there's an in-game mission editor in which you can create whole campaign stories and even Direct your own cut-scene movies!!
    There are MANY total conversion mods for it including ones that recreate the american civil war / a Napoleonic mod / modern combat / cold war era / someone's even turned it into a SPACE COMBAT game!! (it's actually pretty easy to make your own stuff on even if you're not a code-ninja, and LOADS of great tutorials by the community) so much to discover!!
    Do yourself a favour and check this game out (give it a chance-you won't regret it!!!)
    TEN OUT OF TEN - MY FAVOURITE GAME OF ALL TIME :)    … Expand
  4. b1z2a3
    Sep 6, 2011
    10
    A thinking game. Not just a run and gun FPS. If you have a good knowledge of military tactics but not world class reflexes, than this could be the game for you. You not only have to stay alive throughout missions but keep an eye out for your squad members and be the leader they need. This game is extremely unique in the fact that it masters single player campaign, masters expansion packs,A thinking game. Not just a run and gun FPS. If you have a good knowledge of military tactics but not world class reflexes, than this could be the game for you. You not only have to stay alive throughout missions but keep an eye out for your squad members and be the leader they need. This game is extremely unique in the fact that it masters single player campaign, masters expansion packs, and masters a co-op that in combination with player inspired custom missions (made by the players as well as the developers) will be like nothing you have ever experienced in a game before.… Expand
  5. Budget_Security
    Jun 11, 2014
    10
    Probably the best game I have ever played (and I have played well over 100 games since starting with SimCity 2000). When it came out, the story was epic, graphics were epic (back in 2001), the sound and music was amazing, and the realism was a revolution for PC gaming. Years ahead of its time. Bohemia Interactive has made decent ARMA games since, but they were never quite as good,Probably the best game I have ever played (and I have played well over 100 games since starting with SimCity 2000). When it came out, the story was epic, graphics were epic (back in 2001), the sound and music was amazing, and the realism was a revolution for PC gaming. Years ahead of its time. Bohemia Interactive has made decent ARMA games since, but they were never quite as good, particularly the singleplayer campaigns have not been as good as in this game. Even in 2014+ this game is absolutely worth playing, because other than the now dated graphics, it is still on par with or exceeds the best games of today. Get it on Steam as "ARMA: Cold War Assault" for next to nothing.… Expand
  6. JamesS.
    Jan 9, 2008
    10
    For once, here is a FPS which would really look good in a virtuall reality headset. While playing other shooters, you get full of yourself and run around shooting everything without really thinking to see if it's dead, because you know it is. In OFP, its alot more real. you hit the dirt behind every bush knowing that if the enemy sees you, your as good as dead. You know, that you For once, here is a FPS which would really look good in a virtuall reality headset. While playing other shooters, you get full of yourself and run around shooting everything without really thinking to see if it's dead, because you know it is. In OFP, its alot more real. you hit the dirt behind every bush knowing that if the enemy sees you, your as good as dead. You know, that you arent a one-man hero, the game isnt based around you, you are just another soldier on the front line. This is a game that REALLY makes you think, "If i run up on that ridge, i will get be able to cover the entire valley, but how will i get there?..."… Expand
  7. Aeryx
    May 8, 2015
    10
    I remember boarding a T-80 tank as a gunner and just sitting there. Looking at the photorealistic (back then) interior of the tank. The controls, the compartments, the guages (that didn't move), the breech, the optical sight, the fire controls, the other compartments. It was beautiful. I remember running around for several minutes hoping to find an SVD Dragunov because my targets were 300+I remember boarding a T-80 tank as a gunner and just sitting there. Looking at the photorealistic (back then) interior of the tank. The controls, the compartments, the guages (that didn't move), the breech, the optical sight, the fire controls, the other compartments. It was beautiful. I remember running around for several minutes hoping to find an SVD Dragunov because my targets were 300+ meters away and my iron sights were difficult to use at that range. I remember being the last man in my squad, trying to run away for tanks and infantry I had no hope of killing. I remember aiming at a target 1500m away with a tank. And how laggy it was because my view distance was too far and my PC back then with its CRT monitor wasn't powerful enough. This game had it all. I played this game back in highschool and now I have been working for 5 years as an engineer. For its time, it was a wonder to behold and even today, a gold standard for the world to beat. Truly makes most other games today look like lazy efforts in comparison.… Expand
  8. Joshthegamer
    Apr 26, 2013
    9
    The most realistic military game ever. I loved the game mechanics, the realistic AI. There is too much to say. I replayed this game over 8 times. I think the character models(especially the hands) look like they were made of wood. The facial animations are good however.
  9. iddqd4
    Jan 22, 2018
    7
    Попытка сделать реалистичный военный шутер с большими открытыми пространствами, с возможностью использовать технику и авиацию. Получилось крайне сложно и хардкорно, и не особо играбельно. Прародитель целой череды милитари симуляторов.Попытка сделать реалистичный военный шутер с большими открытыми пространствами, с возможностью использовать технику и авиацию. Получилось крайне сложно и хардкорно, и не особо играбельно. Прародитель целой череды милитари симуляторов.
  10. Genezi
    Jun 10, 2017
    10
    Great game. i have spent a lot of time on this title. It has a great story with memorable characters. Good gameplay with lots of possibilities during missions and best cut scenes with good dialogs.
  11. ShodanSpectre
    Mar 8, 2018
    9
    This game started a genre of realism-focused warfare simulators, most notably the Armed Assault ("ARMA") series - can be seen as it's successor. Interestingly, the "Dragon Rising" OFP is less similar to the original 2001 OFP.

    For 2001, it was a revolutionary game on many ways. To this day - it has some of the most sane AI found in videogames. The AI does NOT cheat in any way. Now,    This game started a genre of realism-focused warfare simulators, most notably the Armed Assault ("ARMA") series - can be seen as it's successor. Interestingly, the "Dragon Rising" OFP is less similar to the original 2001 OFP.

    For 2001, it was a revolutionary game on many ways. To this day - it has some of the most sane AI found in videogames. The AI does NOT cheat in any way.
    Now, occasionally AI vehicles will get stuck in terrain - but you know what - that happens to player-controlled vehicles as well. And guess what - that happens to real-life vehicles on a battlefield too! And to be honest - I don't think the AI crashes their vehicles much more than an average player does :-D

    Speaking of vehicles - the game offers a rather unique range of combat, all of which (except perhaps airplane combat - airplanes feel very crammed in the game environments, not enough scale. Helicopters are OK though.) - is very well implemented.

    Troop command works well. You can order your troops to not just "run there, attack that" - but to perform an assault on a town from a flank or opposite side. The AI is competent enough to do that. Not as efficient as an experienced player, but it does help.

    Heck, AI is much better than myself at a few things, such as AA firing!

    Anyway, now in 2018 the graphics might make you cringe a little, but they aren't terrible. It's one of the first games to offer such a huge open world with lots of detail in it. These days it's probably better to play ARMA-2 (AI seems better than in -3), but if you don't mind dated graphics - OFP can deliver just as well, if not better.    … Expand
  12. Ydun79
    Feb 11, 2019
    10
    This was the first war simulation in 3d. No hand holding either. I remember feeling overjoyed that I had a map and a compass and that those were needed indeed. Still remember epic fighting for Montignac. Also a hit in multiplayer. Awesome game!
  13. JLiRD808
    Jul 20, 2016
    9
    Almost 15 years later to the date, I still think about this game from time-to-time, especially when considering other combat games that flood consoles and PC's.

    That includes games that feature: FPS 3rd person shooters Single-player Multi-player Realism I remember everything from seeing this game on the shelves (at Compusa!) to the amazing matches & funny moments I had. For    Almost 15 years later to the date, I still think about this game from time-to-time, especially when considering other combat games that flood consoles and PC's.

    That includes games that feature:
    FPS
    3rd person shooters
    Single-player
    Multi-player
    Realism

    I remember everything from seeing this game on the shelves (at Compusa!) to the amazing matches & funny moments I had. For anyone that I matched with who might be reading...I was [FAS]Badgoat and we sure kicked some ass!!

    I miss games like this that combined realism with playability, allowing us to try diff weapons and vehicles without getting bogged down with too many options.

    I did play the PS3 OF games, and had a great time too....I feel like they got junk reviews from FPS players that wanted more of a COD/BF experience, but I actually LOVED them.

    I hope the developers keep at it in this next generation of consoles....and THANKS for the memories!    … Expand
  14. Ferdari
    Jun 16, 2017
    10
    One of the greatest games of war simulation, you can setup your own missions and tactics, scripting and sounds.

    Ive spent hours of fun with this games whe it firsts released, now at 2017 i reinstalled it and played some more hours of fun on first play.

    100% recommended.
  15. Tilt1k
    Feb 5, 2019
    10
    This game created Arma as we know it nowadays. It offered absolutely incredible options. You could be guerilla riding on bike, russian Spetz natz, tank commander, pilote etc etc. You could approach any missions just how you wanted. Very open and big world with nice czech dubbing. Brings back old memories.
  16. Aleksandar8
    Apr 19, 2020
    10
    It's a great game. AI is smart, it will try to flank you, he is a good shooter, other AI friendly squads will be supporting you or you will support them ( with medic, with information ). Shooting is pretty realistic, game is tense, there is a good amount of mods for the game. THERE IS a map editor so you can make your own missions,wars, and even you can create town life and so on. OnlyIt's a great game. AI is smart, it will try to flank you, he is a good shooter, other AI friendly squads will be supporting you or you will support them ( with medic, with information ). Shooting is pretty realistic, game is tense, there is a good amount of mods for the game. THERE IS a map editor so you can make your own missions,wars, and even you can create town life and so on. Only flaw for this game is that AI isn't very good at close quarters ( towns trenches ). I created a lot of missions. I would only add couple stuff to the game ( bayonets and knifes ).… Expand
  17. Hitman_47
    Apr 13, 2020
    9
    Great game ! Probably best game of 2001.
    Running through a field with bullets flying around you is frightening lol
  18. Player848
    Nov 15, 2021
    9
    Из достоинств на 2021 г. это первая и последняя (до сих пор) успешная стратегия от первого лица таких масштабов. Но увы подобные войны это печально, потому и -1.
  19. hyrts
    Jun 4, 2022
    10
    It's still one of the best army simulators. The tactics have been implemented really well.
  20. OFPOFP
    Sep 20, 2006
    10
    This is by far the greatest first-person shooter ever made. Sadly, few Americans played it. (Probably because it was produced in Eastern Europe.)
  21. JustinS
    Dec 17, 2009
    10
    Best military game every created, very fun, tactical and each gmae is never the same with every changing senarious
  22. ElliotM.
    Sep 6, 2003
    10
    JUST AMAZING!!!! THE BEST ARMY GAME IN AGES.
  23. BobS.
    Feb 20, 2002
    9
    Great simulation with a steep but rewarding learning curve.
  24. FelippeJ.
    Dec 16, 2003
    10
    This is the best game i ever played.
  25. AnneL.
    Jun 26, 2006
    10
    Simply put the best game out there, for realism fans. Bought it on release, and to this day I still play it ( year 2005 ) got all the (great) add-ons as well, and some unofficial add-ons. Together with Red Orchestra Ostfront 41-45 the most realistic war game out there.
  26. Stellas
    Jun 7, 2006
    10
    the best military game I've ever played, so realistic.
  27. SteveM.
    Oct 24, 2001
    9
    Most realistic war game on the market. The fact that this game is not easy to play makes it more appealing. Tank commander phase can be a bit frustrating but this simply adds to the challenge laid down by Operation Flashpoint.
  28. JeffA.
    May 15, 2002
    9
    Realism and difficulty make this game a most have for war gamers.
  29. rmj
    Apr 3, 2005
    10
    It's year 2005 and this still the best game ever made! I have 99% of all military type games and nothing even comes close!
  30. AlexT.
    Jul 4, 2006
    10
    The best military SIM up to now! It has also an interesting mission editor, quite easy to use. A lot of support and bonus material is guaranteed from the MOD community. Great game!
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best PC Game of 2001
18
#18 Most Discussed PC Game of 2001
20
#20 Most Shared PC Game of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Computer Games Magazine
    90
    With multiplayer, a full editor, and a growing user community, this is a game that every fan of military shooters should have. It looks great, plays great, and most of all feels right.
    Read full review
  2. Gamers' Temple
    91
    It's probably as close to real combat as you would want to get. It's probably too realistic for hard-core shooter fans, and not realistic enough for sim fanatics, but everyone else will find it to be a thrilling game.
    Read full review
  3. Playboy
    80
    That's basically the game's strongest point -- the ability to make you feel as if you actually are involved in a real war. Any gamer looking for that degree of realism in a first-person action game cannot go wrong with Operation Flashpoint.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »