Operation Flashpoint: Red River

 PC
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 25
  3. Negative: 2 out of 25
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  1. Gamer.no
    Jun 23, 2011
    70
    Operation Flashpoint: Red River manages to establish the franchise between the traditional adrenaline-based Call of Duties and the simulation-based gameplay from the Armed Assault series. It´s at its best as a co-op tactical shooter, and could have gained even more ground on its rivals with better visuals, a slightly improved AI and more variation in the level design.
  2. VideoGamer
    Apr 27, 2011
    70
    It's a real shame that Codemasters hasn't created a more involving set of missions with Red River, its campaign sagging at both ends of its entertaining middle, and while their attempt at streamlining the experience lessens the series' frustrations, the core game will still prove too delicate for many players.
  3. Absolute Games
    May 31, 2011
    67
    Red River is not a rival to modern high-budget, high-tech blockbusters. It looks worse than Modern Warfare 2 or Black Ops, and you can't destroy the environment like in Battlefield: Bad Company. But, compared to its overly serious predecessor, this game is a real gift.
  5. GameSpot
    May 4, 2011
    65
    Operation Flashpoint: Red River features realistic and challenging missions but is often hampered by poor AI and other frustrations.
  6. PC Games
    May 20, 2011
    62
    Operation Flashpoint turns out to be a quite acceptable first person shooter, that requires a lot of tactics. Unfortunately the game shows the same problems as its predecessor Dragon Rising: bad AI and boring repetitive missions.
  7. GamerNode
    Jun 21, 2011
    60
    Operation Flashpoint's efforts to deliver a tactical-based FPS experience are admirable. Unfortunately, the poor AI prevents the game from succeeding, leaving the cooperative multiplayer as its one saving grace.
  8. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    May 25, 2011
    60
    Nothing has changed. The second time Codemasters's Operation Flashpoint is a average military action game with some nice moments but also has annoying bugs. [Issue#204]
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  9. Game Informer
    May 13, 2011
    60
    Instead of shoring up Dragon Rising's shortcomings and improving the Operation Flashpoint experience, this sequel stubbornly clings to the quest for realism while ignoring the technical issues plaguing both games. [June 2011, p.90]
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  10. PC Games (Russia)
    May 6, 2011
    60
    It's quite realistic, yes, but it's also full of bugs, sloppy visuals and crippled AI. [June 2011, p.81]
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  11. GRYOnline.pl
    May 4, 2011
    60
    Operation Flashpoint: Red River was supposed to interest new, less experienced players but they will be repelled by low damage resistance and non-regenerating health. War simulation lovers on the other hand won't find any alternative for their favorite games even if they acknowledge some simplifications. The result is a mediocre game that plays well only with other real players - but only those who value cooperation more than competition.
  12. GamingExcellence
    Jul 7, 2011
    50
    If you are into shooters, then there are definitely better titles than this one. Operation Flashpoint: Red River suffers from slow pacing and too much time not even taking part in firefights. It deals more with having you playing Nurse Nightingale healing yourself and your team than a death-dealing marine. If that sounds like your idea of a good time, then go nuts.
  13. Game Revolution
    Jun 13, 2011
    50
    The idea of an open-ended, multi-squad, strategic, cooperative shooter is incredible, and during those short bursts when Red River comes together-especially when playing with friends-there are few games like it. But there are so many issues, both large and small, that you'll have to overlook a lot of flaws in order to enjoy it.
  14. PC PowerPlay
    Jun 9, 2011
    50
    Perhaps the console kiddies might think this is tactical compared to Call of Duty, but no PC gamer will find this satisfying. [July 2011, p.69]
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User Reviews

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User Score
4.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 115 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 115
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 115
  3. Negative: 54 out of 115
  1. Gibsmoker
    Apr 26, 2011
    2
    Red River gives the illusion of a sandbox environment, but is no more than a corridoor shooter...You are channeled on a set path to completeRed River gives the illusion of a sandbox environment, but is no more than a corridoor shooter...You are channeled on a set path to complete the mission, step outside the invisible circle of death and your history...With Vehicles being completely removed, you do get to ride in the back of a jeep but have no controll over your character...These taxi journeys do run for a very long time, combine that with the awefull voice acting and OTT foul language, by the end of the journey the first bullet you fire is the one you aim at your own head...Totally linear and very generic gameplay, average looking graphics and a healing system that comprises of you holding a school satchel infront of your face...Pretty much impossible to die, even headshots that explode your brain are fixable by the magic bag of tricks...Realistic NO, simulation NO, sandbox NO, Freedom absolutely NOT...All these attributes that made the original fantastic have been stripped to the bare bones, so what your left with is a totaly linear shooter with vast backdrops and a pretty skybox... very dissapointing… Full Review »
  2. Incorruptible
    Apr 29, 2011
    0
    Not only have Codemasters failed to address the evils of Dragon Rising, they have added in new problems - friendly AI on castor wheels whoNot only have Codemasters failed to address the evils of Dragon Rising, they have added in new problems - friendly AI on castor wheels who don't stay where you want them (and have a habit of shimmying through your firelane); terribly long, expletive ridden and highly boring diatribes by your Staff Sgt (who seems to mysteriously wield the same kind of authority as a platoon commander without the commission); and graphics that were last seem in UT '04.

    Not only this, but the lack of PvP and cookie-cutter scenarios will wear out quickly, and with little to no ability to mod the game, Codemasters has aimed lower and still failed to hit the mark. Avoid like the bubonic plague.    … Full Review »
  3. j4xkc
    Apr 26, 2011
    6
    Unlike some, I have no affiliation or bias to any developer, I tried this game at a friends house, playing for 6 hours which I consider fairUnlike some, I have no affiliation or bias to any developer, I tried this game at a friends house, playing for 6 hours which I consider fair to post comment. (PC version). It's got elements that make other games rethink their approach and it's got elements that are totally wrong. Cm claim open world, squad based coop play, also this is available on all platforms unlike other games that are not cross platform.

    Over complex? NO in fact it's too simple, the game modes are restricted to coop only NO PvP, the control is good but the AI are average on both your side & the enemies. Cm focused on authenticity & look (as claimed by themselves in YT videos), but this is flawed because the mechanics of the game has problems, primarily due to the game engine itself restricting key elements that are needed for this type of game (tether free & long draw distances). The players are still locked into a prehistoric distance tether which means your squad are limited to the distance they can move from each other (game engine restriction). The look is good and scores well but games are not all about looks, Cm seem to think they are but they forget, games are about function, the ability to do what they claim and RR falls down on many occasions with this problem.

    Overall I rated RR 6/10 simply because it was entertaining/ fun, it looked good and it does function well most of the time, but it is also frustrating with average/poor AI (no replacement for real players), bugs in some basic controls and restrictive play (funnelled) although Cm claim open world by their definition.

    OFP 3 RR is worth a buy when it hits bargain bucket but not at full price.

    They need to focus on throwing out the restrictive play and make the game feel more open. Cm don't listen to their community much as they have been saying for along time, make it open world, make it tether free, make it PvP, Cm did the exact opposite, still on console there is nothing close.    … Full Review »
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