Spec Ops: The Line

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 395 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 320 out of 395
  2. Mixed: 52 out of 395
  3. Negative: 23 out of 395
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  1. M1sfiT
    Sep 3, 2023
    9
    Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!so
  2. goodgriff33
    Aug 12, 2023
    8
    Answer: 75 characters is between 10 words and 19 words with spaces included in the character count. If spaces are not included in the character count, then 75 characters is between 12 words and 25 words.
  3. filip92
    May 11, 2023
    10
    I played it again after 10 years on my Xbox One. Linear and not too long story, which you need to play multiple times to understand it all. I will always support games with stories like this. Its a war game but it has a pinch of horror and unsettling atmosphere. Some of the scenes are memorable that i remember them after 10 years. I you are thinking of playing or not, have no doubt. AI played it again after 10 years on my Xbox One. Linear and not too long story, which you need to play multiple times to understand it all. I will always support games with stories like this. Its a war game but it has a pinch of horror and unsettling atmosphere. Some of the scenes are memorable that i remember them after 10 years. I you are thinking of playing or not, have no doubt. A masterpiece worth remembering.… Expand
  4. Muzketin
    Nov 28, 2022
    10
    When i had my Xbox 360, this was one of my favourite games. The story of the game and the ability to make your own decisions are recognized to be excellent. The location is quite unique and interesting, and i really liked it. It also shows the brutality of war and the psychological consequences some soldiers face. When i went to cinema school, i remember the teacher saying that,When i had my Xbox 360, this was one of my favourite games. The story of the game and the ability to make your own decisions are recognized to be excellent. The location is quite unique and interesting, and i really liked it. It also shows the brutality of war and the psychological consequences some soldiers face. When i went to cinema school, i remember the teacher saying that, sometimes, during the credits at the end of a movie, we keep watching the screen, even if we don't care about the names of the ones who made that movie. He said it's because even if the movie ended in reality, in our mind, we are still "inside" that movie, and if this thing happen, the movie-maker did an excellent job. The same thing happened to me at the end of this game. One of the best stories ever.… Expand
  5. eva3si0n
    May 11, 2022
    9
    Spec Ops: The Line is one of the best action games of the 7th generation of consoles. And every year, watching the genre degrade, the value of Spec Ops: The Line is only growing. Firstly, I did not play in the previous games of the series, so I did not have any expectations, secondly, the game can be played in one evening. If the gameplay of the game is not primitive, shooter mechanics areSpec Ops: The Line is one of the best action games of the 7th generation of consoles. And every year, watching the genre degrade, the value of Spec Ops: The Line is only growing. Firstly, I did not play in the previous games of the series, so I did not have any expectations, secondly, the game can be played in one evening. If the gameplay of the game is not primitive, shooter mechanics are no different from games of those years, then the plot in Spec Ops: The Line is simply gorgeous. Not many games can talk about PTSD and show its consequences. Yes, the final of the game is realistic. I advise everyone to try Spec Ops: The Line, I am very upset that Yager Development did not develop their ideas.… Expand
  6. JJ2FAS4U
    Dec 28, 2021
    7
    Atmosphere: 7
    Enjoyment: 8
    Gameplay: 8
    Graphics: 8
    Music: 6
    Story: 7
    Total: 7.33
  7. CloudStrife05
    Aug 21, 2021
    9
    This game is fantastic. Gameplay is really good, protagonist is good, the story is fantastic. They need to re-release it.
  8. mlnsn
    Jul 22, 2021
    8
    Gameplay : 8/10
    Design (video + audio) : 7/10
    Story : 10/10
    Technical aspects : 7/10
    Repeatability: 6/10
  9. frederik1478
    Jan 28, 2021
    9
    This is a game that deserves to be played , Do I mean fired well the story is so good that it deserves to be played the way it makes you feel there are experience of playing it is totally unique , Sadly I cannot say why because it would be a spoiler but I can say that combat also good and crunchy and enjoyable , And a graphic still look good Richards amazing when you think about it a 2012This is a game that deserves to be played , Do I mean fired well the story is so good that it deserves to be played the way it makes you feel there are experience of playing it is totally unique , Sadly I cannot say why because it would be a spoiler but I can say that combat also good and crunchy and enjoyable , And a graphic still look good Richards amazing when you think about it a 2012 Xbox 360 game , I would totally recommend this game this is one of my favourite 360 games… Expand
  10. SouthernPoint
    Sep 18, 2020
    8
    A game that touches on a subject many developers and games in the shooting genre are scared to do, the horrors of war. Upon first glance, Spec Ops: The Line will seem like another generic 3rd person shooter, which it sort of is. It doesn't add anything new or innovative to the 3rd person shooter genre in terms of gameplay and mechanics. Where the strength of this game lies is in itsA game that touches on a subject many developers and games in the shooting genre are scared to do, the horrors of war. Upon first glance, Spec Ops: The Line will seem like another generic 3rd person shooter, which it sort of is. It doesn't add anything new or innovative to the 3rd person shooter genre in terms of gameplay and mechanics. Where the strength of this game lies is in its storytelling. This game got me thinking about it days after completing it. Please, if you're a fan of thought-provoking stories that may not be"fun", but important, go buy this game.… Expand
  11. storygamer
    Sep 10, 2020
    8
    I really like the Spec Ops series and The Line is a cinematic masterpiece. The shooter action is incredibly intense and the story is just perfect. Only the mechanics take getting used to but this game is an absolute recommendation!
  12. SenorKoquonfaes
    Nov 23, 2019
    9
    On a superficial level, you'd be forgiven for writing off Spec Ops: The Line as another 3rd person war shooter. I did for years, however, thankfully I've since picked up the game and it's represented one of the best experiences I've ever had in gaming.

    The combat is a very "paint-by-numbers" 3rd person, cover-based shooter. The mechanic around dropping mounds of sand on enemies is    On a superficial level, you'd be forgiven for writing off Spec Ops: The Line as another 3rd person war shooter. I did for years, however, thankfully I've since picked up the game and it's represented one of the best experiences I've ever had in gaming.

    The combat is a very "paint-by-numbers" 3rd person, cover-based shooter. The mechanic around dropping mounds of sand on enemies is interesting in theory, but in practice, it was highly contextual and only occurred a handful of times throughout gameplay. Ammo is also surprisingly scarce in this game, something that can't be said about the Call of Dutys and the Battlefields of the gaming world. This forced me to break from cover and scramble to recover more ammo, creating some high energy moments.

    Where Spec Ops: The Line really shines is in it's storytelling and overarching narrative. The game takes a rather dark turn when Walker and his squad mates do a REALLY bad thing (no spoilers) as the game shifts to exploring the horrors of warfare and the mental deterioration of it's main character, Cpt. Walker as he commits one atrocity after another while trying to justify his actions, much to the chagrin and distrust of his squad mates.

    The game offers player choice moments, some choices are presented rather obviously, where as others are a bit more inconspicuous and present a real "a-ha" moment when you discover them.

    Spec Ops: The Line has some genuinely unpleasant moments that aren't fun to play through, but that's exactly why I recommend this game. It's made me feel things in a way other modern war shooters can't.    … Expand
  13. farshadvarasteh
    Mar 22, 2019
    10
    one of the best games of all time, the level design is amazing and it makes you think to win the battle, the story and the way its told is awesome and keep you on your toes, the graphics are good and using the sand as an important element in battles is something new and original. the only part that isn't that great in the game is controllers, they don't work so good and they often get youone of the best games of all time, the level design is amazing and it makes you think to win the battle, the story and the way its told is awesome and keep you on your toes, the graphics are good and using the sand as an important element in battles is something new and original. the only part that isn't that great in the game is controllers, they don't work so good and they often get you in trouble in middle of the heat.… Expand
  14. Dperks
    Feb 25, 2019
    7
    Fairly by the books third person shooter game play but the plot is where this game shines and while not amazing its still worth a playthrough
  15. missael
    Jul 14, 2017
    10
    Este videojuego esta tremendamente infravalorado, es una verdadera lastima que videojuegos como este queden a la sombra de otros videojuegos genericos y repetitivos que tienen mucho mejores notas coff coff Modern Warfere 3 y videojuegos como este no merezcan el respeto, las buenas criticas y sobre todo las ventas que merecen, es cierto que es un shooter "genérico" pero eso no importa si laEste videojuego esta tremendamente infravalorado, es una verdadera lastima que videojuegos como este queden a la sombra de otros videojuegos genericos y repetitivos que tienen mucho mejores notas coff coff Modern Warfere 3 y videojuegos como este no merezcan el respeto, las buenas criticas y sobre todo las ventas que merecen, es cierto que es un shooter "genérico" pero eso no importa si la historia que te cuentan hace que te cuestiones tu moralidad y te des cuenta que la guerra no es como el 99% de los Shooters te la cuentan. El tiempo le dará la razón a videojuegos como estos y se convertirán en videojuegos de culto.… Expand
  16. Broyax
    Apr 17, 2017
    6
    C'est un jeu qui m'a fait marrer, une caricature d'un Medal Of Honor ou autre Call of Duty, ces séries bas de plafond qui se prennent très (trop) au sérieux avec leur propagande militariste tous azimuts (le fondement de la nation américaine, cela va de soi). Ce n'est pas évidemment un jeu fait par des Américains mais par des Européens : on s'y fout bien de la gueule des "Marines" oh pardonC'est un jeu qui m'a fait marrer, une caricature d'un Medal Of Honor ou autre Call of Duty, ces séries bas de plafond qui se prennent très (trop) au sérieux avec leur propagande militariste tous azimuts (le fondement de la nation américaine, cela va de soi). Ce n'est pas évidemment un jeu fait par des Américains mais par des Européens : on s'y fout bien de la gueule des "Marines" oh pardon de la "Delta Force" (mais peu importe) et de leur mentalité de "machines à tuer" venues te sauver, te libérer mais qui ne fait pas attention et découpe ta famille à la mitrailleuse. Oups. Errare humanum est, dit-on.

    Ainsi, doit-on faire quelques choix tout au long de la (trop) courte campagne dont l'histoire est hélas assez confuse : doit-on zigouiller quelques civils pour progresser ? faut-il buter le Colonel Kurtz qui a pété un câble ? doit-on abréger les souffrances d'une ordure ? Tout cela reste assez anecdotique finalement (on est pas dans un Mass Effect) et la question qu'on se pose en tant que joueur imbriqué dans ce scénario à la mords-moi-le-noeud est la suivante : pourquoi c'est le bordel à Dubai ? on n'aura pas de réponse à cette question.

    Pour le reste, c'est de l'action à la MOH/COD, plutôt distrayante dont on remarque l'excellente VF -le langage grossier y est d'ailleurs plaisant. Un jeu couloir scripté, du classique, sur un moteur Unreal pas très bien maîtrisé (avec un souci de crénelage qui plus est) mais dans un environnement inhabituel (Dubai). Bref, pas si mauvais ce Spec Ops dans le genre poisseux du call of medal kikoolol. Quant au multi, je n'en sais trop rien puisqu'il faut payer pour jouer.    … Expand
  17. Termin8ter
    Apr 3, 2017
    9
    Spec Ops: The Line is a pretty bland first person shooter, but the story is a real masterpiece. One of the most clever, realistic, and powerful war games I've ever played. The art direction is genius, the voice acting is great, the graphics are solid, the story starts out pretty bland, but gets more and more complicated, engrossing, and thrilling, until it swiftly pulls the rug from underSpec Ops: The Line is a pretty bland first person shooter, but the story is a real masterpiece. One of the most clever, realistic, and powerful war games I've ever played. The art direction is genius, the voice acting is great, the graphics are solid, the story starts out pretty bland, but gets more and more complicated, engrossing, and thrilling, until it swiftly pulls the rug from under you to reveal one of the most cleverly executed war games ever released. Buy. This. Game.… Expand
  18. gamingisgreat
    Mar 6, 2017
    8
    Spec Ops The Line is a great 3rd person shooter

    The gameplay isn't particularly original but works well for what it is.However,the AI goes through spells of either pure stupidity or dead-eye accuracy,nowhere particularly in between which is very frustrating.That said,it's not the gameplay that shines. The story steals the show here,showing all the horrors of war,and a dark,corrupt    Spec Ops The Line is a great 3rd person shooter

    The gameplay isn't particularly original but works well for what it is.However,the AI goes through spells of either pure stupidity or dead-eye accuracy,nowhere particularly in between which is very frustrating.That said,it's not the gameplay that shines.

    The story steals the show here,showing all the horrors of war,and a dark,corrupt side to itself,the game allows you to be either hero or villain,and the game has 4 endings for different choices.To sum it up,this game is very psychological.The voice-acting is top notch

    The graphics here are solid and look nice.The game does not have any significant performance problems apart from long load times on the 360.

    The sound design is decent,but the soundtrack is great.

    Overall,Spec Ops The Line is a grim take on war that is very good.Solid mechanics across the board makes this an easy recommendation.Definitely check this one out.    … Expand
  19. KingAndCountry
    Sep 12, 2016
    10
    This game is not perfect, but I personally don't think that's what constitutes a 10/10 score. Spec Ops: The Line is a must play, does something that is groundbreaking for the genre it is set in, and has spawned countless meaningful discussions well after its release. That's enough for a 10 in my books.

    The gameplay is generic, but it plays an essential part of enticing players into    This game is not perfect, but I personally don't think that's what constitutes a 10/10 score. Spec Ops: The Line is a must play, does something that is groundbreaking for the genre it is set in, and has spawned countless meaningful discussions well after its release. That's enough for a 10 in my books.

    The gameplay is generic, but it plays an essential part of enticing players into thinking the game itself will be generic too. The main function of the interactivity is to make the player an active participant in all events of the game, so that the player's moral choices are organic and meaningful, and therefore the final conclusion that you come to is all your own.

    The multiplayer is terrible, but I honestly don't think it can be considered a reviewable part of the game, just as the free co-op DLC can't be. An optional, publisher-mandated feature that goes against the message of the game, along with the fact that the servers have long since been completely empty, doesn't negate anything in the rest of the experience for me.

    As for replayability, the story is extremely detailed underneath the surface, and on a new playthrough you'll start seeing that more and more. Like in any good story, character arcs drive the basis of the plotline, and there are many memorable quotes throughout due to the excellent, convincing voice acting.

    This game does something unique, handles its truly mature themes well, and despite what I think are some minor missteps, it has an overall message that should be heard by all.    … Expand
  20. psylife
    Oct 30, 2015
    7
    Let's just say that I can't think of a better example of why you shouldn't give any importance to critic's review. This is one of the smoothest single player campaign of the last generation, with an engaging story and characters.
  21. fallouts
    Oct 25, 2015
    7
    Unique plot and setting marred by unnecessary padding. Each chapter is polluted with sections where you fight large number of soldiers that go all out on you. There is only so many times I can hide behind cover and shoot the same generic bad guy in the head. The pacing is also pretty uneven, leaving room for boredom. I think it's overrated as a whole.
  22. AverageGamer381
    Oct 11, 2015
    9
    I was going to write a formally structured and long review about this game but I just couldn't. You NEED to play this game. I should probably warn you that the game is incredibly uncomfortable at times, and will make you sick and depressed but still play it please you must.
  23. TavernTrolley
    Jun 29, 2015
    8
    It's a great game that has a fantastic storyline. Story is a huge part of a game for me, and I'm glad that I experienced this gem. The only complaints I have are that the gameplay isn't the best, and sure, some events feel forced, but those didn't really impact the emotions I felt while I played this game. it's a great game that I 100% recommend. It's not a game for everyone, but if youIt's a great game that has a fantastic storyline. Story is a huge part of a game for me, and I'm glad that I experienced this gem. The only complaints I have are that the gameplay isn't the best, and sure, some events feel forced, but those didn't really impact the emotions I felt while I played this game. it's a great game that I 100% recommend. It's not a game for everyone, but if you have an interest in this game, go ahead and check it out.… Expand
  24. Epik_Ninnja
    May 23, 2015
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm suprpised this game is borderline obscure with poor sales. It's a shooter that has you playing as one of three marines who are sent out to Dubai to figure out what happened to civilization out there. You're all alone out there and you have to fight against the forces of evil to survive. But are things the way they seem? I don't want to spoil anything major (even though I checked the "spoilers box") but things aren't always as hey seem and there really aren't any good guys in this game. The shooting mechanics generally work well and the sandy environments look nice. It's the story that's the real attraction here. Still, nothing is particularly great and the multiplayer is pretty average. If you can buy it on sale (I bought the digital copy for around six dollars), do so if you enjoy dark stories and third-person shooting.… Expand
  25. SilenceDeMort
    Jan 17, 2015
    10
    This is hands down the single greatest game of the 360/PS3 generation. It is completely and utterly horrible and it made me feel like the worst person alive. I love this game. Buy it and let it change your view of shooters forever.
  26. basicgamer
    Aug 18, 2014
    10
    This is an excellent package. The single player campaign is very good and the difficulty settings work well, because as you get better one is able to challenge the harder difficulty settings and this changes the experience and adds to one's playing time. The graphics and voice acting are done well and the story is interesting. Shooting is tight. This is my favorite online shooter. MuchThis is an excellent package. The single player campaign is very good and the difficulty settings work well, because as you get better one is able to challenge the harder difficulty settings and this changes the experience and adds to one's playing time. The graphics and voice acting are done well and the story is interesting. Shooting is tight. This is my favorite online shooter. Much attention has been given to the details of game play that matter. The more you play, the more you come to appreciate what it has to offer. All aspects of the game play are tight. I hope there is a Spec Ops 2. I highly recommend this game.… Expand
  27. tidjo19
    May 15, 2014
    9
    WHAT A GREAT GAME
    One of my all-time-favorite
    gorgeous environments
    good shooting
    really original story that is really gonna get you into it
    LOVED IT

    LISTEN, if you dont have it, BUY IT !
  28. TheHonestOne
    Apr 17, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. If you want to go into the game without spoilers you simply cant go wrong here as its one of the best game stories I've seen in ages and it seems many agree with me. Those of you who don't care the story is based around war is hell and making you feel guilty for the horrible things you have done. For example at one time you can decide to use white phosphorus (fire it and there's no more anything) at a group of enemy's. As you watch them burn to death you discover you have killed a large group of civilians, including children, and you're comrades hold you to this for the rest of the game. I felt like the devil himself.

    The setting is also awesome. Dubai has suffered a horrible sandstorm for months and a army group has lost contact with HQ so you're sent in to find out was going on. Turns out the army and locals are at each others necks and survival is a factor of every day life. There's betrayal, paranoia and a large sense of getting absolute no help from the outside world. Oh and one thing, that ending, that was it. And one huge point is its one of the fewer modern shooters I've seen that isn't racist. YAAAY

    But the reason it hasn't got a perfect score is the combat. Its just a gears of war with some flashy elements like sand mechanics but the enemy will kindly stand in front of it saying " hope no one kills us"

    But for the story, setting and characters alone this gets a recommendation from me

    But the reason    … Expand
  29. HPSPhoenix
    Mar 24, 2014
    8
    Spec Ops The Line is not just another shooter. Although the mechanics are not the best, the harrowing, realistic storyline shows you just what the effects of war are.
    With a sizeable campaign and brilliant music design, Spec Ops certainly is outstanding. One thing I especially enjoyed in my playthrough of the game was the hard choices it presents you with in the second half of the game -    Spec Ops The Line is not just another shooter. Although the mechanics are not the best, the harrowing, realistic storyline shows you just what the effects of war are.
    With a sizeable campaign and brilliant music design, Spec Ops certainly is outstanding. One thing I especially enjoyed in my playthrough of the game was the hard choices it presents you with in the second half of the game - and the outstanding graphical quality.
    I, as a gamer, enjoy multiple-ending games and realistic games. The plotline, unlike other shooters, is unpredictable. It shows that the developers show true thought for the soldiers. A gripping experience, to say the least.
    One other thing I must say is that, on the negative side, the campaign is not quite as good as I have been mentioning until around the one-third or halfway mark. However, if you stick through the relatively uninteresting first part, you find that the game is amazing. It demands highly of your psychology - you truly have to think. It plays on your mind, but it is the kind of game that truly makes you want to play it when you are not.
    This game is certainly in my top ten list, albeit the generic gameplay.    … Expand
  30. Billy_Benoit
    Mar 2, 2014
    8
    Spec Ops: The Line has probably one of the greatest stories of any game out today. For this reason alone it will forever be one of my favorite games. After beating the game for the first time, and knowingly missing out on certain campaign choices I had to play and beat the game again, and again, and again. There are four different endings and it was worth it for me to play the game throughSpec Ops: The Line has probably one of the greatest stories of any game out today. For this reason alone it will forever be one of my favorite games. After beating the game for the first time, and knowingly missing out on certain campaign choices I had to play and beat the game again, and again, and again. There are four different endings and it was worth it for me to play the game through four times, it may not be the case for others, but it was honestly a perfect story. Reason for 8 out of 10? Multiplayer lacks good quality. I enjoyed it, but being a gamer that has played shooters for years, I dominated so badly it was terribly un-fun. Getting near thirty kills per game and only two or three deaths isn't as fun as it sounds. Buy this for the story, not the multiplayer.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

83
#83 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2012
27
#27 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2012
33
#33 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 59 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 59
  3. Negative: 0 out of 59
  1. Eurogamer Portugal
    Aug 11, 2012
    70
    Spec Ops: The Line turned out to be a genuinely nice surprise, is designed for people over 18, not only by the constant shooting scenes but also for the tone, mature theme and psychologically demanding posture.
    Read full review
  2. Hyper Magazine
    Aug 8, 2012
    100
    From around the halfway mark onwards, The Line is a gripping, at time harrowing, and unforgettable experience. [Sept 2012, p.66]
  3. Console Monster
    Aug 6, 2012
    85
    It may not be winning any awards, that's not to say that this is one of the most captivating shooters currently available to Xbox 360 users. The morality of your choices has never been so well presented as they are in Spec Ops: The Line and for that reason alone it's a game that everyone should experience, if only for a few short hours.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »