Shadow Ops: Red Mercury

 Xbox
  • Publisher: Atari
  • Release Date: Jun 15, 2004
  • Also On: PC
Metascore
61

Mixed or average reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 45
  3. Negative: 11 out of 45
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  1. Adrenaline Vault
    70
    Arguably the most cinematic shooter on the market, and though the gameplay is flawed in some respects, the lengthy, engrossing single-player campaign is still worth the price of admission. The offline multiplayer component can provide a few small kicks as well, but Xbox Live owners should beware, as online play is dodgy, to say the least.
  2. Armchair Empire
    65
    Fans of the soldier shooting genre are better off sticking with the current and upcoming Tom Clancy games than looking at the weak shadow of a game that SORM ultimately turns out to be.
  3. Cheat Code Central
    60
    Probably the most disappointing aspect of the game is the way that it deals with the mechanics and animation of shooting. There are few indications that you are hitting your target aside from the enemy actually falling down.
    All this publication's reviews
  5. DarkStation
    70
    An average shooter through and through. The gameplay is average and so are the graphics. There isn't anything new or exciting happening in this game, but mostly things we have seen done better in other titles.
  6. G4 TV
    60
    There's always potential in the realistic shooter, and on paper, Shadow Ops seems pretty strong. But that crucial spark that separates the good from the great is mission in action.
  7. Game Chronicles
    69
    Starts off strong with a great story, flawless controls, and some initially impressive graphics, but the more you play the more the graphics start to reveal their flaws, as does the gameplay, when AI glitches and environmental bugs start to pop up and ruin the experience.
  8. Game Informer
    58
    A merely passable game...Why have a White Castle hamburger when you can have a juicy steak? [Aug 2004, p.103]
  9. GamePro
    70
    The game sadly plays as a barely mediocre firefight.
  10. Gamer's Hell
    65
    Just another average game that tries well but just doesn't stand out amongst the myriad of great shooters out on the market.
  11. Gamer's Pulse
    70
    A reliable, well-designed and fun shooter title to provide you with some intense gameplay both in single player and multiplayer versions.
  12. games(TM)
    50
    An average single-player game with competent but not brilliant multiplayer modes tacked onto the side. [Aug 2004, p.106]
    All this publication's reviews
  13. GameSpot
    68
    The campaign missions can be pretty intense at times--but the underlying action itself lacks the sort of visceral punch that shooters ought to have. It's not that big of an issue in the heavily scripted single-player levels, but Shadow Ops' clunky multiplayer gameplay significantly suffers for it.
  14. GameSpy
    60
    Perhaps the single biggest fault of Shadow Ops is that the game simply offers nothing new to the genre and lacks any personality.
  15. Gamezilla!
    70
    It could've been a good title if it'd been tweaked more, especially in paying attention to the AI driving the opposition. But without that love, this is just another 'seen it 15 times this year' title.
  16. IGN
    70
    Yes, it has some glaring AI problems, some repetitive and overly simplistic gameplay aspects. And yeah, one of the final cut-scenes, where our hero lands on a speeding train, is about as PlayStation One graphics as it gets, I still enjoyed the game.
  17. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    72
    The biggest problem is that Shadow Ops apparent efforts at achieving a cinematic feel have fallen well flat and the FMV is disappointingly bland.
  18. Kombo
    50
    Forgettable Moment: Missions 3-23, all more or less the same, all frustratingly linear and unoriginal.
  19. MS Xbox World
    70
    With its no nonsense game play I recommend this title for those bored of the Tom Clancy approach to gaming.
  20. Official Xbox Magazine
    71
    While it doesn't have the style of "Halo" or the myriad of gameplay choices like "Splinter Cell," Shadow Ops is a decent throwback to simpler shooter times when running and gunning was all that is to be expected. [Aug 2004, p.77]
    All this publication's reviews
  21. Play Magazine
    67
    A linear approach to design and the tired reliance on ubiquitously placed exploding barrels will raise red flags for some, but I'm always down for an intense march through a shooting gallery. [July 2004, p.73]
    All this publication's reviews
  22. The Sydney Morning Herald
    60
    Pure, mindless action hindered by a couple of dud rounds.
  23. TotalGames.net
    73
    One major plus point is a superb, absorbing 5.1-surround sound experience that demands volume and really brings the game to life.
    All this publication's reviews
  24. Warcry
    70
    The lack of a quick save or manual save takes a great deal of enjoyment out of the game.
  25. Xbox World Australia
    60
    A few interesting urban levels, cinematic cutscenes and kickass surround sound aren't enough to save Shadow Ops from being decidedly mediocre. It isn't horribly bad, but it isn't good either.
  26. XboxAddict
    60
    While the action is intense the first time you take control, this coolness becomes a novelty after a while. The missions are real basic and offer little flavor once you've played through the first few levels.
  27. Yahoo!
    70
    A little frustrating, a little predictable, but like many a Hollywood blockbuster, it's a thrill ride worth taking.

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2004
24
#24 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2004

User Reviews

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User Score
6.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 14
  3. Negative: 4 out of 14
  1. SamJ.
    May 13, 2007
    6
    Good game, but damn guys, how bout some checkpoints?? im what some might call a hardcore fps fan (like all i play is shooters) easy is too Good game, but damn guys, how bout some checkpoints?? im what some might call a hardcore fps fan (like all i play is shooters) easy is too easy, medium is challenging enough, but no save points! hard is insane! difficulty levels are not balanced! a good weekender, but dont buy it, there is never ANYONE online anyway.… Full Review »
  2. BobM.
    Feb 1, 2005
    8
    Shadow ops is a solid game. It is tough and very intense. The graphics are very nice and the levels are a blast. Everything is great in this Shadow ops is a solid game. It is tough and very intense. The graphics are very nice and the levels are a blast. Everything is great in this game except one thing. The are no checkpoints. You have to restart the long levels every time you die.… Full Review »
  3. NuNRG
    Nov 18, 2004
    9
    Definitely an under appreciated FPS. The graphics may not set a standard for the genre, however, it does have its moments. The sound effects Definitely an under appreciated FPS. The graphics may not set a standard for the genre, however, it does have its moments. The sound effects and music is among the best in an xbox game easily on the same level found in the recently released Halo 2. The aiming cursor feels very tight making it easy to aim in on targets. The control scheme setup rivals that of Halo's and in a few ways actually improves upon it. The left-trigger is used to zoom in making it easier and feel more natural than pushing in the R3 (very nice) Weapons change is done via the d-pad with each weapon assigned to a direction press for four weapons carrying at once vice two from Halo (an improvement) You can lob or roll a grenade with the black/white buttons (another improvement) Xbox live and link play support (oh yeah) and a fairly decent story to carry you through the game making Red Mercury a very solid purchase.… Full Review »
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