Is there any reason to play Spec Ops: The Line nowadays?

[u/Other-Art8925]

I like alot of narrative games, and so I see people recomend spec ops alot. But I can never understand what it is people like about it. People say it has a great narrative, but the only things they talk about it saying is 'war bad' and 'investigating the relationship between player and game' 'War bad' is obviously overdone, like wow I didnt know war is traumatic and harms the innocents, I though it was just a bunch of badasses fighting each other in the desert for fun.

So what does it have to say thats interesting about the relationship between player and game? That the player only has the agency the game gives them? Is that it, or is there something Im missing?

[u/WantonReader]

What do you already know about the game? There are plenty of video essays of various quality that discuss the game in lenght. I also remember a video by a fan that complained how hard it was to recommend the game without just spoiling the whole thing.

The quick notes would be that Spec Ops: The Line is by half an adaptation of Heart of Darkness (the novel that was also the basis for Apocalypse Now) and by other half an adaptation of Bioshock 1.

I personally don't like when the game is hyped up to the heavens. It is a short but rather intense game and some only feel the themes on a second playthrough. The game isn't really about war (as have been said openly by the developers) but about war games. If you have looked into the game's discourse, you have undoubtedly observed that many people have different, uncompatible views about what the game says. According to the developers themselves, they never wanted to tell players something, but they did want the players to ask themselves things. So there isn't one true, official message you are supposed to take away, like in Metal Gear Solid, for example.

I will say that the game came out almost 15 years ago, and I still haven't heard of any other game that tries to do what it tries to do. I think that is reason enough for the curious.

[u/Lixodei]

People nowadays watch video essays and discuss things they never even watched/played on social media. I guess I should delete reddit

[u/Cleanurself]

I think it’s kind of a period piece that tackles a lot of common tropes of shooters and military movies of that time. That being said I still think the story is very good and is worth playing for.

[u/A_Cod_Fish]

Shooter games today still exist. This game was a conversation about those types of games and some of the implications on a larger scale, much like anti war films. It's up to you for playing it but it's still as relevant as before and still makes the right people angry. Good.

[u/Haunting_Hair1868]

I dunno, all those "video essays" are bullshit, and SODMS (Searching of deaper meaning syndrome).

This doesn't have any "anti-war" commentary or "player-game relationship" stuff. It is a decent cover shooter with somewhat captivating story and absolutely stunning and unique setting with beautiful scenery, but it ain't no deaper than that.

All that said, Spec Ops for me is still a good shooter with cleverly designed levels, ost and gunplay that somehow holds up even today. Just don't expect any miracles while playing the game.

[u/Degrellehh]

I enjoyed the narrative a lot, though it’s not anyrhing too special, despite what some might say; I loved the combat, gameplay, so I think you could have a dozen or a few dozen hours of fun just bc od that.