After two decades of history, the tactical shooter Delta Force has returned with a new free-to-play approach. While the franchise originally established itself as a competitor to Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon around 2000, it has now transformed into something more streamlined and mainstream.
A Battlefield-Inspired Experience
Delta Force’s latest iteration opts for large-scale PVP warfare where two teams compete to capture sectors on a map, similar to Battlefield’s Conquest mode. The game features 64-player matches with teams of 32 players divided into squads of four. Multiple game modes are available, including:
- Warfare: The standard sector-capturing mode
- Blitz: A variant with no base respawn
- Siege: A single sector with multiple points and limited tickets
- Hill of Iron: A king-of-the-hill variant
The game incorporates various vehicles including M1A4s, LAV-AAs, and assault helicopters, bringing the large-scale combat feel that Battlefield players would recognize.
Operators and Roles
Delta Force features nine operators divided into four roles:
- Assault: Faster movement speed and stronger infantry capabilities
- Support: Team-based assistance abilities
- Engineer: Vehicle repair and utility functions
- Recon: Scouting and long-range combat
Each operator brings unique abilities to the table. For example, Luna’s detection arrow can scout an area and reveal hostile positions. The operators’ designs and personalities are somewhat divisive, with some characters feeling more polished than others.
Weapons and Customization
The weapon selection is robust, featuring a variety of assault rifles, submachine guns, shotguns, and sniper rifles. Each weapon can be customized with different attachments, and while the sound design could use improvement, the weapons provide responsive feedback during combat.
Engineers are particularly valuable for their ability to counter vehicles with stingers and AT-4s, making them essential for balanced team play.
Maps and Visuals
The maps are visually impressive, with locations like Ascension featuring prominent rock formations that provide vantage points for snipers, while Threshold offers extensive pine forests. The texture quality and atmospheric effects are decent, with performance remaining steady even during chaotic moments of combat.
While the maps flow well and offer distinct points of interest, they can sometimes feel plain. However, this simplicity makes them well-suited for vehicle combat.
Operations Mode
Beyond the standard Battlefield-inspired warfare, Delta Force also offers an “Operations” mode—an unorthodox mix of PVE and PVP clearly inspired by Escape from Tarkov. Players face off against AI combatants to extract loot while dealing with other players, either solo or in a squad.
The mode features:
- A risk/reward system where death means losing everything
- An injury system where body parts can be broken, max health reduced, and vision blurred
- Missions to complete
- Base upgrades that unlock new items
The Operations maps are robust with multiple extraction points and challenging structures, including boss encounters. While not top-tier in terms of quality, especially with relatively easy AI, the mode offers a different gameplay experience where operator abilities shine more prominently.
Raids and Progression
For those seeking more structured PVE content, Delta Force offers raids like “Operation Serpentine,” which supports up to three players across four stages without the risk of losing loot. The downside is that enemies are more lethal, making it challenging to complete solo.
Progression follows a standard XP system, with players leveling up to unlock new weapons. Using weapons frequently unlocks additional customization options. The game also features daily logins, challenges, and rewards, though the system can become overwhelming to track.
Conclusion
Delta Force is a competent competitive shooter that draws inspiration from popular titles like Battlefield and Escape From Tarkov. While it may not break new ground, it executes its borrowed concepts well enough to provide a viable alternative, especially with its free-to-play model and relatively minimal bugs.
With Battlefield temporarily out of the picture until its next installment, Delta Force offers a solid option for fans of large-scale combat. However, whether it can sustain long-term interest remains to be seen. Hopefully, the open beta approach will allow for new additions and creative risks that could give Delta Force its own distinct identity.
