Operation: Blockade
Encyclopedia
Operation: Blockade is a 2002 first person shooter video game developed by Screaming Games and published by Infogrames
for the PC
and arcade
systems. Set in a mock World War II
environment, the game has online
capabilities, and was released to mediocre reviews and criticism.
The game is a first person shooter — all action occurs from the perspective of the character as it is navigated throughout the gaming environment. Players equip stronger weapons as the game continues, allowing them to destroy weak enemies quickly or take down larger opponents. The multiplayer component allows players to team up against the enemy forces and deploy tactics based on their personal styles.http://www.screaminggames.com/OB1.htm
Most combat occurs in a fixed bunker; the player shoots down planes and other enemies from this location with a full, 360-degree perspective.http://pc.ign.com/articles/362/362512p1.html As with most arcade-style games, players accumulate points as they destroy enemy forces.
and GameSpot
. IGN issued a score of 4 out of 10, citing the graphics as "ghastly and painful" and the gameplay as forcing the reviewer to "scream in pain", while citing the audio as "not all that bad".http://pc.ign.com/articles/362/362512p1.html GameSpot rated the game a 3.6 out of 10, claiming that "If you were to...play this game, you'd have to be partially insane". GameSpot criticized the game's gameplay as "repetitive, often frustrating" and the challenge as having "little skill involved".http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/operationblockade/review.html However, unlike IGN, GameSpot considered the graphics the high point of the game, stating that the game "looks quite good".
Infogrames
Infogrames Entertainment SA was an international French holding company headquartered in Paris, France. It was the owner of Atari, Inc., headquartered in New York City, U.S. and Atari Europe. It was founded in 1983 by Bruno Bonnell and Christophe Sapet using the proceeds from an introductory...
for the PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
and arcade
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
systems. Set in a mock World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
environment, the game has online
ONLINE
ONLINE is a magazine for information systems first published in 1977. The publisher Online, Inc. was founded the year before. In May 2002, Information Today, Inc. acquired the assets of Online Inc....
capabilities, and was released to mediocre reviews and criticism.
Plot
During WWII, the Saruvian Empire invades and conquers the entire mainland of the United Sovereign Territories and only the southernmost island of Johnstown is free. The UST is able to build a small fort on a deserted island between the two nations though and use it to harass enemy supply lines. The UST is a fictional nation standing in for the United States, using all US weapons and medals. The Saruvian Empire is a fictional nation standing in for Germany, using all WWII era German weapons, uniforms, names, and political terms.Gameplay
As a tiny island outpost lying directly in the path of the supply line that the Saruvian Empire is using to invade his country, the player and his allies must defend against waves of enemy air, ground, and naval forces.http://pc.ign.com/objects/479/479937.htmlhttp://www.screaminggames.com/OB1.htmThe game is a first person shooter — all action occurs from the perspective of the character as it is navigated throughout the gaming environment. Players equip stronger weapons as the game continues, allowing them to destroy weak enemies quickly or take down larger opponents. The multiplayer component allows players to team up against the enemy forces and deploy tactics based on their personal styles.http://www.screaminggames.com/OB1.htm
Most combat occurs in a fixed bunker; the player shoots down planes and other enemies from this location with a full, 360-degree perspective.http://pc.ign.com/articles/362/362512p1.html As with most arcade-style games, players accumulate points as they destroy enemy forces.
Development
Developed by Screaming Games and its sister company, Professor Fog's Workshop,http://www.screaminggames.com/OB2.htm Operation: Blockade was loosely based on previous war shooters. marketing manager Dennis Davidson has stated that the game appeals to a wider audience than previous developments, as it allows players to begin action sequences immediately.http://www.screaminggames.com/OB2.htm The team also strived for accuracy in military units and weapons, as a way to appeal to dedicated war gamers.http://www.screaminggames.com/OB2.htmhttp://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/operationblockade/news.html?sid=2857296Reception and criticism
Operation: Blockade was met with negative reviews from IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
and GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
. IGN issued a score of 4 out of 10, citing the graphics as "ghastly and painful" and the gameplay as forcing the reviewer to "scream in pain", while citing the audio as "not all that bad".http://pc.ign.com/articles/362/362512p1.html GameSpot rated the game a 3.6 out of 10, claiming that "If you were to...play this game, you'd have to be partially insane". GameSpot criticized the game's gameplay as "repetitive, often frustrating" and the challenge as having "little skill involved".http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/operationblockade/review.html However, unlike IGN, GameSpot considered the graphics the high point of the game, stating that the game "looks quite good".