Summary
- Release Year: 2003
- Genres: Shooter, Tactical
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox
- Developers: Argonaut Games
- Publishers: Sierra Entertainment
SWAT: Global Strike Team (2003): A Detailed Review
Introduction
SWAT: Global Strike Team (GST) is a first-person tactical arcade game developed by Irrational Games and published by Vivendi Universal Games. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, and Xbox in 2003. SWAT: GST is a spin-off of the SWAT series of tactical shooters, and it combines the strategic elements of SWAT 3 with the instantly accessible arcade action of the Virtua Cop series.
Gameplay
SWAT: GST is played from a first-person perspective. The player controls a member of the SWAT Global Strike Team, an international offshoot of the SWAT organization tasked with helping countries and organizations around the globe to resolve situations they cannot accomplish successfully on their own.
The game features a variety of missions, each with its own unique objectives. These objectives can include hostage rescue, bomb defusal, and VIP protection. The player must use a variety of weapons and tactics to complete each mission, including firearms, grenades, and flashbangs.
SWAT: GST also features a unique “Strike Team” system. The player can command a team of AI-controlled SWAT officers to assist them in completing missions. The player can issue commands to the Strike Team members, such as ordering them to move to a specific location or to engage a specific target.
Setting
SWAT: GST is set in a variety of locations around the world, including the United States, Russia, and the Middle East. The game’s missions are based on real-world events, such as the 1999 Columbine High School massacre and the 2002 Moscow theater hostage crisis.
Characters
The player character in SWAT: GST is a member of the SWAT Global Strike Team. The player can choose from a variety of different characters, each with their own unique skills and abilities.
The other members of the Strike Team are AI-controlled. They are all highly trained and experienced SWAT officers, and they will follow the player’s commands without question.
Weapons and Equipment
SWAT: GST features a wide variety of weapons and equipment, including firearms, grenades, and flashbangs. The player can also use a variety of gadgets, such as night vision goggles and thermal imaging.
The player can choose to equip their character with a variety of different weapons and equipment, depending on the mission objectives. For example, if the player is going to be engaging in a hostage rescue mission, they may want to equip their character with a non-lethal weapon, such as a taser or beanbag shotgun.
Reception
SWAT: GST received positive reviews from critics. The game was praised for its fast-paced action, variety of missions, and realistic graphics. However, some critics found the game to be too difficult, and they also criticized the AI of the Strike Team members.
Legacy
SWAT: GST was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. The game spawned a sequel, SWAT: Elite Force, which was released in 2004.
SWAT: GST is still considered to be one of the best tactical arcade games ever made. It is a challenging and rewarding game that offers a unique and exciting experience.
Conclusion
SWAT: Global Strike Team is a must-play for fans of tactical arcade games. It combines the strategy of SWAT 3 with the arcade action of Virtua Cop to create a unique and exciting experience. The game features a variety of missions, each with its own unique objectives. The player must use a variety of weapons and tactics to complete each mission, including firearms, grenades, and flashbangs. SWAT: GST also features a unique “Strike Team” system, which allows the player to command a team of AI-controlled SWAT officers to assist them in completing missions.
Review Score
8/10
Art
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