Spec Ops: Covert Assault revolves around Army Rangers, the Army's elite combat units, and you making use of their killing powers. You go out in teams of two on a variety of missions and must complete the specified goals for each mission. You get to choose between five different Rangers, each specializing in a different fighting category such as sniping or close combat. You can also load them out with various weapons and extra equipment to your liking, but the decisions you make should reflect the nature of the mission.
Once in the mission, orders are received via one of your soldier's cell phones. You can easily switch between both soldiers, and ordering the other one around is quite simple given the nature of the game. Telling your partner to move up or give you a covering fire becomes second nature, and he's not there for looks; he'll save your hide many a time. Navigating the map might be a little difficult at first, as it lacks a conventional compass rose, but a little practice will solve this problem in no time.
Where the game hits a wall is during the firefights. Although situated in a 3D environment, aiming is done in 2D. You have no way to control the direction of your gun without moving your entire body. This makes for some very difficult aiming, as you and your target must be facing each other on the same plane, no matter how close you are. Even your buddy, as they refer to him in the instruction book, will have a hard time hitting enemies. Sniper Rifles come equipped with a scope and offer the most maneuverability for aiming, but even they have a limited area of movement.
Besides the Single Player mode, there is a cooperative Multiplayer mode that offers a little more replay and entertainment. Split screen, it allows two people to take on all of the single player missions. This is about the only replay value in the game, so cherish it while it lasts.
