Tactical Ops: Assault on Terror can't help but be compared to
Counter Strike. It is very similar to the popular internet game in many ways, most of which are good. Using the
Unreal engine, this game sends you into fights as either a Special Forces or Terrorist member to complete certain goals. A money system has been incorporated into the weapon system, where you buy your tools of destruction from the money you gain in previous battles.
A variety of weapons are offered, and are different for each side. Pistols, rifles, shotguns, and many kinds of grenades make up a lethal arsenal for you to pick and choose from. The differences are very apparent between each firearm, making it worthwhile to spend a lot of cash on the more expensive and better weapons.
With over 30 different levels, you probably won't be getting bored any time soon. But they would be nothing without varying mission objectives. There are 4 different types of games you can play, and each map is associated with one of these methods. Hostage Rescue has the Terrorists guarding a group of hostages, and it is the job of the other team to rescue them. Planting the Bomb gives one Terrorist a bomb, which he has to plant at a designated area. OICW again puts the ball in the Terrorists' court by placing the OICW gun somewhere on the map. The Terrorists must get this gun and eliminate the entire other team. Escape sees one of the teams fleeing for their lives while the opposing team tries to hunt them down.
Though Tactical Ops can be played solo, it was made for net play. Games are usually large, but do not rely on team cooperation that much, though it helps. Lone wolves can be found everywhere, and all types of play are encouraged. But while this is the game's greatest advantage, it is also its worst trait. If you're not connected to the internet, or you just have a slow connection, you cannot play this game. The single player experience can only suffice for so long, and there really isn't anything like playing against, or with, other human players.