Full Spectrum Warrior (PC, THQ, MA15+)

By PETER ELEY

(Herald Rating * * * * * )

Given the state of world affairs, the synopsis for Full Spectrum Warrior is quite chilling. Set in the fictional country of Zekistan, it assumes that United States forces have succeeded in their Iraq and Afghanistan missions.

Disaffected Taleban and Iraqis have rallied under the protection of Zekistan's dictator, Al Afad, and terrorist training facilities and death camps have been set up there. You play a member of Charlie 90, an elite squad, whose job is to work with the Army Rangers to eliminate Al Afad.

Whether or not parallels with the situation in Iraq were intended is unclear, but the style and scope of the game means it is, in effect, a simulation of that sort of conflict.

That isn't surprising, as Full Spectrum Warrior is based on a US Army training aid developed for troops about to undertake close-quarter fighting in towns and cities.

Given the background, it doesn't seem quite right to call this a game. Let's say it's more of a simulation, which in a limited way will give players some insight into what sort of problems US and other soldiers face in Iraq.

Full Spectrum Warrior was written for the Xbox, and the PC version looks much the same, which is no bad thing given the console's graphical grunt.

Backgrounds are reminiscent of those scenes we see nightly on the news, scorched cities set in arid terrain, and the characters look realistic and move fluidly.

Your squad has believable identities, with nicknames such as Iron Man, Crawdaddy and Fuzz. Their ethnic makeup reflects the US cosmopolitan nature. We have African-Americans, Arab Americans, Irish-Italians, Caucasians and Polynesians in our eight-man squad.

The game can appear slow , but that isn't surprising as it is more of a realistic simulation than an action title, and as such, requires more than a little thought.

The PC version has two bonus levels, which follow the overthrow of Al Afad.

This leads to your squad being assigned to prevent his son and brother using Muhajedeen and militant mullahs to stage a revolt.

It may be a bit too close to home for many, but if you're okay with the subject matter, there's no doubt it is a well-constructed game.



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