10 Hidden PS3 Gems You Should Track Down
4. Spec Ops: The Line (2012)
Spec Ops: The Line found itself in the wrong place at the wrong time when it touched down on PS3 in 2012. Battlefield and Call of Duty had the monopoly on the military shooter by then, and anything else that entered this arena was often dismissed off hand as the latest in a long line of 'me-too' titles.
To say this is an accurate description of the 10th entry in the Spec Ops series is sacrilege. Yager Development went to great lengths to distinguish the sequel and ensure it stood out from the crowd.
The Line takes place in Dubai after a sandstorm of biblical proportions has ripped through the city and left vast sections of it buried. The player is part of a squadron of troops sent in to find out what happened to a band of missing US soldiers who were helping to evacuate the city when the elements raged out of control.
Sand is one of the things which differentiates the game from your bog standard squad-based shooter. Whether a blistering sandstorm is creating striking visuals, or the player is triggering an avalanche to bury their foes, The Line's setting impacts on its gameplay in all kinds of meaningful ways.
The game also packs an emotional gut-punch at every turn, with players pitted against ethical dilemmas that always end up hurting somebody. It's a military shooter with a heart, a message and unique sandy mechanics.