OPERATION FLASHPOINT: DRAGON RISING

Xbox 360

(Codemasters)

War, as if anyone needed to be told, is hell.

Operation Flashpoint shoves players into a world where every bullet is potentially lethal, and anyone who acts like Rambo is likely to end up dead.

In this painfully real military sim, players are cast first as infantry marines, and in later missions as helicopter pilots, Special Forces officers, and tank commanders.

Creep through shrubberies, sneak up on enemy encampments, and give your comrades orders to move, defend, attack, or run away like big girls.

Operation Flashpoint stands out with a massive map and gritty gameplay, but falls short of more fanciful war games like Call of Duty.

When the truth hurts this much, you would prefer to hear lies.

7/10