First Mission, the classic of the arcade era is back, but not in the way you think

I’m too young (actually not that young) to have lived through the boom of Operation Wolf in arcades, but it is one of those classics that have inevitably passed before our eyes dozens of times. Enough so that, when I found out about the launch of Operation Wolf Returns: First MissionI would like to go after him without hesitation.

With versions for all platforms but with the great asset of being able to also be played on virtual realitythis analysis of the return of the classic Skill It focuses especially on that version, but in reality the good and bad of this retro-flavored shooter spill over into all of them equally.

A drop of nostalgia

Hand in hand with one of those styles of play that can last an afternoon or a good season depending on the enthusiasm that this generates in you. Operation Wolf Returns: First Missionthe worst that can be said about it is that, if you are among the first group, do not expect much more than two hours of gameplay.

Too short to leave you wanting more, its great asset is precisely that, that despite the briefness of its campaign its festival of shots, grenades and explosions is sufficiently funny enough to be able to get angry when you get to the end.

Not because what I’ve experienced up to now hasn’t been worth it, mind you, but because, reminiscent of classics like Time Crisis or House of the Dead, his shots on rails are so well-fought that I wouldn’t have minded spending many more hours with him at all. helmet on. Considering how hot it is today, that’s saying enough.

With few weapons but well-resolved control, walking around shooting while eliminating soldiers, enemy vehicles and bosses that are surprisingly interesting in terms of mechanics, only some phases with a machine gun mounted while you go by helicopter or plane manage to destroy those good feelings.

A bittersweet return

The worst side of the coin is, as we have already mentioned, in a duration that does not give for much more. Once the campaign is over, you can face off against endless waves to see how long you can last while dodging bullets and shooting rockets that have put a price on your ass, but nothing more.

It seems like one of those projects for which time or money has run out prematurely and, on the rebound, they are left without offering you details that seemed planned from the beginning such as, without going any further, a good handful of targets and cucamonadas in a menu that seems meant for you to shoot and fiddle with them before you realize there’s no interaction at all.

While there are few complaints with primary weapons that they work perfectly, four in total with different ways of holding, one hand or two, the rest of the special weapons that appear from time to time when shooting key elements during the games are on the completely opposite side of that idea. They’re clunky, cumbersome, and fall far short of the destructive experience that things like a grenade launcher or rocket launcher are supposed to.

Like a gallery of ducks on rails, the AI of the enemies is almost zero, but the waves are well designed enough that playing sitting or standing makes a difference when it comes to constantly turning and trying to see if any soldiers straggling or appearing from behind by surprise can put you in trouble.

iGamesNews’s opinion

Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission It has all the good and the bad of this type of development for virtual reality. His intentions are unbeatable and its short duration delivers a most fun game, but the lack of ambition and wanting to be satisfied with the minimum plays a very trick on him.

If you see it on sale or nostalgia hits you too hard, try giving it a chance, but do it knowing that you won’t be able to get the most out of it that you would like and that, one way or another, Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission you will know little

Price of Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission

Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission It is available for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series and Nintendo Switch for a price of 39.99 dollars in its physical version (10 dollars less in digital) from July 13, 2023.

Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission

Duration of Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission

Although his mode with infinite hordes can go a little further, complete Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission It will take us more than a couple of hours unless you are somewhat dexterous.