Operation Vietnam

The first thing to point out is that this is a budget game in the US, priced at just $20. So why is it a full price £29.99 jobby over here in the UK? We’re used to a straight dollar-to-sterling exchange rate for most products, unfair though even that is, but to hike the price up further for the UK release seems mean.

That said, this squad-based shooter, while simplistic, isn’t terrible. After rescuing your four-man squad from the enemy during the first tutorial mission, you’re plunged into some frantic full-on missions. Your squad comprises a marine-style figure with an automatic, quick-firing weapon; a medic, who is less effective in combat but can heal the squad with medi-packs; a sniper whose rifle can take out enemies from a distance; and a mustachioed bazooka-wielding nutter who can wreak havoc on densely populated areas. This mix of abilities means the player needs to employ a bit of strategic thinking for some situations. Unfortunately the potential for complex combat is spoiled by the fact that you can complete most missions using a combination of distant sniper attacks and gung-ho surges with all guns blazing. The developers also deserve a slap on the wrist for underusing the touch-screen and not providing a multiplayer mode. If it was a tenner or so this would be a good pocket-money purchase, but there just ain’t enough bang for your buck.