ARMA: Cold War Assault

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,768 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
ARMA: Cold War Assault Game Cover
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"Arma: Cold War Assault", originally published as Operation Flashpoint, is a genre-defining combat military simulation that portrays the horrors of an imminent WWIII. As a player, you command a squad of troops and use over 40 authentic vehicles and aircraft in immersive campaigns and single missions. The game features vast 100km2 battlezones, LAN/Internet multiplay, and a story-driven 20-mission Resistance campaign. With its stunning graphics and realistic gameplay, this game offers an unforgettable military simulation experience.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,768 reviews
story132 positive mentions
graphics119 negative mentions
  • story627 mentions

    The story in "Arma: Cold War Assault" is set against a backdrop of a fictional Cold War conflict, featuring a lengthy campaign that spans over 40 missions and includes a variety of gameplay styles, from infantry combat to vehicle operations. While the narrative is engaging and immersive, some players find it challenging due to limited saves per mission and the game's punishing difficulty, which can lead to frustration. Overall, the combination of a solid storyline, diverse mission types, and a robust mission editor contributes to a rich gaming experience, despite some technical issues and dated graphics.

    • “I was impressed how immersed I got in the story and setting.”
    • “The campaign starts with you jumping on your motorcycle while the tanks roll in, and then you need to escape into the forest and set up a resistance unit keeping only the weapons and vehicles your team can salvage from mission to mission.”
    • “The story is an interesting 'cold war gone hot' scenario set around a fictional Balkan-flavored island chain and a rogue Soviet general's attempt to destroy the NATO garrison there.”
    • “The campaign is notoriously difficult, the enemy AI is very punishing and most missions give you a lot of freedom into deciding on how you aim to complete your objective.”
    • “Some missions are unfair, like fighting a bunch of enemies with limited people and enemies shooting from bushes when you can't see them.”
    • “The one save per mission is also a massive pain and a letdown for gameplay, really breaking any flow the game has if you unfortunately die.”
  • graphics453 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely criticized for being outdated and subpar, often described as reminiscent of early 2000s or even late 90s visuals. Many players acknowledge that while the graphics detract from the overall experience, the gameplay and mechanics still provide a rewarding experience for those willing to overlook the visual shortcomings. Overall, the consensus is that the game's charm and depth can compensate for its poor graphical fidelity, making it a nostalgic experience for fans of the genre.

    • “Best game, cool graphics 👍”
    • “Classic vintage game, not overcomplicated and has a nice balance between graphics, gameplay, simplicity and skill required to enjoy the game.”
    • “For a 20+ year old game, the graphics hold up pretty well.”
    • “The graphics are really really really bad.”
    • “The graphics are a blurry mess.”
    • “The graphics are so bad you could probably run this on a computer without a graphics card.”
  • gameplay267 mentions

    The gameplay of this game, while historically significant and offering a rich tactical experience, is often criticized for its clunky mechanics, convoluted controls, and outdated graphics. Many players appreciate the depth and realism of the gameplay, particularly in its mission editor and campaign design, but newcomers may find the learning curve steep and frustrating. Overall, it remains a nostalgic title for fans of military simulations, though its age shows in various aspects that may deter modern gamers.

    • “To top it all off, it has an extremely easy-to-use yet very versatile mission editor, which can add countless hours of gameplay.”
    • “The graphics might be dated now, but the gameplay still holds surprisingly well.”
    • “For its age, the gameplay is really solid and the realistic nature makes it one of the most immersive war games I have played.”
    • “The game's mechanics feel cumbersome and unrefined, hindering immersion and enjoyment.”
    • “The one save per mission is also a massive pain and a letdown for gameplay and really breaks any flow the game has if you unfortunately die, and it doesn't seem like there are any fixes for this that I can find.”
    • “The gameplay is just too janky and frustrating to be fun.”
  • stability40 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players note issues with AI pathfinding, mission triggers, and overall performance, especially on modern systems. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm despite these flaws, the consensus is that the game is often clunky and frustratingly unstable.

    • “Runs great on old PCs.”
    • “The game maintains a steady frame rate, even during intense action sequences.”
    • “I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs, which is impressive for a game of this scale.”
    • “This game is buggy and stupid.”
    • “The handling of the tank, chopper, and plane are so buggy, messy, unintuitive, and frustrating.”
    • “Buggy, broken, and unplayable on modern systems.”
  • music39 mentions

    The music in the game features a diverse range, from orchestral compositions to modern rock, with many reviewers praising the soundtrack as a standout element that enhances the overall experience. While some find the music to be memorable and evocative of the game's themes, others criticize it for being repetitive or overshadowed by other aspects of the game. Overall, the soundtrack is often described as fantastic, with a nostalgic quality that resonates with players, despite some mixed opinions on its execution.

    • “The soundtrack remains a masterpiece and the campaign is long and interesting all along.”
    • “Composed by Ondřej Matejka, it is a combination of orchestral music and synths and feels like a 1980s action movie score.”
    • “The music illustrates the Cold War very well and this game has a lot of character.”
    • “The OST is also really goofy.”
    • “Bad writing, bad graphics, bad controls, inaccurate tutorial, keybinds not working, awkward soundtrack... not worth paying for.”
    • “The theme is nice, but is easily overused, as there is practically barely any other song in the game.”
  • humor32 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it amusing due to quirky glitches, funny character animations, and chaotic multiplayer moments, while others criticize the flat voice acting and overall lack of genuine comedic value. Many reviews highlight the unintentional humor stemming from AI behavior and player interactions, making it a source of laughter despite its technical shortcomings. Overall, the game's charm lies in its ability to evoke laughter through its absurdities, even if it doesn't consistently deliver intentional humor.

    • “Best launched with the infamous hilarious satchel charges.”
    • “My friend was piloting a helicopter and I killed him with an AK-47, then surprisingly he crash-landed on top of me; it was so hilarious!”
    • “To boot, the animations are hilarious.”
    • “Not funny!”
    • “The jokes fell flat and felt forced.”
    • “I expected more laughs, but the humor was stale.”
  • optimization30 mentions

    The game's optimization for modern hardware is widely criticized, with users reporting frequent crashes, significant performance issues, and poor graphical fidelity. Many players struggle to find a stable performance balance, often experiencing stuttering and lag, particularly with modern controls and settings. Overall, the game appears to be poorly optimized, leading to a frustrating experience for those using contemporary systems.

    • “All the game needs honestly is a remaster that removes bugs, fixes audio so some voices are not dead silent while others blow your ears, and improves performance.”
    • “Finding that graphical/performance sweet spot is a matter of trial-and-error, which can be time-consuming.”
    • “Love this game for its unique atmosphere, great colors, well-suited sounds and OST, good gameplay optimization.”
    • “The biggest problem by far is its horrible optimization and technical performance on modern systems.”
    • “I really want to recommend this game based on my time played, but its optimization for new systems and hardware is very poor.”
    • “This game is not optimized well, and it looks like it wasn't ready to play whenever it released.”
  • atmosphere21 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and realistic portrayal of the 1980s Cold War setting, enhanced by well-designed missions, engaging storytelling, and effective sound design. Despite its age and some technical shortcomings, players appreciate the game's ability to evoke tension and a sense of peril, making it a standout experience in the military genre. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a significant strength, contributing to the game's legacy as a classic.

    • “The single player campaigns are some of the best and most atmospheric you'll ever experience in this genre.”
    • “All the good atmosphere and the sensations described above are the result of magnificent mission and campaign design, the realistic approach you have to take in combat if you don't want to be quickly killed, and great military radio commands that provide amazing immersion and realism.”
    • “This game sets the atmosphere and tension really well, but I recommend the newer Arma games for a more polished experience.”
    • “The atmosphere and tangible peril make you cautious and respect the game.”
    • “While mechanics improved with recent Arma titles, the Cold War atmosphere and Central European feel is unmatched.”
  • replayability12 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its exceptional replayability, offering a wealth of singleplayer content, a popular multiplayer mode, and a versatile level editor that fosters endless user-generated content. While some reviews express mixed feelings about specific aspects, the majority highlight the game's enduring fun and replay value, with many players finding it more engaging than its sequels.

    • “The amount of content and replayability was insane for its time: singleplayer content, a very popular multiplayer, a level editor with endless possibilities, and an infinite amount of user-created content.”
    • “That means the game is highly replayable in very different ways.”
    • “It's tons of fun, replayable, lots of mods, and can run on just about anything.”
    • “Replay value: 0/10”
    • “And replayability?”
    • “Experience this gem which did not lose replayability in over 10 years!”
  • grinding11 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and punishing, primarily due to limited checkpoints and the high stakes of death, which can lead to repetitive gameplay. While some appreciate the realistic mechanics, many express frustration with the necessity of grinding and the challenges of working with AI, often comparing it unfavorably to other grind-heavy games. Overall, the consensus is that the grinding experience can detract significantly from enjoyment.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The game is quite difficult, and while this is certainly fine as all Arma games are supposed to be difficult, the game features very limited checkpoints and only one save per mission, meaning deaths are extremely consequential and quite frankly tedious to deal with.”
    • “Seems like people equate repeating the same tedious movement as the price of failure somehow makes this a good game.”
    • “Working with the AI is the single most obnoxious thing I have ever had to do in a game, and I spent some years on grindy MMOs.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    Players report a strong emotional connection to the game, with one user expressing that the gripping story led to tears during a pivotal moment. The ability to create personalized scenarios adds a layer of nostalgia and fun, reminiscent of playing with toy soldiers, while the overall content is described as more wholesome compared to previous titles. However, some caution against technical issues that could detract from the experience.

    • “Anyway, as I was saying, it launched, I screamed, I clicked play... then I cried.”
    • “The story really gripped me and actually made me cry when Romero died.”
    • “Basically, the content package this game offers is just much more wholesome than in the Armas.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is generally positive, with no intrusive ads present, which enhances the overall experience. While some users note that the game's ad system feels outdated, they still find the game enjoyable and worth purchasing during sales.

    • “For 2001, it's not bad; the ad system and the mouse control are a little dated, I guess, but other than that, the game is fun and worth picking up on sale.”
    • “The gunplay is alright, hit registration is fine and all, but the ads feel a bit glide-y, making it harder to engage at range.”
  • character development2 mentions

    The game features exceptional character design and voice acting, contributing to a unique progression system that enhances character development, setting it apart from many contemporary titles.

    • “God tier character design, voice acting, and gameplay.”
    • “The game progression and character development is rarely seen in games today.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

9hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
8-14hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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