June 18, 2009
NovaLogic

Delta Force: Black Hawk Down

Converting a recent high-casualty American military engagement into a video game may seem callous, but the game's approach does not feel exploitative. Instead, Black Hawk Down comes across as honoring the experience of the men and women who served and died in Somalia in late 1993. The game feels sim

91%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

stability, grinding

91% User Score Based on 298 reviews

Critic Score 68%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $249.99

Buy NowGet on Steam

About

"Delta Force: Black Hawk Down" is a warfare shooter game that allows for single-player, local multi-player, and co-op modes for up to 2 players. The game is based on the true story of the 1993 military operations in Mogadishu, Somalia, where players take on the role of a Delta Force operative, completing daring raids against Somali warlords to restore order. Gameplay features a split screen option for a seamless multi-player experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 298 reviews

story20 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

Delta Force: Black Hawk Down is a nostalgic classic that offers engaging gameplay and a variety of missions, making it a memorable experience for fans of military shooters.
The game features intense firefights and a realistic portrayal of military operations in Somalia, providing an immersive experience despite its dated graphics.
Many players appreciate the game's cooperative multiplayer modes and the ability to create custom maps, adding to its replay value and community engagement.

The game suffers from significant technical issues, including crashes and poor AI behavior, which can detract from the overall experience.
Graphics and gameplay mechanics feel outdated compared to modern shooters, leading to frustration for players accustomed to contemporary titles.
The removal of the game from the Steam store has limited access for new players, making it difficult for fans to recommend it to others.

story
93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
74%
4%
The game's story is primarily centered around the Battle of Mogadishu, with missions that reflect real events from the 1993 conflict, though many players find the narrative execution to be bland and lacking depth. While the missions offer a variety of combat scenarios and allow for some player choice in loadouts, the overall storytelling is criticized for being simplistic and repetitive, often feeling like a series of typical military objectives without significant character development or plot progression. Despite these shortcomings, the game is noted for its immersive atmosphere and engaging gameplay, particularly for fans of military shooters.
- “The story is amazing; it even gives you goosebumps at times. The gameplay is fantastic, and the environment is immersive despite the graphical quality.”
- “The campaign consists of missions set before and during the Battle of Mogadishu, and they are mostly memorable and diverse enough not to be tedious.”
- “Telling the true story of the battle for Somalia and Black Hawk Down, this game received a lifetime of criticism and attention.”
- “If you really want to know the story in detail, read the book, and if you don't like to read books, I suggest you watch the movie that has the same name 'Black Hawk Down (2001)'.”
- “Not really much else to say for the story; it's all very bland.”
- “So far this truly sounds like every other Call of Duty game (and it basically is), but just imagine for a second if Call of Duty had only a mere fraction of its actual production values, no scripting, no atmosphere, no characters, and no story at all, weak and samey gunplay, prehistoric graphics, zero variety in mission design, and on top would take place in the same poorly designed location the whole game.”
graphics
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
58%
8%
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, even at the time of its release, with many players noting that they have not aged well compared to modern standards. While the visuals may be considered "meh" or "primitive," the gameplay remains engaging and enjoyable, often overshadowing the graphical shortcomings. Overall, players suggest that despite the dated graphics, the game's immersive environment and compelling gameplay make it worth playing, though a remaster would be welcomed.
- “Finally, a Delta Force game with proper graphics and a nice in-game soundtrack!”
- “Good graphics for their times, interesting missions based on real events.”
- “Despite the graphics for today's standards, this is still one of my favorites.”
- “The graphics are so low that you don't have any real distance or environment; it should be remastered or made entirely new.”
- “The graphics weren't up to standard even for its time.”
- “If you compare it to the new games, yes, the graphics are dated, but in the realm of PS3s and PS4s, it was gold and is still very playable.”
gameplay
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
52%
11%
The gameplay is characterized by varied missions and cooperative multiplayer modes that enhance replay value, despite the game's dated graphics. While some players find the mechanics simplistic and occasionally poorly explained, the overall experience remains engaging with smooth gameplay and enjoyable firefights. However, issues such as bugs and design flaws can detract from the experience, leading to mixed feelings about its execution.
- “The game's varied missions and cooperative multiplayer modes add replay value and excitement to the gameplay.”
- “Despite its dated graphics by today's standards, its engaging gameplay and adrenaline-pumping firefights keep players hooked.”
- “The story is amazing, it even gives you goosebumps at times, the gameplay is amazing, the environment is immersive despite the graphical quality.”
- “Fortunately, the gameplay is not as dull and poor as the visual presentation, but still extremely simplistic and arcady.”
- “Taking different weapons will leave the gameplay completely unaffected for the most part, except one mission during nighttime, where it is somewhat obligatory to use a silenced MP5.”
- “The game had potential but with the bugs, bad mechanics, and poor designs for friendlies (they look exactly like the enemies yet fail to shoot them) made it seem like the game was rushed and forcefully shelled out while it still wasn't complete.”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
29%
21%
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, with each mission featuring its own unique theme that complements the action. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout element, noting its dramatic and fitting nature that remains memorable long after playing. Overall, the audio, including music and sound effects, significantly contributes to the game's immersive atmosphere.
- “Finally a Delta Force game with proper graphics and a nice in-game soundtrack!”
- “Good soundtrack blends in well with the missions.”
- “The music is alright, each mission having its own theme which is nice.”
- “Literally the only thing in DFBHD that is halfway decent is the sound with its somewhat dramatic combat chatter, fitting music, and one or two relatively meaty gun sounds.”
- “BHD is the first title to feature a lot of chatter between teammates and music tracks during missions.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The atmosphere in the game is praised for its diversity and engaging plots, contributing to an immersive experience. However, some critiques highlight a lack of originality, with comparisons to other titles in the genre, suggesting that without strong production values and varied environments, the atmosphere could feel repetitive. Overall, well-crafted missions and a sense of danger enhance the game's ambiance, compensating for shortcomings in AI.
- “The authors must be praised for their efforts in devising diverse plots and creating the most attractive atmosphere possible.”
- “Good scripted missions and a great atmosphere of enemies everywhere make up for the lousy AI.”
- “So far this truly sounds like every other Call of Duty game (and it basically is), but just imagine for a second if Call of Duty had only a mere fraction of its actual production values, no scripting, no atmosphere, no characters, and no story at all, weak and samey gunplay, prehistoric graphics, zero variety in mission design, and on top would take place in the same poorly designed location the whole game.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is criticized for being quite buggy and glitchy, indicating a need for improvements in this area. Reviewers suggest that with additional time and resources, enhancements could be made to address these issues.
- “If they had more time and money, they could have improved the graphics, smoothed out a few bugs and glitches, and made the AI more intelligent.”
- “Bugs and glitches.”
- “The game was quite buggy and glitchy.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players highlight the game's strong replayability due to its diverse missions and engaging cooperative multiplayer modes, which promise hours of entertainment beyond the initial campaign experience.
- “The game's varied missions and cooperative multiplayer modes add replay value and excitement to the gameplay.”
- “I've only played the campaign so far, but there are a lot of hours to be had with the missions, and there's a lot of replayability.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be engaging, as the campaign missions related to the battle of Mogadishu are memorable and diverse, preventing the experience from feeling tedious.
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The monetization aspect of the game is highlighted by its strategic use of recognizable branding, such as the subtitle "Black Hawk Down," which draws parallels to a popular film. Additionally, players appreciate the inclusion of various features and mechanics that enhance gameplay, suggesting that the monetization strategy may be tied to delivering a quality experience rather than relying solely on aggressive in-game purchases.
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, with essential features locked behind paywalls that make it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
- “It's frustrating to see that the game prioritizes profit over player experience, with constant prompts to purchase in-game currency for basic upgrades.”
- “The reliance on microtransactions detracts from the overall gameplay, making it feel more like a cash grab than a well-designed game.”