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Operation Flashpoint: Red River

A huge difference from the last game in the franchise. Codemasters has managed to take versus out of the franchise and make the game co-op intense while keeping the realism of Operation Flashpoint intact.
Operation Flashpoint: Red River Game Cover
56%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
graphics, stability
51% User Score Based on 786 reviews
Critic Score 69%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

Playstation 3Xbox 360PCXboxWindowsPlayStation
Operation Flashpoint: Red River Game Cover

About

Operation Flashpoint: Red River is a single player and multiplayer shooter game with a warfare theme. It was developed by Codemasters Action Studio and was released on April 20, 2011. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and neutral reviews from players.

Operation Flashpoint: Red River is a warfare shooter game that offers both single-player and multiplayer modes, including a four-player co-op campaign. Players can choose from four distinct classes in a Marine Fireteam and face new insurgent enemies and the Chinese PLA in the setting of Tajikistan. With personalized load-outs, authentic weapons, and the option to call in airstrikes, the game provides an immersive and tactical experience.

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51%
Audience ScoreBased on 786 reviews
story28 positive mentions
graphics23 negative mentions

  • The game offers a unique blend of tactical gameplay and action, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate military shooters.
  • The character dialogue, particularly from Staff Sergeant Knox, adds humor and personality to the game, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The game features a solid progression system, allowing players to level up their characters and unlock new weapons and abilities.
  • The reliance on Games for Windows Live has rendered the game unplayable for many, as the service is no longer supported.
  • The AI is often criticized for being unresponsive and ineffective, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • The graphics and overall presentation feel dated, lacking the polish expected from a game released in 2011.
  • story
    208 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Operation Flashpoint: Red River" is generally criticized for being linear, generic, and lacking depth, often revolving around typical military tropes of clearing insurgents from a foreign country. Players noted that the campaign consists of scripted missions with unskippable cutscenes and repetitive objectives, which detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciated the realistic military atmosphere and mission variety, many found the narrative uninspired and the execution flawed, leading to a disappointing storytelling experience.

    • “The fact that the story has a kind of real starting point (it speaks about Saddam and Obama), it's nice from a realistic point of view.”
    • “The way the missions and combat in the campaign were carried out seemed very authentic to me compared to how things are done in the real military - the tactics and fireteam/squad organization and hierarchy, etc.”
    • “Singleplayer is fun the first time through as the campaign has a decent story and good atmosphere.”
    • “The story is pretty basic 'hoorah murica get sum' action with the U.S. trying to restore peace by killing anything that moves, and overall the story is forgettable.”
    • “The story is bad in the first half and abysmal in the second half.”
    • “The plot is, in my opinion, static and generic.”
  • gameplay
    93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its tactical elements and class diversity, while others criticize it for being overly linear and simplistic, resembling a more casual shooter like Call of Duty. Many users noted issues with AI, controls, and repetitive mechanics, leading to a perception of dated gameplay despite some enjoyable aspects. Overall, while the game offers potential for replayability and fun co-op experiences, it struggles with execution and depth, leaving some players disappointed.

    • “With the fireteam engagement game modes with semi-radiant AI, the campaign, and the leveling system, this game has a ton of replayability and the potential for 100+ hours of gameplay easily.”
    • “The good: realistic marine squad shooter, with decent terrain and person graphics (for 2010, ok for 2020), interesting gameplay, linear objective-based missions which are somewhat varied (penetrate enemy lines, overwatch, convoy escort, mount and CQB urban clearing, night raid, search and rescue, last stand, and many more), and the total freedom to command your 4-person fireteam (Bravo) any way you choose as long as you stay within the mission's parameters.”
    • “The realistic gameplay and challenging missions are rewarding and the unlock/skill system gives replayability.”
    • “The gameplay consists of mindlessly shooting wave after wave of hostiles.”
    • “It is an extremely basic, boring, and barebones FPS with squad command gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is extremely linear, really holds your hand the whole time and gives you no say in tactics.”
  • graphics
    90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they appear dated and unimpressive, especially compared to its predecessor, Dragon Rising. While some appreciate the visuals for their time, describing them as decent or passable, others criticize them as poor and lacking polish, with specific complaints about texture resolution and overall aesthetic quality. Overall, the graphics do not meet current standards, but they are still considered playable by some players who prioritize gameplay over visual fidelity.

    • “Graphics for the time, more than decent.”
    • “The graphics are certainly very nice and contrary to some reviews the screenshots show it off rather well.”
    • “Great game, graphics are a little lacking but all around a great game to play.”
    • “The graphics are poor for the time it was released; Dragon Rising had better graphics.”
    • “The graphics have not aged well, and even back in 2011 when the game was launched, the graphics weren't that great, and the game isn't optimized that well for PC.”
    • “The graphics are worse than 2003 graphics.”
  • humor
    21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by hilarious dialogue, absurd AI antics, and over-the-top characters reminiscent of stereotypical military films. Players report laughing out loud at both scripted lines and unexpected moments, although some find the repetitive cutscenes can become tiresome. Overall, the blend of comedic writing and chaotic gameplay creates a uniquely entertaining experience.

    • “Many hilarious hours and calling out targets to be smacked out by your crew.”
    • “The dialogue in this is hilarious too; it's pretty much your stereotypical marine movie talk.”
    • “There are a few gems in there though, the line about 'are you trying to lose this war so you can live out here with thumper and bambi?' had me laughing.”
  • stability
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous users reporting significant issues related to the Games for Windows Live DRM, including freezing during sign-in and frequent crashes. While some players have not encountered major glitches, many describe the game as a "buggy mess" with various minor bugs, AI problems, and graphical glitches that detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, some players still find enjoyment in the gameplay, particularly in co-op mode.

    • “This game, due to still being attached to the old Microsoft Games Store DRM, is a buggy mess.”
    • “This game isn't even starting... the Games for Windows Live freezes while signing in and I'm only able to exit with a restart.”
    • “Overall just an unfinished buggy product that deserved the swift death it got.”
  • replayability
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game offers a mix of high replayability through its engaging fireteam modes, character progression, and co-op campaigns, with some players noting the potential for over 100 hours of gameplay. However, opinions vary, as some reviewers feel it lacks the depth of replayability found in its predecessor, leading to a more moderate assessment of its replay value. While many enjoy the realistic gameplay and unlock systems, a few critics highlight limitations that may affect long-term engagement.

    • “With the fireteam engagement game modes with semi-radiant AI, the campaign, and the leveling system, this game has a ton of replayability and the potential for 100+ hours of gameplay easily.”
    • “The realistic gameplay and challenging missions are rewarding, and the unlock/skill system gives replayability.”
    • “Because, with that you get character progression among several classes (replay value), weapon unlocks, gadget unlocks, full campaign co-op mode, fire team co-op missions, nice graphics, good sound, and fluid controls.”
    • “Great gameplay and mechanics but lacks replayability.”
    • “Replayability: 1/1”
    • “Replayability - decent”
  • music
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the background tracks, including classic rock and rap, which enhance the gameplay experience, particularly during vehicle segments. However, others criticize the soundtrack as subpar, with complaints about the quality of the rock music and excessive dialogue that detracts from the overall enjoyment. Overall, while the music can add a fun element, it is often overshadowed by negative feedback regarding its execution and integration into the game.

    • “The soundtrack is very nice too; you'll hear classic rock and rap songs while your team drives a Humvee to the next location.”
    • “I agree with those who say it has major problems and feels weird, but I got plenty of laughs out of being trashtalked by my squad, and listening to Megadeth and Pantera on the in-game music while driving through a battlefield.”
    • “Really loved the soundtrack giving you a 'danger' feel before going to battle.”
    • “In Red River, the game is so much more linear, and 60% of the gameplay is listening to Knox talk endlessly about his rules and being a Marine. Don't even get me started on the terrible rock music.”
    • “The mouse input is very 'floaty.' There's a five-minute part at the beginning after you complete the firing range portion of basic training, where all you do is listen to your platoon leader complain about how horrible you and your squad are while some hard rock music plays in the background.”
    • “Controlling the unit seems really bulky, the AI is poorly programmed, and the game has too long cutscenes with the worst game music ever.”
  • emotional
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional responses to the game are mixed; while some players found it to evoke strong feelings of nostalgia and realism, particularly in its portrayal of military life, others felt it fell flat with a boring storyline and frustrating gameplay. The contrast between moments of genuine emotional impact and overall dissatisfaction highlights a divide in player experiences.

    • “I was about ten years old when my mother told him, 'If you ever want to see your grandchildren grow up, you have to stop immediately.' Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
    • “This is the first game I've ever played that really made me feel like I was back in the Marine Corps, because of the authentic ways the characters speak to one another and the common Marine phrases they say. Definitely one of the most realistic military experiences I've had in a video game.”
    • “A few laughs aren't enough to save the day for the boring storyline though.”
    • “Misleading screenshots, clunky movement, poor controls, and a boring story.”
  • atmosphere
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in the game is praised for its immersive and well-crafted scenarios, effectively capturing the essence of locations like Tajikistan with impressive graphics and a vast drawing distance. While the desert setting creates a captivating ambiance, some players find it can occasionally feel bland. Overall, the atmosphere contributes positively to the single-player experience, enhancing the campaign's engaging story.

    • “Scenarios are really well made; even when you have a clear guided path for the missions, you won't feel like you're in a corridor as the maps have a huge draw distance and a really good atmosphere (you will feel like you're in Tajikistan).”
    • “Graphics: desert, sunset atmosphere, clouds... good work.”
    • “Singleplayer is fun the first time through as the campaign has a decent story and good atmosphere.”
  • optimization
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, optimization feedback is mixed; while some users report stable performance without crashes, others highlight significant issues such as poor compatibility with modern hardware, glitchy graphics, and shoddy optimization that, while not game-breaking, detracts from the experience.

    • “But once I got it running, I never experienced any crashes or performance issues.”
    • “The fact that dialogue changes to reflect your performance in the field is a nice touch and makes your decisions feel important, even if they might not change the outcome in the end.”
    • “Knox is a complete earache and horribly optimized/incompatible with modern day hardware.”
    • “Other flaws include glitchy graphics and overall shoddy optimization, but not to the game-breaking level.”
  • grinding
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, primarily due to the un-skippable, lengthy rides to and from missions that often feature repetitive cutscenes and tutorial lectures. While some appreciate the humor and writing during these segments, the overall experience is marred by the monotony of the pre-mission sequences.

    • “All missions begin and end with a boring, un-skippable ride in and out of the battlefield, and the first starting missions are especially tedious.”
    • “Most cutscenes in the game are long humvee rides to the next objective, listening to your NCO give tedious tutorial lectures and increasingly jingoistic speeches, while the pre-mission scenes are flashy briefing sequences without much substance.”
    • “These rides are tedious, but the writing is decent and the guy is genuinely hilarious at times (provided you've ever been in the military or are a fan of Generation Kill), and he reminds me of a sergeant in my old unit.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users have noted a lack of options to customize ad settings and sensitivity, indicating that the monetization approach may feel restrictive or frustrating for players.

    • “The monetization model feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without constant interruptions.”
    • “I feel pressured to spend money just to keep up with other players, which ruins the experience.”
    • “The in-game purchases are way too expensive for what they offer, making it feel like a cash grab.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The character development in this FPS is praised as one of the best in the genre, with notable improvements that enhance the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the depth and options available for character progression, indicating a strong focus on this aspect.

    • “Hell, probably one of the best character developments in the entire FPS genre.”
    • “I have a feeling that they've improved not only the ballistics of rounds but also provided us with a really nice character development option.”
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4h Median play time
6h Average play time
2-16h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs
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Operation Flashpoint: Red River is a shooter game with warfare theme.

Operation Flashpoint: Red River is available on PC, Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and others.

On average players spend around 6 hours playing Operation Flashpoint: Red River.

Operation Flashpoint: Red River was released on April 20, 2011.

Operation Flashpoint: Red River was developed by Codemasters Action Studio.

Operation Flashpoint: Red River has received neutral reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its graphics.

Operation Flashpoint: Red River is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Future Soldier, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas 2, Arma and others.