Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission

Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission is a short game, but the gunplay is a ton of fun and there's a fair bit of variety in enemies.

69%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

gameplay, optimization

69% User Score Based on 54 reviews

Critic Score 71%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

Buy NowGet on Steam Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

About

Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission is a single player and multiplayer shooter game. It was developed by VIRTUALLYZ GAMING and was released on July 13, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission" is a rail shooter game, reinterpreting the 1987 Arcade classic, with a new artistic direction and parody-style voices. The game features intense action-packed gameplay, a campaign for one or two players, and a survival mode. With an arsenal of weapons including the Uzi, players must fight waves of enemies and rescue hostages.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission screenshot

Skip User Reviews

69%

Audience ScoreBased on 54 reviews

story4 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

The game offers a fun and nostalgic arcade-style experience, especially for fans of the original Operation Wolf.
Visually, the game features a stylized aesthetic that pairs well with its over-the-top action and comedic voice acting.
The VR mode enhances immersion and allows for enjoyable gameplay, particularly with the option to dual-wield weapons.

The campaign is very short, typically completed in under two hours, which may leave players feeling unsatisfied.
Gameplay can become repetitive due to limited enemy variety and predictable level design, detracting from long-term engagement.
Technical issues, such as imprecise controls and hit detection, can lead to frustrating experiences, especially in the non-VR version.

story
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
75%
11%
The story of "Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission" is a straightforward and intentionally over-the-top narrative centered around a global criminal syndicate led by General Viper, featuring six fast-paced missions filled with action-packed encounters. While the game captures the nostalgic essence of the original arcade shooter, many players find the plot to be bare-bones and the overall campaign too short for its asking price. Despite its simplicity, the game offers a fun and immersive experience, especially in VR, though some players express a desire for more depth and replayability in the story.
- “The plot is simple and intentionally over-the-top: a global criminal syndicate led by General Viper is trafficking arms and experimenting with weapons of mass destruction.”
- “The game’s story plays out across six missions, each filled with enemy ambushes, vehicle chases, and high-explosive encounters.”
- “Part homage, part sequel/reboot, Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission is a return to what we loved about the arcade games, but now in VR for a new layer of immersion.”
- “But even with that caveat in mind, it's way too short and the story is bare-bones for the current asking price.”
- “With only six campaign missions, most players can finish the game in under two hours.”
- “In its current form, Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission is a brief, flashy, and occasionally fun throwback that doesn’t quite live up to the legacy of its source material.”
graphics
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
47%
16%
The graphics of this title feature a stylized, cartoonish aesthetic that pays homage to the original, enhancing the overall experience, especially in virtual reality where immersion is heightened. While many players appreciate the colorful artwork and sound design, some feel that the non-VR visuals can appear flat and reminiscent of mobile games. Overall, the graphics are well-received for their charm and suitability to the game's retro arcade style, though opinions on their depth and realism vary.
- “This title seeks to revive the spirit of the original with updated visuals, modern controls, and support for both traditional displays and virtual reality.”
- “In VR, the art style holds up reasonably well thanks to the increased sense of immersion, and the game’s use of spatial sound and motion-controlled aiming enhances the experience.”
- “The graphics and art style just makes it better.”
- “However, in the non-VR version, the visuals can sometimes feel flat and the on-rails mechanics more restrictive, making the game lose some of its punch.”
- “The graphics look okay, but it feels like a mobile game.”
- “The cartoonish graphics and audio will not be to everyone's liking, but I think it will stand the test of time better.”
gameplay
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The gameplay is rooted in a traditional rail shooter format, offering a blend of side-scrolling and 3D elements that can be satisfying for fans of the genre. However, it suffers from repetitive mechanics, limited enemy variety, and predictable level design, which detracts from its overall polish and pacing. While the core mechanics and weapon switching are enjoyable, the game would benefit from more variety and refinement to elevate the experience.
- “For fans of old-school rail shooters, especially those who experienced the original in arcades, there’s something satisfying about the simplicity and directness of the gameplay.”
- “Gameplay is pretty solid, the guns really pop out audio-wise and it's all very smooth.”
- “It's blending the traditional side-scrolling gameplay from Operation Wolf with the more 3-dimensional aspects of its successor Operation Thunderbolt, and throws in a few tricks of its own.”
- “Unfortunately, even with these additions, the gameplay loop tends to become repetitive quickly due to limited enemy variety and predictable level design.”
- “These flaws, while not game-breaking, reveal a lack of refinement in the gameplay systems and polish in design choices.”
- “The core gameplay has enough energy to entertain, but it needs more variety, better pacing, and refined mechanics to truly stand out.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
Players have reported performance issues in the VR version, including frame rate inconsistencies, visual ghosting, and tracking inaccuracies during fast-paced moments, indicating a need for better optimization. While the game offers a fun and creative experience, there are concerns about its suitability for light gun play due to these optimization challenges.
- “It's a fun creative take on one of the OG classics; I just wish they would have optimized this game for light gun play.”
- “In the VR version, some players report performance dips, including frame rate inconsistencies, visual ghosting, and imprecise tracking in fast-paced moments.”
- “I guess it's more of an optimization issue or something weird that needs more time to investigate.”
- “It's a fun creative take on one of the original classics; I just wish they would have optimized this game for light gun play.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers note that the game's short runtime and limited replay value contribute to a perception of insufficient content for its full price, making it feel less worthwhile for repeated playthroughs.
- “This short runtime, paired with limited replay value, makes the full-price offering feel thin on content.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is well-received, with players finding it genuinely funny and enjoyable, complementing the engaging rail shooter mechanics and impressive graphics, especially in VR.
- “I really like this kind of rail shooter; it's really funny, has good graphics, and works well in VR.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is heavily influenced by 80s action movies, delivering a breathtaking sense of action that pays homage to its arcade roots while incorporating a fresh design and competitive leaderboard features.
- “Originally released for arcade in 1987, this new edition sticks to the DNA of the original game, delivering a breathtaking action atmosphere inherited from 80’s action movies while offering a brand-new design and a leaderboard.”

Skip Critic Reviews

71%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews

Skip Game Offers

Buy Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission

80%1.7kreviews

Raw Data

2017

Hack and Slash

86%650reviews

Blue Estate

2015

Shooter

88%533reviews

Arizona Sunshine Remake

2024

Action Adventure

75%10.1kreviews

Arizona Sunshine

2016

Survival Shooter

63%361reviews

John Wick Chronicles

2017

Shooter

More games like Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission

Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission is a shooter game.

Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission was released on July 13, 2023.

Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission was developed by VIRTUALLYZ GAMING.

Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Raw Data, Blue Estate, Arizona Sunshine Remake, Arizona Sunshine, John Wick Chronicles and others.

Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission

Platforms