Delta Force: Black Hawk Down
A console first-person shooter set during the Battle of Mogadishu.
Delta Force: Black Hawk Down is a first-person shooter and the sixth entry in the Delta Force series. It was released for PlayStation 2 in 2005, based on the book of the same name and set during the Unified Task Force operation in Somalia. The game features a mission editor and was notable for its large-scale console multiplayer battles.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- NovaLogic
- Climax London (Xbox)
- Rebellion Developments (PS2)
- Aspyr (Mac OS X)
- Publisher
- NovaLogic; Aspyr (Mac OS X)
- Series
- Delta Force
- Producer
- Wes Eckhart
- Director
- John A. Garcia
- Artist
- Chris Tamburrino
- Programmer
- Mark Davis
- Kyle Freeman
- Eric Milota
- Kent Simon
- Composer
- Russell Brower; Ron Fish
Facts from the source article.
Plot
The player starts as a soldier with Task Force Ranger, commanding three squad members: Huck, Mother, and Preacher. After the third mission, the same soldier joins 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta for Operation Gothic Serpent during the Battle of Mogadishu. Later, the character is assigned to the 3rd Ranger Battalion and Delta Force. The final mission presents an alternate history where the player assassinates Mohamed Farrah Aidid.
Gameplay
Gameplay differs from earlier Delta Force titles, shifting from long-distance outdoor combat to close-quarters urban fighting with heavily scripted missions. Bullet ballistics and weapon sway were removed for simpler action. The player leads three AI squadmates who can be given commands to hold fire, hold position, or throw grenades. The campaign is linear but often offers three missions simultaneously, allowing players to choose the order. Completed missions can be replayed from an instant action list. Multiplayer supports LAN and online play for up to 50 players, a record for console battles at the time. The NovaWorld service tracks statistics, ranks, and matchmaking. Modes include Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, King of the Hill, and objective-based games. Players select from character classes with unique traits.
Development
The game uses an engine based on Comanche 4, enabling more detail and advanced visual effects through shader support. Vehicle movement is no longer restricted to predefined paths, and AI drivers can avoid obstacles. This engine is the first in the series to support platforms other than PC. An expansion pack, Team Sabre, was released in 2004 for PC and PlayStation 2, adding campaigns in Colombia and Iran.
Reception
The PC version received a Silver sales award from ELSPA for at least 100,000 copies sold in the UK. Metacritic rated the PC version as generally favorable, while the Xbox and PlayStation 2 versions received mixed reviews. Maxim gave the PC version an eight out of ten, praising the graphics, and gave the console versions the same score, noting the 32-player (50 on Xbox Live) online deathmatch. The Cincinnati Enquirer gave the PC version three-and-a-half stars out of five, citing an action-over-strategy approach. Detroit Free Press gave the Xbox version two stars out of four, suggesting rental for fans of chaotic skirmishes. The Sydney Morning Herald gave both console versions two-and-a-half stars out of five, stating the solo campaign lacks pizzazz but multiplayer options are decent.
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