Experience the Free FPS Game "Delta Force" with Diverse Tactical Gameplay

Following Tencent's acquisition of the game rights, the first-person tactical shooter "Delta Force" has recently launched its PC version for a pioneer test in Taiwan, developed by the TiMi Studio Group. This revamped classic IP has transformed into a free-to-play online battle game, combining various shooting styles. Players can take on the role of agents with unique skills, using equipment and vehicles to conquer the battlefield alongside friends. The game features a rich gun modification system, allowing players to customize their weapons to suit their preferences and strategize their attacks.

During the pioneer testing phase, "Delta Force" offers three game modes, with "Full Battlefield" and "Firezone" available for experience. The single-player campaign mode, "Black Hawk Down," is not accessible at this stage, so we will focus on the first two modes, along with the agent and gunsmith systems.

Agent System and Tactical Gameplay

The core gameplay revolves around the agent system, where mastering the active and passive skills, along with special equipment, significantly impacts your combat strategy in both "Full Battlefield" and "Firezone." Eight agents are available during the testing phase, categorized into four roles: Assault, Support, Engineering, and Recon. Each role grants agents special abilities; for instance, Assault agents have increased movement speed while aiming, and Engineers can cut barbed wire or repair vehicles.

Each agent possesses one tactical equipment (active skill), a specialty (passive skill), and two tactical items. For example, the active skill "Power Exoskeleton" for the Red Wolf agent boosts firing and movement speed temporarily, while also restoring health upon enemy kills, extending the skill's duration. The passive skill "Tactical Dodge" allows for a sliding maneuver. Tactical items include throwable objects and gear with unique capabilities, such as the data knife from the Hacker's arsenal that temporarily disables enemy electronics, and a flash patrol drone that fires flashbangs along a selected trajectory.

Gunsmith System and Customization Options

The gunsmith system is shared across both modes, although the methods for acquiring modification parts differ. In "Full Battlefield," players must repeatedly use the same weapon to level it up and unlock a variety of scopes, stocks, grips, and other attachments. In "Firezone," weapon attachments can be found on the battlefield or purchased from supply depots or trading posts. The customization options in this system are extensive; while some components like the receiver and handguard are simplified into single attachments, various options for scopes, muzzles, stocks, and grips remain available for modification.

Each attachment primarily affects weapon recoil control, handling speed, stability, and hip-fire accuracy. Additionally, players can 'fine-tune' these parts, adjusting barrel weight and length, altering muzzle velocity, shooting accuracy, and recoil, or modifying scope magnification and eye relief to optimize aiming.

Gameplay Dynamics and Map Design

From my experience during the testing phase, the most significant factors affecting weapon handling in "Delta Force" are recoil and handling speed. The shooting mechanics resemble those of "Call of Duty," with the muzzle rising unpredictably during fire, making recoil patterns challenging to master. Most maps are long and narrow, leading to a longer engagement distance than typical for "Call of Duty," which means that enhancing recoil statistics can provide an advantage with automatic weapons.

You might wonder if precision rifles or sniper rifles would dominate, given the elongated maps. However, that’s not the case. The maps, while narrow, do not share the expansive feel of classic "Battlefield" maps like "Operation Metro," where combat is often confined to specific areas. Due to faster character movement speeds, along with skills for creating cover, sniping from a single location proves challenging. Smaller maps further simplify combat scenarios, allowing players to adapt quickly with just a click of the left mouse button.

Testing Ground and Game Modes

"Delta Force" also includes a shooting range where players can test their modifications immediately after making adjustments. The three game modes operate independently, allowing players to engage in any one of them, with different team size limits. The "Full Battlefield" mode can be summarized as a blend of "Battlefield" and "Call of Duty." The battlefield accommodates up to 64 players, split into teams of 32 vying for control of objectives.

In "Full Battlefield," teams consist of four players, each assigned roles based on their agents, ensuring everyone plays their part in the dynamics of the match. Each role has different weapon types and equipment restrictions; for example, only Engineers can carry anti-tank weapons, while Support players can deploy ammo boxes or medical supplies. Primary weapon restrictions are more lenient, allowing each class to use assault rifles, while shotguns and sniper rifles are exclusive to Assault and Recon roles.

Firezone Mode and Player Experience

The "Firezone" mode is a PvPvE extraction scenario, akin to "Escape from Tarkov" but with a streamlined approach, making it more accessible. Players must search various maps for high-value items and successfully extract them, turning loot into cash to purchase better gear for battles against other players. Notably, "Delta Force" has simplified the health and ammunition systems compared to Tarkov, eliminating the need for players to manage hunger and hydration. While injuries can still result in conditions like fractures or bleeding, health regeneration is instant upon healing.

Ammunition management has also been simplified; players only need to carry bullets on their character, automatically replenishing their magazine with a press of the R key, ensuring that unused bullets in magazines are not wasted. Furthermore, the preparation phase before entering a match is user-friendly, allowing players to see their gear and receive reminders to bring spare ammunition and medical supplies. Players can purchase ammunition of the correct caliber directly in the preparation screen, eliminating the risk of using the wrong ammo.

Future Prospects and Challenges

Looking ahead, "Delta Force" has the potential to become a rich, free-to-play shooter with solid optimization. As it aims to launch a mobile version in early 2025, it will likely attract a wider audience. However, free-to-play games often face challenges with cheating, and it is crucial for the developers to implement robust anti-cheat measures to ensure a fair gaming environment.

The open beta of "Delta Force," which is published by Garena, is set to launch on December 5, and players can download it for free from the official website. With its engaging mechanics and diverse gameplay options, it’s poised to capture the interest of both new and seasoned players alike.