Electronic Theatre delivers an in-depth review of Codemasters' forthcoming Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC release, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, due to launch later this week.

The island itself is beautifully detailed throughout it’s stunning 220 km2 area, with recognisable landmarks scattered throughout. The first mission tasks the player with assaulting the area located around a lighthouse (as a secondary objective), and many other such features exist throughout it’s landmass. The sheer range of terrain types is also fantastic, and more than simply an aesthetic change as with the knowingly bland Red Faction: Guerrilla. Skira provides Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising with beaches, lush green fields, dense forests, military outposts and civilian housing, steep inclines and long winding valleys, lakes and flatland. A large mountain ridge provides some fantastic tactical opportunities and the dormant volcano will be the highlight of the map for many, but the real star of the show is quite simply how seamlessly it all fits together, without loading delays or draw-distance issues.

kevcothirtythree via electronictheatre.co.uk »