Delta Force: Is This Really the free Shooter We’ve Been Waiting For?
Delta Force has returned, and it’s…complicated. This isn’t a simple port or remaster; the mobile version is actually a separate game built using Unreal Engine 5, boasting technical and gameplay differences absent from other platforms. Notably, the mobile iteration doesn’t include the story campaign, deemed too demanding for portable devices.However, the console release – specifically the campaign – is facing notable hurdles.
The console version of the campaign notably lacks online co-op, and there are currently no indications this will be added post-launch. Performance is demonstrably worse than on other platforms, compounded by frustrating camera issues. Testers repeatedly encountered broken view settings that proved unfeasible to fix, resulting in an unsatisfactory experience.
These problems are layered on top of existing issues within Black Hawk Down itself, including an excessively heavy protagonist and a punishingly high difficulty that cannot be adjusted. Ironically, adaptive trigger support was implemented for multiplayer but not the single-player campaign, where it would have been more impactful. The campaign, feels unfinished, raising questions about why the launch wasn’t delayed. This package isn’t essential to enjoying the Delta Force experience.
Graphics, Cross-Play & Cross-Save
On PlayStation 5 Pro, Delta Force’s visuals are comparable to a PC running at average detail settings, maintaining a framerate that generally holds steady at 60 frames per second. Though, tweaking graphic options frequently enough worsens performance. Unlocking the framerate requires disabling V-Sync, which introduces fluctuating FPS and noticeable screen tearing – a disruptive visual artifact.
The game offers a myriad of options for adjusting FOV, camera settings, and other aspects. Cross-play functionality can only be deactivated on PlayStation 5, a decision that feels unbalanced. While the Xbox user base is smaller, offering a partial cross-play option – allowing PS5 and Xbox players to team up without facing PC opponents (and potential cheaters) – would have been preferable.
A positive note is the inclusion of cross-progression, allowing players to continue using the same account across mobile and PC, carrying over unlocked weapons, operators, and skins.
