Hazard Ops Closed Beta Review

 

We got media access to the closed beta of Hazard Ops (known in North America as Zombies Monsters Robots) a fast-paced third person shooter developed by Yingpei Games and being published in Europe by Infernum, and here our first impressions. And, by the way, very soon we'll publish a first look gameplay commentary video as well.

First of all, as you may know, we recently published a review of Zombies Monsters Robots, so check it out too if you are interested. But we are here to talk about Hazard Ops, so let's go with it.

The game features a heady mix of both extensive PVE with wave based survival modes and extensive campaigns as well as a huge mix of PVP modes and levels. Taking a first look at the game we had an idea of what to expect from our previous profiles, but were interviewed to see whether what was promised on paper would be delivered in the actual product.

Our first step was into character creation where players can design their own character from handful of preset template stock faces, hairstyles, et cetera though in fairness you will be equipped with that much armour and gear know is going to know what you look like anyway and character immersion isn’t exactly a high priority free game of this type, though having the option to create your hired mercenary only added to things.

 

   

The game also instantly takes you into a tutorial mode where you are taught the basics of movement in combat and how to take advantage of the cover mechanic, which consisted of getting against walls or low objects where you could fire from with blind fire or popping in and out of combat for more accurate shots. Outside of cover could be used to perform acrobatic roles to dodge enemy fire, grenades and leap across open areas to find cover quicker. After that players are taken into a PvE survival co-op consisting of three waves/rounds with a co-op AI bot help new push back zombies trying to attack. Here the game demonstrates one of the more unique mechanics of environmental destruction/repair, as zombies attacked the breakdown the barred windows that led to our location so that they could climb through them, however in between wave phases we were able to run over to these destroyed Windows and repair them in preparation for the next wave.

Taking a look over the loadout/gear menus showed a wide selection of different weapons, armour, costumes and mobs that can be used to further customise your characters loadouts. We began with quite a bit of coin already and access to some more interesting weaponry such as a stun crossbow and some more high-powered weapons, though the majority of weapons have level requirements before they can be used.

 

   

We had to play through is of a team based death match on two different maps, both of them provided fast and exciting combat, though it can take a while to get used to the cover mechanics as not only is the used to going to cover and perform acrobatics but also held down to run so occasionally we found ourselves getting stuck on walls when we were trying to run away. PVP can be quite brutal and punishing with death often coming pretty swiftly if you leave yourself open to direct shots from a sniper rifle rocket launcher, but otherwise we found that we didn’t do all that that. Death has a listing mechanic where once you fall you still have hit points and so players can still try to bring you back onto your feet unless the enemy (be they AI or merciless players) gets to you first.

We checked out one of the campaign missions which consisted of trawling through a town area filled with green irradiated swamp like water as we had to push through each checkpoint fighting spawns of enemies that grew tougher and tougher as we progressed through the level. Unfortunately we met our maker at the hands of some flying giant killer bees that could drop grenades on us. One too many attacks dropped me to quickly, not even giving my team members the chance to try and revive me and unfortunately the game told me I was going to time out after a two minute countdown if adding jump back into the game, which I had no idea how to do. It was only later I realised that players have to purchase resurrection coins to be able to jump back into battle, alas we found out too late and thus ended our experience. Overall gameplay was fun and the graphics are great for a first person MMO, having a real console feel about them and the traditional TPS.

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