Since we’re talking about some oldies here, it’s a good idea to give you a quick scoop in case you’re unfamiliar with Delta Force and Delta Force 2, games that Dagger Directive obviously harkens back to.
So, they’re these sim-lite – stuff that NovaLogic used to be known for back in the day – tactical FPS games where you play as an operative of the titular spec ops unit and complete various missions all over the world.
What makes the Delta Force games so fun
What’s great about them is the fact that they feel like a military sandbox of sorts. So, you’re given a selection of weapons to choose from, a bunch of objectives to complete, a couple of baddies to shoot – sometimes including enemy BMPs and gunships – and these open environments so that you can complete the mission as you see fit.
Looking back, DF 1 & 2 aren’t probably the best games in the genre, as they feel somewhat sparse compared to Operation Flashpoint and ARMA, but what’s great about them is how easy are they to get into. You’ll be running in your military boots and shooting all threats to democracy in no time.
Dagger Directive – enter the spiritual successor
So, when we saw the trailer of Dagger Directive, we were like “yooo, this is totally Delta Force!” But, like, cranked all the way up to 11.
You’re a member of Task Force Dagger (see? another Delta Force reference), an elite spec ops unit, and you are tasked with all sorts of missions all over the world. And you’re given pretty much absolute freedom in how you complete them. Just choose your loadout, the time of day, and think of the approach you want to take. Want to go in with guns blazing? Sure, no problem. Want to sneak around, perhaps do some sniper stuff? Absolutely.
Whether you’re doing spec opsing in the Bering Sea, South Pacific, or Eastern Europe, you’re given these sandbox-style scenarios which you can complete the way you want. Just destroy what you have to destroy and come back alive, preferably in one piece.
What makes Dagger Directive so good?
It’s the accessible realism of it all. It’s fairly easy to get into – though you can totally rely on tutorials to teach you the basics – especially if you’re a veteran of games like Delta Force 1 & 2, the original Operation Flashpoint and Ghost Recon from 2001, or even Project I.G.I. (there are some subtle vibes of that one in here, too).
It’s no Call of Duty, though – bullet and shrapnel physics are modeled after the real thing, so precision is what counts here.
The game is also more complex than its revered inspirations, which is a VERY good thing. Delta Force 2 especially felt like a pretty safe sequel to a decent game. You know, it felt bigger and better than the predecessor, but it didn’t really revolutionize the series (the same could be applied to a whole lot of other NovaLogic games – they were good, but the general impression is that if you played one, you played them all, at least them military sims).
Dagger Directive gives you even more options in how you can proceed. For example, you can totally shoot out lights to better conceal your movements. There’s a whole host of tac gear you can use, including drones.
The game doesn’t just take the Delta Force formula and copies it 1 to 1, it makes it way better.
Why you should give Dagger Directive a shot
First off, it’s a great choice if you’re tired of Call of Duty and Battlefield and would want to play something more serious and realistic, but also fairly easy to get into. Something just as perfect for shorter stretches as it is for longer runs. Something diaper alert-proof, just like one reviewer on Steam said. Dagger Directive delivers in spades in this respect.
Second, if you loved classic tactical FPS games of the old, you’re going to feel at home here. It’s very much like those games, but of course modern – with one exception.
Yes: the whole retro vibe going on. Stylized visuals and an overall late 90s/early 2000s feel are strong here. Not the best choice for those looking for eye-popping graphics, but it looks neat and can run on a potato laptop, like, no problem.
There’s even a demo available
That’s right: you don’t even have to pay upfront to give this one a try. Simply grab the demo on Steam and see if the game’s to your liking. And if it is, you know what to do next.
Dagger Directive is not a game we have in our catalog (yet), but there’s a way to get it cheaper. Just look for Steam Gift Card and grab them with a discount on G2A.COM. Why pay more when you can pay less? And if there’s a Steam sale, that’s all the better for you!
What’s in store for Dagger Directive?
Here’s the road map, taken from the game’s store page on Steam:
Any alternatives to Dagger Directive?
Well, you could try some of the extraction shooters or games like Squad, but we think that GROUND BRANCH might have what you’re looking for, minus retro aesthetics. Tons of gun customization options are definitely something you might want to take into account, plus there’s online co-op/PVP and a boatload of tactical realism.
And if you’re in for some dumb fun, Ravenfield, a light-hearted and highly moddable FPS is there with the SPEC OPS mode (though there’s a whole lot more options available). You’re given a squad you can issue commands to (something that Dagger Directive currently lacks), a map with lots of enemies to shoot and a whole bunch of objectives to complete as you see fit, customizable loadouts, and, of course, TONS OF MODS. Yeah, it’s basically the FPS equivalent of Skyrim and you’ll most likely end up spending more time looking for new maps, player skins, and vehicle models than actually playing the game.
What else do these games have in common with Dagger Directive? They’re also available as per Early Access, but there’s plenty of content to dab into. No demos, though.