PS2 Underrated Gem: WinBack: Covert Operations

Channel:

The 2.5D Gamer

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Published on May 5, 2009 11:41:46 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=373oJdJpclg

Game:

WinBack (1999)

Duration: 10:01

77,586 views

266

This is a series of gameplay vids I'm doing highlighting overlooked games for the PS2.

WinBack: Covert Operations for the PS2 is a graphically upgraded port of the N64 original. I'm not sure what else it may have added onto from the N64 version, because I never got around to playing that version.

Wimback was essentially the Syphon Filter/MGS for the N64. It had a duck and cover system (which is all the rage nowadays) and actually plays a little closer to Syphon Filter than MGS. It draws it's biggest comparison to MGS, but it's actually more like SF. It's really not much for stealth. Aside form the ability to hug the walls, it's really not that close to MGS at all.

However, just because it draws comparisons to the previously mentioned games, doesn't mean it's a bad game. It's actually quite engaging once you get into it, and it does enough to distinguish itself away from both SF, and MGS. It has it's own style, and the duck and cover mechanic becomes an integral part of the gameplay experience. It's more action based like SF, but also requires more caution like MGS. It blends the formula quite well. This would have been a great buy for N64 owners at the time (I would have bough the N64 version had not the PS2 version came out, and I still may one of these days).

There's even a bot multiplayer mode that supports 1-4 player, and bots.

A warning to modern players, this game's control scheme hails from the N64/early PS2 era, and that means that they're not what you're used to (no dual analog support, and you press a face button to shoot). In fact, the controls will take quite a bit of getting used to if you're a modern player (in which case, you probably wouldn't care enough to play an older game to begin with), but, luckily, there is a good tutorial that does a good job of getting you prepared to play the game.

As said earlier, the duck and cover play mechanic plays a huge part in the game. I know that MGS let you hug a wall, but Winback was one of if not the first to let you peak around that corner, fire at an enemy, and safely return to the corner. It interesting to see the evolution of the duck and cover third person shooter.

The graphics are a big step up from the N64 version, but they're still first gen PS2 graphics meaning that they won't impress those who need such things. I personally don't care, because I play games for their gameplay, not their visuals.

WinBack: Covert Operations is also available in it's original form on the N64.

It also has a PS2/Xbox sequel that I shall have to hunt down.

Note: I get a little lost in this vid.

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