Playing in co-op mode with a buddy next to you or online (presumably) alleviates the issue of trying to coordinate the actions of your partner. You can plot your strategies on the fly, and it’s easier to use Lang and Graves more effectively in a firefight, especially when using tactics like flanking. It’s rare that a title is built from the ground up for co-op play in campaign mode, and it’s implemented very effectively and rewardingly here.

The graphics are pretty sharp, and the animations are butter smooth. The different environments are expansive and well put together. Plenty of stuff explodes and it all looks great, except for the blocky way that some buildings and walls crumble. The characters in the plot line have a distinct individual look, except for the enemy soldiers in each location, which look pretty generic. The audio consists of a little bit of banter between Lang and Graves, and between them and the characters that advance the story. Occasionally the enemy soldiers will yell at you to halt, or to die, or call you dirty names. The guns, heavy equipment, aircraft, and the explosions all have a realistic sound, and work with the graphics to really draw you into the chaotic action. It’s all underscored by a subtle yet dramatic movie-style instrumental motif.

Conflict: Denied Ops offers many of the best features that you’ll find in today’s first person shooters, and combines it with an excellent co-op mode and a nice variety of online game modes. The single player action is a little short, but worth a look, even if you don’t have access to a partner or to Xbox Live or the PS Network. If co-op is one of your favorite ways to play, then this title should be in your library.