What's not so good is the actual structure of these levels. A couple, maybe, but the developer has listened to feedback from the first and really made an effort to keep things interesting this time round. Rescuing trapped soldiers, destroying communications facilities, escaping from capture - and barely a sand dune in sight.

You may remember the original CDS: an extremely yellow game, based mostly on controlling four SAS troopers (or Delta Force operatives if you wanted the Americanised experience) blowing up SCUD missile launchers in the deserts of Iraq during the first UN foray into Saddam's playpen of death.ĬDSII is set during the same timeframe, with the same soldiers. It doesn't deserve unilateral praise either, but as a way of passing a few hours, there are worse options. Yes, I should be tearing strips from its hide, but frankly it just doesn't deserve it. It is, after all, an extremely linear arcade shooter masquerading as a deeper, tactical, strategic military simulation, and nothing, nothing, gets my goat more than arcade mutton dressed up as simulation lamb.

In my heart of hearts, I can't help but feel that with Conflict: Desert Storm II I should probably be dancing naked around the bonfire of negativity, throwing burning sticks of hate on to the rising flame of critique.