So, I have MW3 and Spec Ops in front of me. Which do I play first?

[ZealousD]

In one hand I have Modern Warfare 3. In the other, I have Spec Ops: The Line. I'm going into Spec Ops spoiler-free, but I at least know enough that the themes of the game may adjust the way I approach the more mainstream military shooters. So I want to play it back-to-back with one of the military shooters I haven't played yet. I just don't know which would be better to play first, and I want your advice, GAF.

Couple things:

The two of them will get played back to back. First I will play one, and then I will immediately play the other. Any suggestions that I should space these out will likely be ignored unless that becomes the overwhelming consensus for some reason.

I want to finish both campaigns. So no, I'm not just going to throw out MW3.

As a bit of added context, MW3 is hardly my first mainstream military shooter. I've played all the campaigns of MW1, MW2, BLOPS1, BFBC2, and BF3 to completion.

 

[legacyzero]

Spec Ops. Hands down.

 

[strafer]

Spec Ops.

 

[Weiss]

I'd go with Spec Ops first, followed by MW. It'll be interesting to see how the themes of Spec Ops affect the playing of another modern military shooter.

 

[Hung_real]

Play Spec Ops first then stop spending money annually for COD

 

[A good poster]

Not even close. Spec Ops.

 

[Sub_Level]

Both are super short but I would say Spec Ops is more effective at getting it's message across if you get even more of that blockbuster action. So play MW3 first.

Plus MW3 is set right after MW2 story-wise.

I would play MW3 on Hard and Spec Ops on Easy or Normal.

 

[Neuromancer]

Suffer through MW3 first, and save the better game for last.

 

[Derrick01]

Play MW3 first so you can play Spec Ops later and laugh at how ridiculous shooters are. I'm sure coming right off of MW3 with it fresh in your mind will only enhance what Spec Ops is trying to do.

 

[Nokterian]

Spec Ops.

 

[Blake'sGrave]

Sell MW3 to buy a second copy of Spec Ops.

 

[ChapaNDJ]

Definitely Spec Ops.
It was one of the best games i've played last year. The story was really good, i totally recommend this.

As for MW3, it was an epic flop for me compared to MW1 and 2. Seriously, its the worst of all.

 

[eXistor]

MW3 (or any CoD really)

Seriously, it makes Spec Ops and its message more worthwhile.

 

[Santiako]

Play CoD first, laugh at CoD while playing Spec Ops later.

 

[EagleBurnn]

In a related note,

I have Halo: CE and Haze in front of me, which one do I play first?

 

[Tony Redgrave]

I'd say play MW3 and the Spec Ops, that's pretty much what the SO developers intended IMO.

 

[Sibylus]

I have a feeling Spec Ops would ruin MW3 for you, so save it for last?

 

[Prophet Steve]

If you really feel the need to play both, start with MW3 and then play Spec-Ops.

If not, only play Spec-Ops.

Spec-Ops is very relevant to the game you are playing before that, so that is why I'd say you should play it first, but I could also use the argument to say you should play it afterwards.

And I am impressed you finished the BF3 campaign.

 

[I'm an expert]

In a related note,

I have Halo: CE and Haze in front of me, which one do I play first?

Neither. Spec Ops.

 

[ZealousD]

Play MW3 first so you can play Spec Ops later and laugh at how ridiculous shooters are. I'm sure coming right off of MW3 with it fresh in your mind will only enhance what Spec Ops is trying to do.

Yeah, it should be noted that I'm asking because I'm looking for effect. I'm not looking for which game is suppose to be better, because I know I'm going to play both of them anyway.

 

[strafer]

In a related note,

I have Halo: CE and Haze in front of me, which one do I play first?

Don't do this.

 

[Sub_Level]

Suffer through MW3 first

The campaign was really fun though.

Juggernaut suits, Paris, the Inception plane ride, Wall Street, the London subway...

Act 3 is fairly boring though and not as entertaining as MW or MW2.

 

[Heavy's Sandvich]

Spec Ops, put MW3 on ebay.

 

[antitrop]

Don't play MW3, ever.

 

[The Elite]

I think the way to do it is MW3 then Spec Ops. Thematically that makes the most sense.

 

[TheSeks]

They're both Mediocre. Though CoD8 can be beaten in a few hours on Normal. Go with that and then play Mediocre Ops: The Line.

 

[antitrop]

Play MW3 first so you can play Spec Ops later and laugh at how ridiculous shooters are. I'm sure coming right off of MW3 with it fresh in your mind will only enhance what Spec Ops is trying to do.

Why don't you recommend he plays the best game in the series and the one that Spec Ops actually tries to play off of, Call of Duty 4?

Nobody should be subjected to playing Modern Warfare 3. It's terrible.

 

[dallow_bg]

What's good about Spec Ops?
I'm 3/4 through it, feels like just another shooter.

 

[I'm an expert]

What's good about Spec Ops?
I'm 3/4 through it, feels like just another shooter.

Outside of the plot, nothing much. It's pretty mediocre indeed. I was impressed by the competent enemy/ally ai though. The endings are also handled well.

 

[Prophet Steve]

What's good about Spec Ops?
I'm 3/4 through it, feels like just another shooter.

Are you sure you are 3/4 through it? Because at that point you should have realized it is not like another shooter in many ways. Mechanic-wise it is mostly though.

 

[EagleBurnn]

What's good about Spec Ops?
I'm 3/4 through it, feels like just another shooter.

It has a moment in the middle of the game and at the end where the story is interesting. Besides that, nothing special.

 

[topplehat]

The gameplay in Spec Ops is pretty generic for a shooter, but the setting and story are what make it superb.

 

[Rebel Leader]

What's good about Spec Ops?
I'm 3/4 through it, feels like just another shooter.

Do you remember why you are there?

 

[Tummi Gummi]

MW3, then throw Spec Ops in the trash.

 

[I'm an expert]

Do you remember why you are there?

To annihilate everything that breathes.

 

[dallow_bg]

Outside of the plot, nothing much. It's pretty mediocre indeed. I was impressed by the competent enemy/ally ai though. The endings are also handled well.

It has a moment in the middle of the game and at the end where the story is interesting. Besides that, nothing special.

The gameplay in Spec Ops is pretty generic for a shooter, but the setting and story are what make it superb.

Are you sure you are 3/4 through it? Because at that point you should have realized it is not like another shooter in many ways. Mechanic-wise it is mostly though.

Starting Chapter 10 of 15.
I guess I see what you guys are saying if you're talking story-wise, unless there's some crazier twists up ahead.
Reminds me of a certain classic war movie but not really that compelling to me so far.

 

[mr_toa]

Spec Ops. Hands down.

100% certain, no contest!

 

[legacyzero]

MW3, then throw Spec Ops in the trash.

WHAT?! Oh Tummi

 

[Sn4ke_911]

Don't touch MW3 and throw it outta the window right away.

Black Ops 2 and Spec Ops is were it's at.

Also, Blops 2 > Spec Ops.

 

[AHA-Lambda]

Neither really.

 

[FYC]

Nobody should be subjected to playing Modern Warfare 3. It's terrible.

(I've posted this before but whatevs)

OP play Spec Ops and listen to this spoilercast when you're done.

 

[Duxxy3]

MW3 first.

You'll feel like a monster if you finish spec ops and then want to play MW3.

 

[Jigolo]

Spec Ops. Story is glorious

 

[Prophet Steve]

Starting Chapter 10 of 15.
I guess I see what you guys are saying if you're talking story-wise, unless there's some crazier twists up ahead.
Reminds me of a certain classic war movie but not really that compelling to me so far.

Spec-Ops is not merely about the plot, in fact, the plot is not even special.

I don't know if people want to read this, so I'll spoiler it just in case.

Spoiler

The storytelling is what stands out in the game. The way you make choices that offer a lot of freedom instead of just option A or B, even though these choices are few, the way this is done is very special and can be brilliantly executed.

Besides that there is the development of the character that does not happen through cutscenes only, which also barely happens in videogames. The higher agitation and violence levels of the character are told in many ways. And the game is full with details that indicates this.

It is special how the game is using own tropes in the genre and videogames to tell and show the story in a way that cannot be told otherwise, and this is what is appreciated about the game.

 

[antitrop]

(I've posted this before but whatevs)

OP play Spec Ops and listen to this spoilercast when you're done.

I'm talking about the campaign, of course.

I wouldn't compare MW3 multiplayer and Spec Ops: The Line.

 

[knitoe]

I been trying to finish Spec Ops for over a year. Boring as fucking hell. Rooms and rooms with waves after waves of dumb enemies. At my current rate, I'll finished by 2015. At least, MW3 has the "Hollywood" style gunplay factor.

 

[Portugeezer]

Don't play either of those bad games.

 

[codswallop]

MW3 then Spec Ops is the best order IMO.

Reminds me of a certain classic war movie but not really that compelling to me so far.

That's because they're both based on the same story, but I have a feeling you already knew this.

 

[Prophet Steve]

I been trying to finish Spec Ops for over a year. Boring as fucking hell. Rooms and rooms with waves after waves of dumb enemies. At my current rate, I'll finished by 2015. At least, MW3 has the "Hollywood" style gunplay factor.

Dumb? The shooting in Spec Ops is not all that fun, but the enemies were not really dumb.

And I do not know how far you are, but the first chapters are pretty bad since they also do not highlight the better points of the game. The game is pretty short though. And the game would not really be suited for the "Hollywood" style stuff.

 

[throwawayname]

Play the one that is more overrated by gaf.