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Type: Single Player

Also Required: Alaska 747

Install: 15/20
Originality: 20/20
Challenge: 20/20
Graphics: 18/20
Issues/Bugs: 19/20

Final Verdict: 92/100

In one word, this mod is cool, very cool.   A Russian hardliner has assaulted an Alaskan radar station, and taken hostages in an effort to spark hostilities between the US and Russia.  Your mission is to sweep in and kick some butt. ...and rescue the hostages if you have some spare time.

The install is what is keeping this mod from getting the really big score.  Everything works smoothly, there's a nifty little autoinstaller... but no read.me.  The stupid user (me) has to dig around and find out where the heck you start up the mod.  True, it's not real hard to find (it's in the RS directory) but how hard can it be to stick a readme in with the zip file? Install: 15/20

Ok, enough with the negatives, here come the positives.  Once you locate and run the OSW exe file, you are greeting by an all new splash screen with your normal everyday options, with a bit of a Rooster twist.  Crank up a single player mission, and you are again greeted by eye candy in the form of an all new voice briefing, and some intel on the shady and mysterious character known as "The Rooster".  Once you pass the briefing and get to the planning stage your notice that this mission is kinda like 747 in reverse.  Instead of coming from the little building, your be assaulting it. Originality: 20/20

And dang is that assault tough, and contains my favorite part of this mod.  The first thing I did was "teamgod", "teamshadow" so I could poke around a little without being slaughtered.  You notice some things as I did right off the bat. First: it's really hard to see, snow does that.  So you really have to keep your eyes peeled at all times. And if your cheap, use the autoaim, it can see the bad guys before you can.  Second: the patrols. This is in my opinion the coolest part of this mod, not one, but two roving patrols to contend with.  Third: the sniper. Yes the pesky sniper from Kosovo (no, not the actual sniper, it's just a expression) is back and badder than ever. You'll feel that same dread all over again when you hear the crack of his mighty boom stick.  And I need to mention four: Lots of baddies, lots and lots of baddies.  Challenge: 20/20

The graphics are good, very good.  There are all new textures for the 747 map and plane, and some new skins for the tangos. The thing that is dragging the score down here is the fog o' war.  I mentioned it above, it's dang hard to see, and that can be a drawback.  But hey, I'm not whining, it adds to the challenge of the game, and that makes this the great mod it is. Also cool, but not really graphics, is the radio chatter you hear in the background. It really adds a lot to the atmosphere of the level.  Graphics: 18/20

Issues and Bugs are blah in a game, fortunately there are next to none to deal with here. The only gripe I had is that I had is that since the game is run through a separate exe you will have to remap your keys which can be a pain.  But hey, if that's the only price I have to pay, it's well worth it. Issues/Bugs: 19/20

This is an excellent mod in my opinion, and I highly recommend you check it out.  I know I'll be looking at some more of The Rooster's Mods in the future.  Some important things to remember when playing: Pack your frags, and pack a lot. Also pack a really big gun, body armor abounds.  Have fun, and good luck.  

Final Verdict: 92/100