ARMAis not the typical modern military shooter. Czech developer Bohemia Interactive’s tactical FPS series prides itself on realism over raw spectacle. While that might limit its broad appeal, the series built a strong following among PC FPS players. With today’s announcement ofARMA 4, series fans finally have a new installment to look forward to.
The developers revealedARMA 4with an announcement trailer earlier today. Titled “Road toARMA 4,” the trailer recaps the series’ history, showcasing its 21-year evolution. Players can also get a taste of what’s in store through the newARMA Reforger, which launched today in early access.
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The short trailer opens withARMA: Cold War Assault, which Bohemia Interactive released in 2001 under the nameOperation Flashpoint: Cold War. The camera focuses on a soldier running and follows him through decades of changing settings and graphical improvements. The next scene depicts another soldier dashing through the desert of 2006’sARMA: Armed Assault, followed by similar scenes fromARMA 2andARMA 3, before finally arriving atARMA Reforger. After several shots showcasingReforger’snew graphics and environment, the trailer ends with theARMA 4logo reveal.
Unfortunately, the trailer fromBohemia Interactivedidn’t show anything from the actualARMA 4or indicate the release date. One could even argue that it’s more of a trailer forARMA ReforgerthanARMA 4. Still, if the trailer’s YouTube comments are an indication, it succeeds in building excitement for the upcoming game.
Set during the Cold War, the new game lets players return to the mid-Atlantic island of Everon, featured in the originalOperation Flashpoint. Players can take up arms of either the United States or the Soviet Union and clash in tactical multiplayer battles across the sprawling open-world environment remade inARMA’snew Enfusion engine. The newARMAgame is also designed to be easy to mod and is the first cross-platformARMAtitle, also launching on Xbox consoles. It will even support cross-platform multiplayer, letting PC and console players team up and go head-to-head in online battles.
Bohemia Interactive describesARMA Reforgeras “the first step towardsARMA 4” and says it offers fans a glimpse at what players can expect from the next numbered sequel. Players can grab the early-access version ofARMA Reforgerfrom Steam for $29.99. Developers say that the core gameplay experience is already complete and plan to have the full release in about a year. Still, players can expect three significant updatesadding new weapons and gadgets toARMA Reforgeralong with several smaller patches. Hopefully, it lives up to the legacy of its predecessors.
