I want a sequel to Operation Flashpoint that carries the ideas and themes of the game, not just the basic gameplay. I've only played ARMA 1 and 2, but the ARMA series seems to do a complete 180 on all but the gameplay of OFP. OFP had very slow character growth over dozens of missions; ARMA 2 takes you from grunt to supermarine just because your squad leader got killed. OFP had thoughtful if generic faux-orchestra music, ARMA has lame rock & roll. In OFP, if you were alone then either your team got killed or you're playing the special forces character; in ARMA 1 there's tons of missions where it's just you doing things by your lonesome for no reason.
I do agree. It's strange, I've talked a lot of Bohemia games today, but... Heh, these things happen. I miss the general feeling of Operation Flashpoint, the experience of being another pair of boots on the line. Special forces and advanced technology and other toys do have their place, but it is odd when they are the main flavour, all of a sudden.
Being the leader of a squad is fun and engaging, but there were more missions, and flavour, to doing good old fashioned grunt work in OFP. I think you did get command of a squad in the campaign, but not until you had earned it, quite a long way in.
One of my favourite missions in OFP, and indeed in most FPSes, is the one where your squad is sent to build a nice little camp in a village, while you, Sarge and another chap drives off to scout a nearby forest. There isn't much action in that mission. It is effectively you and two friends on a road trip, interrupted by a handful of Russians. Still, it was tense and exciting, and it was a nice contrast with the bigger invasion-type missions.
I like capturing war criminals, spear-heading invasions at dawn and using digital satellite-guided rocket missiles and what not, but I prefer them mixed in with good old grunt work. It stops being special otherwise. It can be equally exciting just guarding a lorry and a few tents a dark, foggy night from a handful of rebels, if done right. Only let me do the Sergeant Supermarine Jollies for desert if I've eaten my Private-potatoes.