It is almost criminal that G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout is the first console game in over a decade to star the Real American Heroes. Not only that, it's only the second since the days of 8-bit graphics. Operation Blackout's back to basics take on the franchise is long overdue in the world of video games. While the third-person shooting developed by IguanaBee and published by GameMill Entertainment is not going to inspire Firefly to ignite the world, the game does enough right to provide a fun yet tedious trip down memory lane for franchise fans.
The titular Operation Blackout sees Cobra take out all forms of electronic devices, which splits up the massive G.I. Joe operation and gets Cobra closer to an even bigger plan for world conquest. This classic G.I. Joe narrative plays out via appropriately cheesy motion comic cutscenes that have plenty of rad moments. Players switch between both the Joes and Cobra to experience both sides of the conflicts, with six operatives playable on both sides. Each of the 15+ story missions is playable solo or by bringing a friend for couch co-op, with an AI soldier taking up arms in single-player. There's also a deathmatch suite that's confined to local multiplayer, supporting up to four players.
It's a pretty sizable package all told, especially when one considers the gameplay on offer. Operation Blackout is a no-frills third-person shooter with just a few stabs at mission variety. Outside of the rare vehicle level or turret sequence, the game consists solely of horde mode-style rooms where soldiers relentlessly spawn over and over. The guns have authentic and unique designs, but firing them never feels great. Aiming can be inaccurate and floaty and each enemy's reaction to their demise is grossly understated. There's an overall lack of polish that sometimes comes with the territory of licensed games, and the gameplay really suffers because of it.
It's a true shame, as everything surrounding the gameplay is excellent. Most Joes feature voice actors doing a solid impression of the old cartoon, and their dialogue is littered with tiny references to obscure corners of the massive lore of the franchise. Each playable character has a pair of special abilities like Overwatch (a fitting place to borrow from considering that game's obvious inspirations) which makes them feel wholly unique and part of a unit. For example, Snake Eyes packs his deadly sword, an SMG, and an ultimate that clears every enemy within his sight, but he's also a glass cannon that can't take on too many shots. It offers a unique way to tackle challenges that's appropriate to the character, and each playable Joe and Cobra operative feels the same way.
By default, G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout is top of the pile when it comes to G.I. Joe adaptions, but there's so much untapped potential for a video game tackling one of the finest cartoons of the '80s. The war between Duke and Cobra Commander deserves so much more than room after room of nameless enemies and tepid third-person shooting. Nothing about it is terrible, and the developers definitely have a passion for the subject material, but that inspiration doesn't carry over into anything that makes the game rise above mediocrity. Potential players would have a much better time seeking out old episodes of the cartoon than trying to trudge through hours of uninspired combat to get to the good bits, but fans with a craving for G.I. Joe on a video game platform - any platform at all - will do well to check this one out if for no other reason than there aren't really any other options out there.
G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout is out now on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. Screen Rant was provided an Xbox One key for the purposes of this review.