Arma 3: Contact DLC
Bohemia Interactive
Arma 3 has long been established as one of the world’s preeminent, hardcore, first-person military simulator. It has aged pretty well—considering it came out in 2014, it’s graphics hold up decently to other, more modern shooters (and in some cases, surpasses them).
The game’s various DLC, released over the years, have generally been well-received, too. Some gamers, however, have complained that Arma 3’s DLC are unnecessary. To them, paying for extra content that they can find through mods seems like a waste of money in their opinion. Unfortunately, these are usually the same types of gamers that are more of the opinion that everything should simply be free.
The video game business, just like any other business, consist of folks who have to make a living just like anyone else. Paying for DLC packs fuels their operations, so to speak, which enables these content creators to create more content for their games.
Which brings me to Bohemia Interactive’s newest Arma 3 DLC, titled Contact. I really wouldn’t have foreseen Bohemia going in the direction of pairing a realistic military simulator with extraterrestrials, but that’s exactly where they’ve decided to go: “When a massive alien vessel suddenly enters the atmosphere, you are sent to investigate the extraterrestrial visitors and determine their intentions. However, amid the tension and chaos, armed conflict inevitably unfolds. Over the course of the campaign, players will engage in field science, electronic warfare, and combat reconnaissance, in an experience delivered in authentic Arma style.”
In this DLC, players step into the boots of a NATO drone operator in Eastern Europe and are tasked with investigating mankind’s first contact with aliens. Yes, there is some shooting in this expansion, after all this is Arma 3. But the majority of the campaign will be spent on more exploratory missions.
Players will be able to control tracked, multi-purpose robotic drones (UGVs) as well as chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear assets, including a new Spectrum Device tool. With all of this new equipment, players can conduct specimen sampling, carry out advanced reconnaissance missions, and of course, investigate alien anomalies.
As project lead, van ‘t Land, has said: “Many of us have wondered if humanity is alone in the universe. I, for one, want to believe we are not. The premise of intelligent life visiting Earth from outer space has fascinated me since childhood, and combining that with the military authenticity of Arma 3 always seemed like it would make for a very cool and unique experience.”
The Arma 3: Contact DLC adds a huge, 163 square kilometer map comprised of new terrain to the series, within the fictional nation of Livonia. Along with the UN, both the new Livonian Defense Force as well as the famous Russian Spetsnaz factions will be present, along with a veritable plethora of new vehicles, weapons, and other gear. These include the RPK-12 LMG, AKU-12 carbine (the carbine version of the AK-12 assault rifle), Promet Assault Rifle, CBRN clothing, backpacks, masks, and lots of other goodies.
Veterans of Arma 3 may find a few things to like about Contact, if only as a distraction from the typical gameplay loop of the core game. The new map and equipment will probably be fawned over for a while, as things usually are during a DLC pack’s “honeymoon period.” But for those who aren’t already passionate about the mil-sim subgenre, there might not be enough meat on the bone to illicit more than a passing glance.
SCORE: 72%
The Arma 3: Contact DLC has some pretty nice looking graphics that make its military-based gameplay truly shine. However, you want to have a pretty beefy gaming PC or gaming laptop in order to play it at a decent framerate. So, you may just want to invest in a decent gaming rig:
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