One of the most frustrating experiences for a console player is witnessing thrilling gameplay, only to be confronted with the “only for PC” label immediately afterward. As a dedicated console player, this situation arises frequently, and each instance feels like a hard hit. I’ve been eagerly anticipating *Delta Force* ever since Team Jade announced it in 2024. The promise of offering fans three distinct game modes that capture everything typically seen in the FPS genre was fascinating.

Yet, I felt an instant wave of FOMO when it was disclosed as a free-to-play, PC exclusive. However, Team Jade surprised everyone with the announcement that *Delta Force* would be launched on consoles in Q1 2025, complete with all the features of the full release (not early access or beta). When that news broke, I knew I had to dive in and discover what all the buzz around the ‘free *Battlefield*’ title was about. When I was given the opportunity to pilot one of the operators featured in *Delta Force* on console ahead of time, I eagerly enlisted for the experience.

*Delta Force’s* rich legacy as a gaming franchise is thoroughly covered in CGMagazine’s earlier PC preview, and it’s fair to say the franchise is significant. But what sets it apart from others? Remarkable gameplay that players wouldn’t guess is free, frantic game modes, and a single-player campaign tied to the whole experience depicting a real-life famous historical event, *Black Hawk Down* (which is referred to in textbooks as the Battle of Mogadishu, inspired by the 2001 film of the same name).

First things first, if fans aren’t acquainted with hero shooters, *Delta Force* features gameplay that evokes the genre while functioning more like the quick-paced FPS titles that don’t fit neatly into that category. Imagine *Delta Force* as an expertly polished, large-scale experience, but starting without a price tag, placing all the risk on the developer and publisher. I’m pleased to report that Team Jade’s efforts have delivered a robust console port for fans.

Although I experienced a preview build for console, I later tried the initial PC experience to explore what the premium marketplace entails, and I found that the free-to-play notifications were entirely absent from *Delta Force* menus. Not only does Team Jade care about their game, but they also have faith in it.

I jumped into a match playing as one of the support (healing class) operators. I took on the role of the heroic Stinger, and if his impeccably styled hair hinted at anything about his capabilities, it’s that he excels just as much as the pomade he uses to keep it in shape on the battlefield. Like other hero shooters, *Delta Force* grants you access to unique perks tied to each character and class.

Stinger wields a healing pistol that resembles Mercy’s staff from *Overwatch 2*. He can heal from a considerable distance, keeping both himself and the target safe, but unlike Mercy, he can also inflict severe damage. You can equip the support class with impressive firepower, including assault rifles (the AK-74 springs to mind) and a high-caliber hand-cannon as a sidearm.

Stinger is outfitted with additional perks that enable him to aid the team in various ways. A smokescreen creates disarray for adversaries, permitting you to revive fallen allies, while smoke grenades allow for escape when under heavy fire. These two perks encourage creative thinking. Rather than merely healing, you can deploy smoke and maneuver around with your assault weaponry to provide cover fire in a massive 32v32 Warfare match, offering relief to weary teammates defending an objective.

This flexibility empowers players to strategically consider their optimal position on the battlefield to assist the team, and instead of being limited to a single role like many other hero shooters, *Delta Force* encourages all fighters to engage in the action as fully as possible. I was able to explore the two primary game modes for console (excluding the campaign, Black Hawk Down), and both operated at a silky smooth 60FPS, even during the most intense moments, on the Xbox Series X console.

While *Delta Force* assigns names to its classes, players can deploy in any manner they choose and play in a way that best supports their team. You cannot switch characters mid-battle (as is typical in other hero-based titles), but you can alter your tactics to increase effectiveness for the map. The developers also confirmed that *Delta Force* will support cross-play, though players have the option to disable it entirely to avoid encountering seasoned PC players upon its console launch, a great advantage for new recruits entering the field.

I first dove into the Operations mode. This mode struck me with significant déjà vu.