If you've been itching to put your trigger finger to work, two big new shooters are seeking recruits. Ghost Recon: Future Soldier and Spec Ops: The Line launch on PC today, bringing all the third-person, near future rat-tat-tat you can handle. So which will it be, high-tech gadgets, a journey into the heart of darkness, or both?

Spec Ops: The Line

2K is shooting (pun!) for a mature modern shooter, with a complex narrative based on Joseph Conrad's masterpiece, Heart of Darkness. You'll not only be facing other U.S. troops in your journey into the depths of a sandstorm ravaged Dubai, you'll be forced to make life-or-death decisions with no clear right or wrong answers. Otherwise? This one looks like your standard third-person cover shooter.




Ghost Recon: Future Soldier

The Ghosts are back. Finally. Ubisoft originally planned to ship its latest Ghost Recon in October... of 2010. After lengthy delays and changes big and small, Future Soldier arrives on PC today, bringing near-future technology -- like active optical camouflage and remote drones -- to the 11-year-old franchise. So how does it play?



I've worked my way through a handful of Ghost Recon: Future Soldier's missions, and thus far it's a solid third-person cover shooter with a few nice new twists. First things first, though: if you're still pining for the original methodical, tactical, first-person Ghost Recon, you'll have to find your fix elsewhere.

If you can get over that hurdle, you'll find Future Soldier's gadgets provide a number of options to fulfill a set gameplay formula: survey the enemy to learn their numbers and position; plan your attack; move your squad into position; open fire. Surveying can be handled with flying remote drones, sensor grenades, or X-ray optics that see through walls to reveal all metal. Your active camo allows you to become nearly invisible, and move your squad into position right under the enemy's nose without being seen. Once in place, you can tag up to four enemies and coordinate instant, lethal attacks. It's gratifying to see your plan pulled off and watch a group of walking, talking enemies suddenly fall like rag dolls. These slower tactical moments are juxtaposed nicely by frantic gun battles where the tight cover controls shine. So far, so good.

Spec Ops: The Line or Ghost Recon: Future Soldier? Which shooter will you be checking out today? Let us know in the comments section below.