You are on a rescue mission to save survivors, but when every faction you encounter is hostile, whose side are you on? The game encourages you to question your own actions, but only gives you a few opportunities to actually make a choice. The bulk of the time is spent in run-of-the-mill firefights killing hundreds of enemies. There is also a competitive multiplayer mode with some neat objective-based modes and a bevy of unlockable gear.
Spec Ops: The Line is primarily a third-person shooter with emphasis on utilizing cover and squad-based tactics. Various new weapons and equipment become available as play progresses, some dropped by downed enemies. These include several different rifles, handguns, and machine guns, some with alternate firing modes, like attaching a suppressor or using a scope; as well as grenade launchers and hand grenades. Single-player squad commands include focusing fire on a particular target and ordering medical attention to an injured squad member.
A multiplayer mode is also included, with six competitive game types across seven maps, loadout customization, and community leaderboards and challenges.