Going into PAX East, there were several games I was excited to check out, but Spec Ops: The Line was not one of them. That changed almost as soon as I picked up the controller.

The game takes place in a version of Dubai that's been swallowed up by an apocalyptic sandstorm. There's been no communication with anyone in the city for months, and the world fears the worst.

The preview began as a three-man team led by Cpt. Martin Walker approached a ruined metropolis to investigate a distress call from Colonel John Konrad. Konrad was last seen months prior evacuating refugees, and was presumed dead. It should have been a simple recon mission, but obviously things don't go as planned.