Spec Ops: The Line

The game mechanics include seeking cover, aiming from behind obstacles, vaulting, sprinting, and taking out the insurgents. As only Walker is controlled by the player, team mates act on their own but can also be given different orders. Game mechanics also include melee attacks and brutal executions, as well as using mortars and a camera to shoot with a gun controlled through a laptop.

The environment plays an important role due to obstacles, sudden sandstorms, and the influence of sunshine. Many objects can also be used for alternate attacks, such as shooting a roof holding a lot of sand or targeting windows to rain down glass on opponents. The missions are largely linear in corridor design and often contain scripted sequences and encounters that unfold into engagements.

The game focuses on the interaction between the squad members who comment on the situation. Many parts include gruesome sequences with wounded, burned, and dismembered people and the game often focuses on the moral dilemma of wanting to evacuate survivors while they are constantly attacked by insurgents who fear the Americans come to kill them. Much of that conflict is played out in conversations between the three soldiers.

There are 15 chapters in single-player mode and multiplayer modes include regular (Chaos) and team deathmatch (Mutiny). The game is based around two factions: The Exiles and The Damned, with customizable loadouts and up to five classes that can be unlocked. Each class has access to different weapons and items with a persistent statistics system that keeps track of the player's progress over different games.