"Recognize me? Colonel Jones! It's nice to see you again, Sergeant! The world needs you, once again. Code name: Operation Wolf. This one's not gonna be a walk in the park! In recent months, a new criminal network has been wreaking havoc. Drugs, weapons, terrorism, the whole lot! And to top it all off, they've developed a power superweapon. Our team has done a good job: we've identified a number of bases around the world. As well as the leader of the organization, who goes by the name General Viper. But we don't know where he's hiding, or what the secret weapon is. What's more, these mercenaries have taken hostages! We need you, Sergeant! We need to disband the group, take out their weapon, kill the General, and free the hostages. You know, everything it takes to be a hero!"
— Colonel Jones
Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission is a 2023 Light Gun Game and Rail Shooter developed by Virtuallyz Gaming and published by Microids. It is a "reinterpretation" of the first Operation Wolf game, and the fifth installment in the series. The campaign mode can be played with either one or two players, with the single-player option being exclusive to the VR version of the game.
You are one of two soldiers hired by Colonel Jones, who tells you that you must take on a Nebulous Evil Organisation led by General Viper. The organization has bases all over the world, and specializes in drugs and weapons trafficking, in addition to terrorism, and has taken hostages and declared war. On top of that, they are also developing a power superweapon that must be destroyed. Your mission is to take out the weapon, destroy the organization, rescue the hostages, and ultimately defeat General Viper.
Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission provides examples of the following tropes:
- Autobots, Rock Out!: The boss themes for the enemy Sergeant, the Radar Station, and the Gigatank are all hard rock tunes.
- Battle in the Rain: The first act of Mission 4 takes place in a rainstorm, along with the boss of the mission.
- Battleship Raid: The final battle has you chasing down Viper's plane and shooting it down piece by piece. However, the plane will be guarded by a squadron of fighter jets and attack helicopters, making this no easy feat.
- Big Bad: General Viper, the leader of the Nebulous Evil Organisation that is trafficking weapons and drugs and has not only build a secret super weapon, but has also taken hostages. Fittingly, he's also the Final Boss of the game.
- Big Good: Colonel Jones, who serves as your commanding officer.
- Boss Battle: There is a boss that must be defeated at the end of each mission.
- Bullet Time: The game will sometimes go into slow motion and give you a chance to shoot at enemies more easily.
- Degraded Boss: The Sergeant you fight as the Mission 1 boss shows up as a regular enemy in later missions. You also fight a Hind-D piloted by Viper at the end of Mission 3, and Hind-Ds also show up in the final battle against Viper's plane.
- Expy: With Viper's Nebulous Evil Organisation sporting a logo similar to that of a snake, they're very much akin to Cobra.
- High-Altitude Battle: The final battle with General Viper's plane takes place in the skies, as you attempt to take down the plane piece by piece while fighting off waves of attack helicopters and fighter jets.
- Lighter and Softer: In comparison to the previous games, this game has a more '80s Saturday morning cartoon vibe and visuals almost akin to G.I. Joe. Also, unlike the other Operation Wolf games, hostages don’t die if you accidentally shoot them, but the only penalty you get is the loss of some points for your score.
- Macross Missile Massacre: This is the Radar Station's method of attack. It's impervious to any weapon you utilize, so to defeat it you must redirect its missiles right at the boss itself by shooting at its antenna. Like the first boss's barrels, they are a One-Hit Kill.
- No Name Given: The Sergeant. Judging by his looks, he's heavily implied to be Roy Adams, the original Operation Wolf hero.
- Sequel Hook: At the end, you shoot down and destroy General Viper's plane after a long aerial chase, seemingly killing him. However, within the wreckage, Viper emerges, clutching his wounds, and walks away, implying he'll be back for revenge. "Vipers are tough", indeed...
- Spider Tank: This is the secret weapon General Viper is building, and serves as the boss of Mission 5.
- Take Cover!: Taking a page from Time Crisis, the game allows you to duck for cover to avoid enemy attacks.
- Throw a Barrel at It: One of the first boss's attacks has him throwing a barrel at you. It will One-Hit Kill you if you're not prepared.
- Title Drop: Colonel Jones outright refers to the mission as "Operation Wolf" in the opening briefing.
