Discussion
It definitely raises the bar as far as multiplayer gaming goes. It's very tightly focused on teamwork and objectives. There is no deathmatch mode here!
As a singleplayer experience, it's fun but that is really just the warm up for online play. The AI bots in the game are good enough but you can't formulate plans and coordinate attacks like you can with other players that you can talk to. If you don't have Xbox Live, or won't be getting it any time soon, I'd probably give this a miss.
There is a rather compelling story too with a very interesting premise, which is told in brief cutscenes before each level. The back story is fleshed out with audio log unlocks. These seem a bit sparse and disjointed at first, but the more of the game you play, the more the story meshes together. Playing the security team missions and then playing the same mission as the rebels is interesting, as you see both sides of the conflict. However, there are no real 'characters' per se, as the game is supposed to be player orientated. You create you character from a very good system, gradually unlocking more clothing items, weapons and ability upgrades as you play. If there is one slight downside it's that you'll never really empathise with the rebels, they are portrayed as scum and that is how they come across in the game, even when you're playing as them.
The graphics are very good, and the framerate remains consistent despite some real carnage occuring at times. The game has a cool colour palette, and two visual influences appear to be the classic FPS Timesplitters and the parkour game Mirror's Edge. The level designs are varied and all look excellent, though I do prefer the clean, sharp look of the Ark as opposed to the shanty town levels. The sound is also excellent with great voice acting and meaty sounding weaponry. The guns themselves are a particular joy, all looking suitably mean and feeling very weighty to shoot. You'll quickly find favourites, and the differences between some are quite subtle so you can feel free to change your loadout as opposed to sticking with a favourite.
The classes themselves are well balanced although the objectives tend to leave medics out in the cold, as the only specific objective they have is healing human escorts on a couple of missions. I'd like to see this changed in future to give them a more active role than just auxilliary support (which often means they are neglected and thin on the ground as players chase objectives).
Matches themselves tend to flow well and typically last less than 20 minutes. However, there are a couple of choke points in the game which, if well defended, can be extremely difficult to break. I can see this being patched in future though to even out the flow of the game.
Overall, there really is a lot to get stuck into. The persistent character developement is compelling but the real joy comes from the excellently balanced gameplay that constantly rewards the player. Whether you prefer to rush objectives and fight from the front line, support your team with ability boosting buffs or sneak around undermining the enemies you're fed a stream of experience points. You don't have to be a wizard on the trigger to feel like you're supporting your team.
Overall, I'm really enjoying things. I can see myself playing this a lot online. However, if I didn't have Xbox live it could get stale fairly quickly.
As a singleplayer experience, it's fun but that is really just the warm up for online play. The AI bots in the game are good enough but you can't formulate plans and coordinate attacks like you can with other players that you can talk to. If you don't have Xbox Live, or won't be getting it any time soon, I'd probably give this a miss.
There is a rather compelling story too with a very interesting premise, which is told in brief cutscenes before each level. The back story is fleshed out with audio log unlocks. These seem a bit sparse and disjointed at first, but the more of the game you play, the more the story meshes together. Playing the security team missions and then playing the same mission as the rebels is interesting, as you see both sides of the conflict. However, there are no real 'characters' per se, as the game is supposed to be player orientated. You create you character from a very good system, gradually unlocking more clothing items, weapons and ability upgrades as you play. If there is one slight downside it's that you'll never really empathise with the rebels, they are portrayed as scum and that is how they come across in the game, even when you're playing as them.
The graphics are very good, and the framerate remains consistent despite some real carnage occuring at times. The game has a cool colour palette, and two visual influences appear to be the classic FPS Timesplitters and the parkour game Mirror's Edge. The level designs are varied and all look excellent, though I do prefer the clean, sharp look of the Ark as opposed to the shanty town levels. The sound is also excellent with great voice acting and meaty sounding weaponry. The guns themselves are a particular joy, all looking suitably mean and feeling very weighty to shoot. You'll quickly find favourites, and the differences between some are quite subtle so you can feel free to change your loadout as opposed to sticking with a favourite.
The classes themselves are well balanced although the objectives tend to leave medics out in the cold, as the only specific objective they have is healing human escorts on a couple of missions. I'd like to see this changed in future to give them a more active role than just auxilliary support (which often means they are neglected and thin on the ground as players chase objectives).
Matches themselves tend to flow well and typically last less than 20 minutes. However, there are a couple of choke points in the game which, if well defended, can be extremely difficult to break. I can see this being patched in future though to even out the flow of the game.
Overall, there really is a lot to get stuck into. The persistent character developement is compelling but the real joy comes from the excellently balanced gameplay that constantly rewards the player. Whether you prefer to rush objectives and fight from the front line, support your team with ability boosting buffs or sneak around undermining the enemies you're fed a stream of experience points. You don't have to be a wizard on the trigger to feel like you're supporting your team.
Overall, I'm really enjoying things. I can see myself playing this a lot online. However, if I didn't have Xbox live it could get stale fairly quickly.
No sooner had I put the disc in the tray I was messaged by someone on my friends list saying "I hope you kept the reciept, I've heard it's awful".
For £35 I'd say it's pretty good so far. I love that whether you complete your objectives or not the game flows on, your Commander Moa-... Meoak-... The Morgan Freeman look-a-like just exclaims "You're failed to retrieve the datacard boys, looks like we're going to find out their plans the hard way..."
It really is good as a free-flowing game. The challenges provide a nice touch too. Tower defence, on an FPS game?! YEAH!
For £35 I'd say it's pretty good so far. I love that whether you complete your objectives or not the game flows on, your Commander Moa-... Meoak-... The Morgan Freeman look-a-like just exclaims "You're failed to retrieve the datacard boys, looks like we're going to find out their plans the hard way..."
It really is good as a free-flowing game. The challenges provide a nice touch too. Tower defence, on an FPS game?! YEAH!
To me, the best part about this game is the character customisation. I haven't really played it all that much as it feels like it should be enjoyed on the pc as opposed to the 360. Essentially though, this is just TF2 with slightly more freedom of choice but worse gameplay. Not a massive fan if I'm honest
Been playing it for a few days now, initally i was a bit non plussed, single player is essentially non existent as it's a clone of the multiplayer games, but now having got through the complexities I can see myself spending a lot fo time on this, harks back to my PC return to castle wolfenstein days. Online is an awesome, sometimes frustrating but ultimately rewarding experience and I dont think it deserves the bad press at all!
Gfx are good eventhough cartoony, the whole experience is slick and thankfully i havent suffered the lag ppl are complaining of. The free running blends surprisingly well, and I like the way the hundreds of different combinations can combine, this the first MP game where i can have a huge meathead lugging a minigun who is also as a medic. The objective based missions are imo the best part of the experience, it means there is alot of team play needed as specific classes complete specific objectives.
Loving escort the tank and the hostage rescue missions so far but barely scratched the surface. I can see this actually becoming a proper 'clan' game, with ladder matches and all, hopefully keep the screaming COD teenagers away as well.
One thing worth a look is when playing online, try switching the match settings to 'competition' - smaller games, but then you only play with humans and the team play is great.
Gfx are good eventhough cartoony, the whole experience is slick and thankfully i havent suffered the lag ppl are complaining of. The free running blends surprisingly well, and I like the way the hundreds of different combinations can combine, this the first MP game where i can have a huge meathead lugging a minigun who is also as a medic. The objective based missions are imo the best part of the experience, it means there is alot of team play needed as specific classes complete specific objectives.
Loving escort the tank and the hostage rescue missions so far but barely scratched the surface. I can see this actually becoming a proper 'clan' game, with ladder matches and all, hopefully keep the screaming COD teenagers away as well.
One thing worth a look is when playing online, try switching the match settings to 'competition' - smaller games, but then you only play with humans and the team play is great.
well the pc version is definitely a port,we're missing loads of good stuff us pc gamers usually get for free,in fact they have just patched it to allow some adjustements of the controls.
The game also crashes when you launch it,and last night after 2 hours accumulating loads of xp and stuff it just crashed out and I was back to where i was before playing xp wise.
Stuck with it,but not my cup of tea.
The game also crashes when you launch it,and last night after 2 hours accumulating loads of xp and stuff it just crashed out and I was back to where i was before playing xp wise.
Stuck with it,but not my cup of tea.
Been hammering competition online, it's brilliant when you have a team that talk and actually work
together. I can only see it getting better as people learn the levels and the rambo kamikaze noobs get bored and go back to COD. Agree it's not game of the year material, but great fun none the less.
Begs the question, why do other games seem to ignore objective based MP and just lump for ctf, deathmatch / gold rush?! Even counterstrike had escort the hostages out missions. The ideal imo would be Brink objective based MP and customisation, with BFBC gameplay, maps and gfx.
Saw you in one of my games Kodiak, but my headset is broken as usual!
together. I can only see it getting better as people learn the levels and the rambo kamikaze noobs get bored and go back to COD. Agree it's not game of the year material, but great fun none the less.
Begs the question, why do other games seem to ignore objective based MP and just lump for ctf, deathmatch / gold rush?! Even counterstrike had escort the hostages out missions. The ideal imo would be Brink objective based MP and customisation, with BFBC gameplay, maps and gfx.
Saw you in one of my games Kodiak, but my headset is broken as usual!
Symbolica said:
Soz. I'm sure I searched first.Gassing Station | Video Games | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff