Spent most of yesterday playing the PS3 version. I have to say, it actually exceeded my expectations. This probably has most to do with spending the last month or so reading all the whining on GAF about literally anything. If there is anything I have learned in the years of browsing this forum its just how extreme opinions and reactions are.
I am writing this post mainly for anyone who is on the fence after playing the beta or hearing some of the valid concerns around it. Since the beta I did switch from playing on my 1080i TV to gaming on my 1080p computer monitor, so this may have some impact on my experience as well, not sure really.
As with any multiplayer game I expected a terrible experience going in day 1. So far I have seen issues with squads (voice chat is hit/miss, not actually teaming or grouping when entering server), and late last night I noticed the server browser went from showing me 100s of games down to 5. Both of these I have to assume will be fixed in the near future.
The gameplay it self feels way smoother than the Beta. I was a little dissatisfied with the frame rate and textures in the beta. Maybe switching to my monitor makes the game smoother for some reason, but I would say the frame rate is better than BC2 and maybe approaching COD quality. Textures are much better. The biggest issue I would say is pop in. I personally will sacrifice in that area to get a better frame rate. I really think they are pushing current gen to the max.
Destruction. This one had me worried quite a bit. After the GAF reaction I was expecting the worst. From what I remember of BC2 there were just more little buildings that toppled like playing cards. In 10 hours of playtime in BF3 I cant think of a time yet where I was truly disappointed with lack of destruction. Its not like maps are made up of all types of non destructible buildings. I have had buildings come down on top of me, been crushed by walls falling from a couple stories up. i have leveled gas stations and adjacent buildings from my attack helicopter on kharg as I chased a jeep.
Player count. 24 players seems just fine. I have played 1942 and BF2 on PC and have a fair expectation I think. The maps feel a bit small when you have jets maybe, but on foot they are plenty big. Fav maps so far are Kharg or Canals. I also had a lot of fun on Siene (sp?) in rush mode. Kind of felt like some bank heist in a film only the bad guys stole the LAV or something. Even in CQ Siene was pretty fun as it felt like there were tons of choke points and routes to play with.
TLDR: If you were on the fence after beta, get it.
I am writing this post mainly for anyone who is on the fence after playing the beta or hearing some of the valid concerns around it. Since the beta I did switch from playing on my 1080i TV to gaming on my 1080p computer monitor, so this may have some impact on my experience as well, not sure really.
As with any multiplayer game I expected a terrible experience going in day 1. So far I have seen issues with squads (voice chat is hit/miss, not actually teaming or grouping when entering server), and late last night I noticed the server browser went from showing me 100s of games down to 5. Both of these I have to assume will be fixed in the near future.
The gameplay it self feels way smoother than the Beta. I was a little dissatisfied with the frame rate and textures in the beta. Maybe switching to my monitor makes the game smoother for some reason, but I would say the frame rate is better than BC2 and maybe approaching COD quality. Textures are much better. The biggest issue I would say is pop in. I personally will sacrifice in that area to get a better frame rate. I really think they are pushing current gen to the max.
Destruction. This one had me worried quite a bit. After the GAF reaction I was expecting the worst. From what I remember of BC2 there were just more little buildings that toppled like playing cards. In 10 hours of playtime in BF3 I cant think of a time yet where I was truly disappointed with lack of destruction. Its not like maps are made up of all types of non destructible buildings. I have had buildings come down on top of me, been crushed by walls falling from a couple stories up. i have leveled gas stations and adjacent buildings from my attack helicopter on kharg as I chased a jeep.
Player count. 24 players seems just fine. I have played 1942 and BF2 on PC and have a fair expectation I think. The maps feel a bit small when you have jets maybe, but on foot they are plenty big. Fav maps so far are Kharg or Canals. I also had a lot of fun on Siene (sp?) in rush mode. Kind of felt like some bank heist in a film only the bad guys stole the LAV or something. Even in CQ Siene was pretty fun as it felt like there were tons of choke points and routes to play with.
TLDR: If you were on the fence after beta, get it.