My impressions after two hours:
Graphically the game is extremely impressive for MP and LOOKS better than pretty much every shooter I've played in SP (not in scale). Textures are nice and varied, and all the graphical effects (blurs, sparks, environmental destruction, explosions) are top-notch. My one main complaint here is that the framerate isn't up to par with the rest of the package. The game doesn't exactly reach sluggish, but with a ton of shit going on and considering how "heavy" the controls are, it definitely throws you off on occasion. Obviously it's an old build/beta, but it's just something worth noting that stood out for what I am playing.
Controls are fucking ace. I'm still getting used the layout of all the buttons (I think I'm using Alternate 2), but this is the first FPS and probably about the 2nd game overall for PS3 (GT5
) that makes the controller actually feel heavy... you kind of forget it's a controller carrying everything out. When I move I actually feel as if the character is taking step after step, and swinging the crosshairs around the screen doesn't make the gun feel like a toy. Most of the FPS games I play feel like you are just controlling the weapon, while this feels like you are controlling the character that's carrying a weapon. Oh, and jumping over nearly anything that looks jumpable adds to realism of the controls - makes you feel as if your character is actually mobile instead of being attached to set paths all the time like most FPS games force you into.
Sound is amazing. I love the epic menu music, and all of the guns and effects have a nice, meaty sound. Playing without the HUD is doable with all the minor sound cues like the chirp when you kill someone (although I noticed it was a bit delayed which was a bit bothering) and the sound of your clip quickly coming to an end. And then there is the wind... oh, my, the wind.
Gameplay is definitely fun... not exactly as tactical as I thought it would be, but the realistic controls and number of hits until death make it seem like it is. I assumed it would be the SOCOM of the FPS genre, but it's more realistic feeling than it is playing. The level design is fantastic, and the different tiers of each level manage to be well-divided but still feel connected to the 'main' areas (which leads back to how amazing the jumping is). I haven't really explored the different modes the game offers (been joining with quick join), but the objectives seem to spice up how stale your average DM may become. The only complaints so far in terms of gameplay is that the spawning seemed a bit odd (unfair?) at times, the objectives weren't exactly clear/didn't feel important, and sniping is too easy (stole a rifle and it was ridiculous how easy kills came).
Extremely impressed so far for how polished it is at its current state, and I'm really looking forward to retail. Hopefully I can get enough playtime in to test out the classes and get a feeling on balance (although it already felt pretty balanced even though I only had access to the 'standard' weapons) and the game's longevity.
Graphically the game is extremely impressive for MP and LOOKS better than pretty much every shooter I've played in SP (not in scale). Textures are nice and varied, and all the graphical effects (blurs, sparks, environmental destruction, explosions) are top-notch. My one main complaint here is that the framerate isn't up to par with the rest of the package. The game doesn't exactly reach sluggish, but with a ton of shit going on and considering how "heavy" the controls are, it definitely throws you off on occasion. Obviously it's an old build/beta, but it's just something worth noting that stood out for what I am playing.
Controls are fucking ace. I'm still getting used the layout of all the buttons (I think I'm using Alternate 2), but this is the first FPS and probably about the 2nd game overall for PS3 (GT5
) that makes the controller actually feel heavy... you kind of forget it's a controller carrying everything out. When I move I actually feel as if the character is taking step after step, and swinging the crosshairs around the screen doesn't make the gun feel like a toy. Most of the FPS games I play feel like you are just controlling the weapon, while this feels like you are controlling the character that's carrying a weapon. Oh, and jumping over nearly anything that looks jumpable adds to realism of the controls - makes you feel as if your character is actually mobile instead of being attached to set paths all the time like most FPS games force you into.Sound is amazing. I love the epic menu music, and all of the guns and effects have a nice, meaty sound. Playing without the HUD is doable with all the minor sound cues like the chirp when you kill someone (although I noticed it was a bit delayed which was a bit bothering) and the sound of your clip quickly coming to an end. And then there is the wind... oh, my, the wind.
Gameplay is definitely fun... not exactly as tactical as I thought it would be, but the realistic controls and number of hits until death make it seem like it is. I assumed it would be the SOCOM of the FPS genre, but it's more realistic feeling than it is playing. The level design is fantastic, and the different tiers of each level manage to be well-divided but still feel connected to the 'main' areas (which leads back to how amazing the jumping is). I haven't really explored the different modes the game offers (been joining with quick join), but the objectives seem to spice up how stale your average DM may become. The only complaints so far in terms of gameplay is that the spawning seemed a bit odd (unfair?) at times, the objectives weren't exactly clear/didn't feel important, and sniping is too easy (stole a rifle and it was ridiculous how easy kills came).
Extremely impressed so far for how polished it is at its current state, and I'm really looking forward to retail. Hopefully I can get enough playtime in to test out the classes and get a feeling on balance (although it already felt pretty balanced even though I only had access to the 'standard' weapons) and the game's longevity.
and :lol are getting old.