Pros & Cons?

[USN_Squid]

I know this is a free game, so I don't wanna bash it too bad, but...

It's all pubbie run-n-gun CQB,,,,yeck! No coop? The briefings suck, and no in-game map?

What do you guys like about the game? I would really like to enjoy it, but right now I'm ready to uninstall. Granted I've only spent 4 or 5 hours playing it (plus 3-4 in training and getting it setup to actually join a server).

I would really like to hear that maybe I just missed something, anyone?

[=Sarc=]

Co-op isn't everything. Although, if you're looking for a game that will be as good or better than GR's co-op get Operation Flashpoint. It has so much more than GR's co-op. Team Element plays OFP once in a while.

[Mirfee]

First, I'll address what I agree is the biggest Con.. pubbies. They do have a tendancy to let the game devolve into a bunny-hopping, nade-spamming, tard-rushing, run'n'gunning after-school rompus-room But bear with me, as I think they're worth putting up with in the short-term.

The Pros...

1) Realism - this is the most realistic soldier sim available. Everything is presented in a much more life-like way than any other shooter currently out. Also, the idea of the game tries to simulate real-world operations more effectively. I personally favor playing against human opponents, rather than AI, and having actual objective based combat and a reward system (Honor) for TvT at least creates an environment that encourages teamwork.

2) Goals/Rewards - Speaking of Honor, in an effort to encourage teamwork, the game awards experience points (ExP) that add up to Honor after the match is complete. From the AA FAQ, you earn Honor for the following...

• completing objectives
• guarding anyone taking an objective
• higher points are awarded to leader positions
• win the round
• heal teammates while playing as medic
• eliminating the OPFOR

The most persistant, and effortless way to gain ExP is to simply be on the winning team. Even if you do nothing for the entire round (even die), you gain at least a few ExP just for having the sense to join the Good Guys

Now, a lot of people say "don't play for Honor... just play." I think that's only partially true, as there is a very definite goal early on. At Honor level 15 (everyone begins at level 10), players unlock the Special Forces soldier class (presuming they have also completed the SF training). This means that in SF maps, you can choose this class, or more specifically, the SF kit (moddable M4 SOPMODs). So at least in this case, Honor leads to a goal. Once this has been met, then Honor seems to be pretty useless. Some servers require a minimum Honor level much higher than normal to join, but even that incentive seems less valuable with the proliferation of high Honor players - most of whom have simply logged enough hours to get the ExP, rather than be actual good players, ie, non-pubbies.


Guess that's pretty much the high-points for me. But I still have to do some convincing as to why the Cons are worth playing this.

True, lame pubbies can ruin anything with their gamey play. The key is to find a server with players who "play the game the way it was meant to be played" This, of course, probably means getting in-game with fellow TG'ers. Apophis and myself have been enjoying the hell out of this game for a week+ just because we at least have each other. Ryn got back into it last night with me, and we also had a great time. Even just having one more TG on to team up with makes the pubbie nonsense marginally tolerable (depending on the severity... sometimes ya just gotta look for a different server). On many maps, playing the Defense side means camping... great for tactical players such as us, but you do have to weather some comments that amount to not being 'pubbie' enough

But here's the kicker... where it all comes together. We don't *have* to play on pubbie servers. We just do, right now, to gain enough Honor to hit 15, and the SF class (only Official US Army servers, and some leased ones, track Honor... most, including TG's, do not). After that, I see no reason why we couldn't just play on our own TG server... lock it down if we have enough in-house players and play the game hardcore!

In a nutshell, this game is stellar for TG-style gameplay. It has a lot more potential than the current exposure to pubbies would indicate. I personally feel that this game is what GR2 *should* be... it's an outstanding evolution of the soldier sim... one that's supposed to get even better with the next version currently in development (look for drivable vehicles!) Come play when some other TG are on... we'll make it more enjoyable than you've seen in just a handful of hours playing. And if pubbies are ultimately runing the game, we can forego honor now and again to play on our server.

[jex]

Yep play with someone. If we can get a few of us together at the same time that would be even better.

One thing I'm noticing though, and quite a lot of, is lag. This has been discussed over in the AA forums as well.

[fr1j0l3]

great post.

I also like how you have to qualify for weapons, and players with higher honor gt first dibs on kits.

And it's all about the group you play with.




I wonder if sarc is working for codemasters..

[Mirfee]

Originally Posted by fr1j0l3

great post.

Thanks... guess it's pretty obvious that I like this game

I also like how you have to qualify for weapons

Good point. The qualifying can suck when you have to repeat, but it feels so good when it's done. You feel like you earned something.

I wonder if sarc is working for codemasters..

And again, I'm wondering if I should pick up this game again. Wish I never traded it in.

[USN_Squid]

Thanks for the post Mirfee!

Originally Posted by Mirfee

this is the most realistic soldier sim available. Everything is presented in a much more life-like way than any other shooter currently out. Also, the idea of the game tries to simulate real-world operations more effectively. I personally favor playing against human opponents, rather than AI, and having actual objective based combat and a reward system (Honor) for TvT at least creates an environment that encourages teamwork.

I agree with the realism aspect. That's what really excited me about the game. And yes the real-world operations scenarios are good, but each game comes down to spawning in 75m from your enemies and let the fragging commence. I was able to find like one or two people in each game/server that tried to use a little teamwork, so.....

Originally Posted by Mirfee

True, lame pubbies can ruin anything with their gamey play. The key is to find a server with players who "play the game the way it was meant to be played" This, of course, probably means getting in-game with fellow TG'ers.

Have you guys found any specific servers you go back to?

Originally Posted by Mirfee

But here's the kicker... where it all comes together. We don't *have* to play on pubbie servers. We just do, right now, to gain enough Honor to hit 15, and the SF class (only Official US Army servers, and some leased ones, track Honor... most, including TG's, do not).

Does a server have to be leased from CSI in order to make it an honor server? It seems there are some private servers out there on the honor system, but maybe I'm wrong.

Originally Posted by Mirfee

In a nutshell, this game is stellar for TG-style gameplay. It has a lot more potential than the current exposure to pubbies would indicate.

Yes, I can see that it does. I guess I won't give up yet. I'm sure a lot of my frustration is just getting used to the game, learning the maps and my lack of skillz!

[Mirfee]

Originally Posted by USN_Squid

Thanks for the post Mirfee!

Glad to!

but each game comes down to spawning in 75m from your enemies and let the fragging commence. I was able to find like one or two people in each game/server that tried to use a little teamwork

This does blow major chunks. I hate nade spam in any game. I usually end up looking for another server if the pubbies favor lame gameplay. Although, with enough players playing tactically (camping ) many get bored and leave. Depends on the night and the ratio of players.

Have you guys found any specific servers you go back to?

Nothing per se. I favor US Army servers just for consistency... usually East coast for ping. If there were one or more private Honor servers that were known for quality gaming, I'd go there. But nothing yet.

Does a server have to be leased from CSI in order to make it an honor server? It seems there are some private servers out there on the honor system, but maybe I'm wrong.

Yes. US ARMY ones are obvious. Leased private Honor servers are the only alternative, and they're all from the same hosting company.

I guess I won't give up yet. I'm sure a lot of my frustration is just getting used to the game, learning the maps and my lack of skillz!

Great. I gave up and restarted this game ever since it launched. The *only* times I've enjoyed it are playing smartly with team mates on comms. I rarely play solo for the very reasons you give.

Hope to see you soon!

[Apophis]

I agree with Mirfee...

It's a fantastic game when you play with the right people, but it just sucks when you're playing with the wrong people. Here's a good example:

You work your ass off trying to build up your experience points to get to the next honor level. You approach a room with potential tangos inside so you pull the pin and roll in a grenade. Immediately afterwards two of your teammates run around from behind you into the room and get blown up. You've just lost a TON of experience points and may even get automatically kicked from the server for a ROE violation. This isn't because YOU did something stupid, but because your teammates did.

This happened to me more times than I can count when I first started. And it frustrated me to no end. But then again, I was mostly playing alone at the time. When you play with the right people, things like this don't need to happen as we will all be able to communicate a lot better via TS.

Now that I'm at an honor level of 16 I don't really care much about playing on official servers. But I will stick with the pubs/officials when new players start up with AA again to help get them up to 15. At that point we can revert to the TG server and get some real tactical play going.

RYN was a hardcore AA player for quite a while, as was LOWDRAG/ARTY. I was really excited to see RYN back in the game the other night and hope we can drag LOWDRAG back into it as well.

[Apophis]

Originally Posted by fr1j0l3

great post.

And it's all about the group you play with.

So, why don't you come play with us fajita?

[jex]

The Bridge Crossing/ Bridge SE maps is good as you start a long way off from each other. There's also some base in the snow where you have to shut off valves - that seems quite large. I haven't played any other maps that have this distance. All the other maps I've played are too small.

One thing that gets me though, If you're defending why aren't you set up in defensive positions to begin with?

[Killer_McDermott]

It looks like a good game to me. Although the last SF training excercise I can't get past. It's the one where you have to sneak by to the different objectives. It is really starting to pi$$ me off.

I haven't actually played the multiplayer part so maybe that's why I still like AA(except for the last SF training excercise...I hate it soooo much). I haven't experienced the issues the Squid was talking about.

Since I am still new to AA I am hesitant to play on another server with pubbies. I have no idea what I am doing. Is there a night and time that some can agree on to play AA so I can learn the ropes so to speak?

[jex]

The SF E&E training is easy once you know the route. From the start stick to the right, the path spilts (i missed this split the 1st time) and you want the right path. Then follow that and go over the hill to Obj. Alpha.

Do not go near the guard towers. Even though you're crawling and he's 50ft away and looking the other way he'll spot you.

When walking down valleys never stick to the middle. Always stay to one side. That way you're pretty shielded from the side you are by and can concentrate on the other side for signs of personnell.

Use the binoculars. Watch for the guards to turn their back and then move.

If in doubt crawl and slowly. Crawling quick seems to be about the same as crouch quick speed. With the bins in your hand you seem to crawl a little faster.

Keep as much distance from the guards as possible. Don't take shortcuts.

Some routes you simply cannot use - find an alternative.

Draw a map if you must.

Above all keep your distance, stay low and stop/prone if a guards yells. Wait for 10 seconds before moving out. This is a game of stealth so slow is the way to do it. Do not try to rush.

[Killer_McDermott]

Originally Posted by jex

The SF E&E training is easy once you know the route. From the start stick to the right, the path spilts (i missed this split the 1st time) and you want the right path. Then follow that and go over the hill to Obj. Alpha.

Do not go near the guard towers. Even though you're crawling and he's 50ft away and looking the other way he'll spot you.

When walking down valleys never stick to the middle. Always stay to one side. That way you're pretty shielded from the side you are by and can concentrate on the other side for signs of personnell.

Use the binoculars. Watch for the guards to turn their back and then move.

If in doubt crawl and slowly. Crawling quick seems to be about the same as crouch quick speed. With the bins in your hand you seem to crawl a little faster.

Keep as much distance from the guards as possible. Don't take shortcuts.

Some routes you simply cannot use - find an alternative.

Draw a map if you must.

Above all keep your distance, stay low and stop/prone if a guards yells. Wait for 10 seconds before moving out. This is a game of stealth so slow is the way to do it. Do not try to rush.

Maybe that's what I was doing wrong. Everytime I tried to go up when I was behind the guard tower down the right path, I seemed to get stuck like I couldn't go up any more. So I usually tried to belly crawl behind the guard tower and always got caught. I will give it a try. Thanks for the advice.

[Mot73]

Originally Posted by Killer_McDermott

Since I am still new to AA I am hesitant to play on another server with pubbies. I have no idea what I am doing. Is there a night and time that some can agree on to play AA so I can learn the ropes so to speak?

Yea..I"d be up for a training night to help get up to speed... ONLY if that "short cut" isn't detrimental...and you experienced players would have to say that.

In other words.....is the pain a necessary evil...if so..dats cool..if not...share da wealth!!