Looking back at last weeks post, I just realised that I sound pretty negative about R6:V. I guess its worthwhile reiterating that I do think the multiplayer is quite good. The problem is just that it doesn't feel very tactical - which, in my opinion, is the strength of the R6 series in the first place.
Anyway, despite any perceived problems with the multiplayer, the coop in R6:V is excellent with just one proviso which I'll go into momentarily.
The great thing about coop gameplay is that it really does cater to R6's strengths. Just like in the singleplayer, you get rooms full of tango's which you and your squadmates can breach and clear to your hearts content. As I said, the key strength of the R6 series is the tactical nature of the combat and coop captures this beautifully.
At least it does, if you get the right team together (here's that proviso I mentioned!). While I have been in some good games, I've also been in some games with kids. And the problem with kids is that they just want to run around and shoot things. At this point, the game just turns into a run n gun FPS which kinda defeats the purpose. Having said that, you can't really blame the game for this.
When done properly, the feeling of you get from a good coop session is awesome and I'll try and capture it with a gameplay example below.
There were three of us in the group. Before the game started, we had discussed what ordinance each of us would be taking. Some of us had breaching charges (so we could blow in doors), some of us had smoke grenades (to provide cover), some of us had flashbangs and some of us had frags (I had the smoke and flashbangs). All in all, we had a fair mix of ordinance to play around with.
We start the game and by this time, we are already in Vegas. We get to a room with two doors and split into 2 teams - me on my own and the other two guys in the other team. Both of us snake cam each door and spot several tangos waiting inside and we quickly devise a plan of attack.
The guy with the breaching charge sets up the charge on my door before rejoining his teammate. We all setup shop by the side of the door and wait.
The team leader checks everybodys position before counting down. "1 .. 2 .. 3 .. Go go go!!"
The breaching charge by my door sets off and blows away the door. The guy standing behind the door is killed immediately and the rest of the room erupts into bedlam as the tangos dive behind cover. They immediately target my door as evidenced by the hail of bullets pouring through.
However, while the tango's are focusing on my door, the team leader has opened the second door. The third teammate pops out from behind the second door and starts to get some easy kills as all the tango's are focused on my door. The room erupts into chaos for a second time as the tangos shift cover and start firing at my teammate by the second door.
This is the perfect opportunity for me to pop out from behind the first door and take out the remaining bad guys. Perfectly planned. Perfectly executed.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Stardock is full of smart people
Wow - two gaming posts in one weekend. What is happening!!
Basically, I saw this post and it resonated with me so much that I had to talk about it.
By way of background, I used to be a heavy PC gamer. I used to have flight sticks and steering wheels etc for my PC. And the majority of my games were played on the PC. In fact, I have too many memories of PC gaming to recount here. But somewhere along the way, I changed and became primarily a console gamer. So what happened?
If you read the link and some of the comments in that post above, you will know exactly what happened. The cost and hassle of keeping my PC in a gaming state together with the hassles of DRM just made me stop and think "why am I putting up with this crap?". Yes, I know how to update my drivers (or restore old drivers). I know how to take apart my PC and upgrade individual components. I know how to check forums to see whether there is a known fix for whatever issue I'm having. What I don't have is the time or inclination to do so.
Despite this, there are still games on the PC which consoles just can't or don't do well. As a result of this, I do still buy and play PC games. However, I tend to be extremely picky when it comes to PC games. And as I have mentioned before, DRM is one of the factors I take into consideration (to be clear, I understand why most games have DRM and I am willing to put up with it as long as it remains unobtrusive).
Most publishers talk about piracy being the death of PC gaming and use this to justify DRM. Stardock (publisher of Galactic Civilizations II and the new PC hit strategy game Sins of a Solar Empire) is one of the few developers/publishers who understands that piracy isn't the problem. In fact, they put their money where their mouth is and don't put any DRM (none whatsoever!) in the software they sell.
Considering that Sins of a Solar Empire was the number 2 best selling PC game for February in the US (bear in mind the NPD only tracks retail sales hence the online sales of this game are ignored - which is a shame as Stardock make a lot of sales online), Stardock seem to have the right approach.
Basically, I saw this post and it resonated with me so much that I had to talk about it.
By way of background, I used to be a heavy PC gamer. I used to have flight sticks and steering wheels etc for my PC. And the majority of my games were played on the PC. In fact, I have too many memories of PC gaming to recount here. But somewhere along the way, I changed and became primarily a console gamer. So what happened?
If you read the link and some of the comments in that post above, you will know exactly what happened. The cost and hassle of keeping my PC in a gaming state together with the hassles of DRM just made me stop and think "why am I putting up with this crap?". Yes, I know how to update my drivers (or restore old drivers). I know how to take apart my PC and upgrade individual components. I know how to check forums to see whether there is a known fix for whatever issue I'm having. What I don't have is the time or inclination to do so.
Despite this, there are still games on the PC which consoles just can't or don't do well. As a result of this, I do still buy and play PC games. However, I tend to be extremely picky when it comes to PC games. And as I have mentioned before, DRM is one of the factors I take into consideration (to be clear, I understand why most games have DRM and I am willing to put up with it as long as it remains unobtrusive).
Most publishers talk about piracy being the death of PC gaming and use this to justify DRM. Stardock (publisher of Galactic Civilizations II and the new PC hit strategy game Sins of a Solar Empire) is one of the few developers/publishers who understands that piracy isn't the problem. In fact, they put their money where their mouth is and don't put any DRM (none whatsoever!) in the software they sell.
Considering that Sins of a Solar Empire was the number 2 best selling PC game for February in the US (bear in mind the NPD only tracks retail sales hence the online sales of this game are ignored - which is a shame as Stardock make a lot of sales online), Stardock seem to have the right approach.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Rainbow Six: Vegas - multiplayer
Last week, I mentioned that I was playing R6:V and gave a single player gameplay example. I also took the opportunity to test out the multiplayer which is what this post is about.
One of the cool things about the multiplayer is that you create your character and then get to decide what equipment that he will have. In addition, you also get to decide what clothes and armor he will wear. As you start, you only have very limited options. However, as you play more games and level up your character, some of the better equipment will unlock.
The great thing about this is that it really allows you to invest in your online persona. At the same time, even the "lesser" weapons are extremely lethal and can kill other players very easily. Given all this, you would think that I really enjoyed the multiplayer. Unfortunately, I didn't.
To be fair to R6:V, its not that the multiplayer is bad. The problem is that the multiplayer is so disconnected from the single player. Let me explain.
In my opinion, the key strength of R6:V is in the tactical nature of its single player game. This is very different from other FPSs on the market and is one of the key differentiators for this game. However, when you get into the multiplayer game, the game effectively devolves into a run and gun FPS. Although you can still use the tactics and equipment from the single player game, there just isn't any point as its more effective to keep on the move.
And this is what I mean when I say that the multiplayer is disconnected from the single player. The reason I like this game is because I like the slow tactical buildup element in planning out an assault on a room and then executing on that plan. Unfortunately, that just isn't how the multiplayer game works. It's like the multiplayer game is a different game altogether.
And this is where we run into problems. First off, the expectations gap means that R6:V isn't off to a good start. Throw in the fact that Halo 3 has since been released which does multiplayer run and gun superbly (in my opinion) and it doesn't look like R6:V has any legs left to stand on. As I said before, its not that the multiplayer is bad. In fact, its actually quite good. The problem is that after playing a couple of multiplayer games, I just couldn't help but think, "Why aren't I playing Halo 3?"
One of the cool things about the multiplayer is that you create your character and then get to decide what equipment that he will have. In addition, you also get to decide what clothes and armor he will wear. As you start, you only have very limited options. However, as you play more games and level up your character, some of the better equipment will unlock.
The great thing about this is that it really allows you to invest in your online persona. At the same time, even the "lesser" weapons are extremely lethal and can kill other players very easily. Given all this, you would think that I really enjoyed the multiplayer. Unfortunately, I didn't.
To be fair to R6:V, its not that the multiplayer is bad. The problem is that the multiplayer is so disconnected from the single player. Let me explain.
In my opinion, the key strength of R6:V is in the tactical nature of its single player game. This is very different from other FPSs on the market and is one of the key differentiators for this game. However, when you get into the multiplayer game, the game effectively devolves into a run and gun FPS. Although you can still use the tactics and equipment from the single player game, there just isn't any point as its more effective to keep on the move.
And this is what I mean when I say that the multiplayer is disconnected from the single player. The reason I like this game is because I like the slow tactical buildup element in planning out an assault on a room and then executing on that plan. Unfortunately, that just isn't how the multiplayer game works. It's like the multiplayer game is a different game altogether.
And this is where we run into problems. First off, the expectations gap means that R6:V isn't off to a good start. Throw in the fact that Halo 3 has since been released which does multiplayer run and gun superbly (in my opinion) and it doesn't look like R6:V has any legs left to stand on. As I said before, its not that the multiplayer is bad. In fact, its actually quite good. The problem is that after playing a couple of multiplayer games, I just couldn't help but think, "Why aren't I playing Halo 3?"
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Rainbow Six: Vegas
Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 has just been released which is good for me. Not because I wanted to buy it but because I suspect it lead to Rainbow Six: Vegas becoming a Platinum Hit. Don't worry if you aren't familiar with the term, all you need to know is that R6:V is currently available for the budget price of HK$190. Cheap!!
My first exposure to Rainbow Six was actually via the original novel written by Tom Clancy (thats right - I don't just play video games!). It was a great novel and a very clever idea. Basically, Rainbow Six is the code name for an international anti-terrorist unit which is given special training. And if you think that sounds like a great plot idea for a game, then you aren't the only one!
Like other Tom Clancy branded games, Rainbow Six: Vegas focuses on realism. Basically, if you try and run around like in other FPSs, your going to go down under a hail of bullets very quickly! R6:V is very much about careful considered action. Move your team into place, select which tango's you want them to take out, and then breach in and clear the room! Just like real anti-terrorist units (I suspect)!
So how does that actually translate into gameplay? Sounds like a perfect lead in for a single player gameplay example!
My team of elite anti-terrorists get to a door. Using the Snake Cam, I peer under the door and see two tango's (Tango = T = terrorist) - one just to the left of the door and one just to the right of the door. I order my two teammates to stack up on the door and get ready. Meanwhile, I head off to the side door and take cover right next to door.
I open the side door while still in cover. The two tangos immediately spot the open door and start moving towards me slowly - guns firmly trained on the open door. Their thinking is that if I dare to show my face, they will blow it off! However, as the second tango passes the first door, I order my team to Breach and Clear.
The breach command is basically to put a small breaching charge on the door. The breaching charge blows the door in (pity anyone standing behind the door!) and allows the team to then rush in through the open door. Did I mention before that I waited until the second tango was in front of the door before I ordered the breach and clear?
>:)
The doors blow in and take out the second tango. The first tango turns around to shoot at the incoming R6 members. At this point, I pop out of cover and cap the first tango in the back of the head. Perfectly planned and executed!
I love it when a plan comes together!
My first exposure to Rainbow Six was actually via the original novel written by Tom Clancy (thats right - I don't just play video games!). It was a great novel and a very clever idea. Basically, Rainbow Six is the code name for an international anti-terrorist unit which is given special training. And if you think that sounds like a great plot idea for a game, then you aren't the only one!
Like other Tom Clancy branded games, Rainbow Six: Vegas focuses on realism. Basically, if you try and run around like in other FPSs, your going to go down under a hail of bullets very quickly! R6:V is very much about careful considered action. Move your team into place, select which tango's you want them to take out, and then breach in and clear the room! Just like real anti-terrorist units (I suspect)!
So how does that actually translate into gameplay? Sounds like a perfect lead in for a single player gameplay example!
My team of elite anti-terrorists get to a door. Using the Snake Cam, I peer under the door and see two tango's (Tango = T = terrorist) - one just to the left of the door and one just to the right of the door. I order my two teammates to stack up on the door and get ready. Meanwhile, I head off to the side door and take cover right next to door.
I open the side door while still in cover. The two tangos immediately spot the open door and start moving towards me slowly - guns firmly trained on the open door. Their thinking is that if I dare to show my face, they will blow it off! However, as the second tango passes the first door, I order my team to Breach and Clear.
The breach command is basically to put a small breaching charge on the door. The breaching charge blows the door in (pity anyone standing behind the door!) and allows the team to then rush in through the open door. Did I mention before that I waited until the second tango was in front of the door before I ordered the breach and clear?
>:)
The doors blow in and take out the second tango. The first tango turns around to shoot at the incoming R6 members. At this point, I pop out of cover and cap the first tango in the back of the head. Perfectly planned and executed!
I love it when a plan comes together!
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