Somebody doesn't like BF:V!

[Spectre8]

Hi Older Gamers,

I posted a little hello in the barracks yesterday announcing my new arrival, and was very happy to recieve a warm welcome. I elaborated a little about myself and my likes in online gaming. I mentioned the fact that I am not at all happy with my purchase of BF:V. It seems I may have surprised a few well wishers with this feeling.

I've decided to bring my ideas to the masses here, not to get flamed (although I don't think that happens much here) but to voice my opinions, and also hope that I may be convinced that I am wrong.

I purchased the game two weeks after its release. I had read many reviews on the game, had seen rolling demo's, and saw the potential of the game and its engine. I couldn't wait. After installation, and the usual teething and familiarisation period, I couldn't help but feel that the reviews were correct in suggesting that it was almost a mod.

I am an avid BF:1942 player, focussing on Desert Combat as a favourite. I have however trialed the Eve of Destruction mod that is in so many ways (in my opinion) the exact same game as BF:V. I didn't like EoD. And unfortunately I don't like BF:V.

One of the problems I have is that it feels like it is identical to BF:1942. There seems to be no leap in technology. The graphics look the same to me (I have to have them turned down for my system to run smoothly) and the physics feel the same too. It is all so similar that I'd agree is just like a mod.

But that doesn't make it a bad game in any way. I love BF, and I love DC. The whole package seems very well balanced, and professionally put together. They have atmosphere!

I don't know what it is about BF:V, but the atmosphere seems wrong.

If you go into a restaurant with a great feeling and vibe about it, then go away to your new cafe, and reproduce all the elements you liked, it doesn't necessarily have to work. It can feel hollow, cold and lifeless.

Thats how BF:V feels to me. Hollow. They have added some fantastic "atmosphere" creating elements, like the radio's and propaganda speakers, the smokiness and the gritty feel. But it doesn't gel for me.

I wish it did, as I can see it has real potential. It may be that I'm being too picky, it may also be that I haven't given it enough of a fair go. But I can't help but feel this way. It seems to have nothing compared to DC.

I mentioned in my previous post that I will play it again after a patch is released. All games on release need fine tuning, and I think that this game will benefit from it greatly. A lot of the weapons don't seem balanced, the aircraft feel very light and arcade like to me. I actually don't think that a patch will rectify the situation for me, but I'll certainly be giving it a good go.

I had heard many of these opinions before I bought the game, and didn't really think that they would affect me, but they did. I weighed these comments before the purchase, and decided that at the very least, I'd have my own copy of the BF:V engine for when DC gets its upgrade. I really hope that that happens!

Well that is about it for me. I hope that my opinions wont influence anybody else, as I can see that a lot of people love the game with a passion, and I am glad.

Thanks for reading my thoughts. I look forward to reading yours.


Spectre8

[Odo]

Originally Posted by Spectre8

One of the problems I have is that it feels like it is identical to BF:1942. There seems to be no leap in technology. The graphics look the same to me (I have to have them turned down for my system to run smoothly) and the physics feel the same too. It is all so similar that I'd agree is just like a mod.

I've heard this comment a lot and it confuses me because what is it that people expected. Of course this game is similar to BF1942. Why on earth would they go and completely change a successful idea.

To me Vietnam is a more polished version of 1942 (also with better terrain) and thats all I expected. If they went and changed the hole idea of the game, giving it new physics and feel then I more than likely wouldn't have bought it.

With the right system Vietnam looks great and I know I enjoy playing it.

[Cailith]

You certainly don't have to worry about a flamin' here mate, it's great to hear people's opinions, and they are always discussed in a mature way.

I haven't bought BF:V for similar reasons, but also because I prefer the theatre of WWII. I'm sure it has the eye candy if the graphics are turned up but that wasn't enough of a reason for me to fork out the money. I may still do so - but I wont be rushing out to do so

[Wayfarer]

Different folks different strokes.
Horse for courses.

of if you're up to date with your Trekkie stuff then Infinite Diversity in Infinte Combinations.

I like BFv due to it's improved eye candy, various technical improvements, fresh environments over BF1942. And I can fly a chopper.

However, I agree, these alone are not that great to make it different from BF1942 (or EoD) so if I was expecting more than I too would be dissapointed.

[Spectre8]

Just in reply to Odo,

When I read the reviews suggersting the similarities to vanilla, I thought similarly to you... If it aint broke- don't fix it! So thats why I went through with my purchase. The graphics... I don't care. Thats not why I love the games. I play on a Compaq Notebook - gaming rig it aint! Its the game, not the candy. I added that comment just as another niggly little thing. DC looks much better on my system than BF:V.

But my main point of contention is the way it feels. Thats not any graphical tweaks, or flight charachter improvements, or any one thing. Its the whole package. For me... not quite there.

And it might just be that the Veitnam era is not to my liking!? I like my modern toys! :P



Oh, and another thing.... I love the way the choppers are in DC! The higher the difficulty the higher the rewards!

[Wayfarer]

I agree with you there too..the choppers are way to easy in BFv....very pedestrian

[Dars183]

Hi Spectre8,

Thanks for posting your thoughts for us to share

From my point of veiw it was not so much about the engine, the physics or even to an extent the eye candy. What appealed to me the most was the "extension" of gameplay style, that is to say as a squad your approach to game play in BF1942 is different than DC and now different again for BFv.

I enjoy playing pub games but my real enjoyment comes from getting together with your squad planning and playing out your strategy in an fun attempt of winning the match.

Jump on Ventrillo most nights and you will find a bunch of TOGgers all mucking about. Come on down and lets see if we can change your mind.

Cheers and Cya in the long grass

[Firthy]

Im with Cailith here, I might get it in the near future, but it will only be for the inqusitive side of me. BF1942 will still do for now.

[GhostDog]

Good post Spectre8 - many of TOG are always interested in thoughtful discussion
I think you will find that you are not alone in your thoughts, and that there will be plenty of TOG BF-1942 players for the next season of competition. I agree that BFV has not blown me away like BF'42 initially did. Those early days of playing '42 were just great.

But for me, some elements of the Vietnam game have made a substantial difference in the playing experience compared to BF-1942. The flag capture logic, and the way that the capture timer works, makes for a really enhanced experience when moving into and capturing the control points on the map. The extra information that you can deduce from the timer, and the benefit of having team-mates close at hand, promotes team play.

The combat in the jungle foliage is quite unlike any aspect of 1942, where the cautious and careful player is more likely to survive than the one with the quickest reaction. The mobile spawn points and use of helicopters add a huge strategic depth to the maps that include them.

I quite like the imbalanced approach to the teams and maps. Many of the '42 maps have equal distribution of resources with small differences between them. In BFV, the difference in the capabilities of the vehicles and the soldier classes add an extra dimension of interest, in my opinion. I find myself switching kits all the time during a game, either during my own spawn or by picking up the kits of dead comrades or opponents. There are obviously some tweaks that need to be made to some aspects of the game, but they aren't major in my opinion.

I think that public server play for BFV is not as rewarding as it was for BF-1942 - because voice comms is more essential for effective attacking and defending. I'm hanging out for the competitive games; this is where BFv will relly shine, I think.

Besides all these positive elements, which are to me the biggest differences between '42 and V - the main reason I've switched is because I've played BF42 as my primary game for a year and a half - it's time for me to move on. It's very much 'been there, done that'. I really wish that Road to Rome and Secret Weapons had been free or a heck of a lot cheaper. Those expansions had some amazing maps and new features that I would have enjoyed playing competition games on, and they would have added even more depth to a great game.

As as side note, one surprise for me is how much I enjoy the Vietnam city maps (well, 3 of the 4 versions). Their design is heaps better than Stalingrad or Berlin, which promote endless grenading. Wish they'd done some with a bit more thought for '42.

[Zlipzlop]

Both games are great and I can see me playing both of them for a while yet