Alzir

One of the biggest barriers XDC are going to have getting into this game is in overcoming the differences between PS2 and BF3. The two games are similar in that combat works essentially the same, you have classes, you have vehicles (although a lot more of them in ps2), and you move around in PS2 using exactly the same principles as you use in BF3 – never run around corners, know how to peak, always use the minimap and be aware of your surroundings etc. I’ve looked at some of the key differences below though, which I’ve had to struggle to overcome, so perhaps having this laid out in advance may be useful for anyone trying the game out for the first time.

– First and foremost is the spawn system which is much more tactical, and if you are trying to set your own objectives, or a squads, the logistics around getting back into the battle after a death should always be high on your list of priorities. Be aware of this even in defence as if you’re pushed back to your spawn room in a base, it is game over for the defence when the opposition have you camped in the spawn room.

– Secondly, the gun mechanics are essentially the same as in bf3, i.e. vertical and horizontal recoil, hip fire and ADS accuracy, however they’ll not feel as “clean” as bf3 guns, since there’s a lot more bullet deviation at range (for most guns). This is overcome when you adapt to new definitions of close, medium, and long range, and understand (as you do in bf3) how each gun operates at those ranges. Once you understand that long range in this game is essentially medium range in BF3, you’ll find your game improve dramatically. This doesn’t mean you have to wait until you see the whites of their eyes to score a kill, but if you consider what is long range in BF3 when playing assault, this is long range in PS2 for a sniper.

– Thirdly, the unlock and resource system will result in improved performance on the battlefield, but don’t be concerned by “pay to win”, because my experience of unlockable weapons is that they perform specific roles better at the cost of something else, rather than providing you with a win button. There are some weapons which provide new functions, such as Anti tank and aircraft rockets, but these are easily unlocked through a few hours of play, as are the countermeasures.

– Last but not least is the end game, there isn’t one. In BF3 you play a round and it finishes, in PS2 you have a constant battle, and you choose where you want to fight. You can think of each outpost as a BF3 map (they’re big enough), but when you win a fight, the battle doesn’t necessarily end. It may do for a few hours, or it may carry on for a few hours. You pick and choose when you enter or leave a fight, and always have one eye on what’s happening elsewhere on the continent, since it can directly influence what’s going on where you are. Also, be aware that the biggest fights are not necessarily where the best game experiences are to be found. Quite often you will find yourself unable to influence things when you’re in a fight involving a few hundred people, though it is still possible. Always look for a way you can influence things, even if it means going elsewhere, as this is were you’ll find the satisfaction in the game. Surviving, or succeeding against the odds, is also were I find a lot of enjoyment, as well as coping with the unexpected. Events in the game are entirely player driven, and you never know when you’re going to run into the next “holy fuck” moment.

Thinking about heading out for the football as well actually though I reckon I’ll have it downloaded within the hour….oh decisions…

Oh and for anyone planning on trying this, the dl is pretty hefty, weighing in at 6.8gb. Doc you might want to wait until month end or we could investigate a way to copy the files for you.

I hate when I find things like this early on and before the full series has been released, there are far too many cliff hangers. Suffer along with me though, episode 3&4 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXCnuArj4b8&feature=g-all-f

I’ll tell you how I get over the end game thing, I just want to fire me/us into the biggest challenge we can face. It’s a delicate balancing act between what I think we can do, and what we’re up against, but my god is it satisfying when you take or defend an area against the odds!? That’s what we should aspire to as our game, rather than worrying about an “end game” imho.

The day I fought off 4 waves of enemies (one of them consisted of 12 players) attacking me on one of the secondary outposts (the towers), on my own, was the day I realised how good this game can be.

Even with large assaults by the zerg, if you can fill the niche that needs filling most, you contribute disproportionately to the team effort, and that’s the challenge, not to mention the game!