Battlefield 3’s launch was fraught with server/balancing
issues, and to be honest, it hasn’t changed with the release of BF4. Anyone who
has played for more than a minute will tell you there are severe problems with
the games net code; empty a clip into someone, with every shot hitting, only
for them to spin around and one shot you. Issues such as these are expected in
any online game at launch; however, it seems that for DICE they are becoming a
little bit of a pattern.
Despite this, BF3 was and still is, one of EA’s most
successful titles, with a rate of 5 million copies sold in its first week
(although, this figure pales if you compare it to COD:MW3, which released the
same week and sold 6.5 million in the first 24 hours).
Anyway, BF4 is a large step up from its predecessor in more
ways than one. The single player story line has more personality and is deeper
in detail, focussing on the developed relationships between squad mates. Pac
dancing during a break from fighting, anyone?
“I love this song. It’s a great freaking song.”
The opening to SP mode is unexpected. Bonnie Tyler
serenading you as you sink underwater adds some wit to the proceedings, but the
load times soon see the return of nerd rage. How, just how can a single player mode
take so damn long to load? It isn't significant enough to destroy the enjoyment of
the game, but they do become tiresome after a few.
BF4, in my opinion is all about the multiplayer. The
limitations of early FPS’s are long gone, gone are the days where the only
interactive stuff on the map was your enemy, BF4 paves the way for
multi-vehicular combat. Boats, helicopters, jeeps, and planes to name a few are
randomly dotted around the maps. Although the addition of these vehicles means
the maps have to be mahoosive! Blowing the scenery up is now a game changer and
is almost as much fun as attaining that perfect shot. That one perfect shot.
I may be biased here (I own one console – a silver PS2; or
at least, I think I still own it :S) but
graphics are the major reason to opt for the PC version. Played with Ultra
detail levels on, it looks stunning. Lighting, particle effects and textures
are so much more refined and remarkable on the PC version as compared to
consoles, and the jump in resolution makes it easier to spot an adversary against
a debris-cluttered background.
The game also includes two new notable aspects of play.
Levolution and Obliteration. Levolution
is reminiscent of COD:MW2’s Tactical Nuke. Most maps have multiple layers and
areas; which means you’re often collaborating land, sea, and air warfare with
close-quarters firefights. In other words, the majority of maps will suit any
playstyle, and allow you to get inventive with the devastation. Who doesn’t
want to destroy a house with a tank?
Obliteration is a fun single-bomb game type that feels
different enough from Rush and Conquest to justify inclusion due to the
combination of bomb planting and point capturing. Amusingly, everyone seems to
chase the guy with the bomb like school-kids running after the ball in a game
of playground football.
In general, Movement feels almost imperceptibly nimbler, but
the weapons handle identically to BF3, giving a bit of familiarity amongst all
the improvements. The new peek feature, self activating when you press yourself
against a wall and nudge the cross hairs to the edge is useful if not a little
hard to get used to.
However, DICE and EA have, yet again, released another
Premium package. A years worth of DLC for £40, this in itself is not the issue.
I bought the BF3 premium and will probably, given time and money purchase the
BF4 equivalent. What I don’t like is the fact that it feels like they are
forcing this into your face with every opportunity. I feel that this makes non
premium players feel less than premium players and it creates a sort of
disparity between the casual and the hardcore players.
All in all, it is still a fantastic game, and hopefully after
a few months, and when they sell enough premium subscriptions, the teething
problems will disappear. I do wonder however, why release a game with superb
multiplayer content and a mediocre single player mode? Despite this, I still
believe it is one of DICE’s best efforts to date. And for that, I applaud you.
- Harley
QOTP
When the rich wage war, it's the poor who die - Jean Paul Sartre
When the rich wage war, it is the poor who die.
JEAN-PAUL SARTRE
Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/w/war_quotes.html#rJBj3HpZCBgTHo60.99
Graphics
are the other major reason to opt for the PC version, or wait for the
next-gen consoles to hit. Played at 1080p with High or Ultra detail
levels switched on, Battlefield 4 can look stunning. God beams, lighting
effects, particle effects and textures are all so much more
sophisticated and impressive on the PC version, and the simple jump in
resolution makes it easier to spot an enemy trooper against a
debris-cluttered background
Read more at http://www.trustedreviews.com/battlefield-4_Games_review#vsu4ADvKuU4ihZCk.99
Read more at http://www.trustedreviews.com/battlefield-4_Games_review#vsu4ADvKuU4ihZCk.99
Graphics
are the other major reason to opt for the PC version, or wait for the
next-gen consoles to hit. Played at 1080p with High or Ultra detail
levels switched on, Battlefield 4 can look stunning. God beams, lighting
effects, particle effects and textures are all so much more
sophisticated and impressive on the PC version, and the simple jump in
resolution makes it easier to spot an enemy trooper against a
debris-cluttered background
Read more at http://www.trustedreviews.com/battlefield-4_Games_review#vsu4ADvKuU4ihZCk.99
Read more at http://www.trustedreviews.com/battlefield-4_Games_review#vsu4ADvKuU4ihZCk.99
