Comments on: Exploding 5-tonne Gorillas: Section 8 Beta Thinks

By: Slink

Slink — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:57:15 +0000

This game is addicting. The atmosphere is awesome, and when you get into a good squad-on-squad firefight the game will put you on the edge of your seat.

However, it feels more like a mod than a true game. Maybe blame the Unreal engine not allowing AA, but the graphics seem clonky. The main menu seems like something you’d see out of a Half-life mod, and the maps aren’t too well inspired (at least the few I’ve seen in the beta). I also feel like the HUD is too big – all of the info on there is useful, but it seems like it was designed for console players who are sitting 5-10 feet away from their big TVs, not PC players who are sitting 1-2 feet away from their small monitors. This could easily be fixed with a UI scaler in the options or even an INI file.

However, the shortcomings are more than made up for when you get into combat. RPS put it perfectly – it’s a game you plan to just hop in for 5 minutes and then two hours later you realize you’re still playing.

But, unfortunately, we all know that even the best multiplayer-based game isn’t worth the DVD that it’s printed on if it doesn’t have enough players. Look at Quake Wars – a decent game, but the flaws in it and poor marketing (is it Quake? Is it Battlefield?) made a lot of people look past it, and now it’s hard to find a populated server. I don’t see this game getting much advertisement, and the first time I saw it was on Steam as part of a bundle-pack and I at first wrote it off as a budget title.

I definitely plan on picking Section 8 up and loving every minute from it. However, it often feels more like a budget game than a AAA title, but if it’s appropriately priced it could be huge. Unfortunately though, I feel like the power-armor suits will be deserted and empty about the time when Modern Warfare 2 rolls around.

By: richmcc

richmcc — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:15:43 +0000

The finished code of S8 really does add quite a lot to the beta experience. AA gun turret placement, particularly, is quite important to holding down points, and having the full range of deployables is particularly exciting – the later stages of a game become quite vehicle heavy and explodey.

I’d be keen to play it with a bunch of coordinated types on release. Hope it doesn’t get shoved down in estimation like Quake Wars did so quickly after launch.

By: DarkNoghri

DarkNoghri — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:55:56 +0000

@CoarseSand
That would explain why some high-ranking general dude kept owning me with the shotty last night.

By: Jim Rossignol

Jim Rossignol — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 06:59:10 +0000

I think everyone regrets PlanetSide. It’s one of the greatest dropped-balls of the gaming history.

By: CoarseSand

CoarseSand — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 06:56:50 +0000

Oh, hey, by the way, I finally found the use for the shotgun. It isn’t really useful to think of it as a shotgun as much as a harpoon gun with a very tight burst. Sort of like the pistol but with less range and more damage, perfect for removing armor. It’s actually proved helpful in a fight and can counter the MG when used properly, as it allows flick shots while jetting. Pretty much removes the need for lock on in CC if you’ve played a few FPSes. Very limited ammo though.

By: The Great Wayne

The Great Wayne — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:57:23 +0000

Surprisingly, the more I play this game, the more I find myself regretting Planetside, which was a ton better.

By: Jim Rossignol

Jim Rossignol — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:34:45 +0000

I am loving the robo-beatings you can dish out. Good stuff.

By: CoarseSand

CoarseSand — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:24:47 +0000

You only think that because you wiped the floor with me in our match last night Nohgri. And thank god there isn’t the giant glowing energy sword of broken game in this one.

By: DarkNoghri

DarkNoghri — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:02:14 +0000

For some reason, looking back at the second screenie, I find myself thinking you should just melee him for an instant kill. The rifle, the recharging shields, the armor. It reminds me of Halo.

Hmmm. Wednesday at 2? I get out of class at 2:15 or so, but I should be able to get on.

By: Rabbitsoup

Rabbitsoup — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:00:09 +0000

@ the folk moaning about the lack of headshots:

headshots give a 25% damage boost but only after shields are down

also the guns do different types of damage at different ranges, this needs to be taken into account before they you call one or another OP ect and its beta thats what you would expect. The main worry (other than auto aim) is the randomness of drop in and this is likely to be more changed with the deployable AA turrets hopefully allowing you to funnel the other team. Also you can shoot folk as they drop so really being dropped on and killed is your own fault.

My real worry is GFWL – that’s why there is no chat right now and no friends list its all going to be GFWL.
:( o. shit.

By: Harlander

Harlander — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:46:57 +0000

@CoarseSand

*shakes a fist*

Actually, the fact that I remained entertained despite being repeatedly pummeled has to be a good sign (or maybe it’s just a facet of masochism..)

I keep remembering hearing rumours about in-game voice chat… If it actually worked, make teamworking much easier to handle (assuming you could speak, for example, to your own squad exclusively in the same way as the text chat). I guess there’s always Ventrilo and its ilk..

By: crompers

crompers — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:45:30 +0000

ok sounds good, see you there