So Whats thr word on Brothers in Arms ??

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Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

"Smart Feet" <smartfeet@yourshoes.com> wrote in message
news:lpr%d.5427$rL3.5294@fe2.columbus.rr.com...
> Memnoch wrote:
> > On Sat, 19 Mar 2005 13:36:46 -0800, Pluvious <Pluvious@knowhere.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> On Fri, 18 Mar 2005 23:13:07 -0500, EdS <EdS@EdS.com> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Haven't seen a single post about it.
> >>
> >>
> >> On rails, one trick pony, (surpress and flank EVERY fight) and
> >> overhyped. Drive on thru...
> >
> > How far into it did you get?
>
>
> I'm half way through. Anyone who likes shooters should NOT play this
game.
> It is NOT a shooter.
>

Well, I disagree (I am at D+3). It is a FPS, just not a strict FPS.
What it is NOT, is a run and gun game, that is for sure; although, there are
times you do a little run and gun.
First let me say, I LOVE THIS GAME. Ubisoft and Gearbox tried to do some
thing completely different, and damn if they didn't do it IMO.
It is not CoD, but it has aspects of CoD (you do not fight alone and all
hell can break lose at any time).
It is not Ghost Recon, but it has aspects of Ghost Recon (no sneaking, just
the squad control is similar in its simplicity).
The GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY:
The good is that the AI in this game is the BEST AI that I have encountered
in a game so far (far and away the best). The guys under your command (note
that is command, NOT control), behave like soldiers. You can tell them to
fire on those guys, or move to that position. But they are not going to
stand there and let someone fire on them. They are going to seek cover, and
return fire (like they should). They will do stupid stuff if you order them
to, but they are not going to do stupid stuff on their own. I found myself
in their way more often, that ever finding them in my way (when you are in
their way, they will tell you to get the hell out of their way).
Also good. The control. Simple enough that you can do it under real time
conditions, yet versatile enough (due to the AI of the people under your
command) to get the job done.

The Bad. One of the things I liked about CoD so much was the playability of
it. You do play without getting killed a million times and having to do
everything over and over. Well, forget about that with this game. I am
playing normal, and IT IS TOUGH.
I wish you could turn off the little suppression bubbles over the enemy (you
can on Authentic mode, but you have to play the game all the way under hard
to access this. Damn!!) I just do not use the ability to freeze the action
and survey the battlefield to plan your game plan--I feel that it distracts
from the game play.

The Ugly. The ugly is, random saves. Okay, I am not a fan of no control
over saves in games (I hate it). The saves during progression actually
works well in this game, and I have no great complaint about that; however,
you do not know how much of a given scenario is left, and if you are almost
dead (or a teammate is) and figure this is end so why not just chance it,
one step forward (saving progression), and you have to start from the
beginning of the scenario. If they just included the option of (save here,
or return to last checkpoint), damn that would make this so much better.

Overall: GREAT GAME. If you are a fan of CoD and Ghost Recon, Operation
Flashpoint, then by all means give this a try. It is tough, it is different,
make no mistake, but it is fun. CoD3 has their work cut out for them (I love
the squad command interface and AI in this game. I would love to see a bit
of that in CoD3--although in CoD you are not in control). The graphics in
this game will not blow you away, so what! Half-life 2 had unbelievable
graphics, and I found the game lacking anyway compared to the original
(still loved it, but only played it once).
I think that this game has high re-play value, in that you learn so much
about what to do as you play along (they guide you along during day one into
2--adding a different type of control at each step--that helped a lot). I
can shelve CoD and Battlefield Vietnam for a while, I have a new play thing.
My opinion, and I am willing to discuss yours (but I don't plan to change my
mind--if you don't like it, okay, I DO).


--
Dr. Dickie
Skepticult member in good standing #394-00596-438
Poking kooks with a pointy stick.
"The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new
discoveries,
is not 'Eureka!' ('I found it!'), but rather 'hmm....that's funny...'"
- Isaac Asimov
 
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"Dr_Dickie" <Dr_Dicke@chembench.com> wrote in message
news:1112012651.41823d73b3679d37fff823fd7c1ff370@teranews...
>
> I found myself
> in their way more often, than ever finding them in my way (when you are in
> their way, they will tell you to get the hell out of their way).

Yeah, I love that... "Baker! Get out of the way!". I sometimes actually
feel bad and mumble "sorry".
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

On Mon, 28 Mar 2005 07:24:40 -0500, "Dr_Dickie"
<Dr_Dicke@chembench.com> wrote:

>I wish you could turn off the little suppression bubbles over the enemy (you
>can on Authentic mode, but you have to play the game all the way under hard
>to access this. Damn!!)
I didn't turn it off but I swear I found the option to do so.
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

Dr_Dickie wrote:
> "Smart Feet" <smartfeet@yourshoes.com> wrote in message
> news:lpr%d.5427$rL3.5294@fe2.columbus.rr.com...
>
>>Memnoch wrote:
>>
>>>On Sat, 19 Mar 2005 13:36:46 -0800, Pluvious <Pluvious@knowhere.com>
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>On Fri, 18 Mar 2005 23:13:07 -0500, EdS <EdS@EdS.com> wrote:
>>>>

> I wish you could turn off the little suppression bubbles over the enemy (you
> can on Authentic mode, but you have to play the game all the way under hard
> to access this. Damn!!) I just do not use the ability to freeze the action
> and survey the battlefield to plan your game plan--I feel that it distracts
> from the game play.
>

You can turn off the suppression indicators for any level is just that
only authentic has them on by default. Look under the Options menu and
the Gameplay (I think).
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

Its not bad - a blend of 'Hidden and Dangerous' with 'Call of Duty'.
Not a strategic as H&D nor as run and gun as CoD. Which also
means it doesnt excel in either way. The AI of the squad or squads you
control is decent but they do stupid things occasionally.
eg put the marker too close to a wall and some will run around to the other
side
of the wall and die in a hail of enemy fire. You have to learn to manage the
limitations of the AI somewhat. The tactics are basically the same
throughout the
game - suppress with your squad and flank the enemy yourself to take them
out.

The save at checkpoint system is okay but if you restart a chapter you're
forced
to listen to same opening monologue and cutscene which can take a minute or
two.
Some levels Ive found pretty tough even on normal difficulty and Ive
restarted
maybe a dozen times and with no option to skip through the cutscene I soon
feel the urge to smack the dev's round the back of the head.

The fact that the locations are less 'epic' than CoD and more low-key/real
is refreshing. Im trying to persuade my brother to do a little LAN 1v1 to
extend the game. Ive played it through on normal - not sure I want to
bother with again just yet. Ive not had the difficulty some have had with
crashes or the copy-protection system but I used a nocd/dvd hack as
soon as I installed it. Id give 8 or maybe 8.5 out of 10.
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

Dr_Dickie wrote:

> The good is that the AI in this game is the BEST AI that I have encountered
> in a game so far (far and away the best). The guys under your command (note
> that is command, NOT control), behave like soldiers. You can tell them to
> fire on those guys, or move to that position.

Could you make a comparsion between Oparation Flashpoint and BiA?
Especially the AI.

Dennis
 
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On Wed, 30 Mar 2005 09:23:01 -0500, "Dr_Dickie" <Dr_Dicke@chembench.com>
wrote:

>
>"Dennis Schamne" <schamne@despammed.com> wrote in message
>news:1nmbycfcze9ms.dlg@schamne.myfqdn.de...
>> Dr_Dickie wrote:
>>
>> > The good is that the AI in this game is the BEST AI that I have
>encountered
>> > in a game so far (far and away the best). The guys under your command
>(note
>> > that is command, NOT control), behave like soldiers. You can tell them
>to
>> > fire on those guys, or move to that position.
>>
>> Could you make a comparsion between Oparation Flashpoint and BiA?
>> Especially the AI.
>>
>> Dennis
>
>The AI in Operation Flashpoint was almost non-existent (the enemy yea, but
>not your friendlies). The interface (your control of the friendlies) was
>HORRIBLE. Too many menus, too many options, too much stuff to try to
>control, and half the time they did what they wanted anyway.

It's only a problem if you try acting in the same way as the computer AI
commmander. Experienced commanders know how to manage friendly AI players
without too much problem.

- Equip binoculars (optional), and identify targets as soon as possible.
This causes your machine gunners and snipers to attack infantry at long
range.
- In close quarter combat, don't bother managing the group - they will auto
target enemies.
- If you units are auto-targetting enemies, tell them to "Disengage",
followed by "Return To formation" (1-1). Likewise, if you want them to
attack targets, order them to Engage at Will.

> And
>it seemed when I told them to stay put and DO NOT FIRE, they would wander
>off and start a fire fight when I did not want one. Same thing in Ghost
>Recon. I would be sneaking around, and I would order the squads to NOT FIRE,
>and as soon as I turned my back, they started blasting away.

This is probably a bug that I haven't seen in either game. But if you want
your units to stay put, give them the "Halt" order in menu 1. (Had to do
this once, because of another bug where medics sometimes retain formation
to a human commander when they get injured.) Otherwise, if they are in the
"Danger" AI state, they are more than willing to move around as they feel
comfortable.

Also, if the soldiers get attacked (and they aren't trying to move away),
they will return fire regardless. Most likely, the enemy must have
stumbled onto them.

>I don't remember the enemy AI in Operation Flashpoint as being bad, but most
>of the time is was blast, blast, blast, or sneak, sneak, sneak, so I really
>didn't get to know the enemy AI that well (I haven't played that in a couple
>of years--I lend it to my brother).

Flashpoint was released in 2001. If you haven't played in a couple of
years, then you've missed a lot of bugfixes and extra missions.

However, the AI is the same for the enemy and allies. They both have
limited FOV, they have basic training on how to fire standard weapons, and
they both have the same flaws and limitations. Suprisingly, they also know
that they can attack enemy units by touching off explosives that they have
planted (although they need to be told to plant the charge.)
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

Dr_Dickie wrote:

> The interface (your control of the friendlies) was HORRIBLE. Too many
> menus, too many options, too much stuff to try to control,

Yes, it is complicated, but you don't have to use the menu all the time.
For example: You mark all your men with [~] and left click a truck for
commanding your group to get in.

> and half the time they did what they wanted anyway.

As long as they are in formation and you tell them to hold fire, they
aren't doing anything on their own.

> If you tell them to go there, and someone fires at them, they seek cover
> and return fire.

Same in Operation Flashpoint.

> In OF, you had to stop playing and fiddle with the squad control
> for a couple of minutes (hoping no one fired on you) and then go again.

Never had to. I give the commands before getting in action: I say "Danger"
so they get prone every time they are not running or shooting.

When right clicking on an enemy that has not have been seen by your troops
you are yelling something like "12 o'clock, mashinegunner, 100" and your
guys are shooting at him when nothing is in their line of fire. Pretty
easy.

> And it seemed when I told them to stay put and DO NOT FIRE, they would
> wander off and start a fire fight when I did not want one.

Never happened to me. Maybe there was a bug in the older versions of the
game - or maybe you did something wrong.

> I don't remember the enemy AI in Operation Flashpoint as being bad, but most
> of the time is was blast, blast, blast, or sneak, sneak, sneak,

Isn't that the way, real fights are going on? I mean, you can't run around
firing your weapon on full auto and expecting to win the war on your own.

> so I really didn't get to know the enemy AI that well

It's pretty good. They are trying to hide when shots are fired and aren't
running around like fools. If empty tanks are nearby, the tank crew is
trying to get in the vehicle and stuff.

> (I haven't played that in a couple of years--I lend it to my brother).

The Game of the Year edition costs about 20 bucks and holds the two mission
packs "Red Hammer" and "Resistance". The last one is needed to apply the
newer patches. Since v1.92 you don't even need the CD in the drive when
playing.

There is also a nonofficial plug-in for OFP that improves the graphics by
using some DX8 effects (reflections in water, motion blur when using the
nightvision goggles). It is called DXDLL.

> I loved the open endedness of OF, just hated the squad control aspect
> (especially in the tank).

Yes, when you are taking the role of the commander in a tank, it's a pain
in the ass when giving commands to your driver (forward, left, left, right,
goddamnit! :). The best way is to get in as driver and let another guy
control the gun, while you activate manual fire. This way you are driving
where you want to and letting the targeting to the gunner. With the TAB-key
or right clicking you are telling the gunner his targets. The shooting is
up to you.
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

"Raymond Martineau" <bk039@ncf.ca> > Flashpoint was released in 2001. If
you haven't played in a couple of
> years, then you've missed a lot of bugfixes and extra missions.

OPF was and still is an unique and great game, i played all discs with
nearly no trouble, apart from learning the manual, pretty easy anyway 🙂
GREAT GREAT game. NOTHING in common with these Nintendo shoot'em ups like
MoH, Cod, BIA....
 
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On Wed, 30 Mar 2005 23:58:54 +0200, "F r e e" <free@spam.nothanx> wrote:

>
>"Raymond Martineau" <bk039@ncf.ca> > Flashpoint was released in 2001. If
>you haven't played in a couple of
>> years, then you've missed a lot of bugfixes and extra missions.
>
>OPF was and still is an unique and great game, i played all discs with
>nearly no trouble, apart from learning the manual, pretty easy anyway 🙂
>GREAT GREAT game. NOTHING in common with these Nintendo shoot'em ups like
>MoH, Cod, BIA....

If you like OFP then you'll love VBS!

http://www.virtualbattlespace.com/index.htm
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

--

"F r e e" <free@spam.nothanx> wrote in message
news:3b0lntF6d9qpoU1@individual.net...
>
> "Raymond Martineau" <bk039@ncf.ca> > Flashpoint was released in 2001. If
> you haven't played in a couple of
> > years, then you've missed a lot of bugfixes and extra missions.
>
> OPF was and still is an unique and great game, i played all discs with
> nearly no trouble, apart from learning the manual, pretty easy anyway 🙂
> GREAT GREAT game. NOTHING in common with these Nintendo shoot'em ups like
> MoH, Cod, BIA....
>
>

I did love OPF, it was a great game. The openness was unbelievable. You had
to use the manual to get through the game. I perhaps should re-join it, it
has been several years.

Dr. Dickie
Skepticult member in good standing #394-00596-438
Poking kooks with a pointy stick.
"The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new
discoveries,
is not 'Eureka!' ('I found it!'), but rather 'hmm....that's funny...'"
- Isaac Asimov
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

On Thu, 31 Mar 2005 13:10:25 +0200, "F r e e" <free@spam.nothanx> wrote:

>MoH, Cod, BIA....
>>
>> If you like OFP then you'll love VBS!
>>
>> http://www.virtualbattlespace.com/index.htm
>>
>
>
>Thanks M8, i actually heard about it, but never visited that website, now
>i'm reading it and figuring out what it is and what i can buy, it looks
>massive!!!

I'm thinking about getting it myself. The thing to realise is that it is not a
game. It is a true simulator. Think of it as playing OFP with just the mission
generator included and no campaign. On the other hand, with the right hardware
you can have some fantastic multiplayer battles with it so I am told. And the
screenshots are out of this world and unfortunately so is the price. Base
system is $150 or so and each CD with new terrain or units etc. is another
$50. Ouch!