Newerer MAG beta round

[duckman2000]

Codes are here, I have a couple extra if they run out. This one is apparently a 24/7 access beta.

http://psnbeta.us.playstation.com/MAG/BetaVoucher.php

[cool breeze]

I have an extra code if anyone needs one

[duckman2000]

Sweet, they removed that grain filter. +1 for Zipper.

Getting real fed up with the orange/brown grit and grime urban-industrial shit that every damned shooter goes for. There's a village map in the game, but even that one has its share of rust. Needs some snowy maps, arctic warfare stuff.

[Jansen]

if anyone has an extra code to spare i would appreciate it <3

[Arbys Roast Beef Sandwich]

Same, I'd like to check this out.

nevermind, link is working again, got a code. Thanks!

[cool breeze]

You two decide who gets the code.  Just PM me and I'll send it.

Sweet, they removed that grain filter. +1 for Zipper.

kinda random, but grain filters are the worst.  Mass Effect PC looks so much better when you turn it off, L4D looks better with it off, FEAR 2 looks better with it off.

and how many gigs do you need to download to try it again? if it's 3 again, fuck that.

[duckman2000]

1gb, I think. It was actually a very fast download, which was the first positive sign. Still overwhelmed by the game, but it plays well and the removal of the grain filter makes it look a bit better. Still no beauty.

As for grain filters, I think the only game I've played recently where it worked was KZ2. But that felt like more than just a plain filter.

I still have a code, so whoever didn't get swaggaz code, let me know.

[Jansen]

the link is working again.

[Jansen]

well that was a waste of a download. took like 20mins to get into the game and about 1 min once i was in it to realize how it feels like a poor mans call of duty.

[duckman2000]

well that was a waste of a download. took like 20mins to get into the game and about 1 min once i was in it to realize how it feels like a poor mans call of duty.

Not sure if it's for me, but that's really selling it short. This is plenty more than a COD clone.

[Kestastrophe]

It feels much more like Battlefield than COD. The aiming is actually really smooth and I don't find myself wishing that I was playing on a 360 controller. I only played a few matches yesterday, but it seems competent

[duckman2000]

It's fair enough to call it a COD clone if you're just talking about the basic shooting controls, but yeah, the objective bits are a lot more battlefield. That goes for the weapons and equipment upgrade stuff too. Still wish it was on PC.

[duckman2000]

Man, this game. Figured I'd give it another go, and now I have a massive headache from trying to keep track of everything in the game. I'm usually big on staying alive, but it honestly doesn't feel like that's even a possibility here, with all the shit that comes at you from all angles. Tried to do a clever move by running to an objective through some less trafficked area, and I got royally thumped by an airstrike (which, in fairness to the game, it does better than any other game I've played). Went another direction after respawning, and stumbled right into a full squad of enemies that had just parachuted into my vicinity. Another respawn. Guess I should have paid attention to the HUD and warning sirens.

I think if you ever become a commander or even squad leader, this will make for a kick ass RTS. Not sure about it as an infantry game, unless you don't mind respawning a lot. Or maybe I'm just old.

[cool breeze]

All interest I've had about this game, which was admittedly very little, is gone after seeing those Brink videos.  The only interesting part of MAG was how they gave you missions/sub-missions within the larger game.  Instead of just killing dudes, grabbing one flag or controlling territory, you're squad would go after one objective and others will do their things.  That was cool and worked well in the beta.  But Brink seems to do something similar by letting you assign pick missions to do within the larger battle, but unlike MAG, the other aspects of that game looks really cool as well.

[duckman2000]

The objectives and command structure bits were nice and surprisingly well developed (if you care about XP, you will fight near your objective), but the level design and usage of vehicles killed a lot of my interest in it. I honestly had more fun with Joint Ops back in the day. I like the idea of massive battlefields with massive player count, but it needs a stronger hook, and this infantry stuff isn't cutting it. Give each side a bunch of fully controllable attack choppers, boats etc, and let the battles shift from aerial assault to infantry warfare depending on player and command choices. It may sound insane, but I think this is a game that could benefit from having more insanity.

It didn't help that all the maps look down right depressing. Run down, constricted despite being so massive, and just plain unattractive.


And yeah, Brink.   It's looking even hotter than expected.

[duckman2000]

I know some people who really got into it (I think one dude made it to company leader), and they swear by it now. I don't have that kind of time or patience, and even though it plays well, there's nothing about the basic infantry bit that hooked me. Objective gameplay is nice, but I'd rather boot up GRAW for a quick co-op session than play this. For me, it also really hurts the game that it's on a console.

[duckman2000]

Yeah, there are a lot of old, recent and upcoming games that are plenty more attractive than this. Jumping from the BFBC2 beta to this made me appreciate the relative calm of the former.

Still, since the core shooting stuff is solid enough, I could probably recommend this to someone who really wants the big battle experience. You just have to be alright with respawning a lot.

[duckman2000]

I guess there will be a beta/demo thing available for everyone on January 4th, with preloading starting tomorrow.