A certain lack of a mid-game in NS
KMGor
Join Date: 2002-11-19 Member: 9299Members
Join Date: 2002-11-19 Member: 9299Members
Well, I hadn't played NS in quite a while. Last time I played was shortly after that major update that changed the kharaa a lot - hive became cheaper, you could become onos with one hive, etc.
Well, the thing I remember thinking back immediately after that release was how the mid-game basically disappeared. Whereas before with balanced teams, typically the kharaa would get a second hive, then there'd be a long battle as the kharaa attempted to get a third and then finish off the marines. There'd often be numerous upsets, with it being unclear who'd win for some length of time. After the release I'm referring to, this middle period seemed to disappear. Basically, one team won within minutes or was placed in a situation where they would eventually win a few more minutes later.
Well, I figured this was just because the release was new, and other things took precedence for a year or two. But, I came back and played again today, and it seems much the same. Games are far, far shorter, there's almost never extended battles, and the game is much less interesting to me because of it. I think some of what I saw was due to a playerbase that isn't as good as it once was, but not entirely.
Am I just having bad experiences, or has the game really changed in this fundamental way?
And on one final note, it seems like basic marines have a much easier time killing skulks with the LMG now. Or is that just my imagination too?
Well, the thing I remember thinking back immediately after that release was how the mid-game basically disappeared. Whereas before with balanced teams, typically the kharaa would get a second hive, then there'd be a long battle as the kharaa attempted to get a third and then finish off the marines. There'd often be numerous upsets, with it being unclear who'd win for some length of time. After the release I'm referring to, this middle period seemed to disappear. Basically, one team won within minutes or was placed in a situation where they would eventually win a few more minutes later.
Well, I figured this was just because the release was new, and other things took precedence for a year or two. But, I came back and played again today, and it seems much the same. Games are far, far shorter, there's almost never extended battles, and the game is much less interesting to me because of it. I think some of what I saw was due to a playerbase that isn't as good as it once was, but not entirely.
Am I just having bad experiences, or has the game really changed in this fundamental way?
And on one final note, it seems like basic marines have a much easier time killing skulks with the LMG now. Or is that just my imagination too?
Comments
The game lengts have got a little shorter, but on the other hand not every hopeless game goes on for ages. Two well balanced teams can still fight 35+ minutes full of action. I guess the game has gotten more polished and optimized. I like it like this, since its metagame and logic make much more sense now and the games don't end up being totally stalled for long periods of time, but on the other hand I can see people missing the old versions with the 2h+ games and sense of epicness.
Skulk hitboxes and the server performance have been improved during the development, so I guess its easier to hit a skulk nowadays. Some people have also got a lot better at aiming.
Those epic 2 hour games still happen. Get 8 people that are totally new to NS and 4 people that have played it for a week and put them in ns_hera.
Super-duper intense 30 minute+ pugs can also happen if teams are even.