Yet to pick up this, but im really interested
Hokes
Join Date: 2011-05-04 Member: 97097Members
Join Date: 2011-05-04 Member: 97097Members
<div class="IPBDescription">Could you guys answer some questions?</div>So i've recently found videos on youtube and im very interested in the game.
But i've got afew questions to ask before picking up the pre-order, if you could kindly answer them, it'll be great!
To start things off,
1) How is the current playerbase?
Does it remain consistant throughout the day/week?
Im hoping to be able to jump in right away, but im worried that there would be no one around. Seeing this is a mutiplayer game, it'll be top piority. I understand this is still Beta, but im hoping there'll be a consistant number of servers/players around most of the time and not only after patches.
2) Game play (Marines)
Not having played NS1, im wondering if this is similar to CS (with more precise aiming) , Quake and Unreal (Rapid movements, jumping here and there) or TF2 (mix of both). As for teamwork, lots of comments saying 'too much rambo'. Does this affect the game anyhow? I've enjoyed playing games such as TF2 and im hoping this would be somewhat similar team-based wise.
3) Game Play (Aliens)
Does playing as Aliens feel the same as playing infected in L4D and Necromorphs in DS2? Do the Alien classes have a very fixed role in game?
4) Commander's seat
Being a regular RTS person, this is the main draw of the game. After seeing videos, i would like to know if it plays out like a traditional RTS (Starcraft, Warcraft, etc etc) or the 'new' RTS (DOW 2, etc etc). And does it have a very high learning curve? Quite a number of comments saying a more 'pro' player to take the hot seat.
5) Controls
Are the controls smooth? How does the controls compare to games like TF2 and Killing floor for the FPS side, and also the RTS side?
Im honestly interested, and im only comparing this game to the ones mentioned above because i enjoy those games, and im hoping this will be something along those types. So if you could kindly shed some light on this game, it'll be much help. Thanks!
PS: if i got the game now, would i still be able to join beta?
But i've got afew questions to ask before picking up the pre-order, if you could kindly answer them, it'll be great!
To start things off,
1) How is the current playerbase?
Does it remain consistant throughout the day/week?
Im hoping to be able to jump in right away, but im worried that there would be no one around. Seeing this is a mutiplayer game, it'll be top piority. I understand this is still Beta, but im hoping there'll be a consistant number of servers/players around most of the time and not only after patches.
2) Game play (Marines)
Not having played NS1, im wondering if this is similar to CS (with more precise aiming) , Quake and Unreal (Rapid movements, jumping here and there) or TF2 (mix of both). As for teamwork, lots of comments saying 'too much rambo'. Does this affect the game anyhow? I've enjoyed playing games such as TF2 and im hoping this would be somewhat similar team-based wise.
3) Game Play (Aliens)
Does playing as Aliens feel the same as playing infected in L4D and Necromorphs in DS2? Do the Alien classes have a very fixed role in game?
4) Commander's seat
Being a regular RTS person, this is the main draw of the game. After seeing videos, i would like to know if it plays out like a traditional RTS (Starcraft, Warcraft, etc etc) or the 'new' RTS (DOW 2, etc etc). And does it have a very high learning curve? Quite a number of comments saying a more 'pro' player to take the hot seat.
5) Controls
Are the controls smooth? How does the controls compare to games like TF2 and Killing floor for the FPS side, and also the RTS side?
Im honestly interested, and im only comparing this game to the ones mentioned above because i enjoy those games, and im hoping this will be something along those types. So if you could kindly shed some light on this game, it'll be much help. Thanks!
PS: if i got the game now, would i still be able to join beta?
Comments
1.) The player base, from my perspective, is surpisingly low at the moment -- BUT I have never found an instance where I haven't had someone to play with or be able to start a round. I live in the eastern US and I usually can find a couple servers that are populated. I usually play after work/dinner if I have time. A significant number of players seem to be outside of the Americas -- so at most times you should find other people playing.
2.) I think that NS2 doesn't have quite the same feel as any of these games. I've been a long time player of UT, CS (and source), as well as most of the Battlefield games. I'm a FPS player at heart and have tried most FPS's that come across my radar. Aside from a couple fixable issues, I think NS2 has a very smooth and fast paced mechanic as far as shooting stuff goes. The Marine control should be really familiar but has some small changes which separate it from Quake style controls/movement. I would liken the movement of the Marine to something like the newer Battlefield games under Frostbite. You can get a good feel of how a round plays for Marines by trying NS1 (NS1 is a completely free mod for Half-Life). Against a number of Aliens, a lone Marine won't stand much chance and is better off completing orders given or working in a small squad.
3.) Aliens will differ greatly from the infected in L4D. I have not tried Dead Space 2, but from the looks of videos, the necromorphs don't look entirely easy to control movement wise. You will experience much greater movement and control with NS2. One class can run on walls and ceilings and leap great distances with ease, another class can fly (which is very easy to do, surprisingly), another class can utilize a type of teleport, while another is a large creature comparable to a rhinoceros. Some of the classes focus more on providing raw damage while others are supporting attack roles or healers. Playing as an alien in Natural Selection is one of my most favorite experiences in gaming. Something else that really separates the alien classes from other games is the methods of attack and abilities.
4.) I've never been much of an RTS player. I've played Dawn of War a little, I've played TBS games like HOMM in the past. I've played C&C, Men of War, and World in Conflict. Playing as a commander in Natural Selection isn't particularly hard -- the greatest challenge you will have is actually LEADING your teammates and committing them to a strategy/game plan. Once you know which structures do what -- you won't find it particularly difficult with a few trial games.
I wish I could give you something more on this front -- but I enjoy playing as a combatant more than a commander in NS.
5.) The FPS controls are getting better all the time. I really think there could be some improvement on the controls/actions of the commander. The interface is alright for now. I believe more work will be done on making things accessible and the response of the commanders input.
Like you, I enjoy those same games and have come to love Natural Selection. NS1 was intimidating/frustrating on my first install (yeah, I deleted and returned another day), but later, I would play it entire weekends...from morning til night on some days.
Buying now will still allow you to play in the beta. The game receives frequent patches/informational updates...and the community is very lively/dedicated.
Hope to see you playing!
2. TF2 is probably the closest, but its a bit of an apple-to-oranges comparison. Also, there are still lag/bug issues that can make the FPS gameplay frustrating. And what people are complaining about is really that teamwork is useful, but not necessary in NS2 right now. The best teams work together, but you can still do quite a bit by yourself.
3. Aliens are sort-of similar to the L4D1/2 variety, but their roles and gameplay are still evolving. Skulk wall-walking is awesome.
4. NS2 comm has some similarities to standard RTSs, but it plays very differently. For example, picture SC1/2 where your SCVs decided that instead of harvesting crystal, they we're going to charge into the enemy base. Since you are commanding players, not bots, you can't assume they will follow your orders and you have to adjust your gameplay accordingly. The learning curve is not in understanding the parts of the RTS (which are pretty basic), but in learning how to use those elements to get your team to follow and effectively carry out your strategy. Its complicated, and not much like standard RTS gameplay, but its very fun once you learn how to do it.
5. Controls are still quite sluggish, but its a wip and they have been improving in nearly every (or every other) patch. However, since your a RTS player, you'll find that the RTS controls are pretty bare right now. The RTS view is fixed, hotkeys do use a grid system but are fixed at QWER-ASDF-ZXCV, assigning players/structures to 1-9 is currently broken, and there are numerous bugs related to selecting, building, and moving structures and MACs/drifters.
My personal opinion is to buy it, but don't expect miracles on day 1. Remember, you're purchasing early access to an unfinished game that has many elements that are missing, broken, or imbalanced. However, UWE is very attuned to community feedback so by buying and playing the beta, you can actually effect how the game will eventually turn out.
While this may give you some headaches, you also get the satisfaction of knowing that you are really helping UWE in testing their new game engine and that your suggestions will indeed be heard. You may even come up with the next "killer feature" that no body thought to put in the game. All you have to do is post it here.
I know all about alphas and betas. My whole job is beta testing prototypical hardware and software from around the world. I'm having a blast in the game, but I know full well what I'm walking into. Now you do, too.
2) If you're asking if NS2 aim is closer to CS or Quake, I'd say Quake. There is recoil on the rapid-fire guns, and the grenades arc, but your crosshairs won't bounce all over the screen if you spray and pray. There will be a wider cone that the bullets spread out in, but your screen doesn't move at all. That being said, the pacing is totally different than Quake. This is not a run-and-gun game (at least, it won't be when balance is finished), but there will always be rambo players.
3) The aliens are similar to special Infected int he sense that they're specialized roles, each with a cool power. It's very different from L4D in the sense that the alien/"infected" does not have a significant advantage in a 1v1, where in L4D a good pounce/choke/bile was instant game over. The aliens' powers also have a healthy focus on mobility (wallwalking, leaping, flying, teleporting) so you're not a sitting duck.
4) What I've played as a comm in NS1/2 is pretty standard affair as far as RTS games go. Build your spawning things, capture resource nodes, research tech, and expand. The two main differences are the fact that you're dealing with humans, not bots, and that you're able to help your side out in real-time. The commander can drop instant medkits/ammo packs, or set up buildings closeby for aliens to go regenerate. You can give them a "LOOK OUT BEHIND YOU" and change the outcome of a battle, instead of just relying on math formulas and RNG.
5) Honestly, controls in NS2 aren't the greatest yet, but this is a game deep in testing right now. The controls in NS1 were excellent and responsive. The team is constantly reading player feedback and improving the game with it, so I have every ounce of faith that this game will kick ass.
Like we've mentioned, NS2 is in testing right now. It will take some time. If you really want, try grabbing the original Half-Life off Steam and go download NS1. It's cheaper than pre-ordering NS2 right now, the game is in a lot more "finished" condition, and I believe there's plenty of players on. Otherwise, lots of people just got Valve collections in the whole Portal 2 ARG - maybe you know someone who has a spare copy of HL1.
Cheers :)
The setup is standard, but the gameplay is totally different. Commanding humans as opposed to bots is a <b>big</b> change. The closest RTS equivalent are team RTS games where each team shares the same resources, structures, units, etc.
Well, im concerned about issue one because im based in singapore (anyone from here?), but im able to smoothly play in american servers in other games(sc2, sc) , so im guessing i should be alright, right?
Oh and i forgot to ask, is there a inbuilt voice chat system (push to talk)? Or must i resort to joining the server's mumble, vent, etc etc. And how is it? Is it used more then the command system here?
Once again, if you can answer this, it would help alot, thanks again guys!
Well, im concerned about issue one because im based in singapore (anyone from here?), but im able to smoothly play in american servers in other games(sc2, sc) , so im guessing i should be alright, right?
Oh and i forgot to ask, is there a inbuilt voice chat system (push to talk)? Or must i resort to joining the server's mumble, vent, etc etc. And how is it? Is it used more then the command system here?
Once again, if you can answer this, it would help alot, thanks again guys!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If US servers are usually good for you, then this shouldnt' be any different. There's still some lag due to the fact they're still working on the server software as well, but it's getting better over time.
Yes, there's an in-game voice chat with PTT. No need for Teamspeak. I see most of the time the voice is used to supplement commands. You'll hear the comm tell you "oh crap! there's a skulk tearing up west! Someone get over there!" and at the same time you'll see him set your waypoint for you. Not every commander works this way, of course. Everyone is different.