Fair Alpha Review
PsympleJester
Join Date: 2008-04-06 Member: 64024Members
Join Date: 2008-04-06 Member: 64024Members
Ok so yeah unlike the masses of people who thought this Alpha release meant it was just gonna be the game but needed to be "balenced"...
(I lol'd so much when I read someones post that thought this) I knew Alpha meant alpha and I knew getting a game was increadably unlikely because I expected it to fall over and not work for atleast a week... BUT IT DOES!!!
The current Alpha of NS2 is missing the top two aliens, all but the Hydra chamers are missing, the shade is working but no model and even if you select it cant really interact with it.
Ontop of this marines structers are missing in a few places and the hit recognition is ######...
BUT THIS IS ALPHA... SO LETS TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANT STUFF!!!!
THIS GAME FEELS GREAT!!!
So far I have managed to have maybe 3 decent games that were not ruined by crazy lag or server death.
One of which I commanded as alien... What an experience, I am enthralled by the new role that the commander fills with floaties (or glowies) replacing the past role of a gorge.
He can send out his dispencable minions to build structures without fear of dying or losing too much res and the idea a commander gets to place the 4 upgrade chamers is a very interesting concept that I would like to explore more before I make a defined decision. However as of yet, I like it and I dont like it.... Firstly it means that the feeling of a lone gorge building small nests for the alien forces is kinda gone.... but not entirely as the gorge is still required to build OCs to deffend these chambers.
This leads on to why I like it, I think the most sucessful alien commanders will find themselves playing in conduit with gorges as they build harvesters and chambers the gorge will build Hydras to protect the commanders nests. This is great aswell as it removes the stigma of gorges that just went gorge to build hordes of OC's instead of building hives and RTs...
From my first game with alien commander I felt that after I had built my 3 hives and 5 RT's I didnt have much to do...
I imagine this is just down to alot of the stuff not being in the game yet but, I am still worried as the only things I found in the menus missing was upgrades and more structures.
Am I then led to believe that the commander cannot give orders or command his troops?
Currently it seems like the commander is just a supporting role but that is possible due to the minimap not working properly and him being unable to see what his team is doing properly, and thus when this is sorted out in future updates he will be able to act with his team much better.
Next comes the marine commander... its just like it was...
I like the new upgrades combined into the armoury HOWEVER it does make this building too important in my oppinion, now if the armoury is killed the team loses advanced weapons and all levels of weapon and armour upgrades.... I think this is abit of a bad decision but I imagine it will jsut lead to commanders making 2 armouries...
Anyway onto game play.
For me right not alpha does not allow a good commanding experience yet.
Without the minimap working, orders being too clunky and not enough information as to what you have to do to unlock certain upgrades I felt more like I was doing well by luck than knowledge... However if we ignor the alpha problems and just focus on the game aspects then its not so bad.
I imagine after certain aspects of the game are finnished and you enter the polish stage you will clarify the commanding experience more.
I would just like to add that I wish you would return to the NS1 commanding building block.
With the 4x4 box and all hot keyed to q w e r a s d f z x c it was a REALLY good way of doing it and I hope you return to that.
I feel the new one is too spread out over too many different windows and tabs and that it takes too much time swapping between them.
-----
Next onto actualy marine and alien gameplay.
Aliens....Firstly I found it difficult to see my health bar, is it the curve on the right?... Secondly I love the feel, its perfect with the skulk, mouth cam... leap as right click is perfect really makes the zerg much more effective!
Gestation... I imagine there will be a gestation period in the final game but it is just left out as this is alpha. (If this assumption is wrong... then you really need to put it back in if you are not planning to.)
Also the gestation window is MASSIVE takes up the whole screen and seems like it doesnt give much infomation for all the numbers it shows...
I know again this is alpha though and this will be cleared up...
Gorge.... love the new role as explained above... in alien commander bit.
Havnt tried lerk yet... :(
-------
Marine!!! woo.
LOL AT HIT RECOGNITION xD!!!! ITS ###### (especially with everyone lagging around on non dedicated servers)!!! But its ok people THIS IS AN ALPHA!!!!
The guns...
OMG!!! They make me hot and bothered.... The LMG is sexy although it does sound like a helicopter... but oh well its cool like that.
The shotgun feels so powerful I love it... feels like it would blow skulks away at 10 paces!!!
Sadly never got to try the GL as it crashed but I will be doing this in about 30 mins time. :)
The pistol is great although with current hit recognition I didnt get a feel for its damage output so will hold judgement on this for now.
And the axe.... isnt it sexy? It feels right, vey right.... I hope I get chance to charge an onos with this soon just for lulz.
Again though the armoury... when you go inside... it feels confusing... I researched shotgun but they stayed red in for selection... I could still select one but it was red...
This I know is an alpha bug so i wont complain too much.
However another thing that is not so much an alpha bug is the armoury lay out... Like the alien gestation menu there is SO MUCH stuff on the screen I dont understand.
I feel like it needs to give just what we need to know or have more clear icons...
Like how many shotguns are left, or how much res they actually cost to take one from the armoury?
I was just confused as to what was really going on with the armoury and how it actually affected the commanders req pool.
Also the pictures of your weapons at the bottom are confusing, it shows a picture of your lmg, pistol and axe but as far as im aware only the lmg can be swapped... so why show the 3 picturs? It just all seems so confusing... Sorry if this seems over critical.
Anywy I am sure this is still way down on your list of stuff to do so this is not a complaint just feedback.
As a final comment I would just like to praise you on the marine hud.
Its great, the health and armour are pretty much the only thing there while you cleverly put the ammo on the guns themselves BRAVO!
Oh one last comment, you really need a hotkeyed map... :P
--------
CONCLUSION.
All in all I love alot of the changes you have made from NS1 to NS2 and think the game is transforming beautifully.
My only complaint is that when you get chance could you possibly look at the hud and menus...
They all seem very minimalistic but at the same time have LOTS of numbers and that just makes it confusing.
I think the commander menus should definatelly go back to NS1 style and the gestation and armour menus either need to be totally streamlined or explain more clearly what all that information means....
Anyway this is only from 3 good games of play so this isnt perfectly accurate im sure but.... from a beguinners point of view, from the slanted perspective of someone who LOVED NS1.... this is my review....
Thanks for the Alpha release guys i feal honoured to play the game in such an early stage and keep up the good work!
Thank you well worth my money for this game!
(I lol'd so much when I read someones post that thought this) I knew Alpha meant alpha and I knew getting a game was increadably unlikely because I expected it to fall over and not work for atleast a week... BUT IT DOES!!!
The current Alpha of NS2 is missing the top two aliens, all but the Hydra chamers are missing, the shade is working but no model and even if you select it cant really interact with it.
Ontop of this marines structers are missing in a few places and the hit recognition is ######...
BUT THIS IS ALPHA... SO LETS TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANT STUFF!!!!
THIS GAME FEELS GREAT!!!
So far I have managed to have maybe 3 decent games that were not ruined by crazy lag or server death.
One of which I commanded as alien... What an experience, I am enthralled by the new role that the commander fills with floaties (or glowies) replacing the past role of a gorge.
He can send out his dispencable minions to build structures without fear of dying or losing too much res and the idea a commander gets to place the 4 upgrade chamers is a very interesting concept that I would like to explore more before I make a defined decision. However as of yet, I like it and I dont like it.... Firstly it means that the feeling of a lone gorge building small nests for the alien forces is kinda gone.... but not entirely as the gorge is still required to build OCs to deffend these chambers.
This leads on to why I like it, I think the most sucessful alien commanders will find themselves playing in conduit with gorges as they build harvesters and chambers the gorge will build Hydras to protect the commanders nests. This is great aswell as it removes the stigma of gorges that just went gorge to build hordes of OC's instead of building hives and RTs...
From my first game with alien commander I felt that after I had built my 3 hives and 5 RT's I didnt have much to do...
I imagine this is just down to alot of the stuff not being in the game yet but, I am still worried as the only things I found in the menus missing was upgrades and more structures.
Am I then led to believe that the commander cannot give orders or command his troops?
Currently it seems like the commander is just a supporting role but that is possible due to the minimap not working properly and him being unable to see what his team is doing properly, and thus when this is sorted out in future updates he will be able to act with his team much better.
Next comes the marine commander... its just like it was...
I like the new upgrades combined into the armoury HOWEVER it does make this building too important in my oppinion, now if the armoury is killed the team loses advanced weapons and all levels of weapon and armour upgrades.... I think this is abit of a bad decision but I imagine it will jsut lead to commanders making 2 armouries...
Anyway onto game play.
For me right not alpha does not allow a good commanding experience yet.
Without the minimap working, orders being too clunky and not enough information as to what you have to do to unlock certain upgrades I felt more like I was doing well by luck than knowledge... However if we ignor the alpha problems and just focus on the game aspects then its not so bad.
I imagine after certain aspects of the game are finnished and you enter the polish stage you will clarify the commanding experience more.
I would just like to add that I wish you would return to the NS1 commanding building block.
With the 4x4 box and all hot keyed to q w e r a s d f z x c it was a REALLY good way of doing it and I hope you return to that.
I feel the new one is too spread out over too many different windows and tabs and that it takes too much time swapping between them.
-----
Next onto actualy marine and alien gameplay.
Aliens....Firstly I found it difficult to see my health bar, is it the curve on the right?... Secondly I love the feel, its perfect with the skulk, mouth cam... leap as right click is perfect really makes the zerg much more effective!
Gestation... I imagine there will be a gestation period in the final game but it is just left out as this is alpha. (If this assumption is wrong... then you really need to put it back in if you are not planning to.)
Also the gestation window is MASSIVE takes up the whole screen and seems like it doesnt give much infomation for all the numbers it shows...
I know again this is alpha though and this will be cleared up...
Gorge.... love the new role as explained above... in alien commander bit.
Havnt tried lerk yet... :(
-------
Marine!!! woo.
LOL AT HIT RECOGNITION xD!!!! ITS ###### (especially with everyone lagging around on non dedicated servers)!!! But its ok people THIS IS AN ALPHA!!!!
The guns...
OMG!!! They make me hot and bothered.... The LMG is sexy although it does sound like a helicopter... but oh well its cool like that.
The shotgun feels so powerful I love it... feels like it would blow skulks away at 10 paces!!!
Sadly never got to try the GL as it crashed but I will be doing this in about 30 mins time. :)
The pistol is great although with current hit recognition I didnt get a feel for its damage output so will hold judgement on this for now.
And the axe.... isnt it sexy? It feels right, vey right.... I hope I get chance to charge an onos with this soon just for lulz.
Again though the armoury... when you go inside... it feels confusing... I researched shotgun but they stayed red in for selection... I could still select one but it was red...
This I know is an alpha bug so i wont complain too much.
However another thing that is not so much an alpha bug is the armoury lay out... Like the alien gestation menu there is SO MUCH stuff on the screen I dont understand.
I feel like it needs to give just what we need to know or have more clear icons...
Like how many shotguns are left, or how much res they actually cost to take one from the armoury?
I was just confused as to what was really going on with the armoury and how it actually affected the commanders req pool.
Also the pictures of your weapons at the bottom are confusing, it shows a picture of your lmg, pistol and axe but as far as im aware only the lmg can be swapped... so why show the 3 picturs? It just all seems so confusing... Sorry if this seems over critical.
Anywy I am sure this is still way down on your list of stuff to do so this is not a complaint just feedback.
As a final comment I would just like to praise you on the marine hud.
Its great, the health and armour are pretty much the only thing there while you cleverly put the ammo on the guns themselves BRAVO!
Oh one last comment, you really need a hotkeyed map... :P
--------
CONCLUSION.
All in all I love alot of the changes you have made from NS1 to NS2 and think the game is transforming beautifully.
My only complaint is that when you get chance could you possibly look at the hud and menus...
They all seem very minimalistic but at the same time have LOTS of numbers and that just makes it confusing.
I think the commander menus should definatelly go back to NS1 style and the gestation and armour menus either need to be totally streamlined or explain more clearly what all that information means....
Anyway this is only from 3 good games of play so this isnt perfectly accurate im sure but.... from a beguinners point of view, from the slanted perspective of someone who LOVED NS1.... this is my review....
Thanks for the Alpha release guys i feal honoured to play the game in such an early stage and keep up the good work!
Thank you well worth my money for this game!
Comments
The only point that any time of preview should be given is during the last stages of beta. Even if it's positive, that's just not something anyone should ever do.
"Fair Alpha Review".
I'm sure you're excited to leave a good impression, and are excited about the game. But we're really here to tear this game apart and enjoy it later (or enjoy tearing it apart). At this point saying what makes you feel good inside is similar to getting compliments on something you made from your mother.
"oh that's lovely!"
"... thanks mom"
"Oh come on, well, <i>I think it looks nice</i>"
"... I know mom"
But I'm being harsh, whatever!
Hmmm I agree but I think this will probably recieve a few updates before the game is release...
It gets abit sticky in some places does the wall walk, especially over some of the complex meshes....
Still im just so happy they didnt make it like AVP wall walk and kept it to good old NS1 wall walk.
--------------------OFF TOPIC------------------
Ok you know what guys...
Forget it ...
Normally on forums people READ things before they comment...
THIS REVIEW IS TALKING ABOUT GAME PLAY CHANGES BETWEEN NS1 AND NS2...
IT IS TALKING ABOUT HOW I LIKE OR DISLIKE ASPECTS OF THE GAME AND WHETHER I THINK CERTAIN CHANGES THEY HAVE MADE WILL BE USEFUL OR NOT.
ALSO IT TALKS ABOUT WHETHER I THINK THE NEW MENUS WORK OR DONT WORK....
The dev team probably want feed back...
This is FAIR feed back WITHOUT ANY ITS ALPHA HALF THE GAME IS MISSING moaning and complaining.
So all of you either read it and reply...
Or just dont reply...
Stop being trolls.
<!--quoteo(post=1786340:date=Jul 27 2010, 05:14 PM:name=Mido)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mido @ Jul 27 2010, 05:14 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1786340"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I'm sure you're excited to leave a good impression, and are excited about the game. But we're really here to tear this game apart and enjoy it later (or enjoy tearing it apart). At this point saying what makes you feel good inside is similar to getting compliments on something you made from your mother.
"oh that's lovely!"
"... thanks mom"
"Oh come on, well, <i>I think it looks nice</i>"
"... I know mom"
But I'm being harsh, whatever!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You obviously didnt read it... well done idiot....
<!--quoteo(post=1786337:date=Jul 27 2010, 05:13 PM:name=Revi.uk)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Revi.uk @ Jul 27 2010, 05:13 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1786337"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Stopped reading at,
"Fair Alpha Review".<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Nice troll
<!--quoteo(post=1786336:date=Jul 27 2010, 05:11 PM:name=Stryver)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Stryver @ Jul 27 2010, 05:11 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1786336"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->No self respecting person would ever review an alpha ever, not even preview the game for mass people.
The only point that any time of preview should be given is during the last stages of beta. Even if it's positive, that's just not something anyone should ever do.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well done... no self respecting person would comment on something without reading it...
Well done.
I managed to play for like 20 minutes and i agree with most what you said, I really like the Engine so far, very nice wallwalking now i had the same impression, no more fightting with the bumps on the walls, hit boxes are really off at the moment, maybe because of the conection issues.
Really liked the way the games bahaves when i hit the close button, and i can alt-tab properly (Some other games or engines does not like that on my computer)
Even when the game hangs the console still works and steamworks too, so its a very nice thing.
I did managed to axe a skulk already, tho most of the Player > Weapon > players indications are off. Lerk gas shows as pistol, axe has a shadow etc...
This can be a very productive topic for discussion, i dont get it why everyone started trolling, Jester maybe you could indeed change the topic name, just for peace sake. :)
Like was said "no self respecting person" would do something like that.<i> Hang your head in shame</i> PsympleJester.
Everyone else come with me I found another thread where someone is excited about the game and wants to talk about it let's all go there and act like miserable humourless khunts. Bonus points if you make a reply which begins 'stopped reading at...' - everyone always loves those!
<img src="http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/598/192280-comic_book_guy_13018_large.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
till that point i agree, then you somewhat trailed off to p1ss-off-someone-for-the-sake-of-p1ssing-off-someone-land ,-)
don't bicker/b1tch on semantics guys, as this leads nowhere....
anyway, here is my first impression. after having "played" for an hour, i have to say that:
<ul><li>the "look & feel" of the game is great... a rightfull heir to the throne of NS1 in this department</li><li>the performance (speed, resolution, FPS, connect etc. should be tackled first by UWE)</li><li>there is <u><b>no</b> </u>such thing as <u>real combat rounds</u> right now.... (hitboxes ... read the bug reports)Â Â if you want to p0wn N00pS and bragg about it, just go Lerk - anyway, the train is on the right tracks</li><li>if you want to be of any use, participate in the bug hunt and create an account at <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ns2feedback" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/ns2feedback</a>Â </li><li>well.. thats it actually ;-)</li></ul>Have fun
Â
Trollololololol
wait? this is the full game?
oh wait its an alpha.
Im going to go write a review for hl2 ep5 now. I love this concept of writing reviews for unfinished games :D
lol imagine if you people had played ns1 when it came out, when EVERYONE had 200 pings and the servers kept crashing.
oh wait its an alpha.
Im going to go write a review for hl2 ep5 now. I love this concept of writing reviews for unfinished games :D
lol imagine if you people had played ns1 when it came out, when EVERYONE had 200 pings and the servers kept crashing.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Its a review of the alpha...
Moron...
Im sorry I didnt realise you were not allowed to report on or judge a product till it is totally finnished..
OH WAIT!!!! THAT IS HALF THE REASON WE HAVE ALPHA.... REVIEW IT AND GIVE FEED BACK... idiot...
If half - life episode 5 alpha was out and for public consuption people WOULD be reviewing it... and its PROGRESS SO FAR...
Idiot.
Moron...
Im sorry I didnt realise you were not allowed to report on or judge a product till it is totally finnished..
OH WAIT!!!! THAT IS HALF THE REASON WE HAVE ALPHA.... REVIEW IT AND GIVE FEED BACK... idiot...
If half - life episode 5 alpha was out and for public consuption people WOULD be reviewing it... and its PROGRESS SO FAR...
Idiot.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
So much name calling.
Next time ill just stick to Troll
Define Review
<!--QuoteBegin-Dictionary.com+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dictionary.com)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->–noun
1.
a critical article or report, as in a periodical, on a book, play, recital, or the like; critique; evaluation.
2.
the process of going over a subject again in study or recitation in order to fix it in the memory or summarize the facts.
3.
an exercise designed or intended for study of this kind.
4.
a general survey of something, esp. in words; a report or account of something.
5.
an inspection or examination by viewing, esp. a formal inspection of any military or naval force, parade, or the like.
6.
a periodical publication containing articles on current events or affairs, books, art, etc.: a literary review.
7.
a judicial reexamination, as by a higher court, of the decision or proceedings in a case.
8.
a second or repeated view of something.
9.
a viewing of the past; contemplation or consideration of past events, circumstances, or facts.
10.
Bridge . a recapitulation of the bids made by all players.
11.
Theater . revue.
–verb (used with object)
12.
to go over (lessons, studies, work, etc.) in review.
13.
to view, look at, or look over again.
14.
to inspect, esp. formally or officially: to review the troops.
15.
to survey mentally; take a survey of: to review the situation.
16.
to discuss (a book, play, etc.) in a critical review; write a critical report upon.
17.
to look back upon; view retrospectively.
18.
to present a survey of in speech or writing.
19.
Law . to reexamine judicially: a decision to review the case.
20.
Bridge . to repeat and summarize (all bids made by the players).
–verb (used without object)
21.
to write reviews; review books, movies, etc., as for a newspaper or periodical: He reviews for some small-town newspaper.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
No where does it say the product has to be finnished
lol especially since hes pretty much wrong..
and besides that lol i had no problem with him reviewing the game rofl.
You should definetly IGNORE those trolls, it doesn't look so good if you feed them :).