MAG Beta

[gusto5]

Did you play?

[cortjezter]

no.. not really my cup of tea, but i'd give it a chance. is the beta over? can people still participate?

[gusto5]

Unfortunately the Beta ended last Saturday, so if you didn't get a chance you'll have to wait for a possible demo during launch in January.

If you like titles such as MW2 and KZ2, this one will likely be enjoyable (some have claimed it to be significantly better than MW2, others say it's rather bland).

[Artistic_Anarchy]

You know, I had a code for it, but I never really used it. I wasn't even aware that the beta was over. I learn something new every day!

[WhatCD]

Yeah, I played it.


It's incredibly boring.

[thresholdXCI]

^ Is it? I must say it just looked like a generic online FPS with a huge map to me. But I've not looked too deeply into the game.

[The_Hangman]

I did not play it.

I'm not interested.

[KingBroly]

I downloaded it, but I didn't play it. The 4 hour update after the 20 minute download/install was sort of a deal breaker.

[dandancc]

I'd love to have some in depth impressions from those that played, if possible.

[gusto5]

I'd love to have some in depth impressions from those that played, if possible.

I enjoyed the gameplay significantly more once I managed to find a group where I could hop from match to match with. Since the 64 players are divided into squads, it's significant when there is conversation about goals. Sometimes on a defensive map, one of the squads might change objectives to Protect A of A/B so C is never available. No communication will make this game blow.

On the 128-man maps, it gets a little out of hand in my opinion. No matter how well you can be playing, all it takes is two other squads to play significantly worse off and you'll still end up losing. Overall PMC ability plays a significant role in the game overall.

[dandancc]

I'd love to have some in depth impressions from those that played, if possible.

I enjoyed the gameplay significantly more once I managed to find a group where I could hop from match to match with. Since the 64 players are divided into squads, it's significant when there is conversation about goals. Sometimes on a defensive map, one of the squads might change objectives to Protect A of A/B so C is never available. No communication will make this game blow.

On the 128-man maps, it gets a little out of hand in my opinion. No matter how well you can be playing, all it takes is two other squads to play significantly worse off and you'll still end up losing. Overall PMC ability plays a significant role in the game overall.

Thanks man. That was what I was afraid of: people already don't cooperate on 8x8 games, transforming those into team deathmatches instead of going for objectives in an organized manner... 64x64 would become chaos. My hope was that chaos would be fun at this game.

[Game_Locks]

Lot of hatin' I see...

The game was damn fun.

I thought it was incredily fun and exciting. The game never lagged once for me and I never had a framerate drop. It runs perfect at 30FPS (for those who didn't know). There is so much more depth in MAG than say Call of Duty. Full customization of your character, being able to earn skill points to buy unlockables to help you in battle. The maps were huge and very detailed. Though the graphics aren't as great as some other PS3 gems, it still looks good considering the type of game it is. I was surprised to see that many people actually played like a team. Except this quickly would fall through when the guy giving all the orders over his mic would stop or leave the game. But the 64 v 64 was insane. It feels like a real war, just as a videogame. The amount of depth in this game is incredible like I said with all the customization. It might suck at first, but once you get used to the game, you'll be playing for 2 hours straight.

I'm really excited for MAG. I hope is sells well because the amount of effort Zipper put into this is phenominal!

[TYFIGHTER]

I never played it, but from what Ive seen it looks like a mediocre version of MW2 or BC2 with a pointlessly high number of players. I doubt I will buy it considering there are far better FPS games out there to spend my time on.

[dandancc]

I love customization.

Thanks you both for impressions.

[gusto5]

Open Beta is set to start Jan 4, so you can probably get on that if you missed the closed beta.

[BC5389]

I just downloaded and started playing the open beta and I think it is awesome I even got one of my friends thinking about buying a PS3 just for this game. I like how you can paratroop into the map.

[coffeewithchess]

I just downloaded and started playing the open beta and I think it is awesome I even got one of my friends thinking about buying a PS3 just for this game. I like how you can paratroop into the map.

I'm downloading the beta right now. Should get some play time in tonight.

[Androo]

I just downloaded and started playing the open beta and I think it is awesome I even got one of my friends thinking about buying a PS3 just for this game. I like how you can paratroop into the map.

I'm downloading the beta right now. Should get some play time in tonight.

Is the beta restricted in some way? As in, do I need a code to access it or is it specific to a certain region?

[coffeewithchess]

Is the beta restricted in some way? As in, do I need a code to access it or is it specific to a certain region?

I'm not sure if the beta is restricted, as it just shows up in the store, and I can download it. I guess if it is restricted, it won't show up in your store.


Just beware of a long download process for the beta.

[Androo]

Is the beta restricted in some way? As in, do I need a code to access it or is it specific to a certain region?

I'm not sure if the beta is restricted, as it just shows up in the store, and I can download it. I guess if it is restricted, it won't show up in your store.


Just beware of a long download process for the beta.

I'll download it this friday since I don't have access to my PS3 during the week. Will help me decide whether I'd like to buy it.

[NeroSuferoth]

I'm really intersted in this game (despite not being ware of the beta so I didn't get a chance to try it) just from the moment I knew about the number of players involved.

Plus It's being developed by Zipper and SOCOM was my most played online game during my PS2 years so maybe it wont hold up to the likes of MW2 but I'm almost positive it'll be a solid experience.

[dandancc]

I'm really intersted in this game (despite not being ware of the beta so I didn't get a chance to try it) just from the moment I knew about the number of players involved.

Plus It's being developed by Zipper and SOCOM was my most played online game during my PS2 years so maybe it wont hold up to the likes of MW2 but I'm almost positive it'll be a solid experience.

Open beta is up NOW, you can enjoy it until the 12th, i think. From what I've heard, it is unlike Socom, but pretty good for those looking for a shooter that actually require skills and that requires teamplay. I won't be able to play the beta, unfortunately.

I try, I seriously try to understand how can people love MW2... but I can't. I mean, above average, good, really fun... but can't hold a candle to MANY other experiences on the online space. Aside from the huge number of players online, which definitely help making the experience more streamlined, I can't see the huge appeal that many can. From the auto aim to the unbalanced perks and camping, it just baffles me.

[The_Hangman]

Well, I wouldn't go so far as calling anything in MW2 unbalanced, but I can totally understand the complaints. :/ The way many of the maps are designed and the unfortunately low health in MW2's online tends to encourage tactics that would be frowned upon in other shooters.

Back on topic: From videos and screens alone, there's something about MAG that strikes me as terribly bland. It, indeed, seems like a strange amalgamatioin of MW2 and Battlefield, minus all of the flair and, as a result, the entertainment.

That said, I at least want to try it out, but I can't seem to find the download. Is it in the Demo section? I looked in the store, and it's not there. :/

[coffeewithchess]

Yea, try the Demo Section first. Make sure to start it, because it takes a long while to complete everything. It downloads the "demo", then the demo needs to "update"...so it takes a long time.

I just played a match tonight, and learned the controls pretty quickly, just by jumping into a game. I had 8 kills, and 9 deaths. The match I was in I think was limited to 96 players, but wasn't anywhere near that number.
I can see potential for this type of game, as long as the match I was in, was just a "beginner's" match, and not how all the matches are(which I think they definitely change from what I saw).
Basically the match I played in, was a "capture and hold" match. Seeing which team could capture and hold two points on the map the longest.

[The_Hangman]

So, I finally played it.

From a technical and mechanical standpoint, the graphics look dated, the controls are quite stiff even on high sensitivities, hit detection feels a bit off, and bullet damage feels inconsistent. Sniping feels a bit strange, as the gun has almost no kick although that might just be the M14. The battlefields are vast and detailed, but they feel a bit bland.

What I did like were the gameplay types. I only managed to play sabotage and domination, and they're very much reminiscent of TF2's Capture Points. It's quite thrilling to band together as a team and rush down the opposing force in a matter of seconds. I like the fact that the game incorporated an actual health system, as it discourages camping. While sniping feels a bit strange, I like knowing that there's always hiding spots for would-be snipers. Having 90+ players on one server sounds like an intruiging idea, but the action feels too slow-paced to make the most of it.

All in all, not bad but not great. If I had to describe it in one phrase, I'd call it "Battlefield, with more players, but not as good".