Is Sony sending MAG out to die?

[Krakn3Dfx]

MAG comes out this week opposite of Mass Effect 2. While ME2 has saturated the internet with ads though, you'd be hard pressed to find any sort of advertising put into MAG. Beta previews have been mediocre at best, and with a huge Day One patch coming out, a lot of reviewers are putting off actually posting reviews of the game until that patch is out and live.

In a world of Modern Warfare 2, with Battlefield Bad Company 2 just around the corner, and with Mass Effect 2 hitting the same day, I have to wonder if Sony at some point just gave up on MAG and is throwing it out there just to see what they can recoup off of it.

 

[DaTT]

I plan on purchasing this game today or tomorrow. This will be first attempt at a FPS on a console since 007 Goldeneye

 

[erwos]

I plan on purchasing this game today or tomorrow. This will be first attempt at a FPS on a console since 007 Goldeneye

Don't waste your money, the beta was freaking awful. Go buy Killzone 2 instead.

The situation is about the same as Too Human - they gave it a go, the end product sucked, they're releasing it and washing their hands of it. Better luck next time.

 

[Queasy]

Part of the reason I was going to go to the midnight launch of ME2 and MAG last night even though I wasn't making a purchase was to get a sense of which game was the draw and was selling. Alas, life got in the way and I couldn't make it. Wife's bakery has to come first.

 

[Drako]

Part of the reason I was going to go to the midnight launch of ME2 and MAG last night even though I wasn't making a purchase was to get a sense of which game was the draw and was selling. Alas, life got in the way and I couldn't make it. Wife's bakery has to come first.

I went to the local Gamestop this morning at opening time (10AM) to use up gift card. There was a line of about 15 people there - everyone said they were there for ME2. Does not look like MAG will do too well. I had high hopes before the beta.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

I plan on purchasing this game today or tomorrow. This will be first attempt at a FPS on a console since 007 Goldeneye

It's absolutely horrendous did you even play in the open beta to try it?

 

[hans030390]

It's absolutely horrendous did you even play in the open beta to try it?

I was in the closed beta and thought it was pretty enjoyable. Maybe they screwed things up pretty badly later on...

 

[erwos]

I was in the closed beta and thought it was pretty enjoyable. Maybe they screwed things up pretty badly later on...

What the hell were you comparing it to? SOCOM Confrontation?

I mean, it's not the worst game on the planet, but for your first console FPS in a while, there's much better to choose from - especially on the PS3.

 

[hans030390]

What the hell were you comparing it to? SOCOM Confrontation?

I mean, it's not the worst game on the planet, but for your first console FPS in a while, there's much better to choose from - especially on the PS3.

I've never played any Socom games, and Confrontation wasn't done by Zipper this time around...I don't know what connection you see there.

It wasn't my first console FPS in a while. I regularly played Resistance (1 and 2), Killzone 2, CoD4, etc. I honestly enjoyed playing MAG, though I wasn't amazed by it. My only complaints were that it was only open 4 hours a day (very specific hours), and there were typical beta bugs. I had a couple friends who found it a tad boring (and a couple that liked it), but it was pretty good overall.

Of course, people worked together whenever I played. That may have been a big difference.

 

[Queasy]

Unsurprisingly, the MAG servers are down for 'maintenance'.

 

[Phobic9]

This game was pretty hyped back at the last E3. Amazing what a few months can do I guess. Looks like the general consensus is "Don't buy.".

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

I have never heard of this game until this thread.

 

[Kromis]

To die with honor like a soldier, yeah.

Kidding, I'm interested in playing it but I'll have to see what the reviews say first

 

[Thraxen]

A slightly different take than those being given by a few here: Link

 

[Queasy]

A slightly different take than those being given by a few here: Link

A very, very important important thing to note: A microphone is an absolute must in MAG. If you don't play with a microphone you might as well not play MAG. Seriously.

And this is the one thing I don't understand. Sony does not include a headset with the PS3 yet they release a game where communication is absolutely 100% critical and they don't even offer a game/headset bundle.

 

[jrphoenix]

Part of the reason I was going to go to the midnight launch of ME2 and MAG last night even though I wasn't making a purchase was to get a sense of which game was the draw and was selling. Alas, life got in the way and I couldn't make it. Wife's bakery has to come first.

I actually never went to an midnight launch until Mass Effect 2 on Monday. The gamestop I went to said about 200 people showed up for Modern Warfare 2. There were only about 30 people for the Mass Effect 2 Launch. They said they have the events whenver pre-orders go over 50 for the store. Everyone there bought ME2, not one person bought MAG?

I don't know if this is because they didn't call the MAG pre-orders because it was less than 50 ordered or if the bad (mediocre) reviews killed the game.

 

[warcrow]

I got the game, but I havent opened it yet. I plan to approach it with an open mind.

 

[Thraxen]

And this is the one thing I don't understand. Sony does not include a headset with the PS3 yet they release a game where communication is absolutely 100% critical and they don't even offer a game/headset bundle.

I think not having a standard headset was definitely a mistake this generation. Being able to use just about any standard BT headset is a nice feature, but they should have designed a wired headset that plugs into the USB port on the controller and included one with every system.

 

[hans030390]

After reading the few reviews that are out for this game, I decided to pick it up. Like the first impressions in the Kotaku article, a couple other reviews also seemed pretty positive. After comparing the "good" reviews to "not-so-good" reviews, I believe the "not-so-good" reviews are really looking at this game the wrong way. The game isn't MW2 AT ALL, and I think many people are expecting that (considering MW2 often comes up in MAG reviews for comparisons).

Yes, the game is not ground-breaking. In fact, the shooter mechanics are actually pretty standard (though solid). The graphics are just OK and the game has some obvious rough edges. However, when your team is working together, it does become a much more unique experience and is actually quite fun. When your team isn't working together, it's just an average shooter. However, leading a squad (and more) is definitely cool, and the way "classes", upgrades, skills, etc are implemented is nice and requires though and planning.

Sure, maybe the game deserves an 8/10. Nothing amazing. However, I'd argue that MW2 deserves nothing more than that as well. Yes, the controls are tight, but the game is very unpolished. Hit boxes are screwed up, the lack of dedicated servers provides an overall poor experience, etc. I think one big complaint I have is how I will run behind a corner during a firefight, and still die when I am obviously hidden on my screen (behind something bullets won't penetrate). However, the kill cam shows me dying well before I am hidden. Most of the maps are pretty bad, and most things in the game are just rearranged from the first to give the illusion of real change (perks, weapons, etc). New additions are generally nothing important. I also hate the kill streaks...tons of helicopters and planes flying around making things even more ridiculous. Overall, the game just frustrates and annoys me. It should be better than this and does not deserve such high marks and success. It just feels like IW was lazy with the game.

That said, I still thoroughly enjoy playing MW2 and generally do pretty well in it. I also really enjoyed MW1, which I feel was a more solid game (though similarly frustrating). I'm not ranting because I suck. I'm ranting because it's an annoying game, and I wanted to move away from that. As "average" as MAG can be at times, I have yet to experience such frustration. It's not as fast paced and generally not as thrilling as MW2, but I am still enjoying myself a good deal.

If you didn't enjoy the beta, MAG probably isn't for you. And yes, it does still need some work. But it's nothing that probably won't be patched. However, I think the more positive reviews for MAG are generally more rational about it than the less positive ones. If you're interested in a team-based FPS, I'd recommend you at least give it a shot.

 

[Childs]

I played for about 12 hours over the weekend, getting up to level 25. This game is a lot of fun. Its just like BF2. Especially the scale. Well, there are no planes or helicopters you can control, but it feels pretty close to BF2. I'm barely starting to understand the different gameplay modes and what you are supposed to be doing, but once I did it became a lot of fun.

A couple of things I hate are only one "class" per player and the rpg-like upgrade system. If I am mistaken please correct me, because there is like, ZERO info like a faq or decent manual so I might not know how things work, but why you cant switch from a full medic equipped guy to commando to support makes no sense at all. Its annoying as hell. I spent my skills on medic and my M4A1. So depending on whether its attack or defense, the flow of the game and people in the squad, I may need to do something else, but you cant! A maxed out medic cant fix things or blow things up because you dont have the credits to equip yourself. You should be able to configure your slots, one for each class. And I dont mean like the default, as thats just bare bones. I'm hoping the credit limit goes up with rank, but from level 15 to 25 I dont think the credit limit went up at all. I was just playing Suppression to level 15 so I didnt know what I would need for the other game types. I have resorted to using low end armor, maxed out M4A1, repair kit, medic kit and nothing else. I also have a medium armored medic with grenades for attack, and thats it. It seems pointless to configure anything else because you cant have a repair slot with maxed out assault rifle, repair kit, bazooka, grenades and heavy armor. I wish you could just apply those skill points to each class, or have 5 different characters that can share the skill points.

The rpg-like thing with shooters annoys the hell out of me. Seems like all the shooters are doing it, but it makes no freakin sense for multiplayer. Why the hell should someone who is good and plays the game really well get stuff added that makes it even easier? Conversely, why should someone starting out not be able to reload faster or aim? You put the cross hair on something, you should hit it. You shouldn't be artificially be held back. Even the repairing or healing is unbalanced. Not every one buys the game on the first day. Jesus, the game came out Tues, I bought it Sat, and I was going against level 60 guys. I kept adjusting my sensitivity settings thinking something was wrong, as I was loosing a lot of shootouts. Then I started using my skill points for basic shooting stuff and everything started to feel right. It just doesnt make any sense to me. I can understand unlocking weapons, but unlocking shooting properties? Thats a bunch of BS.

There also seems to be an inherent balance issue with the different PMCs. SVER has by far the most people, and I dont think its just the hoodies that gets people to switch. I choose Valor, and I have rarely, if ever, beat SVER. With Raven its like 1 to 1, but on maps that you attack SVER they have these bad ass turrets in open areas, so its really hard getting close to take them out. Valor defends, its in trees and hills, and visibility is low and you get attacked from all sides out of the blue. SVER seems to take a lot of damage as well, but that could be some unlocking BS..I dunno. There is no way in hell I would switch, which would require loosing ALL skill points earned. WTF is that???

Now thats a lot of complaining. When MAG is annoying it annoys the hell out you. Massive Annoying Game. But really it isnt that often. Its a lot of fun. Its funny, but I play with a mic and usually at least half the squad has one. It doesnt help with teamwork unless people actually know what you are supposed to be doing. Clan guys yell out fix the battery or blow up this or that...at first I didnt know where it is or how it relates to what we are trying to do so I didnt do it. I dont think I was alone. lol But just simply running around repairing, healing and out sniping snipers with an M4 is fun. I just wish there was a good guide out there that explains everything.

EDIT: Here is a decent game guide explaining lots of stuff...

http://forums.mag.com/mag/board/message?board.id=generaldiscussion&thread.id=124392