Quake Wars from Beta to Demo

Woofmeister

Golden Member
Jul 18, 2004
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I got one of the first beta keys for Quake Wars and I just hated it. It ran like crap and it was just a frag fest with no strategy or tactics necessary. I stopped playing and went back to BF2142.

Then the second version of the Beta came out, it played much smoother and introduced the Valley map. The game was at least playable, so I gave it another try and found that the game had some interesting things going for it such as the multiple missions and good integration of vehicles (air power is not totally overwhelming like in BF2). Still, the game seemed unbalanced to me with the Strogg constantly owning GDF every match I played. Also, I just couldn't seem to get into the game since it still felt very arcade-like with lots of bunny hopping and grenade spamming. Also, I still had video driver crashes while playing the game. In short, I still was not sold.

Then the demo came out and I again decided to give QW a fresh look. Technically, the game code was greatly improved and the game ran very smoothly with no crashes and only occasional hiccups (probably server problems). Further, as I spent more and more time with the game, I really began to appreciate it. I enjoyed it even more after I started experimenting with different classes instead of sticking with Special Ops/Sniper which has always been my preferred role in shooters. Now, I'm a fanboy.

There's a great deal to work with in QW and what really distinguishes it is how it can be all things to all FPS players. Want a frag fest? Have at it in QW, rush forward and blast your enemies with QW's seriously satisfying weapons. Like a more deliberate type of game? Use your deployables and artillery to bring the pain. Position is everything and you will feel a great sense of accomplishment as you wrack up the kills. Want a tactical game that rewards smarts over frags? Choose the side missions and support your fellow troops.

QW kicks ass!

I'm not sure why I'm posting here, except that I think there's been a turn against QW at AT based primarily on people's less than satisfying experience with the Beta and the fact that QW seems deceptively simple while making for a frustrating experience for newbies. I'm encouraging all of you to download the demo and spend some real time on QW. I think you'll find it as enjoyable as I do.

I've pre-ordered the full game and I'll see you all online. My ingame name is "SleepTight."
 

ConstipatedVigilante

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2006
7,671
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The demo was fun, but it annoyed me how fragile the vehicles were and how the Strogg won Valley nearly every time. It was fun calling in artillery strikes and earning rewards, though. I liked how every class had their own job to do. It was annoying that rewards/ranks weren't persistent in the demo, though.
 

lupi

Lifer
Apr 8, 2001
32,539
260
126
Originally posted by: ConstipatedVigilante
The demo was fun, but it annoyed me how fragile the vehicles were and how the Strogg won Valley nearly every time. It was fun calling in artillery strikes and earning rewards, though. I liked how every class had their own job to do. It was annoying that rewards/ranks weren't persistent in the demo, though.

You make it so that only other vehicles or a single infantry class can take down vehicles and then you've got nothing but whiners complaining about OP vehicles.
 

ConstipatedVigilante

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2006
7,671
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Originally posted by: lupi
Originally posted by: ConstipatedVigilante
The demo was fun, but it annoyed me how fragile the vehicles were and how the Strogg won Valley nearly every time. It was fun calling in artillery strikes and earning rewards, though. I liked how every class had their own job to do. It was annoying that rewards/ranks weren't persistent in the demo, though.

You make it so that only other vehicles or a single infantry class can take down vehicles and then you've got nothing but whiners complaining about OP vehicles.

Yeah, but vehicles feel very under-powered. Yes, a hover-tank in siege mode can dish out some serious pain. But it just seems odd that it can be destroyed by a bunch of guys with assault rifles, while a little deployable shield can block such bullets. I like the power of vehicles in Battlefield 2 - an infantryman can be more powerful than a tank, but he has to be smart.
 

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
31,491
9,817
136
Originally posted by: ConstipatedVigilante
Originally posted by: lupi
Originally posted by: ConstipatedVigilante
The demo was fun, but it annoyed me how fragile the vehicles were and how the Strogg won Valley nearly every time. It was fun calling in artillery strikes and earning rewards, though. I liked how every class had their own job to do. It was annoying that rewards/ranks weren't persistent in the demo, though.

You make it so that only other vehicles or a single infantry class can take down vehicles and then you've got nothing but whiners complaining about OP vehicles.

Yeah, but vehicles feel very under-powered. Yes, a hover-tank in siege mode can dish out some serious pain. But it just seems odd that it can be destroyed by a bunch of guys with assault rifles, while a little deployable shield can block such bullets. I like the power of vehicles in Battlefield 2 - an infantryman can be more powerful than a tank, but he has to be smart.

goliath walkers are a PITA to take out, especially if people use the countermeasures (which work at a fairly high rate). I didn't like vehicles in BF because a good team could NEVER die basically.
 

lupi

Lifer
Apr 8, 2001
32,539
260
126
I have played a couple games as a repairman in a goliath where the enemy never really grouped to try and take me out; was like scoring at a pinball machine. :)
 

Woofmeister

Golden Member
Jul 18, 2004
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Originally posted by: lupi
I have played a couple games as a repairman in a goliath where the enemy never really grouped to try and take me out; was like scoring at a pinball machine. :)

You can play QW as a Strogg Constructor with the repair drone deployed while sitting in a Desecrator or Goliath. Presents an interesting tactical problem for the GDF.:cool:
 

NoSoup4You

Golden Member
Feb 12, 2007
1,253
6
81
I can't get into the game at all. Too much silliness and annoying voices that keep telling me things I don't understand nor do I care to understand. That's probably the issue. :p

I've played so much BF2 and Project Reality, and even a ton of BF2142... so it's really difficult for me to get into a game that's so similar and yet so different at the same time. The whole time I was playing QW, I just kept wishing I was playing Project Reality of BF2/2142.

Meh. Halo 3 is absorbing all my gaming time anyway so... :p
 

Woofmeister

Golden Member
Jul 18, 2004
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Oh, one other thing I forgot to mention that I really like about QW. It supports widescreen natively. If you've got the graphics power, you can run at 1920x1200 and it looks great.

That's a huge advantage over BF2 (and, of course, BF2142) which can never display widescreen with the correct aspect ratio even if hacked.
 

RZaakir

Member
Sep 19, 2003
116
0
0
I got the full version yesterday and the jury is out with me. Tactically, the maps are a lot different and, on balance, significantly larger than Valley. Many of the objectives make it MUCH more annoying when you have a bad team (as if it wasn't maddening enough).

I really like the "deliver the package" objective type which reminds me a lot of the "escort the VIP" missions that you old school CS players might remember, but man does it take real coordination for that to work. There is also a slick "slipgate" mission where you teleport from Africa to Antarctica on the same map. Really interesting design.

Overall though I probably need to spend a weekend playing it to really have a full verdict as to how it will hold up, but I like it so far.
 

thecrecarc

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2004
3,364
3
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Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
I'm thinking of buying it for the single player only. Anyone else doing the single player? Opinions?

there is no single player...
 

ConstipatedVigilante

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2006
7,671
1
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I'm tempted by the offers of a free copy with an 8800. I'll probably just wait to buy a card in November and the either QW or UT3 as well.
 

ty1er

Senior member
May 14, 2004
807
0
0
It going to be on sale for 38$ at CircuitCity starting this Sunday the 7th. I'll probably pick up my copy then.
 

Woofmeister

Golden Member
Jul 18, 2004
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I received the full version last night and had my first chance to play a map other than "Sewer" or "Valley." The map was called "Outskirts" and it's a traffic chokepoint map that takes place in the ruins of a factory complex in New Jersey (insert joke here).

The map puts the Strogg on defense and, given the terrain, I don't see how GDF can ever make it through. In fact, in both rounds I played, the GDF did not even complete the second objective. Of course, when I first played "Valley" I thought the same thing and eventually players figured out how the GDF can win so its probably just a question of everyone getting familiar with the new maps.

The map itself takes place at night during a rain storm and it looks terrific on my system. This is the first time I've seen weather effects in QW and they look much better than the falling snow in BF2142.
 

lupi

Lifer
Apr 8, 2001
32,539
260
126
Originally posted by: Woofmeister
I received the full version last night and had my first chance to play a map other than "Sewer" or "Valley." The map was called "Outskirts" and it's a traffic chokepoint map that takes place in the ruins of a factory complex in New Jersey (insert joke here).

The map puts the Strogg on defense and, given the terrain, I don't see how GDF can ever make it through. In fact, in both rounds I played, the GDF did not even complete the second objective. Of course, when I first played "Valley" I thought the same thing and eventually players figured out how the GDF can win so its probably just a question of everyone getting familiar with the new maps.

The map itself takes place at night during a rain storm and it looks terrific on my system. This is the first time I've seen weather effects in QW and they look much better than the falling snow in BF2142.

I remember in the first week or so of the demo where is what a challenge just to get the bridge deployed. now the strogg my as well head to the back of the tunnel to set up defense there.
 

ty1er

Senior member
May 14, 2004
807
0
0
Originally posted by: Woofmeister
I received the full version last night and had my first chance to play a map other than "Sewer" or "Valley." The map was called "Outskirts" and it's a traffic chokepoint map that takes place in the ruins of a factory complex in New Jersey (insert joke here).

The map puts the Strogg on defense and, given the terrain, I don't see how GDF can ever make it through. In fact, in both rounds I played, the GDF did not even complete the second objective. Of course, when I first played "Valley" I thought the same thing and eventually players figured out how the GDF can win so its probably just a question of everyone getting familiar with the new maps.

The map itself takes place at night during a rain storm and it looks terrific on my system. This is the first time I've seen weather effects in QW and they look much better than the falling snow in BF2142.

Got any screen shots to post?
 

JasonCoder

Golden Member
Feb 23, 2005
1,893
1
81
Seems to me like BF2/2142 with different maps & vehicles. No appreciable graphics advances and no VOIP but I should pay $38? Yes Vent and TS are there but not for free and not as easy as just launching the game and pressing B.

And I've never been on a map in BF2 where a good team of armor could stay unbeaten. Eventually people band up and respawn as AntiTank and clear those annoying turds out. I have seen some rather annoying chopper and airplane people tho.
 
Dec 21, 2006
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QW developers mentioned that they might enable VOIP in the future in the ET: QW community forums, IIRC. They said that while the game does not ship with the functionality, it can be integrated quite simply with a patch or mod.

From the demo, its pretty good. I was always a huge fan of W:ET and loved the tactics involved in being successful in all the ET games. However, what I'm really waiting for is the modding and clan community to really ramp up. That's what made W:ET fun orginially, and I think it will have the same effect in ET: QW. A good clan server will go a long way towards promoting effective teamplay, and the mods are what made W:ET such an enriching experience.
 
Sep 29, 2004
18,665
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Originally posted by: thecrecarc
Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
I'm thinking of buying it for the single player only. Anyone else doing the single player? Opinions?

there is no single player...

I thought there were bots like in the demo? Do you mean that there is no progressive way to play single player? I'd like to play, win a map and move on. And go through all the maps this way. A sort of ladder system. This is not included?
 

ConstipatedVigilante

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2006
7,671
1
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I wish they would give another more balanced map for the demo. It would also be nice if awards/ranks were persistent on a server, but that's not gonna happen... maybe I'll just buy it when it gets down to $20.
 

MrUniq

Senior member
Mar 26, 2006
307
0
0
I bought it on a chance and don't regret it...but with UT3 so close you can prob afford to wait.
 

ethebubbeth

Golden Member
May 2, 2003
1,740
5
91
I picked it up for $38 at Fry's last night. Wow that was quick for them to unroll a 22mb 1.1 patch. For the most part I'm really pleased with the game.... I can crank everything on my X2 3800+ w/ 2gb ram and an 8800gts 640mb and still maintain 50-60fps in most scenarios. I'm upset that I still need to set the game to "single monitor performance" in the nvidia console to get more than 5-6fps though :(. One would think they'd resolve from the demo. Also bizarre that the game is locked at 30fps in single player regardless of your framerate unclocking configuration in the settings files.

However, technical nitpicking aside, I haven't had this much fun in an objective-based team shooter since the original Battlefield 1942!