Tired of average Joe games? New Battleground Europe!

[Eckstein]

This is the first time that I get tired by all the big titles that are being displayed at E3 right now. Always the same shoebox superhero-shooters, with their scripted, interactive movie action and the same old point and click games and MMOs.

Anyway, I discovered a MMO called Battleground Europe a while ago and am really fascinated by it's unique depth, challenging gameplay and steep learning curve.
A major upgrade in graphics and gameplay was released a week ago. It is still lacks behind the mass-media graphics detail level, but that's not really important in my opinion.

If you are interested to try it out: The client can be downloaded right away and you can get a trial account like with most other MMOs.

To give you a quick overview on the game (copy&paste from a friend of mine):
- air, infantry, tanks, cannons, navy
- giant map with frontline in a single server cluster instance
- military grade damage model (best in the game world)
- giant battles with several hundred of players
- stratetic (bombing raids against factories, etc.) and tactical (high command, squads) gameplay

I hope to see you on the battlefield!

 

[IndyColtsFan]

That's WWII Online, right? Have they improved the graphics? Some of the screenshots are a little dark and I can't tell for sure.

 

[Eckstein]

Yeah, it was called WWIIOnline beforehand.
There are some videos on youtube where you might be able to see the differences better.

The new version isn't a complete revamp of the game, but the game now has:
- gadoll physics
- dynamic shadows
- higher detailed vegetation
- much better building models
- new effects
- weather system
...

A lot that has been improved or has been redone completely.

 

[ZzZGuy]

Realism is god in this game. It's not for kids that want instant action and to get right back in after they die. Don't even think for a second it's like MoH/CoD/BF.

Example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzpUVtVUBTI (note, pre graphics patch)

That said, I enjoyed it very much and will likely give it another try if I have free time. Nothing quite like guessing where they next enemy attack will come from, spawning a AT gun and moving into cover, waiting 30 minutes then seeing a column of armor move up and picking off the lead tank then scattering the rest before they know where the fire is coming from.

I'd say the real death penalty is travel time to the battle unless the enemy is at the gates of a town (which you can spawn in) you are defending. There is also limited numbers of various equipment and weapons your "team" can use which can be increased by controlling towns with factories and/or focusing production on specific items.

 

[imaheadcase]

What the heck, i'll give it a go.

I think a game like this would be epic if it became free 2 play. No real war mmo like that.

 

[CU]

Yeah if it was free to play with free players only getting limited weapons atleast it would create alot of cannon fodder.

 

[Genx87]

They ever get past the early war period? I think this game would attract more players with mid to late war campaigns. Pak43 vs Churchills, Panthers vs Sherman Fireflys ect.

 

[Eckstein]

The game has equipment up to 43/44 now with the Tiger, Sherman76, M10, Churchill7, M1 AT-Gun, Pak40, 17pdr, Spit9 and so on.

I don't think that including even later equipment would add much to the gameplay.

 

[Eckstein]

What the heck, i'll give it a go.

I think a game like this would be epic if it became free 2 play. No real war mmo like that.

Make sure to take the tutorial of the game serious.
It is quite hard for a new player to get into the gane the first few days. You can always ask questions in the help channel and in the game forums of course.

The most efficient way to learn about the game is to join a squad. Simply ask for this in the help or side channel.

You should also start to play as infantry first, because you can get lost quite easily in a tank or plane when beginning with the game unless you join a large attack/defense force.

 

[Eckstein]

A major update (1.32) has just been released which introduced player placed objects like gun fortifications.

The Free Trial should still be available.

 

[robphelan]

awesome... i'll have to check this out tonight - the MIL is coming into town this weekend & I'll need a diversion

 

[bob4432]

anything like coh?

 

[Scouzer]

anything like coh?

already explained in the thread. answer: f no.

 

[fatpat268]

Run for 20 minutes, then get shot in the head by someone hiding in a bush.

No thanks, I'm not going to subject myself to that again.

FWIW, parachuting into a battle with a bunch of buddies is fun though.

 

[Bryf50]

Run for 20 minutes, then get shot in the head by someone hiding in a bush.

No thanks, I'm not going to subject myself to that again.

FWIW, parachuting into a battle with a bunch of buddies is fun though.

Hide in a bush, shoot someone running for 20 minutes in the head.

 

[Mike Gayner]

Eh, I can't stand games that deliberately make playing frustrating in the name of "realism". What I hate even more is the elitist douchebags that games like these breed. I'm guessing this game is 99% snipers?

 

[Nintendesert]

I'll have to give it another go when I get the chance. It was always frustrating at times but very rewarding at others. The integration between the ground, armor and air power was always a fun dynamic.

Great manning AA to fend off attacking fighters and bombers.

 

[fatpat268]

Hide in a bush, shoot someone running for 20 minutes in the head.

I even tried that, but I'm a terrible camper in games. I always get impatient. :biggrin:

 

[Eckstein]

The 14 day free trial is now available without a credit card: http://www.battlegroundeurope.com/index.php/about-the-game/game-info
The client is only 500 MByte, so one can try it out pretty quick.

 

[Eckstein]

Run for 20 minutes, then get shot in the head by someone hiding in a bush.

No thanks, I'm not going to subject myself to that again.

FWIW, parachuting into a battle with a bunch of buddies is fun though.

You obviously did not comprehend the most basic game mechanics then. There is no need to "run for 20 minutes" in this game.

Eh, I can't stand games that deliberately make playing frustrating in the name of "realism". What I hate even more is the elitist douchebags that games like these breed. I'm guessing this game is 99% snipers?

No, it is about coordinating huge battles with your team mates with tactical and even strategic means, by using all arms in a deep and persistent gameplay experience.

In shoebox games, the tank who fires the first shot or has the most hitpoints wins first. This game however requires you to be aware about things like gun/ammo capabilites and armour properties, which makes it a much deeper and (in my opinion) more fun game.

Yes, the mainstream of various ages is happily entertained by the shoebox shooter genre.
But there are some people who get bored by the identical and completely shallow concept behind Halo:X/CoD:X/MoH:X/BF:X/etc...

 

[fatpat268]

You obviously did not comprehend the most basic game mechanics then. There is no need to "run for 20 minutes" in this game.

No, I do understand the mechanics. But I didn't understand it when I first started. The tutorial and interface in general were archaic in terrible. They've probably updated since the last time I played it, but I don't know (I stopped playing maybe 3 months before the graphics patch.

The learning curve is brutal if you go at it alone. What i wrote is probably the typical experience for someone just starting the game.

 

[Eckstein]

No, I do understand the mechanics. But I didn't understand it when I first started. The tutorial and interface in general were archaic in terrible. They've probably updated since the last time I played it, but I don't know (I stopped playing maybe 3 months before the graphics patch.

The learning curve is brutal if you go at it alone. What i wrote is probably the typical experience for someone just starting the game.

Yes, the game is harder to learn than most other games. But this is not unusual considering the complexity.

The best way to get into the game is to join a squad right away. Everything will be explained to you then by the assigned mentor.