BF3 stick well to its tradition.. almost too well.
First impression playing BF3 is leaning more towards realistic ARMA2 or RO:Stalingrad. I would easily recommending this game to anyone whos interested in realistic shooters. BF3 provide a solid shooting mechanics that i have ever seen in videogame history (far better than ARMA2 or RO). However, a lot of ideas and concept are still lacking behind ARMA2, typically vehicle combat and equipment.The game is nothing more than a fine tuning over BF2. With some imbalance issues with higher ranking players having better advantages in the battlefield and class balance issues similar to traditional BF titles.
Summary of BF3 retail disc contents:
- 10 maps, 10 conquest (4? maps - 64players, 6 - 32players ), 4? rush maps (32 players),10 SQDM maps (16players - 4 per team) - Running Only on Dedicated server.
-6 coop games (p2p)
- 100+ unlocks from weapons to accessories unlocks which may take up to 100hrs to unlock everything
- Some of the best bullet and firearms simulation
- improved graphics (best graphics setup are not even close to Crysis 2/RAGE) its not even close to the demo shown E3. Pretty much a PR ****
-heli and combat aircraft
-An *ahem* innovative method of accessing the game through origin - the programmer must have love html so much
This review are scaled to different groups just to be fair, as this game is not suitable for everyone.
-Towards BFBC2 players
+ plent of unlocks from infantry to vehicles (and also results tons of balance issues)
+ remaster aircraft controls to match realism
+ better simulation of bullets and accuracy of weapons
- Bad squad and loadout management
- the intense infantry combat in BFBC2 is lost
- Imbalance weapon loadout and customization, So you are bound to get killed if engaged with a higher ranking player.
- most of the weapons dont feel unique (as of BFBC2)
- sloppy parkour movement similiar to MOH which isnt ground breaking.
- Destruction is lesser and buggy too.
- limited option to flush campers out.
- bigger map can lead to a needle in a haystack situation
Things that DICE should have upgrade/fix:
- netcode: the game has a slow response to hit registry similiar to BFBC2 at 32player, at 64 players the delay is rather bad.
- vehicle hording and camping
- emphasis on objective teamwork and rewards players for doing it in-game
- a proper commander system
- redesign the class system
- new modes
BF3 seems like a step forward and 2 steps back. Shooting mechanics have drastic improved to realistic angle. No more running and gunning or any more awesome rushing/ rambo medic under gunfire like Arnold on steroids. Certain maps are larger by x4 of the largest BFBC2 maps.
The maps quality varies from the best "Caspian Border" to the worst "Bazaar". It could be seen that some maps are rushed out with horrid chokepoints and lack of destructible objects. Unlike BFBC2, destruction could create a new flanking path for the attacking team. BF3 strict route and no destructible walls will bring back all the hate from BF2. In addition of "wookies" which most BFBC2 players hate, DICE have encourage the whole gang along to have a campfire somewhere in the bushes, traded their camo ghillie to an actual bushes. So expect a total change of tactics and gameplay to "campmore warfare 2".
Playing with random players with a broken GUI and squad system with lack of command interface made the living hell for anyone to communicate or do anything right to contribute to the team. Often players would camp in discrete location for a cheap kill or spawnkilling and avoiding objectives as it do not prove any beneficial . Even the Scoreboard now prioritize on K/D rather than points, which a rather bad way of try to bring objective based teamwork. So expect an new breed of players who doesnt bother much about teamwork or even help players who needs backup / firesupport or even supplies. Another note, MG is pretty useless as snipers or even guns with optics prove to be more deadlier with ability to suppress and kill at the same time.
Some of the best maps such as Caspian Border do provide complete destruction of buildings, however theres limited to no destruction to the terrain or the environment. By direct comparison with BFBC2, the destruction is scale way back from at lease 55% to 35% and its even worst for other maps. Buildings or cover have only 1-2 stages of degradation, as to 3-4 stages. So occasionally you might need to fire awkwardly to cover to destroy them. Sometimes, the cover would just disappeared when a rocket hit it. Terrain deformation only applies to a few maps only from what i notice (Op:metro, ?)
Vehicle combat has not improved much, just readjusted with auto regeneration and an ability for light infantry to disable a tank. This option isnt as intriguing as its thought to be. It works by damaging a tank to 50% hp to slow it down by 15% (main gun still works), regardless on where its hit or at any range. Only able to move once its repaired. A disappointment, when i was hoping i was able to target specific parts of the tank to disable that specific part. Also in addition, ability to spawn inside a newly spawn vehicle. However it does not prevent it from been hijacked by sneaky bastards camping at your base. Lol at the soldiers for leaving there keys in the vehicles
Occasionally vehicles such as tanks ramming a building at full throttle will cause it to a complete halt or even stuck . This however do provide some hilarious moments especially when flying an aircraft. (Does the Beta tested anything to help DICE?).
Aircraft and attack helicopters handling are overhauled to more realistic approached. Bewarn, enemies will be armed with stinger and you might be engaged by possibly of 30 engineers with stingers. Since theres no restriction to the numbers of players for a specific classes.
The worst maps are the rush maps especially in urban combat where literally lacks of multiple attack paths or at least giving attackers an option to create your own path by blowing off buildings. Futhermore, lack of destructible covers making it a campfest for defenders. Mcom now are indestructible to anything other than arming it by foot infantry. A NAY in my opinion.
Summarize the experience, BF3 offers nothing new from BFBC2, problems from BFBC2 are still present, some cases are made worst. In my option, BF3 remain true to its original BF series but undergo a remix version of MOH with a bit destruction from BFBC. This transaction such as GTA series has made the game less fun factor but made it realistic. As BFBC2 players are casuals, this game will ruin your fun. Old saying, War is hell, so are we paying $60 to join a war or for fun factor.
-Towards BF2
6years of gap, and the changes are plentiful. Most of fans love are still remain and certain things improved. Incooperating ideas of MOH, and BFBC is great. Important Commander and Communication Radial has been removed to follow classic BF1943, not sure why DICE removed it. As describe above, its crucial to have a CO to coordinate attack or even coordinating arty at "happy bush Campers".
The game still remains to its true form of gameplay with 64 players with aircraft and offers nothing new to the series.
Still BF3 has plentiful of areas to improved over;
1. Better customization option like seen in TC Rainbow Six
2. Body armour - body armour vs bullet type and range. Also helmet as a life saver not as hitbox marker
3. Better damage simulation of vehicles especially tanks
4. Remove Health % to body parts damage
5. Improved Commander option
6. Added ingame currency like Homefront or Quake wars: ET
BF3 is definitely a good switch for fans of the BF2 and even from realistic shooter fans like ARMA2 as it provide a good foundation for shooting mechanics. Despite all the negatives, its a good game for clan battles or competitive multiplayer. Its definitely not for casuals.
TESTED ON:
win7 32bit
AMD 3+ Athlon x4 640
Nvidia gtx260+ SLI (High-dx10?) / gtx570 (ultra-dx11) - Driver 285.62 at 720p