Sub-standard graphics, poor hit detection, lag, limited views of the battle, and general complaints that it is not Modern Warfare 2, seem to be plaguing impressions of the MAG Open Beta, which was released this week.
I can’t understand the bad press this game is getting from the community. As two of my squad mates asked each other in a recent game of Domination, ‘Why does everyone hate on MAG. It’s amazing.’ It’s like no other shooter available on a console.
Here at loadscreen.net, I’m in the middle of putting together an in-depth preview of the beta (with a screenshot gallery), Part One of which is currently available from the main page. But I feel I need to step in with a bit of opinion before everyone gets the wrong idea.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with MAG’s gameplay. It’s just not the same gameplay you get in many other online shooters. It’s different. It’s a tactical, wide-spread, play-at-your-own-pace, shooter. It requires leadership to a greater degree that any other shooter I’ve played. You’re not led by the hand. You can make choices. You can, in other words, Role-Play.
Best palms since Crysis?
MAG sells itself as a MMO shooter. And this is how it should be approached. You don’t play an MMO without preparation, coordination, and, importantly, grinding.
Okay, it’s not for everyone. But there’s a lot to like in MAG, more than it’s being credit for.
The gameplay is extremely well balanced, whether you’re playing 256 or 64 player battles, the locations are varied and interesting, with excellent strategic options, including high-points, tunnels, multiple routes, destructible objectives and doors. The better team will always have the advantage (using medics and engineers to revive and repair their structures), but there are plenty of opportunities to turn the game around as the battle moves further into the map, where more diverse combat options reveal themselves.
Hit-detection is tight and fair. The hit-reaction is a little slow, compared to MW2, but that doesn’t mean your hits aren’t being registered and there is a loud ‘impact’, sound effect, blood, and a red flash on your crosshair to let you know if you’ve made contact. Once you get used to the fact that characters collapse slower than other shooters, it becomes a natural part of the game.
I hate to point it out but...
Visually, if you read my preview, you will see that MAG sports graphics that make it competitive in today’s market. The textures are comparable to MW2, I kid you not, and there are some decent shader effects at work. I’m impressed with the lighting and shadows, and the character models are detailed and customisable. Let’s not forget that there are potentially 14x the number of players wreaking havoc all over the screen than in the largest game of MW2. So what if the explosion and smoke effects aren’t the best you’ve seen? And remember, it’s only a beta. Uncharted 2 sharpened up considerably from its beta incarnation. It is possible that the Blu-Ray disc of the final game will hold bigger, better textures, which have yet to be seen.
On the lag issue: yes, I’ve encountered it, but in a 30 minute game the lag has only ever interrupted about 1 minute of that play session. That’s not bad for a game still in beta.
Finally, some people have complained that you never get to see all 256 players on screen at once. Well, do you really want that experience? It would be chaos. It wouldn’t be fun. And what’s wrong with charging into battle with 16 (a large number) squad-mates knowing that just over the next hill, 16 other players from your platoon are doing the same? When you die and the camera takes you back to a spawn screen, you are in fact treated to a very wide view of the battle, where hundreds of players are visible. Moreover, you are constantly reminded of the progress of your team through radio updates and, if you have a decent squad-leader, through their communications with the other squads. MAT, Massive Action Teamplay is 100% possible. And if that’s not good enough, you can wander about lonewolf style and get involved in the wider battle.
So there you have it, I’ve tried to dispel the main complaints about MAG. Of course, it’s not a perfect game. And many will not agree with my assessment. Nevertheless, I urge you, reader, to put some time and energy into MAG when it comes out. Like all MMOs, it will reward your efforts.
See you on the battlefield.
I have a Masters Degree in Drama, specialising in Stand-Up Comedy. I'm fascinated by the possibilities of virtual entertainment, especially when it comes to innovating live performance. Videogames are a form of theatre, I believe, though they have a long way to go before they can be called 'art'.
well written article, i agree with the author.
I tihnk dexcribing it as an MMOFPS pretty much somes it up.
its not COD, and its not trying to be, im sure there will be another cod clone along soon enough for the many people who prefer that type of gameplay.
Cheers, I was preparing myself for a flaming from the COD crowd. I just hope they make more shooters with MMORPG elements.
Sorry until MAG can fix the issue of character not being seen clearly, i’ll still hate it because u barely see other enemy players because the character and environment textures blend into together making it almost unseeable, until they fix that it will remain crap to me…
I can see what you mean.
But surely the majority of enemies will have red triangles above their heads? Also, wouldn’t it rather make the ability to choose your camo colours pointless if you couldn’t hide in the scenery a bit?
I have to say after playing for just under a week now, I don’t have any trouble picking people off at long distances, or using my radar or enemy fire indicator to find an eleminate the noobs on the other team.
To hehe1, maybee it is time for a new TV.
I played a previous beta, and the game looks great. Texture more comparable to Resistance 2, which is a different quality of texture, but believe me the quality is there. I for one like the viseral, grungy, earthy, rock n roll quality that the games texture has. I think MW2 is almost cartoonish most of the time.
MAG is an amazing feet, and in many ways way ahead of its time. Its companies like zipper that keep the competition among game creators at such a high level.
MAG is still a beta, and beta means improvments will be made!
I can’t wait to see the final product with a beta this good.
I totally agree man. Actually, I do say that MAG has the same feel, graphically, as Resistance 2 – in my preview, linked above.
People seem to forget how good Insomniac’s engine is.
If I have one complaint, it’s that everything’s so static. No physics on objects or bullet penetration on thin surfaces. But it’s a small gripe considering the scale.
Thanks for your comment.
I agree with you highly.
Although it could definitely be a tad smoother and fluid, I’m not saying I want it like COD, regardless of whether a game is fast paced and arcadey or slow and tactical it can still be smoother and fluid.
Dependant on the context of your character’s situation there’s sometimes no animation between various things, aiming down sights, sometimes ducking, jumping, performing otehr actions, there’s a lot of short-sightedness in some areas; hopefully these are things that will be sorted post-beta when the final BD version comes out.
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