Uncharted 3 Beta Discussion
Hey guys! This is just a thread to see what Basilers think of the multiplayer so far. =]
My opinion (it's a long read):
[header] Overall (read this is part if you don't feel like reading everything) [/header]
The first thing I noticed was that the game looks and runs a lot like UC2, but this was expected, because IIRC the devs mentioned that the engine that UC3 runs on the same engine was UC2. Of course, as expected, the game's graphics are awesome. Naughty Dog really knows how to set the standard for good graphics, but I'm still somewhat disappointed the engine was only improved upon, rather using an entirely new one. I think that ND put a huge emphasis on lighting and shadows, because both looks amazing. The games runs smoothly, but some users have been experiencing frame rate drops (hasn't happened to me yet).
The game looks really polished for a beta because I rarely encountered glitches while I played. However, one glitch that I did encounter was spawning inside a wall. This happened to me twice in the same game, which really disappointed me at first, but it never happened again. If anyone's wondering about the specifics, it was on Chateau and both times I spawned using the spawn by buddy feature. Another thing I noticed about the game when I started playing was that it takes a while to find a match (similar to UC2), but I hope that this will be fixed in the full game. ]= Also, there aren't dedicated servers, but rather a hosting system again I THINK, because I've had the game start over again from the initial spawn points once, when a person left the match. I haven't tried exiting a game yet, so I don't know if you lose exp for quitting too man, but I hope they removed that, because it got annoying after a while.
[header] Customization [/header]
I was actually disappointed with ND for putting in the weapons system with mods the way they did, because it gives higher leveled players an advantage over the newcomers. Before, everyone spawned with the same weapons, and weapons spawned all over the map, similar to Halo. Now the power weapons spawn everywhere, but the AK, M4, FAL, and the Dragonov Sniper are available to you from the start of a match, if you have the level to unlock it. Also, modifications like extended mags (which used to be a booster) are rapid fire are available as unlocks, which sucks for the lower levels that don't have access to them.
However, it seems that the boosters are a lot better and less unbalanced (NO MORE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS! Thanks for listening ND ), so I commend ND for that. The "kickbacks" use medals that you got to give you a momentary advantage (somewhat like kill streaks, except all your medals don't have to be from one life). They're pretty balanced as well, because the RPG isn't always a one-hit kill, the smoke bomb is just pure LOLZ, and the cluster bomb is perfectly possible to run from.
I really like the emblems, too, because if you have the most kills on the winning team, your emblem appears all around the map on objects. It's really satisfying to see you emblem when you're doing well, even though I'm probably not good enough to always be on top. =P
[header] The Maps [/header]
So let's start with Chateau. I know that a lot of people have been hating on this map, and I didn't like it too much in the beginning. It takes time to grow on, I guess, because I actually like it now. You have to get used to the maps in Uncharted (I found this with UC2 as well), because each map requires a variation on the same technique: using barriers with a combination of the third person camera to your advantage. This map is great after you learn to use the hallways of the chateau to your advantage. I feel like this map is completely balanced, except for in the beginning. The villains spawn relatively in the open, and the heroes can easily get to the turret and mow a villain or two down (which I've done quite a few times). Other than that, the turrets are well placed because most of the action goes on inside the chateau. However, the turrets can be used to defend the grenade launcher power weapon, but no one uses the turrets much anyway, since there are so many ways for people to sneak up behind you in UC3 (similar to UC2 =P).
The second map is Airstrike, which is another great map, but the beginning sequence is pure BS. It's really unbalanced, clearly in favor of the heroes (is this a trend with ND's stages? xD), because they can easily pick off the villains, while the villains struggle to get into the plane. The rest of the map is great, especially because the turrets are well placed. In both maps actually, the turrets aren't really placed where they can be used in heavy traffic areas. Also, the turrets in this map are placed so that you can't guard the power weapons with them. Rather, they can be used to guard the outside of the airfield, but most of the action happens inside, or out of reach of the turrets, as obstacles get in the way.
I just hope they release a map pack giving back the UC2 maps, because I really liked them. xD
[header] Other stuff [/header]
I feel like ND took away damage from the power weapons, because before they were really overpowered, IMHO, and this is coming from someone who got a lot of kills from the grenade launcher. xD Also, the sprint looks kinda like the way it does on Gears 3 (judging from videos, I don't actually own a 360). I wonder if ND took the idea from them. =P I also hope they bring back the sillier game modes, like RPGs only, Pistols and Grenades, or Snipers and Pistoles, because I loved those. They made UC2 fun and unique. The power plays are okay, but the double damage is ridiculous (exposed and VIP are actually fun =P).
[header] Conclusion [/header]
I'm really looking forward to whatever ND is planning to do with UC3, because the game looks like it's going to be awesome.