Bash 129

[CptainCrunch]

From bashandslash.com:

If you have ever read these words:

"...in a world of thoughtful and passionate gaming CEOs, Bobby Kotick stands alone. He doesn’t play video games, but he sure knows how to make money off people who do...Kotick doesn’t play his games, and it shows."

...or these in regards to MW2's SP:

"Am I glad I played the game? Yes. Can I see myself replaying it? Maybe not. It’s satisfying to step into the shoes of people who are so uncompromising, and the game is brilliant at creating the feeling of moral vacuum, but it’s not exactly a feeling that’s comfortable, or even fun. During many scenes, I found myself simply emptying clips into houses, knowing there could be innocents inside. Why not? I was trying to survive".

How about these with respect to MW2’s multiplayer:

“Call of Duty came from the PC gaming scene, and it was there that it was popularized. ….it’s sad to see a game that has such a rich history on our favorite platform feel so neglected in its newest incarnation. The port of the single-player campaign is strong; the game looks, plays, and feels incredible on a capable gaming PC. The Special Ops missions are perfect if you’re in the mood for a teeny-tiny LAN party but the multiplayer offerings feel like Infinity Ward is trying to cram a round peg into a square hole.

It’s not what we’re used to, it’s not what we want, and the changes made to the online matchmaking set-up and lack of dedicated servers negatively change the online experience. It’s just that simple.”

…you probably know that they come from one of the best gaming writers around: Ben “Stasis7″ Kuchera from ArsTechnica.com (Opposable thumbs). Ben is the gaming editor at Ars Technica and is on with us to talk about Modern Warfare 2 and its impact on the PC landscape.

Also with us to talk about MW2 are: ibleedv20 from omnilinkit.com, Andy (the impaler) coons from Loaded at goloaded.com, rudedog from fpsadmin.com and garetjax from codtv.tv. As well, our resident console expert mattks is here from weplaycod.net, @weplaycod.

You can listen to the webcast here

What are your thoughts on the reviews, after playing the game yourself, and ideas of the direction IW is going?

Source

[Mavrik347]

I think they just started explaining my thoughts really. People say "oh yay it's brilliant" because they just forked out for it and are still riding the hype of a new game. You can't expect a decent review from someone who isn't a proper critic this soon.

In the reviews I do find, much like this one and a good friend of mine's is that the game is nothing more than expected. A complete flop that managed to break record sales due to the hype of it's predecessor and the fact people will buy anything.

[thejeran]

I really liked the SP. Even though it was rediculous plot scene after another. The immense battles looked amazing

[groundedzero]

IDK, I don't like reviews that come out way too early just when a new game is at its birth (if you can call it that.) However, after some patches (hopefully good ones) I'd then like to see what reviews have in mind.

Give it some time!

[[Expletive Deleted]]

You can't expect a decent review from someone who isn't a proper critic this soon.

Many "proper critic's" put a shiny coat of hype on big games like this. The one's that don't start losing advertising money for their publications. Some even lose their jobs altogether.

[Torchwood]

There is no such thing as a proper critic. No persons opinion is anymore valid or important than anyone elses.

Thats why i don't pay too much attention to reviews anyway. I look at the facts and the trailers usually to determine whether i'll buy something.

[groundedzero]

I reckon they should find some randomer who's never heard of CoD and make him play the game, at least it'll then be from a neutral point of view

[Lemon]

To be honest I love the MP. It is the same feel as cod4 with more stuff to it. The matchmaking is just horrible but when you're in game with your friends it's amazing. IMO.

[Minmaster]

yea once you get in, its okay but man it sometimes takes forever to find a damn game.

[The_Eliminator]

On the console its much the same, it takes about 2 minutes to find a game atm although this might just be my area.

[Tehb2]

I have mixed feelings about MW2, but overall, I'm glad I bought it.

First off, the SP I think is awesome and epic. The visuals are (or, have the potential to be, since my PC can't handle it) amazing, with the scenery, the detail, the scale, and the background action. The maps are bigger, and provide various options in how one conducts a mission (usually). Yes, the story is outrageous and ridiculous, and some of the missions are annoyingly dramatic (By this i mean, the idea that such a small team of SF guys could possibly hold off the size of opposition encountered). The story has a lot of holes, and I feel there was room left for another game to fill in (I'm expecting another one).


The MP is both good and bad. MP is why we continue to play the games in the COD series, and the new maps (both in concept and feel) are great. Lots of detail, lots of variety, and lots of variables in how to play them. The inclusion of so many new kinds of weapons and customizations in equipment and look is great as well. The bad part is that this game is an console port. The games are small in scale and waiting for a matched game is a pain, especially since I don't see any sort of balance. Starting out in games as a private with teams full of Majors and Colonels from guys who got the game 5 days before me and have done nothing since doesn't help me get used to the new feel, which is another problem. Maybe its cause my pc isn't the best for games, or maybe its cause my college connection isn't always the fastest, but the game feels different to me. I think its cause of the game is a port. Things like recoil and the inability to lean, among other things I can't put my finger on, just throw me off. I've played COD since the first game (going then to COD:UO, COD2, COD4, and a console game here or there), and this is the first time I feel like I have to adjust to a new way to play the game.

I haven't tried SpecOps, but it seems fun and ads variety.



I know I don't know the most about the technical aspects of the game, servers, etc, but as a long time PC gamer I can say that I like playing the game, but I do feel disappointed that the focus has been on consoles, when it is the PC version of the game that launched the franchise in the first place, and where the best fun can be had with this kind of game. Hopefully improvements can be made for this game in future patches, and future releases.