Some quick thoughts
TheSubstitute
Join Date: 2013-03-07 Member: 183770Members
Join Date: 2013-03-07 Member: 183770Members
Posted in another sub-forum, but it is more appropriate here.
To me NS2 is just an evolution of NS1, but that's not to say that there were things changed in NS2 that really weren't broken from the original.
- Changing standard map design from 4 to 5 tech points/hive locations. The additional place on maps to drop a hive or a command chair fundamentally change the way that games are played. The tug of war over hive locations in NS1 has been lost in some ways because hive locations are no longer scarce and the game now seems to be only about resource denial.
- Marine tech requiring 2nd command chair. While alien tech always made sense to rely on the number of hives, Marines really don't have the same requirement from a thematic point of view. If the Marines are able to get to mechs and jetpacks and other high tech stuff with one base then that is on the Aliens for allowing their tech progress to go unchecked.
- ARC's are silly, bring back Siege Cannons. Little toy tanks that are too expensive to get to in the tech tree and take too long to really siege down an Alien location that is dug in. The threat of the Marines dropping siege cannons anywhere on the map always made them more formidable mid to late game.
- Cutting cyst chains does not kill attached structures/disrupt resource flow. The same way that destroying power nodes kills the use of all buildings, the infestation and cysts connect Alien structures to hives. If the Marines cut the chain then the use of those structures that are now "unpowered" should be lost as well.
- Lack of phase gate destination choice. Why are the phase gates in a series that must be travelled through sequentially? Players should have the option of choosing their destination.
To me NS2 is just an evolution of NS1, but that's not to say that there were things changed in NS2 that really weren't broken from the original.
- Changing standard map design from 4 to 5 tech points/hive locations. The additional place on maps to drop a hive or a command chair fundamentally change the way that games are played. The tug of war over hive locations in NS1 has been lost in some ways because hive locations are no longer scarce and the game now seems to be only about resource denial.
- Marine tech requiring 2nd command chair. While alien tech always made sense to rely on the number of hives, Marines really don't have the same requirement from a thematic point of view. If the Marines are able to get to mechs and jetpacks and other high tech stuff with one base then that is on the Aliens for allowing their tech progress to go unchecked.
- ARC's are silly, bring back Siege Cannons. Little toy tanks that are too expensive to get to in the tech tree and take too long to really siege down an Alien location that is dug in. The threat of the Marines dropping siege cannons anywhere on the map always made them more formidable mid to late game.
- Cutting cyst chains does not kill attached structures/disrupt resource flow. The same way that destroying power nodes kills the use of all buildings, the infestation and cysts connect Alien structures to hives. If the Marines cut the chain then the use of those structures that are now "unpowered" should be lost as well.
- Lack of phase gate destination choice. Why are the phase gates in a series that must be travelled through sequentially? Players should have the option of choosing their destination.
Comments
I really like that suggestion. Perhaps it should depend on which side you go through the PG or perhaps you press a button to go to a certain location,
It could be something as simple as implementing the same grown system to cysts as other Alien structures. The longer the cyst and the surrounding infection has been in game the harder it is to destroy.
From the lore point of view and also my opinion, the marines buildings are not teleported in but are constructed using nanites which is what is supposed to be what is leaking out of the resource towers. The marines themselves are delivered via drop ship initially ( there is one featured on nearly every map ) probably with a large enough store of nanites to build a command station, Ip and resource tower. The marine structures would not actually research upgrades in the battle but would slowly increase their hardware and fabrication capabilities to allow for larger and more volatile equipment to be constructed.
The infantry portal, Phase gates, and med/ammo packs may be the only things actually using teleportation. The marines would be sent most likely from an external source like an orbiting ship for example, but may not be able to be sent with weapons like shotguns, or flamers because of their explosive nature, longer travel distance with no direct physical connections, or space requirements on the platform ( This i why I think rifle is collapsible ).
The Command station would be essentially a large super computer that can crunch the necessary numbers and have the necessary connections to control the nanites around the map and make these structures appear. The build tool could even be a networking tool that gives more direct commands to the nanites as they are building. As the marines add a second Command station, that could be the equivalent of adding a whole lot of hardware to the nanite number crunching allowing for more complex commands to be administered and controlled such as the Nano-shield.
The protolab for example would not be a research device in itself but a fabrication device that is slowly upgraded with better hardware to allow large objects like the exosuit to be built. As for what makes jetpacks and exosuits hard to fabricate could be things as simple as engine components that can instantly replenish the fuel in the jetpack, the strong metal plating on the exosuit, or the computer systems that read the pilots movements on either one considering the rest of the marine arsenal is relatively simple. ( shot guns are essentially a chunk of metal with gunpowder, mines could be as simple as smoke detectors )
As for armor and weapon upgrades, it could be something similar to upgrading Civilian grade nanities into millitary grade ones. Or it could be gathering information about this particular Alien infestation and quickly altering armor and weapon setups to adapt to their claw composition and physical biology as it could be unique from hive cluster to hive cluster.