Gameplay discussion
Kompatriot
Join Date: 2010-01-14 Member: 70144Members
Join Date: 2010-01-14 Member: 70144Members
So, I've managed to play about an hour or so of the game's multiplayer by now, and I wanted to share my thoughts! I want to disclaim that, while it is currently in a predictably flawed state, I actually had a pretty good time. Which is saying something; if I can enjoy a buggy possibly imbalanced version of NS2, then surely I'll really enjoy a bug free balanced version of NS2! So, some thoughts:
Marines: Lag and hit box issues make these guys very difficult to be successful with, so it's very hard to comment on balance as of right now with them. One major issue is that repairing with the MAC is either impossible or very counter intuitive because I haven't figured it out yet. That's something which really needs to be fixed.
Aliens:
I can't tell if it's an intentional mechanic, but a player can switch classes to recover health. Presumably if class switching has some sort of price I haven't noticed yet this is "balanced" but it seemed fairly exploitable to me.
Skulk- I think it was just the lag, but I really couldn't figure out a way to succeed with this fellow. No real comment until lag is improved.
Gorge- Most people who've played ought to have noticed by now the "hydra rush" where all players play as gorges and spam hydras. Probably when lag issues are fixed, the marine players will be able to kill the gorges and hydras before they can get into place, but the ease with which hydras can be plopped down might need addressing.
Lerk- The most fun class to play by far. Flying is definitely a little awkward; as far as I can tell, if you want sustained flight, either repeatedly tap space or aim upward and hold. Otherwise you'll just glide.
Those are the criticisms. As for specific positive feedback, I would say that the gameplay seemed accessible and straightforward; none of the mechanics seem obtuse or confusing. Highlights of my play time included holding the hive against marines, healing it and laying down hydras to hold the fort, and harassing marines as the lerk. Playing as the lerk really did feel like some sort of stealthy predator, if a somewhat clumsy one.
Anyone else enjoyed enough of the game to have some thoughts?
Marines: Lag and hit box issues make these guys very difficult to be successful with, so it's very hard to comment on balance as of right now with them. One major issue is that repairing with the MAC is either impossible or very counter intuitive because I haven't figured it out yet. That's something which really needs to be fixed.
Aliens:
I can't tell if it's an intentional mechanic, but a player can switch classes to recover health. Presumably if class switching has some sort of price I haven't noticed yet this is "balanced" but it seemed fairly exploitable to me.
Skulk- I think it was just the lag, but I really couldn't figure out a way to succeed with this fellow. No real comment until lag is improved.
Gorge- Most people who've played ought to have noticed by now the "hydra rush" where all players play as gorges and spam hydras. Probably when lag issues are fixed, the marine players will be able to kill the gorges and hydras before they can get into place, but the ease with which hydras can be plopped down might need addressing.
Lerk- The most fun class to play by far. Flying is definitely a little awkward; as far as I can tell, if you want sustained flight, either repeatedly tap space or aim upward and hold. Otherwise you'll just glide.
Those are the criticisms. As for specific positive feedback, I would say that the gameplay seemed accessible and straightforward; none of the mechanics seem obtuse or confusing. Highlights of my play time included holding the hive against marines, healing it and laying down hydras to hold the fort, and harassing marines as the lerk. Playing as the lerk really did feel like some sort of stealthy predator, if a somewhat clumsy one.
Anyone else enjoyed enough of the game to have some thoughts?
Comments
The skulk i like even better then the old one, the fact of having leap from the start means skulks arnt just scouts or harrasers early game they can now go in for a full attack distorting marines.
I havent played the lerk yet been busy testing the marine stuff and alien commander things, but from what i have seen its heading in a good direction. It's something different and its something new many of these things are going to be replaced or changed between the alpha and beta versions. I just wish people would stop complaining about UWE saying "is this it? is this what we get for SE pre-orders" and just accept the fact that its a product thats 35% finished and has many upgrades and changes to come.
I'm not sure whether we should talk about nerfs just yet, but I will say that an increased build time/greater vulnerability while building could do the trick on the gorge/hydra problem.
How useful do you think the gorge abilities are? I haven't tested the armour plating does it work well?