first impressions

abort_user · 05-15-2009, 08:39 PM

i have no problems running this game on max settings. there arent very many settings though. i wish i had more control over my audio (like if i wanted surround or stereo but it seems to be playing surround). you have to use the keyboard to navigate which is old school but not bad.

there are only 8 chapters. i dont know how long they are.

the intro was just still shots with narration. no scripting.

the voice acting is a mixed bag. some is really good though but not all. its not bad. ive heard better for the most part. but ive also heard worse. but its only $20 so whatd you expect?

it controls much like any other fps. lean. shoot. aim. jump. crouch.

the game is about atmosphere. it delivers in some areas but fails in others. for example you see your sarg dead but he just looks like everyone else. but you give a dramatic reaction. there was nothing to connect you to him really or make you feel emotionally attached. but crawling around in the tunnels is claustrophobic. plus i think i stepped on a trap (where i took a break).

you can disarm traps which is sort of a quick mini game.

you can also collect dogtags. i guess to add to the authenticity and atmosphere.

the lighting is nothing special outdoors but the shadows look nice for a low budget game. though it appears enemies can notice you flashlight (havent met any yet but the game did warn me).

dderidex · 05-15-2009, 09:11 PM

Question is...does it hit the 'Vietnam War game' itch you've mentioned? If so...hey, that's something.

abort_user · 05-15-2009, 09:16 PM

a few more things. only two difficulty settings to start with.

theres a lot of history in this game. i just walked through a field of punji sticks. also you can collect "trophies" from you victims (as sick as that sounds) as well as dogtags. this also gives a more fragile mindstate of your character which isnt seen in many war games. i think these collectibles may also provide health benefits.

enemies DO notice light.

a couple gripes about combat: no melee button (there is a melee attack but no quick button) and no grenade button (again there are grenades but no quick button). both of these things seem important imo in portaying the war in vietnam in a videogame.

the environments are static. you cant really interact with anything other than bodies or traps. everything is glued in place. i hit a bottle with my knife and it just made a clinking noise. havoc has spoiled me i guess. not a big gripe but some people may be more bothered by this.

the environments also seem to be linear. but hey it is an fps after all.

this game was clearly made with the console in mind. no manual save. save points. and even when it saves it says something like "saving. do not turn off your system."

this game is very cinematic. it needs more cutscenes (probably lost in budget...) but it tries to make up in its narrative. and while the speaker may not be the best, the words do convey a rather deep (and disturbed) character (so far).

well thats it for tonight. hope that helps.

abort_user · 05-15-2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dderidex

Question is...does it hit the 'Vietnam War game' itch you've mentioned? If so...hey, that's something.

well considering not many games have really attempted to scratch that itch i dont know if thats a fair question. im still only on level one. right now i do like some of the more authentic details in the game. even the more gruesome ones (like collecting trophies of your victims).

but the problem lies in execution and budget. while it might be much cooler (and more disturbing) to have an animation for you removing your victims ear every time you take a "trophy," this game doesnt have that. it does have it concept though. it clearly had some good ideas that were bound to a budget. if this game had a big budget and cutscenes id be drooling all over it.

as for playing the vietnam skinned fps. yeah this game does that. but thats not all it is. i dont know how long it does that since im still on level one (getting tired for tonight) and ive only been in a few shoot outs. but it does have some extra vietnam war "bonuses" like traps, tunnels, etc. not all the vietnam war was about gun fights so to me its kinda nice to see someone portray some of the other sides of it.

abort_user · 05-16-2009, 10:12 AM

two things i forgot to add yesterday. the sound effects are pretty good and the music seems to add the right atmosphere (though it may make you tense up when you dont need to be). the pistol you have looks like it has ammo in it when its empty. a minor detail but i notice it. this game does feel a little bit dated for this and other reasons.

ok. i finished level 1. i clocked in at 41 minutes. keep in mind i am playing on easy (i wanted to get the most out of my money) but i am taking my time to notice things. and i did die a few times but im not sure if it counts that or not. though the game seems to play slower than most fps games since its not all run-n-gun. you can hide in tall grass and try to be stealthy. you have to be very careful not to walk into a trap which might kill or maim you. if they blur these two elements together later it the game it would make for some rather interesting gameplay.

it shows statistics at the end of the level which can give you reason to replay.

there are optional objectives in levels. im not sure if doing them does anything but it is nice to have additional things to do. in the first level i could blow up some ammo if i had some c4.

the main character does talk to himself quite a bit. hes not quite the duke nukem of 'nam but some of his comments add to the atmosphere. they are not for everyone though. some are racist, paranoid, delusional, etc. i think sometimes he breaks into a little mad laughter with some interesting visuals. a nice touch to an obviously budget/time constrained game. though im sure may get a little annoying especially if you arent expecting it.
the meat of the game. the shooter. ok. it seems fighting is either in a tunnel or outdoors. tunnels have small rooms but they are very confining and dark (unless you use your light and give away your position). in either place you can try to use stealth to some degree. though sometimes the enemy will be the one that sneaks up on you. i walked into a clearing with bodies of people id already killed. and i was searching them for ammo when several guys crept up on me. i didnt notice their AI do anything real remarkable in combat. just run and shoot and cover. they do notice lights though. and they can spot you if you arent hiding. they seem fairly easy but can quickly get the best of you in groups if youre not careful. though keep in mind im playing on easy.

though even on easy the traps still either maim or kill you if youre not careful.

i cant tell if the hit detection is slightly off or its just recoil of the guns. in either case ive played major releases with worse so it might not be noticeable.

it looks like you may only be able to carry 4 weapons if the grenade is bound to 4. there is a bug that i cant use grenades despite whatever i try. i do the throwing action but i still keep the grenade and no explosion. very annoying especially if you surrounded and expecting that grenade to help you out.

dderidex · 05-16-2009, 10:39 AM

To be honest, it ALMOST sounds more like you are describing Doom 3 than a Vietnam shooter (different environments, of course).

The "one soldier vs the world", linear gameplay with optional objectives, enemies appearing to wait for you to pass to 'activate' (IE., they don't seem like they are actively searching for you with some pattern or objective-based AI of their own?)

abort_user · 05-16-2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dderidex

To be honest, it ALMOST sounds more like you are describing Doom 3 than a Vietnam shooter (different environments, of course).

The "one soldier vs the world", linear gameplay with optional objectives, enemies appearing to wait for you to pass to 'activate' (IE., they don't seem like they are actively searching for you with some pattern or objective-based AI of their own?)

yes and no. yeah. its very "one soldier vs the world" but pretty much all fps are like that. though in some you have the "less significant" party members to keep you company. in this everyone you know is dead. youre trying to get back to camp. same story weve seen before. it just happens to take place in vietnam.

and linear. i have a compass. im supposed to be going east but so far all i am doing is following the path. even when i get out in the "open" its not really open. im walled in a few average sized rooms of vegetation and overgrowth. i actually think doom 3 felt a little less linear at parts.

yeah. the enemies dont seem to be searching or have any real objectives. they either "patrol" or stand dumbly it seems. though they dont just run at you like doom 3. or even bioshock for that matter.

but yeah their behaviors seem to be tied to triggers that you pass. and they dont seem to be doing anything like setting traps of their own. it seems all the traps are preset.

but doom 3 had better graphics, shadows, and interactive environments (the area this game seems to really lack the most). this game is much more claustrophobic with the tunnels you can only squeeze through and ladders and trap doors leading to your death. but all in all this game feels rather dated. and seems to follow a lot of older conventions.

brotrrwinner · 05-16-2009, 12:07 PM

The real question is: is it worth $20?

abort_user · 05-16-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brotrrwinner

The real question is: is it worth $20?

if you are a major fan of fps both new and old. or if you are desperate for a vietnam fps. or if you think a fps that relies heavily on close, cramped combat (even more so than doom 3). or like old school mechanics like traps that kill you in one hit (quake had a lot of those iirc). or if you can look past the lack of polish this game has and see what they were aiming for then this game is probably worth $20.

but for most people id say no. it definitely has its unique moments. but its not for everyone. it has an interesting narrative that teeters between stereotypical and sadistic. i kinda wish id gotten it for $10 (though im kind of a cheap skate). but i think i think ill get enjoyment out of it. but this game while novel feels kinda antiquated. its not a bad shooter. a little generic. but in an age with an oversatured fps market i cant recommond spending $20 on a game feels like a bit of a relic at release. even if that game had a lot of brilliant ideas that just werent implemented all that well.

but most of all not being able to throw grenades is a nightmare. id at very least wait to see if they fix that before dropping money on the game. or see if its an isolated problem. it might just be me. or i might just be being stupid... right now i dont know. i may check for a readme on my harddisc later when i get the chance.

GrimCW · 05-16-2009, 01:21 PM

i was nigh close to buying this before seeing Uwe Bolls name on it... then i decided to read the feedback here and see whats said... its def off the list.
that guy really needs to get his head outta his ♥♥♥ and realize he blows at making movies.
and now we know he blows at games too.

TheOD · 05-16-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrimCW

i was nigh close to buying this before seeing Uwe Bolls name on it... then i decided to read the feedback here and see whats said... its def off the list.
that guy really needs to get his head outta his ♥♥♥ and realize he blows at making movies.
and now we know he blows at games too.

Maybe not, from the sound of it, the game is mostly like that because of low budget, it does sound like he had good ideas, but couldn't really do much with them. I've heard the Tunnel Rats movie and Seed were pretty solid films as well, tho I can't really be sure of that.
Seems to me he knew he was a joke so he was playing on that during most of his career, and now that he can't exploit that tax law they had in germany, he actually has to try.

abort_user · 05-16-2009, 07:16 PM

well im on level 5. ive started to get lost in the levels. the tunnels start to become more like giant mazes as you progress through the game.

the grenade bug seems to have worked its way out on level 5... for some reason or another.

the AI can be laughable. with people starring at walls of the cave doing nothing as you sneak up behind them from the only entrance to the room! but i didnt expect much from the AI of this game. but at least they respond to gunshots and sometimes try to ambush you.

Wylen0 · 05-16-2009, 08:59 PM

"well the AI can be laughable. with people starring at walls of the cave doing nothing as you sneak up behind them from the only entrance to the room!"

O so you mean the AI is realistic

james_2k · 05-17-2009, 02:51 AM

i honestly dont know why people ever play on easy. it detracts from the game when the AI lines up to be killed.

05-15-2009, 08:39 PM	#1
abort_user Join Date: Mar 2009 Reputation: 7 Posts: 158	first impressions i have no problems running this game on max settings. there arent very many settings though. i wish i had more control over my audio (like if i wanted surround or stereo but it seems to be playing surround). you have to use the keyboard to navigate which is old school but not bad. there are only 8 chapters. i dont know how long they are. the intro was just still shots with narration. no scripting. the voice acting is a mixed bag. some is really good though but not all. its not bad. ive heard better for the most part. but ive also heard worse. but its only $20 so whatd you expect? it controls much like any other fps. lean. shoot. aim. jump. crouch. the game is about atmosphere. it delivers in some areas but fails in others. for example you see your sarg dead but he just looks like everyone else. but you give a dramatic reaction. there was nothing to connect you to him really or make you feel emotionally attached. but crawling around in the tunnels is claustrophobic. plus i think i stepped on a trap (where i took a break). you can disarm traps which is sort of a quick mini game. you can also collect dogtags. i guess to add to the authenticity and atmosphere. the lighting is nothing special outdoors but the shadows look nice for a low budget game. though it appears enemies can notice you flashlight (havent met any yet but the game did warn me).

05-16-2009, 10:12 AM	#5
abort_user Join Date: Mar 2009 Reputation: 7 Posts: 158	two things i forgot to add yesterday. the sound effects are pretty good and the music seems to add the right atmosphere (though it may make you tense up when you dont need to be). the pistol you have looks like it has ammo in it when its empty. a minor detail but i notice it. this game does feel a little bit dated for this and other reasons. ok. i finished level 1. i clocked in at 41 minutes. keep in mind i am playing on easy (i wanted to get the most out of my money) but i am taking my time to notice things. and i did die a few times but im not sure if it counts that or not. though the game seems to play slower than most fps games since its not all run-n-gun. you can hide in tall grass and try to be stealthy. you have to be very careful not to walk into a trap which might kill or maim you. if they blur these two elements together later it the game it would make for some rather interesting gameplay. it shows statistics at the end of the level which can give you reason to replay. there are optional objectives in levels. im not sure if doing them does anything but it is nice to have additional things to do. in the first level i could blow up some ammo if i had some c4. the main character does talk to himself quite a bit. hes not quite the duke nukem of 'nam but some of his comments add to the atmosphere. they are not for everyone though. some are racist, paranoid, delusional, etc. i think sometimes he breaks into a little mad laughter with some interesting visuals. a nice touch to an obviously budget/time constrained game. though im sure may get a little annoying especially if you arent expecting it. the meat of the game. the shooter. ok. it seems fighting is either in a tunnel or outdoors. tunnels have small rooms but they are very confining and dark (unless you use your light and give away your position). in either place you can try to use stealth to some degree. though sometimes the enemy will be the one that sneaks up on you. i walked into a clearing with bodies of people id already killed. and i was searching them for ammo when several guys crept up on me. i didnt notice their AI do anything real remarkable in combat. just run and shoot and cover. they do notice lights though. and they can spot you if you arent hiding. they seem fairly easy but can quickly get the best of you in groups if youre not careful. though keep in mind im playing on easy. though even on easy the traps still either maim or kill you if youre not careful. i cant tell if the hit detection is slightly off or its just recoil of the guns. in either case ive played major releases with worse so it might not be noticeable. it looks like you may only be able to carry 4 weapons if the grenade is bound to 4. there is a bug that i cant use grenades despite whatever i try. i do the throwing action but i still keep the grenade and no explosion. very annoying especially if you surrounded and expecting that grenade to help you out. Last edited by abort_user : 05-16-2009 at 11:02 AM.

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05-15-2009, 09:11 PM	#2
dderidex Join Date: May 2008 Reputation: 11 Posts: 106	Question is...does it hit the 'Vietnam War game' itch you've mentioned? If so...hey, that's something.

05-15-2009, 09:16 PM	#3
abort_user Join Date: Mar 2009 Reputation: 7 Posts: 158	a few more things. only two difficulty settings to start with. theres a lot of history in this game. i just walked through a field of punji sticks. also you can collect "trophies" from you victims (as sick as that sounds) as well as dogtags. this also gives a more fragile mindstate of your character which isnt seen in many war games. i think these collectibles may also provide health benefits. enemies DO notice light. a couple gripes about combat: no melee button (there is a melee attack but no quick button) and no grenade button (again there are grenades but no quick button). both of these things seem important imo in portaying the war in vietnam in a videogame. the environments are static. you cant really interact with anything other than bodies or traps. everything is glued in place. i hit a bottle with my knife and it just made a clinking noise. havoc has spoiled me i guess. not a big gripe but some people may be more bothered by this. the environments also seem to be linear. but hey it is an fps after all. this game was clearly made with the console in mind. no manual save. save points. and even when it saves it says something like "saving. do not turn off your system." this game is very cinematic. it needs more cutscenes (probably lost in budget...) but it tries to make up in its narrative. and while the speaker may not be the best, the words do convey a rather deep (and disturbed) character (so far). well thats it for tonight. hope that helps.

05-16-2009, 10:39 AM	#6
dderidex Join Date: May 2008 Reputation: 11 Posts: 106	To be honest, it ALMOST sounds more like you are describing Doom 3 than a Vietnam shooter (different environments, of course). The "one soldier vs the world", linear gameplay with optional objectives, enemies appearing to wait for you to pass to 'activate' (IE., they don't seem like they are actively searching for you with some pattern or objective-based AI of their own?)

05-16-2009, 12:07 PM	#8
brotrrwinner Join Date: Mar 2009 Reputation: -28 Posts: 204	The real question is: is it worth $20?

05-16-2009, 01:21 PM	#10
GrimCW Join Date: Apr 2008 Reputation: 10 Posts: 969	i was nigh close to buying this before seeing Uwe Bolls name on it... then i decided to read the feedback here and see whats said... its def off the list. that guy really needs to get his head outta his ♥♥♥ and realize he blows at making movies. and now we know he blows at games too.

05-16-2009, 07:16 PM	#12
abort_user Join Date: Mar 2009 Reputation: 7 Posts: 158	well im on level 5. ive started to get lost in the levels. the tunnels start to become more like giant mazes as you progress through the game. the grenade bug seems to have worked its way out on level 5... for some reason or another. the AI can be laughable. with people starring at walls of the cave doing nothing as you sneak up behind them from the only entrance to the room! but i didnt expect much from the AI of this game. but at least they respond to gunshots and sometimes try to ambush you.

05-16-2009, 08:59 PM	#13
Wylen0 Join Date: Mar 2009 Reputation: 7 Posts: 351	"well the AI can be laughable. with people starring at walls of the cave doing nothing as you sneak up behind them from the only entrance to the room!" O so you mean the AI is realistic

05-17-2009, 02:51 AM	#14
james_2k Join Date: Dec 2008 Reputation: 180 Posts: 2,665	i honestly dont know why people ever play on easy. it detracts from the game when the AI lines up to be killed.