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Battlefield 4: Open Beta

By matttombstone - 06-10-2013 15:13

[BotP]

The open Beta of Battlefield 4 is online now and you can play either conquest or domination on the Siege of Shanghai map. Has anyone had a play? What's your thoughts? Obviously, with it being an open beta, there's plenty of aspects missing and variety is a little lacking (No Jet's or Attack helicopters for example, but there is the Scout helicopter). On first thought, my feeling is it's going to be an absolutely immense game, I've countered a knife attempt (Whilst also having one countered against me) which is pretty nice. The graphics are absolutely breath taking, and the Frostbite 3 engine looks pretty incredible (standing on top of the sky scraper, a few earth quake tremors later and it begins to collapse, forcing me to bail out of the building and parachute across the map to a sniper vantage point). I also love the fact you can pick up random weapons on the ground (I'm not talking about picking up other players kits, I mean there are random weapons laying around, seen on the minimap with a handgun symbol), had a play with a 6 shot semi-auto grenade launcher, and the M82A2 Barrett .50 Cal sniper rifle which causes absolute carnage, not only is it 1 shot kill to any part of the body from any distance, it's also capable of damaging, disabling and destroying enemy vehicles. I also like the vehicles getting overhauled in terms of how they react to damage, instead of being perfectly fine until a certain level, then becoming disabled and being set on fire and taking more damage over time before eventually blowing up, they can become disabled temporarily from a good hit, and I haven't noticed if they go into a disabled mode below a certain level anymore. Amongst other things, sound effects are absolutely mint, weapon handling is better (not necessarily easier, but seem very realistic) being able to "Peep" around corners using them as cover is brilliant. Things I'm not a fan of so far though is the menu layout (This I feel will be tweaked, however no drastic overhaul before the games release), although it looks so much better and more professional, it's not as user friendly as the battlefield 3 menu's, harder to figure out how to change class or customise your classes mid game. There also appears to be a lack of the "Quick change" option, in that in BF3 you could press O to quickly select other weapons in your class which are already customised to how you last had them. The biggest disappointment so far is the change in the vehicle controls, it took me forever to learn to fly choppers and I became somewhat a pro on BF3 over time. It's no longer L2 and R2 to fly them, you have a choice, by default you press up or down on the Left stick to ascend/descend or you can have a "Veteran" choice, where it's L1 and R1, with L2 being your fire mode. The Veteran is somewhat a compromise, however, the bad thing about it is that your only option to fire your counter measure this way is pressing the down button on the D pad, removing you from the left stick temporary, meaning you may lose track on your target which is bad. Can understand the change though as the "Select" button will be the "Share" button on PS4 meaning the spot/communicate button required changing. Otherwise, impressed and excited so far. I'm sure I'll adjust to the new vehicle controls and menu system then the game will just be incredible to play then. Anyone else playing the Beta? It's out on the Xbox and PS3.The open Beta of Battlefield 4 is online now and you can play either conquest or domination on the Siege of Shanghai map. Has anyone had a play? What's your thoughts?

Obviously, with it being an open beta, there's plenty of aspects missing and variety is a little lacking (No Jet's or Attack helicopters for example, but there is the Scout helicopter).

On first thought, my feeling is it's going to be an absolutely immense game, I've countered a knife attempt (Whilst also having one countered against me) which is pretty nice. The graphics are absolutely breath taking, and the Frostbite 3 engine looks pretty incredible (standing on top of the sky scraper, a few earth quake tremors later and it begins to collapse, forcing me to bail out of the building and parachute across the map to a sniper vantage point). I also love the fact you can pick up random weapons on the ground (I'm not talking about picking up other players kits, I mean there are random weapons laying around, seen on the minimap with a handgun symbol), had a play with a 6 shot semi-auto grenade launcher, and the M82A2 Barrett .50 Cal sniper rifle which causes absolute carnage, not only is it 1 shot kill to any part of the body from any distance, it's also capable of damaging, disabling and destroying enemy vehicles.

I also like the vehicles getting overhauled in terms of how they react to damage, instead of being perfectly fine until a certain level, then becoming disabled and being set on fire and taking more damage over time before eventually blowing up, they can become disabled temporarily from a good hit, and I haven't noticed if they go into a disabled mode below a certain level anymore. Amongst other things, sound effects are absolutely mint, weapon handling is better (not necessarily easier, but seem very realistic) being able to "Peep" around corners using them as cover is brilliant.

Things I'm not a fan of so far though is the menu layout (This I feel will be tweaked, however no drastic overhaul before the games release), although it looks so much better and more professional, it's not as user friendly as the battlefield 3 menu's, harder to figure out how to change class or customise your classes mid game. There also appears to be a lack of the "Quick change" option, in that in BF3 you could press O to quickly select other weapons in your class which are already customised to how you last had them. The biggest disappointment so far is the change in the vehicle controls, it took me forever to learn to fly choppers and I became somewhat a pro on BF3 over time. It's no longer L2 and R2 to fly them, you have a choice, by default you press up or down on the Left stick to ascend/descend or you can have a "Veteran" choice, where it's L1 and R1, with L2 being your fire mode. The Veteran is somewhat a compromise, however, the bad thing about it is that your only option to fire your counter measure this way is pressing the down button on the D pad, removing you from the left stick temporary, meaning you may lose track on your target which is bad. Can understand the change though as the "Select" button will be the "Share" button on PS4 meaning the spot/communicate button required changing.

Otherwise, impressed and excited so far. I'm sure I'll adjust to the new vehicle controls and menu system then the game will just be incredible to play then.

Anyone else playing the Beta? It's out on the Xbox and PS3.

 

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Re: Battlefield 4: Open Beta

By tonnerwhu - 06-10-2013 16:02

[Celts]
President

Played it for a few hours the last couple nights.. Damn good game, and with rounds lasting 20-25 mins, its very immersive and easy to lose track of time, or maybe thats just my nature lol. I've been more partial to conquest (the typical BF mode,) ...the couple efforts I had on domination I felt it didn't lend very well to the game mechanics - BF is a more methodical, strategic shooter, that works well with vehicles and expansive maps, they should cater to that fully and not try and throw in some sort of Call of Duty alternative. Speaking of which, I was annoyed to see a couple of my mates (who play cod,) jump on for less than half a game a declare it crap, borin.. blah blah blah, not a chance given. To avoid rabbling on and stringing out a tedious post, I'll reel off some points regarding my first impressions: Superb graphics, the skyscraper collapsing into the water is a must see, (has crushed me on several occasions lol.) Weapons seem balanced, although I've really only used the AK and Scar in the assault package, both have enough recoil to demand a bit off skill, (which I like,) and as far as the recon class... pulling off a sniper kill is extemely satisfying i.e leading the shot, one on the head required, no quickscope dross. Brilliant. Also my previous BF impression of poor hitboxes and laggy kills doesn't appear the case, (must have been my cod bias, oh the hypocrisy.) Vehicles are also balanced, the gunship difficult to manoeuvre (no kills in many attempts.. but multiple crashes lol,) and the tanks, etc can be effective in the right hands, but also simply destroyed, so it's not all about them. The lack of ammo frustrates me a bit.. its team orientated, I get it, but reloading and losing whats been in the mag beforehand is a bit much. With all that said, and a lot missed, I'm impressed and will be buying on release - which was always the intention - whether its more than a one nighter, time will tell.Played it for a few hours the last couple nights.. Damn good game, and with rounds lasting 20-25 mins, its very immersive and easy to lose track of time, or maybe thats just my nature lol. I've been more partial to conquest (the typical BF mode,) ...the couple efforts I had on domination I felt it didn't lend very well to the game mechanics - BF is a more methodical, strategic shooter, that works well with vehicles and expansive maps, they should cater to that fully and not try and throw in some sort of Call of Duty alternative. Speaking of which, I was annoyed to see a couple of my mates (who play cod,) jump on for less than half a game a declare it crap, borin.. blah blah blah, not a chance given.

To avoid rabbling on and stringing out a tedious post, I'll reel off some points regarding my first impressions: Superb graphics, the skyscraper collapsing into the water is a must see, (has crushed me on several occasions lol.) Weapons seem balanced, although I've really only used the AK and Scar in the assault package, both have enough recoil to demand a bit off skill, (which I like,) and as far as the recon class... pulling off a sniper kill is extemely satisfying i.e leading the shot, one on the head required, no quickscope dross. Brilliant. Also my previous BF impression of poor hitboxes and laggy kills doesn't appear the case, (must have been my cod bias, oh the hypocrisy.) Vehicles are also balanced, the gunship difficult to manoeuvre (no kills in many attempts.. but multiple crashes lol,) and the tanks, etc can be effective in the right hands, but also simply destroyed, so it's not all about them. The lack of ammo frustrates me a bit.. its team orientated, I get it, but reloading and losing whats been in the mag beforehand is a bit much.

With all that said, and a lot missed, I'm impressed and will be buying on release - which was always the intention - whether its more than a one nighter, time will tell.

Edited: 06-10-2013 17:43
Total edits: 1

Re: Battlefield 4: Open Beta

By bestplaymaker2134 - 10-10-2013 08:57

[AUSNZ]

Im on PC AND I CANT F***ING PLAY IT OMG!!! I'm stuck on the loading screen and DICE has yet to find a solution. I've been playing BF since BF 1942. But I dont got BF3 so if anyone wants to buy me it thats fine.Im on PC AND I CANT F***ING PLAY IT OMG!!!

I'm stuck on the loading screen and DICE has yet to find a solution.

I've been playing BF since BF 1942. But I dont got BF3 so if anyone wants to buy me it thats fine.

Re: Battlefield 4: Open Beta

By rockstarroberts - 10-10-2013 09:02

I would also check out Contract Wars on Kongregate.com, kind of similar to battlefield without the vehicles and stuffI would also check out Contract Wars on Kongregate.com, kind of similar to battlefield without the vehicles and stuff

Re: Battlefield 4: Open Beta

By matttombstone - 11-10-2013 22:03

[BotP]

Figured out the emplacements on the bridge aren't the wire guided missiles I thought they were, they're .50 cal heavy machine guns, complete with a shield which prevents rounds hitting you, but limits your view as a consequence. Quite like them, but not impressed by their effectiveness, landed a good 3 or 4 rounds into an enemy and he ran off, bit of a farce if the same bullet used in a sniper rifle can kill in 1 shot from any distance to any part of the body. I'm not suggesting make it a 1 hit kill from any distance, it'll cause pure carnage and be way over powered, but a 1 shot kill from within 50 metres, 2 shot kill up to 100 metres and 3 shot afterwards would be more right. Not a fan of the vehicles, in 3rd person view you can't move the camera around, just stuck in forward view, realistic yeah, fun, no. Swimming is far better, you can "sprint" swim now, and can pull out your pistol whilst in the water, can't aim down the sights, but can hip fire. Had a funny moment stuck in the water last night with a scout helicopter trying to kill me, I was hip firing back towards the cabin in hopes of killing the pilot. After just about surviving I managed to shake him off for enough time to get out of the water. Turns out he'd smashed the chopper and bailed with his passenger, killed them both, proper bond moment. The default Engineer PDW weapon is difficult long range. Given, they're close quarter weapons, but an Engineer needs a decent medium range weapon, carbines are perfect for the role, just not got them unlocked yet. 500 tickets seem to empty very quickly. In BF3 conquest, 500 tickets in a comparable medium sized map took ages to clear up, so concerned there'll be no epic 90 minute matches when Metro gets released, which is what I loved in BF3, pure all out close quarter infantry war on a medium sized map that took an age, especially with even teams. Lack of a customise option on the menus? Hope this is just because it's beta. It'll be poor if it's released and the only way to customise your loadouts is in a match. The lack of ability to tell when your vehicles are at critically low health is annoying. In BF3 loud alarms in the cock pits are heard, there's one in the chopper but it's very quiet, in a fight you're too busy focusing that you can't hear it. Been killed a few times due to this where I'd have bailed before I'd died. Destroyed vehicles expel fire around it's area. Fire hurts the players, I like this for it's realism and that it can be used to your advantage if you're clever. Interactive parts are cool, like being able to raise or lower the bridge bollards which are indestructible or the elevators. In BF3 you had the photo booths on Metro which took photos, but did nothing, in this it's a clever little addition which improves the games feel, used wisely, you can hold off enemy attacks on the bridge by raising the barriers, manning the .50 cal, getting a chopper in support and sticking a couple tanks and gunner vehicles in defence. More destruction would have been nice, the fact the sky scraper collapses is awesome, but why not be able to bring down a few buildings whilst you're at it? Like Flag A and C would have been great to be able to crush a few enemies. Still a great game, prefer some aspects of BF3, but there's some promise in this. I'm sure DICE isn't going to release their best and most enjoyable map for Beta, looking at the trailers, the one where the ship crashes into the island and the weather changes, with massive waves replacing a calm and tranquil sea part way through looks sweet. Can't wait for it's full release on PS4.Figured out the emplacements on the bridge aren't the wire guided missiles I thought they were, they're .50 cal heavy machine guns, complete with a shield which prevents rounds hitting you, but limits your view as a consequence. Quite like them, but not impressed by their effectiveness, landed a good 3 or 4 rounds into an enemy and he ran off, bit of a farce if the same bullet used in a sniper rifle can kill in 1 shot from any distance to any part of the body. I'm not suggesting make it a 1 hit kill from any distance, it'll cause pure carnage and be way over powered, but a 1 shot kill from within 50 metres, 2 shot kill up to 100 metres and 3 shot afterwards would be more right.

Not a fan of the vehicles, in 3rd person view you can't move the camera around, just stuck in forward view, realistic yeah, fun, no.

Swimming is far better, you can "sprint" swim now, and can pull out your pistol whilst in the water, can't aim down the sights, but can hip fire. Had a funny moment stuck in the water last night with a scout helicopter trying to kill me, I was hip firing back towards the cabin in hopes of killing the pilot. After just about surviving I managed to shake him off for enough time to get out of the water. Turns out he'd smashed the chopper and bailed with his passenger, killed them both, proper bond moment.

The default Engineer PDW weapon is difficult long range. Given, they're close quarter weapons, but an Engineer needs a decent medium range weapon, carbines are perfect for the role, just not got them unlocked yet.

500 tickets seem to empty very quickly. In BF3 conquest, 500 tickets in a comparable medium sized map took ages to clear up, so concerned there'll be no epic 90 minute matches when Metro gets released, which is what I loved in BF3, pure all out close quarter infantry war on a medium sized map that took an age, especially with even teams.

Lack of a customise option on the menus? Hope this is just because it's beta. It'll be poor if it's released and the only way to customise your loadouts is in a match.

The lack of ability to tell when your vehicles are at critically low health is annoying. In BF3 loud alarms in the cock pits are heard, there's one in the chopper but it's very quiet, in a fight you're too busy focusing that you can't hear it. Been killed a few times due to this where I'd have bailed before I'd died.

Destroyed vehicles expel fire around it's area. Fire hurts the players, I like this for it's realism and that it can be used to your advantage if you're clever.

Interactive parts are cool, like being able to raise or lower the bridge bollards which are indestructible or the elevators. In BF3 you had the photo booths on Metro which took photos, but did nothing, in this it's a clever little addition which improves the games feel, used wisely, you can hold off enemy attacks on the bridge by raising the barriers, manning the .50 cal, getting a chopper in support and sticking a couple tanks and gunner vehicles in defence.

More destruction would have been nice, the fact the sky scraper collapses is awesome, but why not be able to bring down a few buildings whilst you're at it? Like Flag A and C would have been great to be able to crush a few enemies.

Still a great game, prefer some aspects of BF3, but there's some promise in this. I'm sure DICE isn't going to release their best and most enjoyable map for Beta, looking at the trailers, the one where the ship crashes into the island and the weather changes, with massive waves replacing a calm and tranquil sea part way through looks sweet. Can't wait for it's full release on PS4.

 

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