OFP2 review by TK

[THEKATZ*{MEOW}*]

In the few hours of play time I had with this game, I miss the elements I like most!  More on this later.

Campaign/single player review – did not get to try the multiplayer yet.


++++ Graphically, this game rocks
+++ Playability is good – More on this below
++++ Sounds are great, that alone is more immersive than I imagined.
+++++ Ballistics and weapons sounds/feel is top notch – Best I have seen so far in any game
(+ = five is best - one is least)

When first starting this new game, I noticed right away a whole different style of an opening menu. It is very functional and is larger than most opening menus.  The list of options is plenty and I have never seen a game with this sort of set up.
A bit overwhelming at first, the menus are everything you need. I found the menus a nice change of pace from other games.

Of course I couldn’t fiddle with the menus too much, there is a game to play here!  Well hold on, there are some things a true gamer needs to do first before hopping right in to the foxhole, such as mapping the keyboard, setting up the graphics, get a beer, set up the graphics again and of course get another beer.
Once I did the “basic” set up – Mind you that I always need to get into the game as fast as possible – it is the kid in me I suppose?  But seriously, that need also serves to tell me what other tweaks I may need to deal with later.  So a basic set up and away I go!

There are several settings for how this game is played.  The easiest setting allows full hud detail while other more difficult settings incrementally decrease your hud detail.  
It is important to note, the AI is NOT affected by your choices, just your situational awareness.  Not sure if this is good or bad.  The AI seem to be pretty good at taking you down regardless, there was no issue with that.  
The map and hud are more than adequate for your use. I found that having at least some reference is a must but true combat mode with a map in your hand would be a nice challenge.

The AI is much like that in the new ArmA II.  IMHO A2 made a nice break through with the way AI’s act.  OFP2, the AI’s are not fools (well, to a point anyhow) they will defend their ground.  How you choose to tackle the missions with your AI is the key.  Go in quiet if you think you can or go in with brute force.  Careful, your AI’s will react to your stupidity.  I had one AI say F*K that!  Are ya crazy? I hear they even may choose to leave your arse if you keep putting them in harms way.  This IMHO was a brilliant move from Codemasters.  You need to take care of those AI, they will take care of you.

The choices you have for guiding your AI are nice.  As I stated above about the playability is the on screen pop up menus.  It is how you choose these that to me could be a little better.  It is somewhat clumsy to use but once I got used to it (still getting used to it) I played alright with one exception.  You cannot run and choose an option.  You have to stop hit a key then choose your option by hitting another key and you are back into action.  I got my ass chewed out by a fricken AI – Reason, I shot his ass when making and choosing an option, not knowing that you DO NOT hit the left mouse key to make that choice rather you need to hit yet a different key.  Not knowing this, I made a choice and hit the left mouse button (the fire button).  Luckily, it was only a thigh wound but he was not happy and now I have a lame duck and it was my fault!  
Personally I would have shot back  LOL

Bottom line, the game is very immersive.  The sounds and graphics are a very nice touch.  I found no glitches and the game played flawlessly (except my ignorance)

What is missing here?  Free look and the lean option.  To me, this is a major draw back.
They were after realism and came up a little shy when not including these options.

Some may differ in this opinion but when your only view into a game like this is a flat screen, free look gives you a little more awareness you would actually have in real life.
Not having the lean function, well that just is not right at all for a “sim” and what were they thinking?  I knew this going in when I bought the game.  I figured the game must have much more to it that will over come these elements.  I am on the fence with that.
All in all this is a very nice game that plays as it should. If you like COD 4, you will like this game with out a doubt.  It is much more massive map wise and the graphics, sound and AI will have you playing the game of the year in my humble opinion.
Modders will have a nice time with this game.

The game actually seemed to be optimized.  High settings, 8x AA I had a minimum of 60fps and average 70-75 with no issue at all.  This is a major plus for CM.  
 

TK
 

 

[THEKATZ*{MEOW}*]

The further I delve the further I am thinking I may have paid $38 too much for this game.  (Steam)

Single player seemed fine with good graphics, sound and the sort but MP?  Well, forget it.  Major major fail!  These jokers were so into the spit shine and hype they forgot to actually include the game!  Well, a big portion of it anyhow.

MP = none existent.  How in the h3ll can a company actually say one thing and all the while knowing what they are saying is a lie?  Well, for the most part - it appears they are working on it (so they say)