Battlefield 3

[sickpuppy]

Two editions, standard doesn't come with the expansion, limited edition does.

Think that's bad see how many different versions of Batman there are from various retailers.

[Dom]

Ah coolio. So basically I should just get any Limited Edition, and I'll get some of the pre-order goodies later on. Nice.

Now, do I buy from Tesco on my way home, or wait a couple of days for Play to deliver...

[slaughteredlamb]

I dunno what this means but I went to three shops today looking for Battlefield 3 for PS3, Game, HMV and Gamestation. Game and Gamestation had the Standard Edition and Limited Edition Physical Warfare Pack.

However HMV had the Standard Edition and Limited Edition but their Limited Edition DIDN'T say Physical Warfare Pack but what it did say in the top left corner in an orange triangle was "Includes Access to Battlefield 3 Back to Karkand Expansion Pack". More confusingly this was cheaper than the Standard or the Physical Warfare Pack in any of the other shops. Bizzarely I can find no mention of this version of the game on any website or in any store? 

[Dom]

As far as I understand it, the Limited Edition comes with the 'Back To Karkand' expansion pack regardless of where you buy it from. I'm not really sure how it all works to be honest. Perhaps the Warfare pack is a separate version and you might pay more for it in most places. Who knows. :s

[slaughteredlamb]

So does that mean that the HMV Limited Edition version doesn't come with the other stuff that you get in the Limited Edition Physical Warfare version?

[Dom]

I think so yeah. All Limited Editions come with Back To Karkand (which is why it's the Limited and not the Standard edition, I think) but any Physical Warfare Limited Editions will come with Back To Karkand AND the Physical Warfare pack. As far as I understand it anyway.

[slaughteredlamb]

Ahh that makes sense.

[Steve Lampkins]

PWP was exclusive to certain retailers, I think. And different retailers' PWPs can contain different things.

[slaughteredlamb]

Can I be the first to say that I'm a little underwhelmed by BF3.

I mean it is good, very good even, but....

The main game like all these BF/C.O.D. type games, feels more like an add on for the 'real game' which is the online one. The gameplay of the offline game is okay but so formulaic as to be completely predictable. However as previously mentioned the 'real game' is the online one and presumably the main reason people buy it. Now the online game is also good BUT it's essentially BF (insert version here) or C.O.D. (insert version here) with new maps and not much else. Yes the graphics are slicker and more detailed but essentially it's just the same thing, a bunch of strangers put into teams that serve no purpose as everyone just works independently with one goal of just trying to get the most kills. Yes it's entertaining for a bit but it's hardly ground breaking and no amount of pretty graphics is going to make up for the most simplistic gameplay possible. Why don't they instead of making a map that just allows anyone and everyone to roam completely free make a map and game system based on how a real battle is fought i.e. the 'army' is split into squads/platoons that have specific roles to play and tasks to perform. It could be done by randomly assigning a player to a squad but then allowing the members of that squad to vote on a specific objective they have to do. Replicate that for 3-4 squads with one army in a defensive role and one in an attacking role and you have a much more interesting game than just running around aimlessly shooting people.

[Dom]

Are there not different modes of gameplay in the multiplayer maps? Like a capture the flag mode or something, where there are objectives for both teams - one to capture the flag, and one to defend the flag? Most multiplayer games have something like that.

Like in Crysis 2, they've got a 'secure the alien pod' game where every 2 minutes or so, an alien pod crashes onto the map, and the longer that one or more of your team stays within 5 metres of the pod, the more points you earn. If members of both teams are within range of the pod, nobody earns points until you've killed the other team around the pod, effectively 'capturing' it... until the other team kills you, of course.

After 2 minutes or so, the pod explodes, and another one is dropped elsewhere on the map. It's a great game, and involves lots of sneaky attack and defend tactics.

[Steve Lampkins]

There is Conquest and there is Rush (don't play that much). And Team Deathmatch, but I've never played that.

http://209thclan.com/portal/2011/09/bf3-game-modes-explained/

It depends on the server whether people actually play for the real objectives and work together as a team. Sometimes it's just luck if you get put in a squad with decent players who stick with you. And when it does happen, it's great.

But yes, there are a lot of 'stupid pubbies'.

[slaughteredlamb]

Are there not different modes of gameplay in the multiplayer maps? Like a capture the flag mode or something, where there are objectives for both teams - one to capture the flag, and one to defend the flag? Most multiplayer games have something like that.

Oh yes there are various gameplay modes but the reality is that 99% of players still just run around shooting anything and everything that moves rather than actually using tactics. I'm sure that this is largely down to the fact that you can't really communicate with people you are playing with (unless you are that dork with the headset that only seems to pick up the noise of a crying baby in the background - God forbid you'd put the controller down and tend to the child). Which is why I think by setting up a range of predefined gameplay options that players vote on as a squad is better as it allows communication and working as a team by the clicking of a button. In the same way that the game warns you if you are about to 'leave the battlefield' it could do the same if a player tries to leave the root that their squad is supposed to take.

[sickpuppy]

Are there not different modes of gameplay in the multiplayer maps? Like a capture the flag mode or something, where there are objectives for both teams - one to capture the flag, and one to defend the flag? Most multiplayer games have something like that.

Oh yes there are various gameplay modes but the reality is that 99% of players still just run around shooting anything and everything that moves rather than actually using tactics.

It helps here to get in with a group of players. I tend to play the game with other guys off the eurogamer forum who do use tactics. It makes a massive difference. I tend to score at least twice as much as when I'm lumped with randoms.

If anyone plays on the PS3 then add me as a friend - sickpupp

[Dom]

You bought it on the PS3?!? Get your coat!

Also, what you say is true - it's best to get in with a group of people who know what they're doing. I'm with a group of people called All Out Assault, who started off years ago but who play lots of various online games together. I joined their fleet in Star Trek Online, but they play BF3 as well (among many others, of course).

[sickpuppy]

You bought it on the PS3?!? Get your coat!

My PC is too crap and I don't own a 360.

[Dom]

Tut tut. So are you limited to 32 players per map then? I don't really know what constraints the consoles have in this game, but I think a 32-player cap on multiplayer maps is one of them.

PC players get 64 players per map, woo!

[Steve Lampkins]

I pretty much only play on 64 player servers - and just deal with the lag that you can get on some maps. They're patching the servers all the time.

But for a less hectic time, 32 players is a nice change of pace sometimes.

[sickpuppy]

I get shot enough as it is!

[Steve Lampkins]

64 player Metro conquest is just insane. Choke points so busy that you get knocked all over by your team mates. That's where people get 8 player grenade kills. As support dropping ammo boxes, or assault dropping medic kits, you just sweep up the points.

Fun for short bursts.

[Steve Lampkins]

I just broke 250 hours.


The game is about twice as fun if you have a real life friend to team up with. Even without voice comms (generally).

[Dom]

I'd forgotten all about this game. I've finally got an Origin account (boooo!!) so next time it's on sale for less than a testicle, I might just go for it.