Official 'Full Spectrum Warrior' Impressions Thread

Toper · Post by **Toper** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 11:47 pm

Put me down as someone who's completely impressed by this game.

This is the future of RTS games...putting us ON the battlefield instead of just looking over a map. Well done, Pandemic ***stands up and starts clapping***.

Toper

Waddupcouzin · Post by **Waddupcouzin** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 1:29 am

I've been playing the game for about 2 hours now, and I am thoroughly impressed with it! The graphics, sound, and strategy are definitely enough to tide me over.

Granatofan · Post by **Granatofan** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 2:30 am

GROGtheNailer wrote:The comments here are good enough for this dude. Also remember there is a harder level plus the fact that Gamespot reviews usually suck hind tit...i'm picking this up tmorrow when it gets here.

Is hind tit the bad one because it is close to the stinky parts? Just wondering........

GROGtheNailer · Post by **GROGtheNailer** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 3:20 am

heh heh ... yes...yes it is

mixdj1 · Post by **mixdj1** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 10:11 am

With the TOCA league race last night I only got to play through the tutorial but so far I'm impressed. I can understand the concerns about the linearity and scripted events but I'm sure I'm going to get my $50 worth out of the atmosphere and originality alone. Will I be playing it this time next year like I do with GR:IT ... probably not, but it sure feels like it's going to be a blast while it lasts. And since it supports downloadable content we can hope for a decent supply of new missions and who knows, maybe even a variation on the Live play. But even as it is I'm happy with my purchase.

mixdj1

mudtiger · Post by **mudtiger** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 12:47 pm

There is a 3rd level of difficulty called authentic unlocked upon beating master sgt level or entering a cheat code. It removes the cover indicators and limits the amount of ammo/grenades you have. I don't know if it does anything to the number of or ability of AI.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 12:52 pm

mudtiger wrote:There is a 3rd level of difficulty called authentic unlocked upon beating master sgt level or entering a cheat code. It removes the cover indicators and limits the amount of ammo/grenades you have. I don't know if it does anything to the number of or ability of AI.

That is great news! I have a feeling that playing these higher difficulties co-op is going to be the best FSW experience...

Did FSW ever end up as an actual miltary training tool, or did it just get morphed into and Xbox game exclusively? I wonder if "authentic mode" is closer to the game the trainees would experience.

mixdj1 · Post by **mixdj1** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 12:58 pm

Slumberland wrote:Did FSW ever end up as an actual miltary training tool, or did it just get morphed into and Xbox game exclusively? I wonder if "authentic mode" is closer to the game the trainees would experience.

Yup, it was finished as a training tool first and then they added things like the shield icons and ammo indicators to make it more playable for the general public. In fact I read in one interview that the smoke grenades took 5 minutes to provide full cover in the military version.

mixdj1

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 1:27 pm

Hence, this could be the source of my button-mashing problem. I'm used to instantaneous commands and the like of Clancy games, without guys even being in position.

Maybe I just need to be more patient, which is more realistic.

I'll do some more testing tonight. Great game, nonetheless. A real thinker.

Take care,
PK

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 7:47 pm

mixdj1 wrote:Yup, it was finished as a training tool first and then they added things like the shield icons and ammo indicators to make it more playable for the general public. In fact I read in one interview that the smoke grenades took 5 minutes to provide full cover in the military version.

mixdj1

The impression I got in a couple interviews I read was that it was less of a decision to create a training tool, and more of a 'hey our guys play games during 98% of their off-hours, and these games are NOT helping them with the fundamentals. Let's get someone to make a game they can play in the off-hours that will reinforce what they are being trained to know." The result was Pandemic got un-precedented access, because the game was only meant for the Army.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 11:59 pm

Button Mashing is a problem for me. Hell I keep pressing the stop firing button and they go at it even though they were covered.

Oh I don't know if this is a big find, but it seems that the AI does move it's soldier around. I'm in the training mission and every so often I keep getting killed from a different location. I get too greedy and move where it was safe before and bingo, I'm dead.

I don't know if the AI moves or if they are setting up in a different position each time.

GROGtheNailer · Post by **GROGtheNailer** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 3:09 am

Played 3 hours tonight and really like this game, a quality game for sure. It all comes together and feels right and real. I could tell early on that a dude can really get into the swing of things with this game. It'a all about the tactics which have some very fun gameplay. I love the gritty war feel to this game especially the moving camera behind the soldiers when moving point to point ( Saving Private Ryan camera mode)

I don't think ive had as much fun playing a tutorial before. It's exactly what is said, a tactical shooter, great graphics, awesome dialogue between soldiers and with the short time ive spent with it (2 1/2 hours) different but great gameplay. Glad I bought it. It's nice to play something that is so fresh and different than the norm.

Waddupcouzin · Post by **Waddupcouzin** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 10:30 am

Went online with the game last night, OMG. This game is incredible! Neck, I saw you on last night, and I wanted to get a game with you, but I got so caught up in the game I was playing until my brain was sucked dry! If I see anyone on tonight or if anyone sees me, please hit me up for a game. I think this game would be "funner" with people I know from the forums.

Gamer Tag: Waddupcouzin

James_E · Post by **James_E** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 10:33 am

I don't normally like to play shooter type games on Xbox (which is why I'm not in the GR:IT or RS6 nights) but this is not a shooter, so that is great for me, and I really love this game.

I'm up for some co-op play. I should be online tonight if anyone is available.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 10:36 am

I played on XBL for 75 minutes with Neck and 70 minutes with Spooky last night. Wow -- what an amazing experience. Super fun coordinating flanking attacks with your human partner.

I played for nearly 2 1/2 hours and only finished one mission and most of a second. I'm playing on Master Sergeant level, which is more complex and adds to the longevity of the game.

Great game. Period.

P.S. to Zeppo: Sorry, man. I sent you two invites. Hopefully we can hook up soon.

Take care,
PK

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 10:55 am

Arggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I hate you guys!

First you forced me practically at gunpoint to buy TOCA 2, and now you are forcing me to play at gunpoint with this thing!

Evil, you are all pure, money costing, evil.......

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 11:29 am

Gang:

Neck and I were damn near hyperventilating during one mission last night. When we finally finished it, we both exhaled, big time.

No, we weren't having Xbox Live phone sex. The game can get that intense.

Take care,
PK

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 11:29 am

I may cave at lunch, despite some reservations. The full Army mode might have cinched the deal.

I just wonder what the heck Pandemic was doing here with this whole new hidden game. I mean...why do it that way? Maybe the Army version was done for a while, and the retail version was simply a dumbed down and prettied up version for the masses. Fair enough. But then why include the more 'simmy' game and hide it? You'd think if they mentioned, 'And HEY, play 6 hard core missions just like the Army' they might actually increase sales.

Very strange.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 11:34 am

Web:

Political correctness, maybe?

Seems far-fetched, but in this era of conflict, companies might be reluctant to pimp a full-out military sim mode to young adults when they're dying in reality almost daily in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Again, just a thought.

Take care,
PK

mixdj1 · Post by **mixdj1** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 12:01 pm

From what I've read around the net the Army version interface isn't nearly as polished and it has some frame rate and tearing problems. So it sounds like it was hidden in there for the hard core who wanted to play it without blemishing the more polished version that the average gamer is going to see when they pick it up.

mixdj1

GROGtheNailer · Post by **GROGtheNailer** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 12:02 pm

Hey, what mode are you guys talking about?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 12:04 pm

Grog:

Link to a thread about the Army mode, from this forum:

http://www.digitalsportspage.com/module ... pic&t=3595

Take care,
PK

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 12:07 pm

pk,. glad you clarified on the XLive sex thing.

Sometimes I do wonder what people are doing in TOCA or PGR though, as there are some heavy breathers out there!

GROGtheNailer · Post by **GROGtheNailer** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 12:12 pm

Holy s*** !!!

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 12:28 pm

webdanzer wrote:I may cave at lunch, despite some reservations. The full Army mode might have cinched the deal.

I just wonder what the heck Pandemic was doing here with this whole new hidden game. I mean...why do it that way? Maybe the Army version was done for a while, and the retail version was simply a dumbed down and prettied up version for the masses. Fair enough. But then why include the more 'simmy' game and hide it? You'd think if they mentioned, 'And HEY, play 6 hard core missions just like the Army' they might actually increase sales.

Very strange.

I think they knew they had a winner from the start, that's why no mention of the real Army game in my opinion. Pandemic has been around long enough to know how forum word of mouth spreads. I'd be willing to bet it was Pandemic themselves that leaked the code.

First you get the people like me saying "this game rocks" and then you get the people saying stuff like "I read on another forum that the AI was scripted and the game was short...guess I'll just rent it". Then they leak the code and all the fence sitters and nay sayers all of a sudden say "Damn, I was going to rent it, but this Army thing clinches it for me!"

All of that through the power of the great american forum. I think they knew exactly what they were doing.