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We all know BF1942 became a very sweet game. BF:V was more of a split among gamers. Some loved it. Some hated it. I skipped it once I heard Battlefield 2 is coming (EA shouldn't have announced it before BF:V was out! :lol ). But the time is almost here, as BF2 is just around the corner shipping June 21. Right now if you preorder the game (Either DVD or CD version) you get a logitech headset for free with it! This is good as it sounds like team work will be more important in BF2 with the new commander mode. Here are a couple quick links to being able to purchase the game:
DVD edition
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/243162.asp
http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=B646083A
http://www.gogamer.com/cgi-bin/GoGamer.storefront/SESSIONID/Product/View/001BATTL2D
CD Edition
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/243162.asp
http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=B645768A
http://www.gogamer.com/cgi-bin/GoGamer.storefront/SESSIONID/Product/View/001BATTL2
IGN has a recent preview of the game up with videos here:
http://pc.ign.com/articles/622/622390p1.html
The preview highlights the individual aspects of each IGN writer and what they are focusing on at the moment.
You can find a 10 minute video preview and various other videos here:
http://media.pc.ign.com/media/677/677882/vids_1.html
I definitely recommend the 10 minute preview, as it goes through the new aspects of BF2. Good detail about the commander mode too. Sounds awesome! On the IGN Boards there is some question and answer segments going on and I figure I would post some of the responses here. More to come if I get any:
How is the perfomance when settings/resolution is maxed?
What are the specs on the computer you're running it on? What resolution are you playing it on and how does it run?
Hey can you mention the specs of the machine you were playing it on, and what res you were using?
These are approximations, but based on the various systems we've played it on:
1.8GHz, 64MB video RAM, 512k RAM - 1024x768, low details (still looks good, btw)
2GHz, 128MB video RAM, 1GB RAM - 1280 x 960, medium details
3GHz, 256MB video RAM, 1GB RAM - everything maxed (the videos you're seeing)
Is it better than staring at Morgan Webb's breasts from two feet away?
Yes.
1. Will IGN Have an official server for the demo and full game?
2. What are the helicoter controls like? Is it like BFV where holding down on the thruttle increases altitude? Is altitude a seperate control than the throttle? Do they work well with a flighstick?
1) Most likely, at least for some matches
2) Throttle increases altitude. Haven't tried with a flightstick, but I maxed my mouse sensitivity and I'm flying decently now
Can support gunners deploy bipods for improved accuracy?
Not that I've seen, but I'll test for that.
Do the guns feel like they have "weight" to them?
Yes, they do. I love the "feel" of the game so far.
How detailed are the environments?
They're nice. Not jungles or dense forests (wouldn't be good for vehicles, anyway), but everything looks good.
How's the game look in different settings? Low, Medium, High, etc.
Low - good
Medium - better
High - awesome :0)
1. How many tank rounds does it take to destroy a tank in a one on one front to front battle? ie, are we going to have to blast round after round hammering away at one another or will one or two rounds do it?
2. Overall, how are the map designs? Lots of choke points or pretty much wide open? Also, are the maps larger, smaller, or the same compared with BF42 (assuming the maps are set for 32+ players)?
3. Is it true? No CTF?[b/]
1) 3 or 4 tank rounds, 2 or so anti-tank blasts
2) Even the wide open maps have choke points like alleyways, trainyards, etc. I dig the map design so far. Maps are good size for 16, 32 and 64 players, and all maps are scalable.
How do the helicoptors and jets feel >?
I can actually fly them with the mouse this time, so I'm happy.
Does infantry combat feel better then it did in BF42 and BFV?
I liked infantry combat in BF42, but it feels even better in BF2. Much closer to 1942 than Vietnam, though.
How are the medic and the support class, both in terms of how fun they are to play and in terms of how effective they are in terms of helping their team? I got really excited when I heard the improvements to their classes, because quite honestly, it sounded like they were making them like their RtCW counterparts- and in that game, medics and lieutenants are the backbone of a good team. So how do they compare in BF2?
Much better. They actually make a difference and everything is automatic if they are in the area, even in vehicles. So if an engineer is in a damaged vehicle, it gets repaired, and if a medic is in your general area, you get healed. It's slow, but it's something.
How is the perfomance when settings/resolution is maxed?
It's all variable. On my 3.0GHz, 1GB RAM and GeForce FX 5950 Ultra, it's totally unplayable on max settings, but runs perfectly on medium settings at 1024 x 768.
On Tom's 3.0GHz, 1GB RAM and GeForce 6800 GT it runs perfectly at 1280 x 960 with max detail and 4x FSAA.
Can support gunners deploy bipods for improved accuracy?
No, but going prone improves accuracy considerably, as does firing down the iron sight. Combining prone with iron sight shooting is the way to go.
Note that the support class isn't nearly as powerful as the heavy gunners from Vietnam.
How big is the dvd install?
Looks like a 1.77GB footprint.
2. Overall, how are the map designs? Lots of choke points or pretty much wide open? Also, are the maps larger, smaller, or the same compared with BF42 (assuming the maps are set for 32+ players)?
Seems like a really good mix. This time around, DICE appears to have more heavily focused on Road to Rome's populated stretches of land that were interspersed with super tight choke points. Often times, levels also include large impassable barriers -- like oceans and mountain ranges -- that separate points of interest.
Right now I really, really like the levels because they include lots of areas vehicles can go nuts in, but the design is altogether tighter and more interesting than before. Some levels also come with cool central areas, like the infamous dam. The one thing I'm not seeing, however, are super wide open spaces like El Alamein fro m1942 or wacky special interest levels like Midway.
How powerful do the grenades seem? {In 1942 they seemed kinda wimpy to me} How far do bodies fly?
Can you go on top of buldings/other structures?
1) Like a real grenade, they pack a powerful punch, but they have a small area of major damage. It still takes quite a few to take a tank out, but you can take out an infantry with one well-placed grenade if they don't have cover.
2) Yep, plus there are a lot more ladders/stairs around now so there's a lot more opportunities for elevated play. There are even huge contruction cranes like you see used for building skyscrapers that you can climb all the way to the top of. I'd say they're about 20 or so stories above the battlefield, and make for good snipe points.
What about seeing through walls? I understand the view height is now at eye level whereas with BF42 it was at waist level because one could potentially go prone and stick ones head through a buildings wall to see inside but yet be invunerable. I assume this is all sorted now?
I haven't been able to see through walls, but I have seen shadows improperly cast over and through obstructions. That gives away an enemy's position and is pretty lame, but it doesn't happen that often and it could just be a result of my setup at work.
1. Do you have to rent servers from EA for the new persistant stats tracking?
Nope. Stat tracking is free.
Does it feature a robust single-player campaign?
Hell no. Singleplayer games even seem to be limited to 16 players and non-configurable maps
Only a couple more weeks!