Squad

[Apocalypse 31]

A few reasons why I'm staying away from this one...at least for now.

1 - I thought the Project Reality community was filled with terrible people that were not welcoming to new players. Hell - guys like BlueDrake are the types that play it, and I think that guy is annoying and abrasive as hell. The PR Mod changed BF2 in many ways, and there weren't any good tutorials. Things like base-building and squad leader management were completely transparent if you didn't know what to look for. God forbid you entered a game and didn't know how to use these confusing and somewhat hidden features - you would be instantly kicked from your in-game squad only after you received a staccato of insults via ingame voice chat. I can already see these same people filling the Squad community, based on forum comments and reviews.

2 - I have a limited capacity to enjoy PvP shooters. I play ArmA, but prefer the cooperative servers. In PvP game types I generally find that people are either really good at shooters (un-naturally good), or join games with no intention as working as a team member. With any new hot game on the market all types of people will initially flood a game, especially a FPS. I'll wait them out.

3 - I dont think Squad looks that good or offers anything new. Maybe I'm wrong or I'm just missing the boat, but capture the flag is capture the flag is capture the flag. The lemonade all tastes the same in the FPS world.

[jomni]

I bought it. Turning left and right has lag.  Is anyone experiencing this?
Update: lag has gone away.

I die all the time.

[Nefaro]

I die all the time.

I've come to terms with losing my FPS edge, now that I'm in olde age. 


I die all the time. 

While my younger FPS-twitcher self mocks me as a noob. 

The meat is slow.

[jomni]

I think you really need your squad mates to watch your back in this one. Communication is key.

[Father Ted]

I've come to terms with losing my FPS edge, now that I'm in olde age. 


I die all the time. 

While my younger FPS-twitcher self mocks me as a noob. 

The meat is slow.

Well, I was hoping that this would be less about twitch and more about thought.

A while back I was playing an Arma co-op mission with some interweb friends and we got pinned down by a group of AI.  We spent some time trying to work out where the fire was coming from and then some time planning how to deal with it*.  It's this way of playing an FPS that I'm looking for in Squad.  I've just had a quick go in MP and it definitely has potential.  You are supposed to do what you're told by your squad leader, but you could form of squad of chums and then play with a bit of autonomy.

[jomni]

That works in Squad as well. It all depends on who's playing in the server.

[Nefaro]

I've come to terms with losing my FPS edge, now that I'm in olde age. 


I die all the time. 

While my younger FPS-twitcher self mocks me as a noob. 

The meat is slow.

Well, I was hoping that this would be less about twitch and more about thought.

A while back I was playing an Arma co-op mission with some interweb friends and we got pinned down by a group of AI.  We spent some time trying to work out where the fire was coming from and then some time planning how to deal with it*.  It's this way of playing an FPS that I'm looking for in Squad.  I've just had a quick go in MP and it definitely has potential.  You are supposed to do what you're told by your squad leader, but you could form of squad of chums and then play with a bit of autonomy.

It looks to be like that, and less twitch than many of the "hallway shooter" sort.  Which is what I look for too.  But still likely has some occasional twitchery to it, just for being an FPS.   

[jomni]

I've come to terms with losing my FPS edge, now that I'm in olde age. 


I die all the time. 

While my younger FPS-twitcher self mocks me as a noob. 

The meat is slow.

Well, I was hoping that this would be less about twitch and more about thought.

A while back I was playing an Arma co-op mission with some interweb friends and we got pinned down by a group of AI.  We spent some time trying to work out where the fire was coming from and then some time planning how to deal with it*.  It's this way of playing an FPS that I'm looking for in Squad.  I've just had a quick go in MP and it definitely has potential.  You are supposed to do what you're told by your squad leader, but you could form of squad of chums and then play with a bit of autonomy.

It looks to be like that, and less twitch than many of the "hallway shooter" sort.  Which is what I look for too.  But still likely has some occasional twitchery to it, just for being an FPS.

At least you cannot bunny-hop in the game.

[Nefaro]

At least you cannot bunny-hop in the game.

Oh sweet baby raptor jesus, those shooters make me hoppin mad. 

[Apocalypse 31]

I caved into the peer pressure from some friends and made the purchase.

The game still needs a bit of optimization, but overall I think its great, and I'm looking forward to the end product.

This is probably the first shooter that I've played that isn't just about shooting. There's plenty of shooting to do, but shooting alone won't win maps. Teamwork wins and having a good squad that communicates internally, and a squad leader that can coordinate externally will easily rule the battlefield.

[Jarhead0331]

Everyone keeps saying that you have to use teamwork in this game to succeed without offering any specific details. Why is that so anymore in this game than say Insurgency? Or ARMA3? Or Project Reality? What makes Squad so different that it is so realistic you just have to have your $hit together as a team in order to win? It just seems like any other shooter to me. What makes it different?

I'm not focusing on anyone in particular here, I see the above ambiguous statements across the board on several forums, but with a complete lack of detail to support it.

[Apocalypse 31]

Everyone keeps saying that you have to use teamwork in this game to succeed without offering any specific details.

Maps are large, and objectives are often spread apart. You need the firepower of a squad and coordination with adjacent squads to be effective. One or two guys on their own will not be able to capture anything - maybe they'll kill a few enemy Soldiers but eventually they'll be found and delt with - or just bypassed for further objectives

Objectives are opened/closed in sequence. There is usually a front line established -once that front line is penetrated, new objectives open and the old ones are no longer able to be captured.

As stated in my earlier post, my ability to stay sharp in PvP FPS is degrading with each year of my life. However, I'm enjoying the Squad Leader experience, and coordination that comes with it.

[Jarhead0331]

I still fail to see how any of that is unique. It also presupposes that the opposing team is organized and using team based tactics. I mean, if the opfor is disorganized and spread out across the map, I don't see any reason why team tactics would be any more necessary here than in any other game.

You mentioned it's the first shooter that you've played that isn't just about shooting. What else is there? Are there different player classes with specific skills and gear that are useful or necessary, such as medics, radio operators, etc.?  How do they tip the balance in a meaningful way?

I'm just trying to understand why I should pay $40 for this. If it's truly a unique experience, I'd be willing to give it a shot. But in the videos I've watched, I just don't see anything unique, other than the people playing it who seem to think they are the next GI Joe.

[Apocalypse 31]

I still fail to see how any of that is unique. It also presupposes that the opposing team is organized and using team based tactics. I mean, if the opfor is disorganized and spread out across the map, I don't see any reason why team tactics would be any more necessary here than in any other game.

You mentioned it's the first shooter that you've played that isn't just about shooting. What else is there? Are there different player classes with specific skills and gear that are useful or necessary, such as medics, radio operators, etc.?  How do they tip the balance in a meaningful way?

I'm just trying to understand why I should pay $40 for this. If it's truly a unique experience, I'd be willing to give it a shot. But in the videos I've watched, I just don't see anything unique, other than the people playing it who seem to think they are the next GI Joe.

Squad Leaders can place Rally Points (squad spawn points) as well as placeable objects, such as FOBs (team spawn points), ammo points, defensive structures, etc.

The more members you get into a squad, the more equipment becomes available; medic slots, AT/RPGs, Machine Guns, grenade launchers.

[Father Ted]

Everyone keeps saying that you have to use teamwork in this game to succeed without offering any specific details. Why is that so anymore in this game than say Insurgency? Or ARMA3? Or Project Reality? What makes Squad so different that it is so realistic you just have to have your $hit together as a team in order to win? It just seems like any other shooter to me. What makes it different?

I'm not focusing on anyone in particular here, I see the above ambiguous statements across the board on several forums, but with a complete lack of detail to support it.

I'm guessing that you're essentially right - it is just another shooter.  The teamwork ethos is less about succeeding and more about enjoying the teamwork itself.  The game does have mechanics which corral the player in that direction  You have to be in a squad, and you can only talk to other members of your squad via "radio" or people near you with "local voice".  Squad leaders can talk with other squad leaders.  SLs also have the ability to place spawn and re-supply points.  There are medics who can revive you.  And so on - I haven't played enough to have seen all the ins and outs yet.

But in the end it is still just a shooter - to really enjoy it you have to role-play.

BTW, you mentioned Project Reality - well Squad is the stand-alone, current gen game made by the creators of that mod.