FPS Multi-player?

[Nefaro]

After picking up the Red Orchestra series on the Humble Bundle, I've been playing some RO2 multiplayer.  Despite having some good features in realism mode, I'm having problems improving.

For one, the game has a lot of long distance vistas which is great.  However, the lowered graphics quality and fog at those distances make spotting enemies a serious problem for me.  I didn't see any display quality 'bubble' sliders in the video settings so I'm assuming that's just the way it is.  I dunno how many times I've peaked around/over some cover in zoom mode only to be shot from long distance by someone I couldn't see unless I'm zoomed in and examining their specific location for a couple seconds.  It's also difficult picking up movement at range unless zoomed into sight view too, which is something that should stick out even at 200m if you're looking that direction.  So, basically, I feel half blind and very short-sighted in the regular view and taking lots of dirt naps due to it. 

Are there any vid settings I'm missing?  I turned off "Depth of Field" to get rid of that blurry long-ranged crap, but it still isn't good. 

Also.. are there any other multiplayer focused first-person shooters that feature pretty large player caps, large maps with a good deal of open space, and realistic damage & weapons handling (none of that half a clip to the chest to kill someone!)??  The last FPS game I played was BF2BC but unlike the old BF2 it consisted of more cramped terrain with more faster-paced run & gun zerg BS than I prefer.  RO2 really has the situation down, I'm just having problems seeing enemy infantry from a distance. 

So.. anyone have some other "Tactical" FPS recommendations?

[eyebiter]

If you keep getting sniped grab a smg and hang out inside buildings.  There are some guys who know the maps so well, they know exactly which areas to cover.. Or follow an ai soldier and let them be the bullet catcher while you duck for cover.

[jomni]

After picking up the Red Orchestra series on the Humble Bundle, I've been playing some RO2 multiplayer.  Despite having some good features in realism mode, I'm having problems improving.

For one, the game has a lot of long distance vistas which is great.  However, the lowered graphics quality and fog at those distances make spotting enemies a serious problem for me.  I didn't see any display quality 'bubble' sliders in the video settings so I'm assuming that's just the way it is.  I dunno how many times I've peaked around/over some cover in zoom mode only to be shot from long distance by someone I couldn't see unless I'm zoomed in and examining their specific location for a couple seconds.  It's also difficult picking up movement at range unless zoomed into sight view too, which is something that should stick out even at 200m if you're looking that direction.  So, basically, I feel half blind and very short-sighted in the regular view and taking lots of dirt naps due to it. 

Are there any vid settings I'm missing?  I turned off "Depth of Field" to get rid of that blurry long-ranged crap, but it still isn't good. 

Also.. are there any other multiplayer focused first-person shooters that feature pretty large player caps, large maps with a good deal of open space, and realistic damage & weapons handling (none of that half a clip to the chest to kill someone!)??  The last FPS game I played was BF2BC but unlike the old BF2 it consisted of more cramped terrain with more faster-paced run & gun zerg BS than I prefer.  RO2 really has the situation down, I'm just having problems seeing enemy infantry from a distance. 

So.. anyone have some other "Tactical" FPS recommendations?

Since you stopped at BF2, you can get BF3.  You can join the infantry only maps to avoid being massacred by vehicles but I guess you know the drill by playing BF2.  Or you can wait for BF4.

[Nefaro]

Yes, but how are the BF3 maps?  Are they large, with plenty of open outdoor spaces like much of BF2 was? 

I really dislike claustrophobic maps, and that includes ones that are kinda large-ish but still have quite restricted fields of fire from most points (a la BFBC).  If the maps in BF3 are big and fairly open then I may give it a shot.  No reason to pay premium price for a brand new BF4 since I don't play shooters all that habitually anymore, anyway.

[Father Ted]

RO2 is hard.  Like eyebiter says the key is really knowing the maps.  I play in two ways: for the team in trying to take caps (and dying a lot), or for myself, where I find a good spot and try to rack up some kills.  I find I can't move and pick out targets.

As for other games, I've been playing Planetside 2.  Of course it's all scifi-y, but the maps are enormous, if that's what you're after.  You basically play on a "continent" where you can roam at will, so there are no maps per se.  There are hundreds (thousands maybe) of players on any one continent, so battles are can be huge.  As I say it's science fiction, but the principles are the same as any other shooter - different weapons (SMG, shotgun, AR, sniper, AT) for different jobs, combined arms (there are tanks and aircraft) and team play.  But the big draw is the continuous, mini-campaign game-paly style.  Its FTP, too.

[Nefaro]

Okay.. so my curiosity was piqued regarding BF3, and Amazon has the digital download for ~$6 off. 

And I forget that the thing is run by the soul-sucking EA turds.  Oh well.. hopefully everything will go smoothly.   I downloaded the 12+GB install file from Amazon, installed.  DirectX installer flips out but I have a newer version anyway.  Have to install the browser plug-in and get a game update so I'm thinking, "boy.. I'll be ready to get shot in the face here in a few minutes!".  Alas, no!  The goddamn update is 10GB!  Holy Testicle Tuesdays Batman!  Did they recode the whole damn game in updates?!  :P

I am kinda enjoying RO2 in specific cases.  When it's not a fully CQB map or one with only tanks in it.  If I wanted a solely tank-focused game there are a couple other options I have for tankin' around.  So I've been quite happy with it on infantry-only or Mixed matches on maps with some open areas on them, but I generally end up leaving good servers just because the game mode or map changes to ones I don't like - lotsa jumping around.  There doesn't seem to be a huge amount of servers with "Realism" on and a good ping, either, so it can be hit or miss at times.  It's also WW2 which is nice for having a fair amount of bolt-action rifles forced on us, but still.. it's same 'ole WW2 stuff that we've had in overabundance for awhile.  So I leapt on BF3 in desperation.  :D

[jomni]

Nefaro, did you get the BF3 version with all the DLC? 

Regarding RO2.  The free weekend is both fun and frustrating. I love shooting at newbs who don't know what they're doing.  Frustrating because some seem to don't know the difference between a German or a Russian. Maybe some COD kids who's not familiar with WW2.

[Nefaro]

Nefaro, did you get the BF3 version with all the DLC? 

I just got the base version since that was the only one on sale, plus I didn't know how much I'd enjoy it or (notably) whether it would give me a splitting FPS headache as so many first-person games do.  RO2 doesn't really make me very ill so it's widescreen perspective must be just fine - I hope BF3's is too.

Regarding RO2.  The free weekend is both fun and frustrating. I love shooting at newbs who don't know what they're doing.  Frustrating because some seem to don't know the difference between a German or a Russian. Maybe some COD kids who's not familiar with WW2.

Yeah I've been seeing a good amount of friendly fire, but that's to be expected in the big matches with a thick concentration of players.  Since the only ones who have any overhead icons are your own team or squad, and not the other three squads on your side, it gets rather hairy.  I like the realism but the only way I've been able to somewhat differentiate between friendly and enemy, at a distance, is to attempt making out the shape of their helmet.  ???  The uniform color looks almost the same if they're not right up in your face.  :-\

[Nefaro]

One more complaint about Origin:

I've had to manually run multiple things just to get the game updated, get a browser plug-in, and just now having to manually download & install & update PunkBuster.  Oddly enough, I've already had two other versions of PB on this machine.  What a goddamn mess. 

I thought this distribution-DRM software like Origin was supposed to do all this for you?  Nef is still unimpressed.  >:(

[Nefaro]

Hey, what's this "Premium User" bullshit in BF3?  This isn't a free-to-play, yet it sounds like they're trying to extract more cash.

[eyebiter]

Now you understand why EA was voted the worst corporation in the US

http://consumerist.com/2012/04/04/congratulations-ea-you-are-the-worst-company-in-america-for-2012/

[Nefaro]

Certainly looks like they nickel & dimed BF3.   Well.. more like fifteen dollar'd it to hell. 

From what I see, the premium pack is supposed to be all the different $15 DLC packs, which look to be rather overpriced to me.  I mean.. four maps and ??? in each one?  I was just wondering if they actually added the FreeToP "Premium" stuff where you level-up faster, too.  That would be ridiculous.

[jomni]

Hey, what's this "Premium User" bullshit in BF3?  This isn't a free-to-play, yet it sounds like they're trying to extract more cash.

Premium means someone bought a combo package that entitles them to all published and planned DLC.
It's actually a cheaper way to play than buying all DLC separately.
They do not level up fast.  But get some unique "premium" weapons that I don't use.  Not the attachments, you will have to earn them as well.

The DLC that gives you the BF1 maps is the best.

[Nefaro]

Ahh.. I see.  Free DLC for life!  Or until they make the next sequel a year and a half later *wink wink nod nod*.

The individual DLCs look very overpriced to me.  I've not got into BF3 much yet.. it has the annoying damage mixed with a levelling system where the early weapons do shit damage and it takes a dozen rounds to put someone down without a head shot.  ::)

There also hasn't been many low ping 'Hardcore' servers for me to choose from, with the base game.  Don't think I'll drop more on the overpriced DLCs in desperation, either.   At least it's a tad better than COD and that ilk.

[RooksBailey]

The best DLC for BF3 is Back to Karkland, Aftermath and Endgame.  The others...not so much.  Close Quarters is an inferior CoD rip-off that hardly anyone plays, and Armored Kill is so-so.  I paid the premium price and, all things considered, consider to have gotten my money's worth back, particularly with Aftermath and Endgame (both fantastic). 

But I agree with you about EA milking their fanbase for all they are worth.  The entirety of BF3 is a solid gaming experience, one that walks the narrow line between the more sober-minded Arma 2 and the cartoony CoD/BlackOps.  As I have posted elsewhere, I had a blast with it.  However, I am feeling more than a bit miffed that EA is rolling out BF4 already, and expect premium members to have to re-up with another $60 for the base game, plus once again for the premium membership.  This stings all the more when EA rolls out BF4 with a 17-min demo of a single player campaign no one cares about.  Oooh, pretty graphics and characters with names...I am so impressed.  ::)

As for Red Orchestra 2...I have a love/hate relationship with it.  I like it because of it's gritty WWII realism, but hate the fact that even after the GotY edition was released, the game still is buggy as heck with all sorts of graphical glitches and other bugs.  Like I am fond to say: it is less RO 2 and more RO 1.5.  I am hoping Rising Storm adds a lot of fixes and polish because it needs it. 

Another thing that drives me crazy with RO2 - the insistence on having friendly fire activated on every server.  Just what is the rationale for this?  I mean, half the time I have to laugh as all the realism grogs constantly complain about getting shot by newbs.  LOL!  Yes, FF is very realistic...but contributes nothing but aggravation to the gameplay.  Sometime realism for the sake of realism is NOT a good idea.   :P