Test: PlanetSide 2 (PC)
Among the second-generation MMOs, we can say that Planetside has made an impression. Very demanding in terms of time and organization, the freedom left by this massively multiplayer FPS allowed the best players to form real virtual war memories. Today, SOE out of Planetside 2 in F2P on PC: the same, in more beautiful, in more modern. But does he keep this atmosphere that made battles Planetside stories that we tell the evening at the corner of the pack of fire beers?
You will ask Julo, who has tirelessly led men to the massacre during long missions on the planet Auraxis, he will tell you: the war is first to know his place. And that was especially true for SOE's first Planetside , where three complete armies, with infantry, air and land vehicles, not to mention the mechs, could end up on one end of the continent to explode each other's faces. When the appointment was fixed, it was better to revise his orders, his position and his objectives. Otherwise the path was all traced: it was death. The legendary massive fights of this MMOFPS were unfortunately only accessible to more organized players: in clan, with a calendar, and sometimes a little luck.It is especially difficult for everyone to find out where the action was taking place and therefore to take advantage of the main strength of the game.
We take the same...
Here comes Planetside 2 : an enormous territory divided into zones that must be controlled to gain resources. Three factions clash. The same as before, in order not to lose anyone: the fachos of the Terran Republic, the right-wing anarchists of the New Conglomerate and the sect of Vanu sovereignty, which continues to bend over the alien technology between two fights. I know, it does not look like much, but a cool open-minded, intelligent, democratic and cultured faction would not have a place on this new Auraxis. Here, we fight like oxen. That said, scenario question, this base identical to the first Planetside could evolve into something more serious,, a famous writer of comics with a sacred background . We'll see...
The (short) life of a soldier
Meanwhile, I run like an idiot on a dune of Auraxis, to achieve the goal of the squad that I just joined in two clicks. I have sand full face and sun in full face. Further afield, AAA fire splits the sky and I see a Reaver chasing a Scythian . The first infantry shots are heard. It is only a small forward to capture, but it is quite possible that three armies are on top at the same time ... A jetpack shotto climb a hill, a pause to gauge the angle of attack: as much arrive directly on the roof of the building from this little peak, then stay hidden for two seconds in case defenders have spotted me, before cleaning the inside and then ... Bim! A sniper shot puts an end to my strategies as dry as a sock of the archduchess. So ... where will I reappear?
To take a hole by the hand
We can say that SOE has learned the lesson from Planetside : this time, if you stay five minutes without action, it's probably your fault, or you do not want to kill people. It happens sometimes, whether you lose yourself by accident or simply because you are thinking of something else. It allows you to browse the often hostile environments of Auraxis by asking "What did I come to fuck on this planet? But before an unhealthy idea of desertion comes to your mind, just open the map and ask for a redeployment. Here a hot zone with guaranteed action, there a massive assault with several vehicles of troops in which reappear.
Respect the Auraxis conventions
Or defending yourself on a checkpoint? Hula! To understand how and what to capture, and when, is still a bit vague. Or not very intuitive. Let's say that contrary to the game of the cannon fodder, where we advance towards an enemy base like a decerebrated soldier to stumble everything that moves hoping not to take one behind the ears, the taking of objectives is a little more complicated, since many prerequisites come into play. Better to have a leader who knows, and obey orders. At first, at least, then you can always try to make the blues understand where to attack and why. Personally, I still have trouble keeping up.
Spoils of war
Already, your faction must have contiguous territories to capture a new area. We do not advance the front line anyhow. Then this is often decided according to the contribution of resources of this or that area: we gain different types of points that allow everyone to order express service vehicles earth (cheap buggies, tanks, troop transport) or air (hunters , transport ...) As much to tell you that on a server, the configuration of territories can change trrrrrèèès quickly. To start again the other way immediately. It sometimes makes you want to re-read Joe Haldeman's Eternal War.
I was promoted laterally
However, the certification points needed to improve his character do not rise very quickly, they ... Finally, it is not something really fixed, since SOE has still largely changed the pace of gains in the end of beta . Points accumulate faster and objects are cheaper. Who knows if it will stay that way where to accelerate further in the future? There are things to unlock in Planetside 2 : weapons for the different classes, equipment for these weapons (goggles, handles, stabilizers, etc.), vehicle improvements, etc. Do not expect to gain power, everything is thought to offer more diversity without changing the balance of power with the enemy. So this sniper rifle will be faster and will do less damage than this other more powerful and slower. In the end, you will choose to unlock what corresponds to your style of play.
The war à la carte
Do not think that the rest is useless, because of style, it will be better to change according to the mess in which you will still be stuffed. This is one of the strengths of Planetside 2 besides: the gameplay offers a good variety of situations (and having a wide range of weapons and upgrades makes it easy to adapt). I've had all sorts of things about Auraxis: a troop transport trip where you try to spray the hunters before they blow up our gear and everyone in there. A duel of snipers on the ice floe where I learned to avoid the face to face to trick and take back a guy who pulled better than me. Posters clean and without burrs, where we see the front line retreat inexorably in a deluge of fire. Or even hyper-violent attacks during which the lack of organization results in hours of massacre without the defense falling - Planetside 2 offers a good lot of potential Omaha Beach, but when it breaks finally, it's enjoyable.
Tatarraaaa Tsoin Tsoin!
In short, atmosphere, you will understand that Planetside 2 is not lacking. Graphics with grainy textures and sometimes saturated lighting do nothing to spoil the experience, nor does the background sound that throws you into the hell of battle with great immersion. While the general design is not very inspired, but it gives a very down-to-earth side that sticks well to the universe. We will say that only the music lead a little everything. But it is especially the music of loading that pitiful, with its drum rolls and crashes of cymbals worthy of the brass band of the barracks of Britigny-sur-Bavoise. And as the initial loading is a bit long ... We cut the sound while waiting to be in the game. Then we are in another world.
You're in the army now
You'll understand I hooked on the MMOFPS Planetside 2 . Even if your character does not progress quickly, and does not gain power in this way, it is very satisfying to dive into such a massive game that requires a skillcertain. You can really play your own experience rather than a virtual progression: know the topography, know where to hide when reloading the weapon or the shield, do not forget to let the colleagues in front and note where they will come from enemy fire ... that kind of thing. Too bad all the weapons do not bring the same satisfaction. Some are really punchy, but with others, it feels a bit like casting soft figs on the enemy. In addition, apart from the indicator on the viewfinder, returns on successful shots are still insufficient, especially at short range where one could be a little more rewarded visually a good kill .
It remains to find the 7th company
Now, I can really only give a quasi-solo gaming experience. I did not participate in big clan operations (called outfits ), with teamspeak and all the toutim. But it is clear that it is in this direction that you have to go to really enjoy Planetside 2 . Even if you undeniably enjoy yourself as a mercenary hole, you will never be as efficient as organized in real army, with perhaps a specialty. We can very well be a squad made up of soldiers specialized in tank driving, for example. Or an ultra mobile assault section. In fact, it would also help you to have a real goal in Planetside 2Unfortunately, the game is not going to give you one too much.
War never changes
It is nice to have fun, it is not uncommon after a few days to capture bases, lose them, recapture them, etc., we say: yes, but what's the point? This is a bit true for all MMOs once the max level is reached, which often corresponds to the end of the Player vs. Environment and the beginning or intensification of the Player vs. Player. However, Planetside 2 does not offer any campaign, no quests, no gadgets or other fun mechanisms to enhance its gameplay. It is permanent war, every day, in all weathers. And I'm afraid it's a bit boring. It's missing, again like all MMOs, but here it's even more obvious, of ... construction. From Schmilblick who would advance. Can the famous screenplay by Marv Wolfman come to energize the conflict, to create surprises? It could be nice. But for now, the war is nice, but the daily train.
Let's not forget that Planetside 2 is a F2P, a real fat F2P for which you will pay only if you invest (seriously) seriously. So we would be really petty to sulk the pleasure of such a good atmosphere just because the game world does not tear us completely to our poor reality. It is a title that has time to grow, to grow and to refine. To balance too, because I doubt that all these weapons stats are totally irreproachable. Install it, enjoy! We'll see how far SOE gets us.
For Planetside 2, SOE apparently had specific specifications: redo Planetside with a graphic upgrade, and especially a much better accessibility. On this side, it is successful: the atmosphere of massive war that made talk about the original is reflected in this "reboot". This MMOFPS is nevertheless a niche game that will have to expand or find an original angle in its future development to avoid going around in circles. The base is solid ... Build now!
| WE LIKE | WE DO NOT LIKE |
|---|---|
| * Superb atmosphere of massive war | * We kill a little round |
| * Variety and accessibility of the action | * Still a lot of bugs |
| * Beautiful scenery and lighting effects | * The music |
| * Philosophy of lateral progression | |
| * Free to Play |
1-6 IMAGECREDIT
THANKS FOR READING, ALSO CHECK OUT MY PREVIOUS TEST ON Test: Brütal Legend (Xbox 360, PS3)
Never got into planetside but always thought it looked pretty cool. None of my mates wanted to play so I never got the chance!
So sorry about that.
Haha that's ok!