It's the nature of Beta to be a majority of complaints so I thought I'd start a thread here devoted to just the good things people have found. People that work for free for your benefit should hear the positive things you have to say too.
This is my thread, please keep your complaints in your own or other threads dedicated to them. Moderators please delete any posts here which aren't positive as that is the sole purpose of this thread.
I will add things as I find them and encourage others to do so as well.
And now for my first favorite thing: Strats and MPIs are now recognized as the different games that they really are in the server list.
%$^%$ The AI is wonerful, It does everyhting exactly the way I want it. I can send a few assault tanks to a position and they'll just clean up the joint, suddenly every unit is brilliant.
I love the Anti AV thing, Anti Alt tab, b4 game chat, in game hud, urm, arm drop off point and how smooth it all runs, shame these things couldn't be paked up for 1.2 mod:).
The lobby/chatroom is a big enhancement.
I think fixing the MWF is an improvement, but I'm not sure yet.
Sound effects have been significantly improved. :o I don't know how much of a strain the number of sound channels is on the CPU, but try turning up the number you use. At the moment I have it set to 24 hardware channels. I've tried it up to 64. Sounds even better amped via a hifi. :twisted:
The new sounds are great, the early game AI attacks in MPI are unrelenting, and AI units actually aim now. Aim pretty damn well, too.
It's fun
Now Bz2 doesn't crash or freeze my comp. yippee!!
There is a chat-room to geek in. Or nerd in..
Sounds actually play now..
I like the extra options in mpi, strat, and ffa games which give the host more control.
I like many of the bug fixes, mainly AV fixes. There are a few left, but at least six AVs were fixed that were present since Battlezone II's initial release.
I like the new maps.
I like the new sound code that allows someone to open more sound chanel. 1.2 had 8 sound chanels and 1.3 has 64.
I like the flexibility that 1.3 offers. There are more options available to modders.
I like that many of the exploits are gone. For example, turrets in pools, turrets in buildings, and multiple bombs per run.
There are many more fixes that I can't think of at the moment.
I absolutly love everything about it except the lack of agility in the scouts (simple ODF change, as proposed before).
First "Wow!" was the sound improvements. Really made my 5.1 SB Audigy a worthwhile investment.
Next would be all the stock MP options. Playing a game of CTF was great.
Armory's new drop off was wonderful surprise!
AI improvements kicked my butt in MPI's like I've never seen.
I could go on and on...
The changelog should be required reading for anyone who just wants to whine about "hovering". I won't miss that "bug" and maybe will see more players using AI units instead of playing the game as a first person shooter most of the time.
Quote from: RubiconAlphaFirst "Wow!" was the sound improvements. Really made my 5.1 SB Audigy a worthwhile investment.
I've got to admit I love it that the game SOUNDS as good as it looks now... especially with the big speakers I have under my desk cranked... lol.
I've never heard the Armory ambient sound ingame before, or the Power Gens... it really makes the whole base come alive!
I have to agree with Av, now bases really sound like bases. Very cool. :)
The new options are totally awesome and the improved AI makes it loads of fun IMO.
And of course, being a modder I can't turn down any of the cool features they added in. :D
I like that FX don't drop out after 20 metres.
lol, well, I wonder who was talking to Ken about that? Someone who likes REALLY LONG viewing distances?? :)
yeeeeha!
-Av-
Not enough time or experience with it to express everything that I like so far but just wanted to say again that the physics adjustments are nothing close to what worried me in the early beta leaks. I may not speak for many since i was never that great at flying,(or naturally less concerned about it since serving hinders your agility anyway), but I had no trouble adjusting to the changes. Besides the balance issues that pop up, I'm sure the value of the numerous option additions along with the *editor goodies will outweigh most player's fear of change.
*(grr)
So far, I'd agree the sound improvements are excellent,shell options and improved AI,along with some cool new maps. :-)
I'm mainly an MPI player myself.
I'm trying to beat the Iceberg map with little luck. I know it's only because of flaws in my play style.
There are always a few enemy scavs near the pools, so destroying the extractors does no good if I don't have a force along with me to occupy it.
The enemy forge just keeps pumping out units, leaves enough to defend the base, and sends the extras out to stage an attack.
Seems like the best use of resources to me, and it is giving me a real run.
In the older versions, I would take a few extractors, repel a few attacks, and that would be it until I get to the enemy base and lay waste to it. Not so simple now. There is definitely a lot more strategic depth to it. And a lot of frustration.
I suppose with a well formed assault force, I could take out both the forge and the matriarch in a single attack, but I'll save that strategy for after I manage to dominate the pools.
All in all, 1.3 is showing me much more of what Battlezone II can be like when played well, although I know the vets would blow away the 1.3 MPIs no problem, I'm sure.
the shadow effects are improved, if not, finished. textures looks overall sharper. the feel of the game has taken a step forward with the shadow effects.
***my units will not go around objects at my base. its as if they dont know theres a object in front of them.
Just finished an awesome MPI game with AcneVulgaris, Shadow and a few other random guys joining and leaving on the F8 spot. Had random resyncs but not much lag although very many buildings and units were build by both sides. Cool gameplay, took quite some teamplay (and time) to win (on hard difficulty). Dont ask for the map, was something new, a very greenish one. Also I like the new sound quality. Ship physics are not that bad IMO, at least for MPI. (cant imagine a big fat fun DM with those physics though)
Somehow I also like that you as commander cant give the bomber away to a team mate anymore. Some things you can bomb yourself but mostly you need a target given by a team mate.
Other cool bits:
- the chat thingy (although I presume its going to be abused a lot)
- better categories in the server browser
- armory drop off point
Theres much more but these are just the first impressions.
Does BZNES work with 1.3 or will it also need to be patched?
Explore the Recycler variants in the Advanced Settings tab, there are Recys with Bomber variants in there.
-Av-
That it IS a BETA..and that further fixing might get done.
Quote from: GJC- the chat thingy (although I presume its going to be abused a lot)
No need to worry about that we have several moderators that should be around for quite some time.
As I understand it though, you can point it to other irc channels.
Another thing I liked. Or is this incorrect?
You can point it to another server and channel by editing the gameprefs.ini file. You can also point it to another channel while running it. I wish you could point it to another server while it was running, but unfortunately you can't.
If BZ2 were a TV show it would have a cult following. I've had some DMs with bots, and they get a bit mouthy; just tried an MPI and the wit continues... "Natty, what do I do now?"
For those that don't remember it, Natty Bumpo created G66, an excellent MPI variant with much more challenging CPU stuff. Was pretty and clever... :D
That Nathan has given over two years of his spare time to bring this to us.
Clicking on the minimap and it doesn't lock up on you! :-)
The new defenses, repair units, and pilot stuff!
No AI overbuild!
Multiple AI!
Being able to easily add new Recyclers!
The immersive 3D sound!
The AV fixes!
Shall I go on?
having played the game for 2 days i love it ,were back to teams having to use there brains again ,against simply hovering and chain rush,this of course has led to the players that only had that to their game whinging,
played a few last night with me ole m8 scorch,so it is tempting quality vets back :):) i know i keep enthusing about it , but all in all (i believe) it's a good patch.
the 64 channels of 3d sound is very L33T very happy nathan put that in :)
i love loading assualt tank with mdm or plain mortar and letting them hold ground for once. Also i take shadower off the rocket tank and leave that duel combat hardpoint blank.. making that rockettank a heavy Salvo turret. :o
Switching servers with a much greater chance of no1 droping is also stunning.
host set MWF anti av anti joiner bug..
turrets dont sink in pools, stuff gets pushed out of buildings in construction proccess..
turrets for the first time lead there targets correctly based on the weapon they are equip with. tho not invincible, just drive up to them while there turret is rotating there guns away from you, and circle straf them withing 16meters and they cant turn the turret fast enuf. Very nice touch
FLipping command all game doesnt generate a duel commander bug HORAY!
Today I play Iceberg in Hard.
I capture the 3er geiser and think "well... game is over"
WRONG ! :oops:
The AI aggressively recapturing it and do a come back ! :shock:
Quote from: Tankhaving played the game for 2 days i love it ,were back to teams having to use there brains again ,against simply hovering and chain rush,this of course has led to the players that only had that to their game whinging,
played a few last night with me ole m8 scorch,so it is tempting quality vets back :):) i know i keep enthusing about it , but all in all (i believe) it's a good patch.
As above.
Quote from: aougliIf BZ2 were a TV show it would have a cult following. I've had some DMs with bots, and they get a bit mouthy; just tried an MPI and the wit continues... "Natty, what do I do now?"
For those that don't remember it, Natty Bumpo created G66, an excellent MPI variant with much more challenging CPU stuff. Was pretty and clever... :D
Just wait for 2.0...
:shock:
-Av-
(I should make my sig "Natty is a @#!!@#!!" ) ;)
Oh yeh g66 and 1.3 are a nasty combination, uve really got to work ur but off.
One little thing I am really starting to dig is the new building-as-terrain collision code - I have these really intricate buildings with little ledges and launch bays all over them - and now you can actually stand on them or walk around on the roof or drive into them or hover jump over them - just as if they were terrain. If it looks like you should be able to walk on them you now actually can, without the nasty object collisions from 1.2. Damn good excuse to do some interiors ;)
That would be fun. It's about time we have huge buildings and rooms to run inside of. We rarely see that in BZII (because it's a vehicle game) while most other PC games are done inside buildings.