Free 2 Play MMO Hunt Pt. two: Cartoon WWII-like Violence

War in computer games is often a bloody, gory mess filled with more grit than you can shake a M60 at. In three simple words: War is Hell.  However,  in the case of EA’s free 2 play Battlefield: Heroes...war is heck. BF Heroes is a stripped-down version of the popular Battlefield series. The mainstream commercial versions take the player through large-scale, multiplayer battles set during various times in history (WWII, Modern Day, Star Wars universe…yes, Star Wars, etc.) BF Heroes’ setting is a cartoonish, sanitized version of Europe during World War II. The player can raise a soldier as one of  the English-like Royals or the German-like Nationals. Once you get going you will be thrust into a couple of gameplay modes that mainly deal you taking a position and holding on to it. Like many free 2 play MMOs, items can be purchased by earning game money through playing.  However, in BF Heroes’ case the bulk of the game money is only earned by winning…kid you not. That’s pretty hardcore. Like other games, special items can be purchased with real money.

The Allied British-y Royals

It’s a pretty solid game with very high production values and a light, breezy sense of humor. I would recommend this game to anyone who wants to get their war on, but is put off by the controversy and seriousness of CoD: Modern Warfare 2.  Here’s the break down:

Pros

• Great looking game, especially for a free one.
• The Battlefield formula still works here, which is a nice combo of strategy and action.
• You can drive jeeps, tanks and even airplanes (or hitch a ride on them)!
• Cartoon violence may make it appropriate for your tweens or young teen

Cons

• Leveling is a grind. It took me forever just to get to level 10.
• You can’t pick your server or room, you get thrown into one other players.
• I repeat, your team has to win to get game munny.
• A little too few maps and game modes, which limits my playing time.

I’ll keep in touch.

-R.

A Five Years Mission

Seriously, sometimes I think I was born perhaps five years early.

I’ve got the soul of a 29-year old and the body of a 67-year old.

In the gaming sense, I think that I would feel more comfortable with the constantly-changing landscape.

Perhaps I would be looking forward to the PS3’s motion controllers and 3D glasses.

I don’t think it will be 3D. From what I surmise, the near-future of gaming will involved the further erosion of the boundaries between player and game. This will be done through innovations in the way that people will control their avatars, giving them a greater sense of agency. Think of the interface that Tom Cruise’s character used in Minority Report…

As I peruse tech blogs, that is becoming more of a reality. Frankly, I would miss the controller in my hands. Having, what Janet Murray called a “Threshold Object” cradled between my digits is what keeps each of my size 13 feet planted in both worlds. I believe it’s the tactile interface that keeps us from being totally sucked into a digital space. What would happen to emotionally compromised individuals when they confuse their material identity for their virtual one? Here’s the thing: I don’t mean to spread fear like many a vote-grubbing politician. I believe in the first amendment rights of game developers. But I believe the thing that keeps  the Jack Thompsons of the world at bay is that bit of plastic and wiring with the candy-colored buttons.

Perhaps I wouldn’t worry so much if I was five years younger.

However, my age gives me perspective that minus five years would grant me (in the gaming sense, at least).

Would I still have had my experiences with the Commodore 128 (in C=64 mode of course) that gives me appreciation for the advances in PC gaming since 1985?

By the way Archon was, and still is… awesome. If you can find a way to play it: play it.

Would I still understand the affects of the video game crash of the early 80s and its affects on console platforms on an intimate level?

Indeed, I did have E.T. for the Atari 2600.

I also got to see the rebirth of the console in the form of the NES in 1986 (I got the one with R.O.B. for Xmas) and the first-generation Game Boy.

So…maybe not being five years younger has its bonuses.

-R.

Bioshock Infinite: Some Quick Comments

Visiting the website of PC Gamer magazine left me optimistic, yet a little wary of Irrational Games’ upcoming entry in the Bioshock franchise. Retro-Futurist fans rejoice! Bioshock Infinite transports us to an Industrial Age America where the Rapture-like metropolis of Columbia floats in the air.  The steampunk aesthetic seems a reasonable choice considering the Art Deco environments of Rapture.

Along with many who posted on PC Gamer, I greatly anticipate immersing myself in the world of Columbia in the same way I was enchanted with Andrew Ryan’s ill-fated experiment. However…

Hopefully it will not be so derivative of the first game that it will feel like playing a mod.  Regardless, I excitedly await.

A parting thought related to Bioshock…

I recently visited New York, New York casino and resort.

I was incredibly creeped-out by the casino floor/restaurants as it overwhelmingly reminded me of Rapture. At the same time, I LOVED it!

Next Posts: My research, More memories and More MMO-hunt.