Killzone Mercenary Beta
#1
Wed, 07/31/2013 - 17:35
Killzone Mercenary Beta
FYI: Beta is now open to everyone!
Who else got in?
For those who couldn't get in this round, it'll be open for the public sometime this month!
Nope. Didin't get in.
Ok so the game, being only a Beta, is fantastic.
Finally an FPS that's not cringe worthy.
The controls are just right.
My biggest concern with previous FPS games on the Vita was the sprinting capabalities. With the COD game you had to swipe up pr use the d-pad to sprint which in the heat of battle wasn't the smoothest. In Merceneray if you want to sprint you press the O button while pressing up on the joystick. It was perfect.
The visuals were crisp and not choppy at all.
Online was lag free but probably because only a limited amount of people were playing.
From what I was able to see, there is no more class system. You have 5 loadout slots and progressively unlock them as you rank up. Every match you play you earn Valor points (xp) and use them to buy weapons and accessories to create your load outs.
It's 4 on 4 for the Warzone game mode, which I played and had a lot of fun with, and also a free for all mode which is called Mercenary Warfare.
There was only one map I played on called Inlet. It's an Arena type map with a lower level in the middle and upper surrounding levels on the outskirts giving you vantage points . Good size map for warzone with 8 players.
I didn't play much but I'll play again some more tonight. There are a few things I'm going to provide feedback on in the Beta Forums, but nothing outlandish.
If anyone did manage to get in, let me know!
From my own experience last night, after my initial frustration I didn't like it.
After some thinking time I'll have to give it another shot, I suppose.
Controls, Sensitivity and Aiming
Sprinting does not appear to work for me as Inka indicated. the option to run was to use the rear touch pad, or "O", neither of which worked.
I also found myself aiming at a player and missing them. Shooting beside them or above seemed to be more effective. The second I would get hit from someone else resulted in suddenly firing at the sky or the ground and then over correcting aim. It seems to me that Aim assist/acceleration is apparently "active" as a default and as far as I could see there is no option to disable. It will take some time to get used to.
Gameplay & Valor Points
I played Warzone, which is not too bad, although, matches are far too long (20-30 minutes) and my experience was not the greatest in the limited time I played. Players either got disconnected, wifi dropped, or they quit so the feed was constantly updating with new players throughout one round. I did not have a great experience w/ this, so I agree with Inka that getting a group together to play 4 v 4 would be ideal.
You accumulate valor points, most notably, for winning, kills, picking up ammo -- so pick up ammo always, if you can -- and you also get them for opening those Vanguard Capsules with some janky "unlock pattern" that doesn't work at all... (I haven't been successful even once and the principle of the damn things seems to obvious and simple).
I call the capsules "Stationary Target Finders" since you have to open and then unlock with a pattern that appears in the middle with 6 possible patterns on the outside. The "STF" comes from the fact that, aside from apparently being able to unlock them -- seriously, how does the pattern unlock work? -- they only act as a perfect place for you to get killed by opposing forces that are camping from some glitchy dark corner. This isn't so much a bug or otherwise, but it's certainly no fun.
The game was decent, but without voice chat features it was kinda lonely.
Visuals & Environment
This one is a bit of a sour point with me, and I'm probably the only one, but I find there is far too much to look at and be aware of, environmentally, for such a "small" screen. If the environment was scaled down 5-10% or so, I think it would be easier on the eyes. Also, there isn't a lot of "color" in the environment/landscape either... very plain jane which leads to the "glitchy dark corner campers" I was talking about above.
Otherwise, I'll have to keep playing to see if I can get used to things.
Lastly, anyone else having trouble getting into the PSN BETA section?
I saw there are people posting in the KZ forums, however, I don't think the Devs actively check this...
I got the email this afternoon. Haven't had a chance to grab it yet.
Edit: It's for the early public available after the store update on the 20th.
I got in for the beta starting tomorrow.
It's available since last night. I grabbed and installed but I haven't fired it up yet.
I'll have it downloaded tonight.
it's almost finished but the office connection is slow as molasses.
This game is still fun!
Just went 51-15 in Warzone.
Would be nice to get a lobby of 8 going.
Also, If you have PLUS, you don't need the code. It's free to download for the Plus members!
Thanks for the heads up. Downloading as I type this.
Finally a decent FPS for the Vita. Played it and loved it.
Twitchy I'm not sure why your sprinting isn't working? Seems to be working ok for me. I agree though that the matches are way to long. I know that's due to the fact that they only have warzone mode available but you better count on a good 20+ minutes if you start a game...kind of annoying but only a beta thing.
Aragorn,
Sprinting worked for me last night when I played some more.
Things seemed to be a bit brighter, perhaps something was wrong w/ the room I was playing in previously. Visually I didn't seem nearly as bad as the first night I played.
I ended up getting disconnected by my battery dying though, near the end of a round. That pretty much blows as the stats, valor points and any bonuses from that round were lost.
They really really need to fix the spawns. Spawning on an enemy, either directly behind or in front of them is rather ridiculous and the spawns are NOT random. You will find that you spawn in the same "few" points around the map, which may explain the spawning on enemies... if they are camping, and they camp a lot.
still though, I had a much better experience last night.
The closed beta didn't have many connection issues because of the amount of people participating in it. This current beta is getting better day by day with the lag and connection issues and it seems like they're making the necessary connections. Hopefully after next weeks full open beta stress test they'll be ready for launch day.
Overall i'm happy with the improvements they have made. There are still improvements to be made, especially the lobby system, but overall, the gameplay is so smooth for me, and the controls feel as natural as it could be on the Vita.
Sprinting has been working ok for me. I run by just tapping the O button, I never use the screen or back to sprint.
Have you guys incorporated the slide mechanic into your gameplay? I use it all the time. For those who don't know how to use it, just tap O again during the sprint. I use it to get behind cover when being peppered. Gotten me out of a few pickles.
The arguments I have this time around are the strength of the power weapons i.e rockets, gernade launchers, etc.
- I played a match where this guy just used rockets the entire match and went 40 - 14. The damage spread on those weapons are ridiculous! I killed a guy with my AR and he was able to pull off a shot and it pretty far away from me and killed me.
- I also have a gripe with the spawn system. many times i've spawned in the line of fire but i've also benefited from it. Regardless, it's annoying to have to worry about dying immediately when you spawn.
- Lobby wait times are ridiculous.
- When creating a friends party and then jumping into a game it should not split you up (it's happened to William and I). Also the time it takes to joina friends lobby is too long as well.
- The time it takes from when the game ends to we're back into the lobby is balls also. Too long!
That being said, these issues that I've experienced, doesn't take away from how awesome this game is when playing it. Finally an FPS that could sell some systems. If only Nihlistic put this much effort into Blops Vita!
Thank god for Betas.
For once I think I can actually say I fully agree with Inka.
on all of those points.
and I to enjoy the slide mechanics, very handy indeed.
The Beta is open for everyone now starting today!
How about we try to get a full lobby going tomorrow night at around 8pm EST.
Yes, no, maybe so?