BF3's been getting a lot of praise, and also a lot of shit (Origin). Strangely enough, to me at least, some shit has also been strewn over the single player, and I find this unfair. Of course the vast majority of the people who play BF3 won't even touch the single player, and after having played both, I'll admit that the multiplayer is indeed more fun.
But still, despite being very scripted and being the very incarnation of linear, I did find myself enjoying the hell out of the campaign. Despite its flaws, I found myself incredibly immersed. Not so much because of the story (I didn't have a clue what was going on to be honest), but because of two factors: looks and sound.
Normally graphics shouldn't be that much of a factor, but when a game's looks are THIS good and the added effects are this well done, it actually adds to the gameplay and immersion. Add to that the absolute best sound design I've ever heard in a game (I play with headphones on with the volume up wayyy too high) and an actually creative soundtrack (no predictable, lame Zimmer-esque orchestrations) and you've got yourself one hell of an experience.
The experience doesn't last that long, which is too bad, but the time I spent playing the campaign I've been on the edge of my seat, unable and unwilling to take my eyes off the monitor for even a second. And it's been a long, long time since I've experienced that.
Addendum edit after some more consideration:
You know, I actually agree with most of the critique here, and I've been wondering why I actually liked this game so much besides the already stated 'looks and sound'. Usually I'm really not that much into simplicity. I want a story, compelling characters, something to care about, I really do. I'm such a story whore and content tourist that I usually finish games around 5 times, just to try and do everything differently and see every outcome. Hell, I have 7 completely different playthroughs with Mass Effect 2.
Normally when a game doesn't have a story or characters I care about, I go through the same thing as most other people; I don't care. You just play the game, maybe enjoy it for what it is, but then forget about it.
In BF3, for the first time EVER in my personal gaming history, I actually wanted the cutscenes to end. Not because they were bad, not so much because I didn't care about the story, but because for the first time ever I just wanted to be put back into the action. I didn't care where or what my next mission was, I just wanted to play again.
Again, normally I'm not so easily pleased, but I honestly believe that this game's graphics, sound and soundtrack are so well made that they've successfully managed to lull my brain to sleep and get me absolutely and completely immersed in the gameplay, story, characters, quick time events and linearity or not.
But still, despite being very scripted and being the very incarnation of linear, I did find myself enjoying the hell out of the campaign. Despite its flaws, I found myself incredibly immersed. Not so much because of the story (I didn't have a clue what was going on to be honest), but because of two factors: looks and sound.
Normally graphics shouldn't be that much of a factor, but when a game's looks are THIS good and the added effects are this well done, it actually adds to the gameplay and immersion. Add to that the absolute best sound design I've ever heard in a game (I play with headphones on with the volume up wayyy too high) and an actually creative soundtrack (no predictable, lame Zimmer-esque orchestrations) and you've got yourself one hell of an experience.
The experience doesn't last that long, which is too bad, but the time I spent playing the campaign I've been on the edge of my seat, unable and unwilling to take my eyes off the monitor for even a second. And it's been a long, long time since I've experienced that.
Addendum edit after some more consideration:
You know, I actually agree with most of the critique here, and I've been wondering why I actually liked this game so much besides the already stated 'looks and sound'. Usually I'm really not that much into simplicity. I want a story, compelling characters, something to care about, I really do. I'm such a story whore and content tourist that I usually finish games around 5 times, just to try and do everything differently and see every outcome. Hell, I have 7 completely different playthroughs with Mass Effect 2.
Normally when a game doesn't have a story or characters I care about, I go through the same thing as most other people; I don't care. You just play the game, maybe enjoy it for what it is, but then forget about it.
In BF3, for the first time EVER in my personal gaming history, I actually wanted the cutscenes to end. Not because they were bad, not so much because I didn't care about the story, but because for the first time ever I just wanted to be put back into the action. I didn't care where or what my next mission was, I just wanted to play again.
Again, normally I'm not so easily pleased, but I honestly believe that this game's graphics, sound and soundtrack are so well made that they've successfully managed to lull my brain to sleep and get me absolutely and completely immersed in the gameplay, story, characters, quick time events and linearity or not.