Brink: Thoughts?

[Novania]

When checking through the Steam store the other day when I was going to pick up Magicka, (which is awesome mind you) I came across Brink and saw that there were about 2 hours left until it unlocked. I hadn't been following its release progress but was still anticipating the game. Naturally I paid the $50 for it and went about preloading it so I could play later that evening.

After several attempts of rewriting this post I've settled on this one. The only bad thing about the game for me was when it got released in Europe and then all the servers I joined were laggy. Also the 'character creation', not customization, wasn't as in depth as I would have liked. However that part I can understand from a technical standpoint; why let the people do a tonne of face modifications when they are going to cover them up with masks, scars, or helmets? Not to mention it's an FPS so you won't be focusing on what the other guy's face looks like....

ANYWHO, the game is out and I really enjoy the movement mechanics and combat. So for those of you who have played the game, what have you thought of it so far?

Also, if there is a post-release thread about the game and this conflicts it blah blah blah...well shit I don't know...I guess I'll go have a sandwich or something...

 

[L3m0n_L1m3]

I like the movement mechanics and the customization, but the campaign is basically non-existent and the shooting feels really stiff.

Honestly, it feels more like a 15 dollar XBLA title.

 

[AlternatePFG]

It's really buggy right now, but so far I like it. It's just a shame that there is hardly any content in the game at all.

Thankfully, I read somewhere that they do plan on releasing free DLC with new maps in June. Dunno where I heard that though.

 

[Radeonx]

The parkour-esque movements are pretty neat, but everything else is sub-par at best.

 

[General Twinkletoes]

Not working.

 

[Vausch]

I like the parkour, nothing else. Right now I'm desperately trying to get Steam to let me find a way to return it. Major disadvantage to these people along with the customer service being non-existent.

 

[Tibs]

I enjoy the game for what it is though I am missing most of the game because PSN is down.

 

[Baneat]

Do the PK elements compare with Crysis 2's power-suit mode?

 

[The Apothecarry]

The SMART system is an innovative and effective feature, but movement and looking around feels a bit sluggish.

The hostile AI could be dumbed down a bit. It plays far too defensive and after running the Resistance campaign, which felt relatively easy, the Security campaign feels insanely difficult.

Classes and combat balance and flow really well, but the weapons feel slightly unbalanced. Recoil for the pistols feels too strong and a submachine gun in my opinion should not be able to kill someone faster than an assault rifle.

For a game that screams "CUSTOMIZE ME!" I was disappointed that you couldn't alter the color schemes on your weapons. I don't like orange on my assault rifle if I'm not wearing any.

 

[Timmehexas]

The parkour-esque movements are pretty neat, but everything else is sub-par at best.

Basically this, the whole concept was quite cool but poorly executed. I was really excited about this and am a little bummed now that I've played it.

 

[squid5580]

It just isn't good. The one big selling point is the one biggest failure. Character customization does not suit the game. The one thing you need to know is who is what. What character is playing the medic, who is the engineer I need to take out and eliminate his turret? I don't know because everyone looks the same. That is why TF2 worked. You know who is what and what counters who. You playing a spy well you best be avoiding the pyro. Getting hammered by engineers break out the demomen. In Brink the only way you know who is a medic is if you catch them reviving someone. And let me tell you U need to take them fuckers out fast. And I am sure the parkour looks interesting if you see another character doing it. But being an FPS it feels bland to do it yourself.

The worst part is the AI though. They level with you and become gods. Well the enemy AI does. Your guys are a bunch of nimrods. If you have ever played any MP team based game you should have encountered this problem. Where your team is only out for themselves and no one is communicating while the enemy is co ordinated and on the ball. Attacking or defending as a team. Your team will do whatever they feel like looking out only for their xp. Hey the enemy is defending the objective I will go take out a CP and let the timer run out. Screw defending the objective the human can do that. And the AI has pinpoint accuracy with weapons you can barely wield due to recoil.

Oh and on the 360 the lag in VS is unacceptable. I tried about 10 matches and the lag made it unplayable. Just teleporting everywhere instead of walking. I don't know about the PC version. To me that is the only part that could have been fun. If it wasn't broken

 

[ryai458]

Love it especially being an Xbox360 user and finally having the lean ability it is awesome, oh ya also SMART.

 

[Aerograt]

Honestly, it feels more like a 15 dollar XBLA title.

Pretty much this, the game feels unfinished with its bugs and lack of maps. Come on, $60 for a repetitive multiplayer only title where the single player only consists of bot matches? It's just like initially overpriced Shadowrun, only Brink has much needed modes with respawns, buggy as crap "parkour", quicker kill times, and abilities that aren't nearly as awesome.

 

[Silas13013]

Do the PK elements compare with Crysis 2's power-suit mode?

In short, no.
It has the perplexing ability to be both too sensitive and not sensitive enough at the same time. Whereas in Crysis you are basically in control (jumping and grabbing are generally linked so you decide when to do stuff), in Brink it's done automatically which can be EXTREMELY frustrating when you are running along a set of stairs and your guy jumps onto the railing and over the edge because you had the nerve to be near it. However, there are also times where I have been circle strafing onto a piece of cover to climb on it and it's only when I back up and approach again that it registers that I do indeed want to climb onto this piece of cover.

The combat is stiff and doesn't flow at all. It feels very much like Borderlands where it's entirely possible to run in full pelt, guns blazing and not kill a single person and they also don't manage to kill you. It creates the very common scenario where the entirety of both teams are sitting in the open, not taking cover in any way and literally just standing there and shooting until all the medics are killed.

On the topic of medics, the difference in classes is minuscule and only makes a big difference in places where an objective needs to be capped by a specific class. I've seen teams of entirely medics just walk from one end of the map to the other and be basically unstoppable due to buffs and the fact there is no real difference in firepower from a support class (medic) to a soldier class. If the team follows the "everyone be a medic unless absolutely necessary" rule, it will be nigh impossible to beat them.

For a game that also ripped off Borderlands in the "we made a billion of everything" customization wise, they couldn't even do it as good as Borderlands did it. Customization is weak, based mainly on the slider bar to give it more options.

tl;dr
Bad free running that has been done before and better in games that didn't use it as a selling point.
Borderlands style "let's make a billion things instead of a game" but failed at it harder than Borderlands did.
TF2 style class based system that fails both balance and practicality tests and is broken in nearly every way.

I'm just glad I only spent $30 bucks on the game during the Newegg sale.

*Edit*
Those of you who are complaining that there is no single player need to stop. You were told before the game came out that the single player was multiplayer with bots. You were warned and
need to stop complaining. Besides, UT3 had that and UT3 was a great game. (At the time)

 

[BGH122]

Thankfully, I read somewhere that they do plan on releasing free DLC with new maps in June. Dunno where I heard that though.

Ugh, free DLC is always a bad sign: It's the harbinger of paid DLC, the sugar that coats the bitter pill.

I've not bought Brink yet because I presumed they'd release it half finished at full price and then expect people to wait for them to patch it up through a combination of free and paid downloads. I'll see what exactly they do to it within the next year before purchasing it, although given its online focus it'll probably be dead by then.

*Edit*
Those of you who are complaining that there is no single player need to stop. You were told before the game came out that the single player was multiplayer with bots. You were warned and
need to stop complaining. Besides, UT3 had that and UT3 was a great game. (At the time)

Still is! I fire it up from time to time to play with friends vs insane AI. Truly defined the modern generation of multiplayer shooters.

 

[Baneat]

Do the PK elements compare with Crysis 2's power-suit mode?

In short, no.
It has the perplexing ability to be both too sensitive and not sensitive enough at the same time. Whereas in Crysis you are basically in control (jumping and grabbing are generally linked so you decide when to do stuff), in Brink it's done automatically which can be EXTREMELY frustrating when you are running along a set of stairs and your guy jumps onto the railing and over the edge because you had the nerve to be near it. However, there are also times where I have been circle strafing onto a piece of cover to climb on it and it's only when I back up and approach again that it registers that I do indeed want to climb onto this piece of cover.

The combat is stiff and doesn't flow at all. It feels very much like Borderlands where it's entirely possible to run in full pelt, guns blazing and not kill a single person and they also don't manage to kill you. It creates the very common scenario where the entirety of both teams are sitting in the open, not taking cover in any way and literally just standing there and shooting until all the medics are killed.

On the topic of medics, the difference in classes is minuscule and only makes a big difference in places where an objective needs to be capped by a specific class. I've seen teams of entirely medics just walk from one end of the map to the other and be basically unstoppable due to buffs and the fact there is no real difference in firepower from a support class (medic) to a soldier class. If the team follows the "everyone be a medic unless absolutely necessary" rule, it will be nigh impossible to beat them.

For a game that also ripped off Borderlands in the "we made a billion of everything" customization wise, they couldn't even do it as good as Borderlands did it. Customization is weak, based mainly on the slider bar to give it more options.

tl;dr
Bad free running that has been done before and better in games that didn't use it as a selling point.
Borderlands style "let's make a billion things instead of a game" but failed at it harder than Borderlands did.
TF2 style class based system that fails both balance and practicality tests and is broken in nearly every way.

I'm just glad I only spent $30 bucks on the game during the Newegg sale.

God, what a letdown

Not gonna get it then, was hoping for maybe Mirror's Edge PK or Power mode, both of which are amazing in their own way.

 

[Silas13013]

Do the PK elements compare with Crysis 2's power-suit mode?

snip

God, what a letdown

Not gonna get it then, was hoping for maybe Mirror's Edge PK or Power mode, both of which are amazing in their own way.

I loved the power mode in Crysis and was really hoping it would be implemented just as well in Brink. Unfortunately it was not.

Thankfully, I read somewhere that they do plan on releasing free DLC with new maps in June. Dunno where I heard that though.

*Edit*
Those of you who are complaining that there is no single player need to stop. You were told before the game came out that the single player was multiplayer with bots. You were warned and
need to stop complaining. Besides, UT3 had that and UT3 was a great game. (At the time)

Still is! I fire it up from time to time to play with friends vs insane AI. Truly defined the modern generation of multiplayer shooters.

Ha another UT3 fan. I honestly love that game and was the main reason I got TF2 and the Brink, since UT3 and TF2 are both amazing multiplayer based games. I do see potential in Brink, but it will need either MAJOR patching or a complete rehaul of the gameplay.

 

[fierydemise]

Its a decent class based shooter that doesn't quite want to commit to being a class based shooter.

Some of the limitations seem pretty arbitrary, you can change weapons and classes in game but not body type so if you like to play a different body type for different classes then you are SOL.

Its not a bad game in any sense but its not a good game either, the multiplayer right now is pretty heavily imbalanced toward the defense on most maps because it needs much less coordination. Map design is too heavily based around chokepoints which undermines the SMART system. Class balance needs work, medics are absurd, operatives are pretty weak. It could get better but online shooters being what they are I doubt it will have the playerbase in 2 months to support the kind of balancing overhaul the game needs.

 

[Master Kuja]

God, what a letdown

Not gonna get it then, was hoping for maybe Mirror's Edge PK or Power mode, both of which are amazing in their own way.

And on the other side of the coin...
While the automatic parkour is...A finicky ***** to say the least, you can trigger it all manually with various combinations of the SMART button, sprint, jump and crouch, which makes the entire system feel a great deal more streamlined and much less temperamental. Turns out if your timing is good and you know the maps, everyone else will be struggling to catch up with you.

Still, if you're on the fence I'd recommend a rental before purchasing, it could impress you if you go into it with the right mindset, or it could let you down.
Personally, I love the game despite the faults...I'm actually getting tempted to write a review for it.

 

[Mrrrgggrlllrrrg]

I love it, got it on PC through steam. If looking around feels a bit sluggish turn up the sensitivity, first thing I did was turn that up before tweaking graphic settings. The movement is almost second nature from the beginning for me, SMART is a welcome innovation, with some friends you can flank the enemy team in so many ways and keep them guessing where you all are. The character customization I welcome the seemingly "small" amount of options but factor in that for each item theres many skins, the only thing I wished there was were weapon skins but eh thats just a minor thing that hardly matters.

The classes and combat in general are balanced considering the amount of guns and abilities. There is no single "god" gun or set up and everything hinders on whether you can work together or not. The AI is no pushover thankfully and at later levels can be a welcome challenge. The neutral command posts add a delicious layer of tactics to an otherwise basic shooter with free running elements. Too many a time have I been running around healing and rezing people did that last supply pip to throw out that clutch heal in the middle of a big fight to turn the tide of battle.

Overall I like it and would recommend it to anyone wanting a different kind of FPS to mess around with.