Starhawk

[Natino64]

Hey guys, I was invited to the Starhawk beta a week ago, and within this time I have come to a decisive conclusion on Starhawk, at least in it's 1.09 Beta stage.

Before we begin, I'd like to mention I'm a long time Battlefield player. I've played BF2 (What many consider to be the BEST online shooter to date, incorporating a great system of teamwork and excellent gameplay) I've played BF 2142, the original BF Vietnam, and of course Battlefield: Bad company 1 & 2 - and now the very popular BATTLEFIELD 3.

I know what an online shooter SHOULD be. The Battlefield series is the pinnacle of online Shooting strategy and gameplay. I consider it's community to be very much like Warhawk / Starhawk's, for the reason that both series' multiplay revolve around the same principle; teamwork.

Now when I said, "The Battlefield series is the pinnacle of online Shooting strategy and gameplay." I say it subjectively. The word "Battlefield series" could well be replaced by another title if lightbox plays their cards right with this game.

First of all, I'd like to congratulate Lightbox interactive for making a REAL beta. One released months before the retail game, not a mere week like many developers like to do. This beta alone is more polished than any Battlefield game upon it's retail release, so hats off to you guys. This also gives you alot of time to LISTEN to the community and change the game and improve it before release.

I'd also like to congratulate the dev's for LISTENING to us, the community. DICE (BF dev's) used to be like you guys, but when the prospect of money came up, they completely ignored us. The BF forums are usless now as the dev's don't read them. You actually listen to us and improve the game depending on how WE think it should be improved, so again; well done.

Onto gameplay...

Just wow. wow. I don't know how a first-time dev did it, but wow. This game runs smoothly, the lighting and textures are FANTASTIC and the overall graphics are SUPERB. Not the best, granted, but for these huge maps you'll be making, and with all the stuff going on in regards to online, you certainly pulled the rabbit out of the hat. The framerate is amazing too.

I LOVE the build mechanic. I thought it was going to be a real gimmick, but no. It's so damn fun building up fortresses with turrets, anti-warhawk beams, walls, forcefields, and all that shizzle to protect your flag, spawn becaons are a brilliant addition too, and this original mechanic is definately something that seperates this from the rest of the games in this overcrowded shooter genre, just as destruction was what made BF prominent.

The health and damage is PERFECT. DO NOT CHANGE IT!!! I love the way it takes lots of bullets to kill, I love the way your health recharges, and OMG I LOVE THE BULLET PHYSICS!! You have to burst fire to get the kill, which means the better player will always win - great job here guys!

And the teamwork in this game is AMAZING!! I don't like the fact that the other team can here me over the mic, however, as they may hear me dicussing tactics, and as a result learn of potential flanks I'm taking to the flag - but other than that, this isn't a lone wolf game. WHICH I LOVE. You have to work together to get the flag, and that's brilliant. Don't ever remove ANYTHING that may compromise teamwork, as I'm sure it'll be a pivotal feature in this game.]

The vehicles and weapons, from what I can see, are balanced. The shotgun could use a little tiny nerf, but I'm not complaining The warhawks are as easy to take out as they are easy to get kills with. My only concern with 'em is that I'd like to have "flares" of some sort to send enemy missiles of target, like in warhawk or BF3. But again, it's not too concerning.

And that's it! I've had amazing experiences with this game thus far, and it it certainly taking over BF3 as my #1 played game this week. 

If you guys can play you're cards right and NOT fudge up by going the Activision/CoD-style lazy route, you really could have a winner on your hands. You should be very proud of this game, as even the Beta is making me question wether Battlefield 3 is currently the best shooter on the market.

WELL DONE GUYS! 9.0/10 so far from me! While the game's not without it's problems; they are few and far between. Just keep working hard, and you will definately have my £40 come release day. 

...And maybe even the honor of replacing BF3 as the best online shooter on PS3

[Jacko_the_lad]

Teamwork? What teamwork?

From what I've played, I've been doing everything myself.

[shika1983]

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Jacko_the_lad wrote:
Teamwork? What teamwork?

From what I've played, I've been doing everything myself.

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It's like any game.

When it's new people want to build and try out things, once it's been out for a while the teamwork starts creeping in.

For example building the walls around the flags and placing turrets on them.

At first I was doing that by myself but now you get 2/3 people doing it, which of cause protects your base quicker and saves you some rift for other things.

Haven't seen any "teamwork" in regards to attacking the flag yet (meaning co-ordination it actually grabbing the flag and leaving with it) but have seen forward spawn points/bases being build up.

More teamwork will come when mics are used as well so you can tell people what your building etc etc.

[heyugetoverhere]

who gives a F about teamwork. FREE FOR ALL DEATHMATCH baby. with build and battle and without build and battle. 

Im glad the host choose which build and battle is allowed smart Light Box. 

[nads911]

I havent seen any team work yet unless your playing with people on your FL. But its still early doors yet like Shika said the team work and the coms will get there eventually after release. 

I loved WH, that was gorund breaking when that game came out, even though i will get this game regardless, it seems to have a lot more competition at the moment lets just hope it has the same sort of community as WH and the team work etc. 

As for BF series being the best shooter, i cant really judge, since i only played about 5 mins of that whole series and it seemed the same as most shooters for the most (just my opinion no need to lynch me), so for me as a personal choice i loved KZ3, just because it was so good to look at while playing and i havent seen an online map as detailed as "the junkyard" yet in any game.

[afk-12]

I've been playing the battlefield series since BF1943. BATTLEFIELD games have been the only war like game i've been playing alot. I've played warhawk for a good amount of time but i've played BATTLEFIELD games alot more, then theres starhawk. Starhawk is really pulling me away from BF3. Starhawk has 32 players, destructable structures, you can host servers, clans, customize charater, and of course teamwork and verhicles.