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So this is on sale for 28 bucks for the "digital deluxe" edition. I have a little money left over after buying this semester's textbooks (they just get more and more expensive as you get closer to graduating...) and was pondering getting a game..


... so I have a few questions, for those that have it:

1: Is the PC version a port, and if so, is it a good port? Is it buggy, is its control scheme any good, do they show actual computer controls in their tutorials or whatever, etc?

2: How long and replayable is its single player game? I know the "replayable" part is subjective, but well, I don't feel like spending 28 bucks on what is basically a multiplayer-focused game with a lame five-hour single player slapped on (I'm looking at you, CoD:Ghost).

3: How common is hacking/cheating in its multiplayer?

4: Is there a bots-only mode for multiplayer?


For those curious, the Digital Deluxe edition includes the "China Rising" expansion and "3 Gold Battlepacks", whatever that is.

1. Battlefield was launched on PC the same time it was for consoles, pretty sure it isn't a port.

2. Campaign replayability will be more about what weapons you use rather than using different paths, or different tactics.

3. Hacking/cheating is almost non-existent.

4. If there are, it's a mod, not inherently added to the game.


In summary, Battlefield 4 is a MP game at it's core, buying it with the hopes that you'll have a great single player game that'll keep you coming back for more would just end up disappointing you. Still though, a great game, and if you don't mind dealing with FPS tryhard douchecanoes, you'll have fun.

Ask yourself; Do you think Call of Duty would be way better with vehicles, larger maps, and larger teams?

If yes then maybe you should get it.

If no; Do you like games where you can cause havoc and mayhem all while trolling the hell out of the poor nubs who think they're awesome?

Then you most definitely should get it. Few multiplayer games can match Battlefield's platform for allowing you to screw around and wreak havoc on a whim.

Last time I played a Battlefield game, I held a point solo for the entire match (15 min give or take). My team lost, but turned the enemy team into my bitch Got called a hacker and was banned

No bots, Singleplayer kinda sucks, it's built for PC (especially AMD hardware) and there are very few cheaters, I've noticed some people are a little too good with the jets and attack helicopters but that could just be me being a bad loser.

One strength of the game is that if say a sniper or aircraft is ruining your day you can easily avoid them.

The game is alot of fun and even since i've been playing they've made solid improvements on it's network performance and input lag. To the point where they aren't really noticeable.

Digital deluxe does NOT include the premium DLC packs btw, however i don't have them and still feel the base maps have enough variety.

Oh and DICE didn't rule out female soldiers but it would probably be a Premium DLC.

EDIT: There is a nice test range where you can learn to fly the aircraft etc, it's not like the previous games in that regard.

Well, I was convinced to get it.

Kind of regret it really. Hope the multiplayer is good, because the campaign was really damned short. The credit roll was longer than the campaign itself.

Battlefield MP tends to be one of the better ones I've encountered, albeit there's more frustrating moments with some of the shenanigans players can pull, overall it's something you'll enjoy.

The FPS games I enjoyed the most in multiplayer were Quake 3 and 4, TF2, and Blacklight: Retribution, myself. I tend to despise "realistic" games for being neither fun nor realistic.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
For example, I find that BF's recoil in the campaign is ridiculously overplayed, to the point where it often makes automatic weapons useless and I feel I can handle weapons better than these supposed marines. Hoping it won't be as stupid in multiplayer.

 Melissia wrote:
The FPS games I enjoyed the most in multiplayer were Quake 3 and 4, TF2, and Blacklight: Retribution, myself. I tend to despise "realistic" games for being neither fun nor realistic.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
For example, I find that BF's recoil in the campaign is ridiculously overplayed, to the point where it often makes automatic weapons useless and I feel I can handle weapons better than these supposed marines. Hoping it won't be as stupid in multiplayer.

Only one I haven't played is Blacklight; TF2 is probably my favorite of all time though.

Yeah, there are things that don't make any sense in the most recent Battlefield games, BF3 had a lot of it right, but there were things that still made me scratch my head.

The game can play quite alot like TF2 if all the classes are working together. The vehicle play is also fantastic, although the lightly armoured jeep-style ground vehicles are kinda useless.

If you choose the engineer and take a Carbine and anti-tank launcher it allows for some nimble play, not quite Quake but still some chaotic fun.

The thing about the recoil is that all guns have a unique 'profile' unlike other games that simply have a catch-all model to simulate bullet spread. The gun will have a vertical pull, a right pull and a left pull in varying degrees. The key to mastering the recoil in BF4 is to find a gun you quite like and sticking with it, that way you'll get used to it's particular model.

The Ak 5c is a fantastic beginners weapon as is the M416. There are arguably better weapons further down the unlock tree but nothing i'd describe as OP. I also find the Kobra reflex sight is the best optic. A good beginner vehicle to master is the LAV, it is less popular than the MBT but packs a serious punch.

 Melissia wrote:
The FPS games I enjoyed the most in multiplayer were Quake 3 and 4, TF2, and Blacklight: Retribution, myself. I tend to despise "realistic" games for being neither fun nor realistic.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
For example, I find that BF's recoil in the campaign is ridiculously overplayed, to the point where it often makes automatic weapons useless and I feel I can handle weapons better than these supposed marines. Hoping it won't be as stupid in multiplayer.

Fun fact, you can't reliably fire a fully automatic rifle accurately in reality. They have to be braced or else you are only firing for effect to keep people in cover so the people with semi-automatic weapons can hit the position with the enemy in a position that they can't reasonably fight back from. I was personally disappointed with Battlefield 4 because, like you said, the single player is really short and weak. I don't mind buying a game for its multiplayer as long as they don't charge me full price for half a game. This is why I like Payday 2, 30 bucks for a game that doesn't kid you with a cardboard cut out of a single player mode? Sounds good to me.

Firing in short controlled bursts, yes, you can.

I've done so myself.

BF and other games like it have really overdone recoil.

A good tip for beginners, if you're using an automatic weapon in BF4, learn to tap fire with it. It's a massive help to stop recoil and you'll be more accurate in the long run.

I really liked the Assault Class beginner gun the Ak-12 and used that until I unlocked the M416, which is the jack of all trades gun when it comes to medium and short range. I use the Famas for close quarters maps like Operation Locker and I use the Sar-21 for longer range maps because it's stability is amazing.

If you are going to be playing in a tank or LAV, I can't recommend the Staff Shell as a secondary weapon on the tank and the TOW missile on the LAV enough, if you get the first shots on your opponent's tank or LAV, they're effectively done for unless they are much much better in a vehicle than you.

Melissia, the upcoming patch will remove some of the 'Visual' recoil from the game. I believe this is the erratic movement of the gun model you get with automatic fire. This could be the aspect you have trouble with. However I still really don't see the issue, CS:GO has far more pronounced recoil than BF.

Although i find the recoil model firm but fair i too like to stick to the high stability guns. This is only because i play on PC with a controller and only get the subtle aim assist the M/K players get (face it PC players, it does exist ).

Another fantastic gun is the AKU-12, it has incredible stability and a high RPM in burst fire and once you unlock the compensator it stops the huge muzzle climb that the bursts cause. It's my go-to gun.

 Perkustin wrote:
Another fantastic gun is the AKU-12, it has incredible stability and a high RPM in burst fire and once you unlock the compensator it stops the huge muzzle climb that the bursts cause. It's my go-to gun.

My most used gun hands down in BF4. I skipped the compensator and mounted a suppressor on it instead.

I have found that otherwise;
- I use the FN2000 for CQB maps
- The SAR21 for other maps (although I am trying out others too)
- The 249 as a bullet hose

Mine is the Ak5c. With ergo, standard barrell and rds you can get 60% stability which is close to the aku and g36 but a whopping 85% hip fire. I literally dont bother down sighting anymore with it. Spray and pray at close and downsight tap fire at medium.
Its poor however over anything longer than submedium range.

And yes the sp campaign is horrific. Stick with the mp though, some magic moments to be had.

How fast does one level up? I still need to dedicate a weekend to trying out the MP to see if I want to keep this 30 gigabyte monstrosity on my computer or delete it to install a different set of games.

 Melissia wrote:
How fast does one level up? I still need to dedicate a weekend to trying out the MP to see if I want to keep this 30 gigabyte monstrosity on my computer or delete it to install a different set of games.

If it's the same system as BF3, take a medkit/paddles/ammo bag and run around spamming them, also cap points. You'll level up the kit AND your overall level pretty fast that way. Kills and destructions are good too, but if you're not one of the better players it'll take forever.

 Melissia wrote:
How fast does one level up? I still need to dedicate a weekend to trying out the MP to see if I want to keep this 30 gigabyte monstrosity on my computer or delete it to install a different set of games.

Very quickly to start with.

Level/rank however does not matter, its purely cosmetic. IIRC, no items at all are unlocked at specific ranks - all weapons, accessories and perks are unlocked depending on how much you use each category of weapon or vehicle.

i.e.

Earn X pts of experience using Y class of weapon (Shotguns, Carbines, DMR's, LMG's, Bolt Action Sniper Rifles, Assault Rifiles, PDW's, Pistols) = new Y weapon unlocked.

Earn X number of kills using one weapon = unlock a new attachment.

Earn X pts of experience using a vehicle = unlock a new accessory or weapon.

Every individual weapon, every weapon class, every vehicle, and every Infantry class perk loadout has a linear unlock progression - unlocks are earned in a specific order (which you can see in the drop down lists in the loadout screen).

etc.

I'm not spending extra money on BF4. It hasn't yet proved its worth of the money I already spent...

Especially since I have to us that battlelog bs, what the hell EA, why are you so fething incompetent?

Because tracking stats so you can whip out dat epeen to totally make the 'brahs' that play online jealous.

Clearly.

Battlelog was cool initially, now it's just bloatware attached to an already bloated system. Next, you'll be seeing required Origin downloads in order to play their games, mark my words.

Additionally, Battlefield expacs are overpriced every time. For what you get it's a travesty that it's priced the way it is.

The real (and good) alternative is ArmA 3.

I hope, like ARMA, that was a joke

As far as realistic FPS' go, ARMA is in it's own field, BF and COD are what I refer to as 'beer and chips' games.

ARMA's gotten a whole lot better, I'm impressed with it.

 Melissia wrote:
I hope, like ARMA, that was a joke

Not at all. ArmA 3's a lot of fun, even if the flight model sucks.

I also picked up BF4 with China Rising for $30 a couple months ago, and eh....it's alright. I had BF3 on PS3, and played the crap out of it. BF4, however...just seems off. I don't know if it's the maps, or the gameplay...but it just doesn't seem to have the same feel as BF3. That, and I'm always having problems with connection issues, and finding servers that only use the original and CR maps.

That being said, I might get the new expansion pack since it's about as close as we'll get to a BF: 2143 as we're going to get anytime soon

 Frankenberry wrote:
As far as realistic FPS' go, ARMA is in it's own field

It just so happens that the field it owns is a garbage heap.

 mega_bassist wrote:
That being said, I might get the new expansion pack since it's about as close as we'll get to a BF: 2143 as we're going to get anytime soon

I've heard rumors of them developing a sci-fi thing? I don't even nkow if they're reputable rumors really. Hoping for it. The modern FPS games need more lasers.

 Melissia wrote:

 mega_bassist wrote:
That being said, I might get the new expansion pack since it's about as close as we'll get to a BF: 2143 as we're going to get anytime soon

I've heard rumors of them developing a sci-fi thing? I don't even know if they're reputable rumors really. Hoping for it. The modern FPS games need more lasers.

The trailer I saw showed brief glimses of a hover tank and a mech. So, color me interested. I'll see if I can find that trailer again.

Boom

Sadly, no lasers. Ah well.

Well, no lasers were shown. Also, the soldier in the middle of that picture is holding something....that definitely looks super high-tech. I'm not holding my breath by any means, but I'm definitely hopeful.