2007-08-25 10:09:26 Medal Of Honor: Airborne demo impressions

Well, this demo should be hitting Xbox Live pretty soon (the 27th is the latest word), but I figured I'd give the PC version a go since it was already available. I was a little uncertain in how well my hardware would handle Unreal Engine 3--and the frame rate was pretty poor, but I played it anyway..

In the demo you have to destroy a series of AA guns, in whatever order you please.. and while that may sound like a mission straight out of the (horrible) Call of Duty 3, that's only a small portion of the overall objectives. Unfortunately, once you accomplish the destruction of the AA, the demo ends.

I must say, I'm pleasantly surprised. The open level design is actually pretty refreshing. Another gameplay mechanic that was new to me, keeping in mind that I'm not really all that familiar with this franchise, was the rewards that you're given based on your performance. I think that's a pretty interesting concept in a single player campaign, and it could keep the action interesting considering the potential duration of these levels. The graphics and sound are also pretty well done--all the guns sound and feel appropriately destructive.

The controls are pretty solid, although I wish there were a way to change the way you change stance. In the demo, when you press crouch, you toggle into that position--I would much rather stand upon releasing the crouch button, but that's a design decision I can live with. I searched the menus for an option to change the crouch controls and found none. You can also sprint indefinitely, which is pretty helpful considering the size of the level. One more aspect of the control system that I liked was the lean mechanic. You only lean when you're looking down the iron sights, and you can't strafe while in that position. I'm used to being able to lean and move, as in Call of Duty, but this actually made a bit more sense to me once I adapted to it. Unlike Call of Duty, there is no prone stance.

The one thing I don't like about this game is how dated the health and ammo systems feel. In a game that has a rather refreshing approach to level design, and some interesting new mechanics that factor into the single player gameplay, you'd think they could find a better way to manage your med/bullet supply. You simply find packs scattered throughout the level, as well as off of downed enemies, and ammo is simplified into groups, SMG ammo, rifle ammo, etc.. Personally I think it would be much more interesting if there were actually medics, supply personnel, and even engineers on the field to assist you in certain aspects of the gameplay. How come I have to plant every explosive charge anyway?

I hear there are only five levels, so they must be pretty vast in the amount of fighting that's done on each one. Overall I'd say it's a pretty solid demo. I'll definitely consider playing the campaign. Now that IW has given up on WWII, it seems like EA is stepping up to try and reclaim that sub-genre, at least until Gearbox releases the new installment in the Brothers In Arms franchise.

2007-08-25 15:50:20

Nice impressions, Grift. Seems the demo has been getting mostly positive responses from what I can tell. The demo is up on the MP now, so I'll have to give a try later today.

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all about Crisis Core

2007-08-25 16:47:54

Thanks for the update on that Kenshin / impressions GriftGFX. Time to me test the 360 demo then.

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Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2
Give a guy a gun, he thinks he´s Superman. Give him two and he thinks he´s God!

2007-08-25 16:50:24

Woah I got the 360 demo fast. Back in a bit with my thoughts.

2007-08-25 23:20:15

really like it. the controls took a little getting used to but the left trigger for iron-sights/leaning feels very natural. crouching seemed a little wierd since im used to the left thumb stick click to be crouch, but i got used to it pretty fast. very fast paced. and very nice looking game. ragdolls are pretty cool too. im not sure if the initial drop is really going to effect the game much since they seem to really push you towards the green areas anyway. and who's suicidal enough to go for the red....another slight complaint is the never ending spawing enemies. i realise this keeps the action relentless, but if you did, say, drop onto a church tower and just wanted to snipe the emeies nearby, it becomes pointless becasue they wont stop spawning untill your get your ass down there anyway.

so overall a very fun game. but the dropping into a level thing really didnt feel like a huge change when you actually hit the ground. its a typical WW2 shooter...albiet a very good one.

2007-08-25 23:58:31

Just to give my words, i got the PC demo, was unplayable, the whole blurring on movements is kind of retarded, whos vision blurs like that when you turn your head? Obviously not talking to the 60+ age bracket here.

Wish i could have a more constructive comment, but i never really got that far

2007-08-26 00:06:16 In reply to Sheps (2007-08-25 23:58:31)

the motion blur is really subtle in the 360 version. very well done.

2007-08-26 01:56:04

I just played the 360 version, and everything looks/feels about the same as the PC demo to me, including the motion blur. Runs really smooth, looks like EA figured out UE3 ;)

A good deal of aliasing, but what can ya do.. I actually noticed that the PC version doesn't give the option for AA as well, and forcing it didn't seem to work either.

Seems like a solid shooter, I'll probably rent the 360 version since it seems to run so well. Will be a nice diversion and will give me my WWII fix.. until Gearbox delivers Hell's Highway, which I have much higher expectations of.

2007-08-26 10:31:37

Demo is great

2007-08-26 14:05:43

Doesn't do anything new.

Felt like every other shooter.

I cant wait till FPS's start to die out a bit.

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Alcohol and drugs and my biggest fans. They follow me where ever i go.

2007-08-26 14:24:35

What the hell is with the ragdolls ? So many times when I shot a guy he would fly backwards at high speed doing multiple flips. Good comic value. But yeah as everyone else has said the controls are a bit wierd but apart from that I didnt really enjoy it. The AI was pretty bad and even on expert difficulty I found it very easy. The aiming feels wierd and even when I've had my iron sights lined up perfectly a lot of my shots did not register. I think this is one I will definatly skip on.

2007-08-26 14:58:59

One of my guys was stuck in the stairs. Half his body was poking through.

Good times....

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Alcohol and drugs and my biggest fans. They follow me where ever i go.

2007-08-26 15:13:36

played it....what can I say

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2007-08-26 17:26:03

WTF is that supposed to be ?

2007-08-26 17:50:29 In reply to TheBeagle (2007-08-26 17:26:03)

Dissapointed.

His hands is on his face looking down and sad...dissapointed in the demo.

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Playing: ???
PS3: Heavenly Sword - Lair - Dark Sector - Killzone 2 - MGS4 - Uncharted - Haze - God of War 3
360: Mass Effect - Assassin's Creed - Ninja Gaiden 2 - DMC4 - Too Human - Fable 2 - Resident Evil 5

2007-08-26 18:14:46

I don't see it. Text is more favourable : )

2007-08-26 18:38:51 In reply to TheBeagle (2007-08-26 18:14:46)

You dont have second sight seeing?
For all I know I can have four sight seeing...seeing multiple stuff at one thing.

Anyway...Rusty is dissapointed in the game.

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Playing: ???
PS3: Heavenly Sword - Lair - Dark Sector - Killzone 2 - MGS4 - Uncharted - Haze - God of War 3
360: Mass Effect - Assassin's Creed - Ninja Gaiden 2 - DMC4 - Too Human - Fable 2 - Resident Evil 5

2007-08-26 22:19:54 In reply to TheBeagle (2007-08-26 18:14:46)

How about this?

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Alcohol and drugs and my biggest fans. They follow me where ever i go.

2007-08-26 22:45:02

Thats some good use of punctuation ! This one is much easier to interpret.

2007-08-27 00:16:56 In reply to Sheps (2007-08-25 23:58:31)

?!?!

try grabbing a camera and filming something while rotating and see what comes out...

anyways, i tried first the pc version and was super surprised. it played damn well, (7900gtx) graphics were super, loved the motion blur, gave it a damn cinematic feel. The running animation was very interesting (a bit of blur, camera shake and change of FOV), and also the came shaking when changing from prone to standing up. Small details that gave it a cool and updated feeling.


Played the xbox version afterwars, gfx looked very similar although with less motion blur which i was sad to see, and of course much less antialiasing. the pc version was super smooth, the xbox a bit more jagged.

Regarding the gameplay, i disagree with Grift here, it's basically same old sh!t. You are dropped anywhere. sure, but then you go to your way points and its as linear as always. Bullets and ammo agree with Grift, old mechanics, nothing new to see here.

Lots of positive points go to the sound, damn sweet, never a M1 or Thompson sounded so good! And also the sound of the bullets from the MGs weezing past, sweet!


Overall, good fun, great graphics (could do with some more AA on the 360), great sound, gameplay nothing new.

2007-08-27 00:20:31 In reply to mt_sabao (2007-08-27 00:16:56)

It's not as linear as some other games--there's not a distinct path you have to follow and you're allowed to complete objectives in multiple orders. From what I understand this is just a small portion of a level too, and there are only five different sandbox environments so they must have a decent amount of variety there-in. The lean system was also new to me, at least.. and an interesting take on an old concept.

I agree that there are a lot of older mechanics that could use updating, but the sandbox, drop in gameplay, and the way the game rewards your skill by upgrading things like rate of fire is somewhat interesting... Definitely not pushing the boundaries of game design, but the level design is more interesting than it could have been otherwise.

2007-08-28 14:27:20

I started up the demo yesterday and because of all the very impressive (sarcastic) video's I saw of this game my expectations were VERY low....

I got slapped in the face when I started playing this demo.... I loved the whole: "drop where u want" idea and it actually made for some interesting moments (land on the sniper tower or main AA-gun roof for example)

What also seemed nice is that u could discover special drop zones where it is hard to land but seems like a challenge (maybe an achievement as an reward in the full game?)
And I also found some new objectives by running around the level!

Graphics were pretty good also, guns, environment and characters look pretty good!
Also really like the running "animation" your character does and I was actually pleasantly surprised u could see your own arms, body and legs (especially during the plane sequence)

What I also found interesting were the recommendations u get for your different weapons... I didn't know that was in the game and when I got my first I was like: "WTF?? what's happening, this looks cool"
It seems to give you a reward for using one kind of gun or for playing good with all of the weapons! Really enjoyed that....

I also loved how the weapons have a huge amount of recoil when u shoot them with out aiming through the sights!

I also really liked that u could subtly lean around the corner (not restricted to a full or no lean).

Don't I have something to bitch??
Ohh yes I have:

Sound:
I don't know if I played another demo but i thought the gun-sounds were REALLY crap... I mean the mp40 and Thompson sounded like a speeded up pea-shooter.... Nowhere near the hard and devastating sounds we are used to from COD2/3 and the other medal of honor games...

Controls:
Seemed a bit stiff and even with the aiming speed cranked up it still went kind of slow IMO...

Overall this game surprised me and I really enjoyed this demo!

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"You're being arrested for drunk driving."
"Drunk definitely, I don't know if you could call it driving."