Your First Impressions!

[PaveMentman]

(Just saying first that I have played all the other BF-games execpt Bad Company-ones, so some thing s may not aply when I'm referring to previous BF-games).

Let's first say that this game is basically what we fans of Battlefield-series have been silently wishing for ever since BF-Heroes: A free to play, improved versio of Battlefield 2, the game that defined a lot things to modern gaming (and took some clever inspirations from Enemy Territory like reviving for ecample). I kept telling to my friends that is this kind of BF-game ever would be made, it would "sell gold" instantly. And well, it kinda already has.

Even before I got the invitation for this closed beta, I noticed/heard a huge amount of improvement to previous BF-games. And I can freely say, that these improvements feels really good. =D

Another thing I'm really happy is the fact that every class has a now chance to be a good soldier.
Although, I personally find it rather odd that Medic is carrying a Machine Gun instead of carbine. But I think I can live with it. Unfortunately, as of now, they're turning into BF2142-like Assaults you mainly see go for themselves instead of helping others (PK-rockets, ugh). I still believe only support/ammunition guys/assaults should have machine guns. So basically Medics are a little too tank like in this game currently, which in my opinion they shouldn't be.

One the best things so far I noticed was certainly the improved hit detection. Don't have anything to complain about it for now.

However, I do have one thing bothering me ever since BF2, which is "fixed" in BF-Heroes due the third person mode: The position of "player camera". If there could a possibility raise it from "shoulders" to "forehead", whis would prevent some very unnessary and embarring situation, where in you vision you're totally covered by and obstacle, while in reality some particle of your Characters (forehead, toes, fingers, no name it) are still totally visible to enemy. This issue is especially proved in BF2, where you're 100 percently proning/hiding behind a well fortified cover, but enemy is still able to shoot you like nothing. And in some of the cases while your "camera" is behind/obstructed by wall, enemy is able to see your toes/hand clearly form the other side of the wall. And since hands/toes have hitboxes = you're dead by random shooting.
So perhaps this game could get this "player camera position"-issue fixed that has plaquing the series for some while. (Of course this could be simply fixed by adding the "body" into your own eye-view, but I think the engine doesn't allow that kind of modification without totally breaking down.

Apologies for long suggestion, I shall continue with the impressions now.
Hit detection = very good right now.
Classes are pretty balanced right now. Or at least, there isn't a "super class" as of now.
Vehicles aren't too over powerful. They're powerful yes, but now even infantry has a realistic change to fight back. And I'm very happy about this. Although I cannot say anything about jets and helicopters yet though. Certainly hope the stationary anti-air-equipments will be improved.

As for the bugs, well they didn't bother too much. After restarting the game several times, I finally got the fullscreen and highest resolution to work in total same way as in BF-heroes.
And al the bugs are already listed elsewhere, so I have to report'em again.

In conclusion: This a very good start, let's keep improving the game instead rebuilding it.

PS. As for those who are conserned this could turn into "Pay2Win"-game, lemme tell you while I personally felt totally betrayed on BF-Heroes after the Uber weapons (and actually quit for almost a year), I've noticed that their match-making system actually started to look in what equipments you're using. So at first my first five matches got totally owned by Uber weapons. But after those matches the system has put me more into games where players are mainly using dafault and "original"-weapons (those weapons we could use in closed beta).
But of course, let's kee

[Zacharoni]

Overall, a very good game. Realistic gameplay, takes alot of skill, and just CHAOTIC. (I kinda like this, it's better than the run around and quick firefights in BF2.) The thing I will suggest (and hope is improved) is the laggy and jerky gameplay. I was always very laggy while playing, and my screen would just *lightly* jerk around, enough so that it was hard to aim. Might just be the Beta, but hopefully this can be fixed.

Nice job EA. Look forward to BF3.

[EthanTokes]

you guys are yet to fix running over bumps in the map making you come out of a sprint and have your screen jerk around for a moment, i honestly dont want to see my guy pull his weapon out and put it back down to run unnaturally every single time i walk over a small bump on the map, this is present in bf2 as well and it KILLS immersion completely. thats not to say i dont play everyday, i think this has great potential just pleasepleaseplease fix that... its the only thing i have ever looked down of bf2 to for,

no more glitchy movement!!!!

[[RPx]x8xid]

WOW. Not what I expected. I mean. I get it. It's a beta. It's unfinished. But... WOW. What a buggy steaming pile of crap. I mean all the elements of a good game are here, but so far this is thrown together slop. I expect a little more from Dice. Not because I'm naive and expect a finished or polished game or anything like that. I just expect them to be a little further along in development before making a "public" closed beta. I mean, how many times have we made the same game now? I was so excited when I saw we were going to a BF2 throwback, BF2 is by far the best of the series. I would welcome a re skinned version of that exact game with the frostbite engine.

I realize that Frostbite is a little extreme for a F2P game, I was just commenting on that.

I like the classes. I like the concept. But between lag, bugs, and incompatible graphics I can barely play this game. I have hard times getting the game to start. I run a high end system and I think that it actually seems to confuse the client.

Tech Issues I ran into:
1. Starting the client the program loses it's cursor making it impossible to navigate the menus.
2. Loading screens freeze up and try to change my monitors refresh rate.
3. 1080 Res not really supported. (I play on a 42" monitor and it destroys this game.)
4. Sound Drops in and out.

Game Issues:
1. Please add squad support. At least like BFBC2 if not like BF2.
2. There is no option to change hard aim from toggle to hold.
3. Please make it so we can map the knife to a key other than a number key.
4. Would like it if crouch could be toggled instead of held.

All in all great concept. Bad execution so far. But I'll hold my final judgment until there is a finished product.

[Fixious]

First impressions from me weren't very good. Horrible, in fact. Mainly because of startup/menu issues. Player movement seemed too slow for me as well, and I still think it's a tad too slow. But after a few days I've either grown to like it or simply got used to the issues. The startup bugs are my biggest complaint at this point, along with lag.

That said, given time I grew to like the game a bit. If they can polish it up a bit it could be pretty fun for a free game.

[Wasiu]

If bfp4fc is supposed to be some upgrade to BF 2 or a BF 2.5 I'd call it a sacrilege.

I'm a (still) avid player of BF2 [ http://www.bf2stats.net/player/32227590/ ] and this design that you implemented in bfp4f is not going to work for me. I don't know what is it exactly that you don't like so much about BF2, that you try to change the parts that have been working for me and hundreds of people up till today.
With each next BF game I was hoping to see a BF2 improved or reincarnated, so I tried bf 2142, bf heroes, bfbc2 and now bfp4f, but those games I found to be designed to be catering to entirely different people compared to those that I meet day to day on BF2 servers (BfG Gotland servers FTW!), ergo, to your most dedicated, BF2_bugs_forgiving, longest BF 2(!) players.
And yet, since bf heroes, I 'd say you're die-hardly try to cater to the pray&spray CoD (that is all CoDs since after CoD 1.5 aka United Offensive) and MoH 2010 group, all the while trying to squeeze in those stubborn "vehicle whores" on the pretext that "we have many vehicles in our next_bf_game too!", which after 0.5-4hrs of actual play translates just to mere "there are vehicles in our input_this_new_bf_game_title and they still have wheels so don't whine that much".
I really don't understand why can't you let people play paraphrazed "diablo", "starcraft" or "world of warcraft" instead trying to make some unisex "world of stariablo", that is, in other words - why can't there be one bfbc2-like game that strongly emphasizes infantry and lets the vehicles be a shooting target for infantry heroes more often than not, and one game that does the opposite - lets me play another 5 years as a heli pilot, that feels that he has a flying predator in his hands not a flying duck.
So neither those of the inf guys that are prone to be frustrated with being owned by vehicles have to cry to you about that fact ( aka "Go play bfbc3" ) nor would guys like me have to fly a p.o.s brick like that "heli" in bfbc2 (aka "Go play BF 3"). And maybe add to current_gen_portfolio 2 f2p games lighter on the realism and similar to those retail, but very very different in design from each other (in the way that bfbc2 and BF2 are), if you like that f2p model so much. Furthermore your current, subscription-less, model doesn't really force you to make that damn unisex model you nowadays have implemented. All you still need to do is hype the retail sale to get the dollar, like it was perfectly shown in the cases of age of conan and warhammer: age of reckoning. You don't have to hear all those cries about sniper rifle being too lethal and planes daring to fly faster than a snail. That said, if you want, you really can make a good game in itself - not just a well reviewed and/or voted blatantly 10/10 by masses - and still make (same|higher ?) profit. Those are such times now, I think.

As to what I consider a failure in current (and I bet final, as it is already beta stage) bfp4f grand design, those are the following few, coming right from the top of my head:

* bad bad in-game browser/info_table (same style as at least in bfbc2 1.0: esc won't work while final score_table is shown, won't work while changing map, also there is no ping shown - mine or whoever, no decent info about connected server [name, ip, port, description, rules, next map in rotation]..........the similarity to bfbc2 ~1.0 (I haven't played that one for longer than it took me to wait for 2-4 initial "fixing" patches and then try the game for few days "for real") let's me think that the game menus/browse&search will be seemingly unresponsive and lack 3-way options (want/don't want/don't care) with a OR/AND switch at each search filter [as to be able to demand from browser to "show me a NO inf_only AND NO no_heli&planes servers AND with ping <=100 AND with 20 to 40 players AND with (no_nube_tube OR (no_flashbang AND no_grenades)), I DON'T CARE if bfrecorder_on /or bfrecorder_off "]. If, on the other hand, you have already remedied/thought/dev-ed that, than kudos to you.

* tank MG gunner

[Sting79A]

Can't even play, worst first impression ever. That said, I own every Battlefield title, so I'll wait patiently while the bugs are figured out.

[Wasiu]

//2nd part

* tank MG gunner kiosks are still ridiculously open - I prefer either full cover for MG gunner as in real tanks, OR at least cover from frontal shots (so the sniper from the roof can shoot inside from almost exactly above the tank or you can lobe c4/grenade in, but no shots from the sides); other idea is to leave the gunner kiosk open for every shots but let me repair my tank while I'm in (as in case of BF2 transporter heli and small helis, few cars, boats, mobile AA) AND after shot let the tank driver order a spawn_right_back_to_kiosk_after_spawning_timer_expires exclusively for that guy who died in kiosk, whether your squad mate or not (so that it is not a fck_that_sht case for the enginner that now has to go back all the way to the tank and probably get shot 5s later and_here_we_go_again x5-15 times a round). That and the fact that the tank is able to drive me over while I'm repairing him either because he was running away in panic or simply the recoiled tank after shot "touched" me is what pisses me off in the original BF2 from which the tanks have been taken to bfp4f ...and I say it as a guy who has spent roughly 75-120 hours as a repeatedly killed engineer constantly getting TKed by own tank, or shot or naded or shrapnelled all the time repairing (which of course means I'm outside of the tank I repair WHICH of course means I get no assist points for the tank kills, and all I get is like 3:18 K:D and 5-10 repair points per round, but hey - the tank has to go on). That tank_TKs_own _repairmen could be solved by adding an option for server admin to turn on, which would generate a FriendlyFire_off area around tank with, say, 1-3 metres radius no matter what ff_on/off settings for the entire server are in place....that would also incapacitate all those dcks that after not getting into the tank will chase you with FAVs, constantly ramming/"hugging" your tank, and forcing minus points for supposed team damage (my "highest score" in that being -22 team points, before the admin finally came and banned that asshl).

* PlayerName hovering over seen soldiers is way to bleak and to high above that soldier...it comes in way of where I look on the horizon for enemies to pop up, and it also isn't instantly readable, which causes distraction, cause I'm automatically trying to gather that (seriously) somewhat valuable information about who is in my field of view and stare for those lifesaving moments too long (same in BF2 on some backgrounds). My solution would be to allow players to change the position, font (selected few, developers approved types), size of those IDs.

*As a matter of fact I'm still waiting on a damn AAA FPS that incorporates that old old MMORPGs invention which is UI Customization...when, oh when will I be finally able to decide what fonts/sizes are for playernames, for player kills, for server info (and a clock with seconds for easier spawn time counting maybe?), chats, etc....when will I be able to select the sizes and position of few invisible boxes in which I would decide whether I want to have kill messages here or there, team chat in 1 box, say_all in another or all together, or maybe move the commander spam somewhere in the corner or not show it at all, etc.

* I already mentioned the "postBF2_vehicles == on_the_run_snack for single half smart infantryman or 3-4 half idiots" general design earlier, but I mention it shortly again here for it is the greatest gamebreaker for me, so it should be included here too.

I think I could have come up with a dozen or few more ob/subjective "fixes" for BF2 and beyond, but this post is already long, and there is supposed to be a BF3 somewhere in the future, so maybe I'll post further thoughts in BF3's forum when it's available.

That said, with the direction that I see of the design road from BF2 to bfp4f, I must say that it made me think twice about BF3 now, instead of blind pre-ordering. Will see what brings the BF3 beta or youtube when the time will come, and bleakly hope for the best.


I DON'T REALLY THINK THAT MANY WILL WANT TO READ THE

[Wasiu]

//3rd part
I DON'T REALLY THINK THAT MANY WILL WANT TO READ THE WHOLE CRAP I JUST WROTE (NOR THAT EVEN 1 OF THEM WILL REALLY BE AN EA/MOD PERSON THAT WOULD CONVEY THE NOTION TO THE DEVS, OR EA ALTOGETHER), SO I'D LIKE TO EXTRACT ALL WHAT I WROTE TO THIS SINGLE ONE IMPORTANT DEMAND:

>>>OPTIONS OPTIONS OPTIONS OPTIONS (ok, maybe ...AND FILTERS too B-]).<<<

DON'T TRY TO CATER FOR EVERYBODY BY WAY OF CREATING THE ALMIGHTY UNISEX DESIGN. GIVE PEOPLE CHOICE WHETHER TO PLAY WITH nades_on OR WITH no_tanks, WITH no_ff_for_vehicles_only OR TO PLAY WHERE THERE ARE show_only_servers_with_maps_that_have_helis_too; TO PLAY A BF GAME WITH IMBA INF & WEAK AND SELDOM VEHICLES OR ANOTHER BF GAME THAT CRIES 'VEHICLE/AIR CARNAGE' AND SO ON. THERE ARE ALREADY MANY AAA TITLES THAT MORE OR LESS OR EVEN MORE CATER TO THE INFANTRY CROWD, AND THERE IS ONLY ONE BF2WHICH IS OLD NOW AND NO OTHER OFFICIAL FLAVOURS OF THAT TYPE OF GAMING FORMULA ("VEHICLES > INFANTRY UNLESS STRICTLY PROPER INFANTRY CLASSES ARE USED, OR INFANTRY NUMBERS>>>VEHICLE NUMBERS"). TO EACH THEIR OWN, PLEASE.

Ok. My 5 years heavy BF2 conscience is now somewhat cleaner with this portion of "at least I told them".

Regards,
Wasiu

//lowercased filters for better readability

[0verl0rd]

not really a big fan so far, guns are ok but the start up assault rifle blows. humvees seem to be indestructible race cars with machine guns. 6/10

[Obsidian_]

Not impressed, the lagfest that I encountered was game-breaking all-in-all. I'd rather play a different game than suffer through that lag.

[jeeves]

So I just got the beta code today and started playing. I have extensively played Battlefield Heroes and was pleased to see the same system being employed in this new Battlefield. By saying that, I cannot wait until the game develops further and is more polished as the battlefield heroes system was quite fun and always engaging.

There really does need to be some training like Battlefield Heroes though and I hope this time there is some sort of server browser even if it is very basic (autoadmin.info is a good reference).

PS: I don't know if I am missing something or if it hasn't yet been implemented but I cannot revive anyone being a medic other than just drop medic boxes/kits. Comment?

[Vistaer]

First Impression:

It's like BF2 has picked some great things from Bad Company and merged it together very well. A terrific game.

However, here's a list of things I immediately see needing to be implemented before going live.

1 - Server Browser
2 - Friends List/Play with Friends Option
3 - Toggle Crouch (my pinky will be dead from holding Ctrl at this rate )
4 - In full screen, the engine looks blurry
5 - Go Prone option
6 - Bring back Squads
7 - Change classes while in a server

Can't wait to see how this game continues to evolve

[Mouser7.62]

smiles ok first and last impressions of this recap CRAP of battlefield 2 .. gayt and oh um gayt... no further remarks needed.. and Please u may delete my account and never beckon on my door step again laughs... now have a nice day!!

[MechaStatham]

God, there are some spoilt brats posting here. Please people, go off, look up the definitions of 'browser-based' and 'Beta', and come back if/when you get it. Otherwise, you're just bloating the thread with aimless mewling.

Anyway, started playing today and really liking it so far. Apart from the lag, it gives a convincing Battlefield game which is cool to have running from a browser. Reckon it's got heaps of potential and will definitely be playing beyond release.

A couple of things though: Have to repeat what a few others have said about the need for a friends list and squad system. Also, it'd be nice to have a clearer visual representation of who's calling out for ammo/medicine. An actual spot button would be handy as well, just to make it more intuitive for people coming in off BC2.

Other than that, great stuff. Enjoying the hell out of it!

[Exiled]

First two things that strike me down after few battles are:
1. some problems with key bindings, i can't bind my favourite keys because there's a message "key already in use" while it's NOT in use
2. no way of changing class during battle, which is pretty much against BF doctrine

Overall, this game currently feels like copy of BF Heroes, which i don't like. Don't get me wrong, Heroes is nice fun game but it's getting boring too fast and w/o clan support so will this one. I'd just rather get back to BC2.

But it's still a beta so i hope things are going to change for better.

[TravelingWater]

Howdy DICE from an old friend.

I may have an uncommon perspective here, because I was part of the EALA Q/A Test team for Battlefield 2. Got my name in the Credits, and I still have my [EALA]ExNiHilo gamer tag registered on BF2.

I gotta tell you, BFP4F brings back a lot of good memories. I like the new weapons. The Dart Gun for tagging enemy vehicles is brilliant, and getting assist points for a kill afterward is rewarding.

I love seeing points accumulate for long range shots. It really feels like a hybrid of BF2 and Heroes. Professional, but quickly accessible. Don't be discouraged by all the shouting in the Bug forum; you have a great game here.

The Orange and Blue designators make quick work of picking Foe from Friend. Name render delay was another headache during testing, and continues to cause accidental TK during my BF2 sojourns.

I DO miss going prone as a Sniper. VOIP was a CONSTANT headache while testing BF2; I understand why it was omitted here. But I'm wondering about the lack of an in-game menu?

Overall, while not ready to ship quite yet, you have a stellar game that reminds me of GREAT times in BF2 but makes me want to make some more memories in this new game. I am proud to have been a part of BF2, and thrilled to be back in the saddle here, so to speak. Well done, DICE. Now lets get to buggin'!

-ExNiHilo

[mund0x]

First impression...
Is this a console game?!

- No pings on scoreboard.
- Cant edit settings while playing.
- Stretched HUD on 16:9/10 resolutions, seriously?
- No server browser.

BF/Gameplay stuff...
- No squads?
- Can't change class on-the-fly..
- Missing toggle crouch option.

Not impressed...

[DarkAce0]

I could list off a bunch of things I believe that could be fixed or implemented. I've played since 1942 and after BF2 in my opinion the series has started to go down hill. 2142 was great but it wasn't my cup of tea. BC2, don't get me started. This game? Wow..It's a good game for being free but for me it seems to cater for the ones who don't like to move to fast.

Things that need to be changed:
Class system, being able to change on the fly for what ever situation.

Weapons seem fine.

Movement, it feels like I'm running in Jello. Slow. My biggest complaint. I ended up doing things faster than the game could keep up.

Prone, would like to see that added but not a deal killer for me.

Can't say anything about vehicles since I haven't played with them.

All in all, I'd rather just see a reskin of BF2. Probably one of the best, if not the best arcade shooter that's still being played.

[F4LLEND4RK]

completely DISAPOINTED at the level of lag, please help me i've played five games now all together ive had 30 deaths and 0 kills and ive shot just one person making my total over all points as 22.