"The inconsistency of Battlefield 4": Launch impressions for the PC version

Last Tuesday, Battlefield 4 was released for current gen consoles and PC. Carlos went for the PC version and has been playing it all week and has a few words for DICE's next gen title-- "Stop crashing on me!!".

Inconsistency

I go for games on day one because I believe I'll have a great time with it. Just like how everybody mindlessly buys Call of Duty regardless of what they change, I do the same with Battlefield. Is there a big change for Battlefield 4 though? Visually, sort of. Gameplay, well you still shoot people, and the stages are..bigger with more structures to blow up. But  my frustration doesn't come from the gameplay, I'm loving the feel of the game, but if it crashes on you every so often...that doesn't count for anything really.

Joining large conquest maps with 500 tickets can take a lot of your time. Halfway through one match, I was enjoying raking up the kills in different ways in the match. Then, it crashes. Losing any progress you made. 20 minutes wasted. So imagine that happening 50% of every match you join. The game feels like its running on dutch taps to keep it together. My PC specs is well enough to run the game on ultra with smooth gameplay, so believe me that's not the case, I've checked.

Game crashes happening often detached me from the experience. When it happens, I'm left with the thought of turning on the TV to watch a movie instead. What's more troubling is that the servers can be unstable as well, making you stare at loading screens more than having someone lined up in your gun's scope.  The mix of both of these issues makes it hard to really enjoy the game when you can't stay on one server for at least 5 games. It's inconsistent, and it makes me want to do something else with my time.  These issues are also present in the campaign. Which is hard enough to get into since I'm annoyed by the characters in just 3 missions.

Battlefield 4 is a great game, but only if it cooperates. Put game crashes and server shutdowns aside, you still have to deal with the random rubber band lag that occurs even though you have less than 100 latency stated on the scoreboard. People can argue that it hasn't been a week, but a rocky start is a rocky start. They will eventually get around to making the game as smooth as butter, but it seems like the pressure to make the release date is being felt on launch.

War never changes

Okay, game crashes and server issues...check! How does the game feel? I did mention earlier that it feels great, but overall you are still getting the same Battlefield experience. For some, like myself, that's all I want. But if someone wanted a groundbreaking game? you'll get disappointed. Don't even consider getting the game for a good campaign. Battlefild 4's campaign is tolerable now compared to Battlefield 3, but it isn't good at all. I'm not even done with it since multiplayer has caught most of my attention. As it should since that's the only reason why I bought the game. Don't be fooled by the "Levolution" term as well. The stages that alter the map are appealing, but only if people bother to activate it, and if your actually there to see it happen. And when they do, just hope you are not in front of it when it happens. Having a skyscraper falling on you or a dam breaking did make me break a smile when I saw it happen, but when it's over, back to shooting. Some are also pretty dull if you compare it to the skyscraper Levolution found on the Siege of Shanghai map. I'm having a hard time finding a server where I can always see it trigger, so I can't really say to how much of a degree it affects the experience.

Unlocking and leveling in this game is just the same as Battlefield 3. The more you use one weapon, vehicle, or class, the more stuff you unlock for that category. As you go through levels, you are given Battlepacks, which up to level 12(current level as I write this), seems to be the only benefit in getting higher levels. Inside those Battlepacks can provide random attachments for specific guns, and weapon/vehicle skins. And if your lucky, you get experience boosters that lasts for only an hour.

That's it for now. The game is great only if it wants to be, and hopefully DICE can resolve these crash and server issues soon. If you are considering the console version, take note that there's a player cap of 24 while next-gen titles and PC has a player cap of 64 players on each match. Why the very low cap? Ask DICE because the player cap was a  big factor to why I opted for the PC version.

Have the same opinion as me? Or experiencing the same problems? Vent on the comments below.

Battlefield 4 Open Beta launches October 1

EA just announced the date for Battlefield 4's Open Beta. We'll get to try out the game on October 1 for Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

The Open Beta will allow us to test out Battlefield 4's Conquest mode on Siege of Shanghai. What's weird is there's still no information about the exclusive early access promised for those that have Pre-ordered the Digital-deluxe version of the game, people that purchased the Medal of Honor Limited Edition, and of course Battlefield 3 Premium members. With the Open Beta hitting on the first day of October, it's most likely going to hit before then so we'll keep an eye out when EA talks about it.

Battlefield 4 will be out for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC on October 29, with the next-gen version for PS4 and Xbox One to come out on each console's launch date.

Battlefield 4 Official Gameplay Reveal

It's March 27th and if you've been following the teasers of Battlefield 4 then you'd know that today is the release of the official trailer. Or should I say, official 17 minute long gameplay reveal.

While the gameplay demo may not have been as impressive as the Battlefield 3 one that they showed before (IMO), this has a more videogame feel and shows what looks to be actual segments in the campaign which I do appreciate. I've always been more a "not convinced until I see actual gameplay" kind of guy. CGI trailers are cool and all but that just won't cut it.

The graphics look incredible. The draw distance extends to about as far as the human eye can see plus all the active particles and even the tarps blowing in the wind on the constructed buildings are all moving. The people look photo realistic but you can still tell that they are virtual characters but at first glance, people could take this for a live action movie. To all you FPS and graphics nuts out there, sit back and enjoy.

Battlefield 4 is set to release in fall of 2013.

EA prepping for Battlefield 4 reveal. site and teaser video now out

Prepared for an all new Battlefield game? well EA is almost ready to reveal to the world Battlefield 4. A new site for the soon to be reveal game is now live informing viewers to check back on March 27. But that's not all, a small video teaser was placed on the site called "Sea". it's 20-seconds long but gives a good idea one big new feature to the game.

marine warfare, or to be exact, underwater warfare.  Nothing of course is for sure but its safe to say it involves water.

We'll just have to wait and see, the world reveal should kick off around March 27-28 so check back on the site during those times.

is it too soon for a numbered sequel? Maybe, because a lot are still enjoying Battlefield 3 thanks to the many DLC that have supported the game for more than a year. Question is, will this be EA's FPS game for this year? or next year for next-gen consoles. Either way, excited to see what they will include for the fourth.

New Medal of Honor: Warfighter trailer confirms Battlefield 4

This is quite a shocker. EA released a new Medal of Honor Multiplayer video that reveals Battlefield 4 is real. Pre-order Medal of Honor: Warfighter Limited Edition and you get exclusive access to the Battlefield 4 beta. Instead of getting a grand reveal for Battlefield 3's sequel, they use Battlefield 4 to boost the Medal of Honor franchise.

Maybe it's just me, but this feels wrong in all levels. Battlefield 3 is still being played everyday and I don't think BF3 fans are ready for a sequel just yet. Why? Because Battlefield 3 could last a year or two. Oh then again I forgot, EA is trying to release these games yearly.

Joystiq reports that the Battlefield 4 beta will hit sometime in Fall 2013. If that's the case, we could be seeing battlefield 4 releasing at the end of 2013 or early 2014.

It's too damn early. The fact that Battlefield 3 premium was just released, and the fact that the game is not even close to dead, I'm surprised EA went for a sequel. No Battlefield: Bad Company 3 or even another Battlefield spin-off. Straight up sequel. It sounds like a waste. Current consoles are seeing its last years, and it would have made sense to reserve Battlefield 4 for next-gen consoles.

They really want Medal of Honor to be a good competition against "that other game", but since you stamped beta access to a game literally more than a year away overshadows the franchise completely. Majority could be grabbing the game just for that access and that leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

[Source: VG247]