Game House

We check out the two multiplayer modes in Codemasters' upcoming realistic military shooter.

"This is not really a Rambo game."

So says Codemasters executive producer Sion Lenton of the upcoming Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. He's not exaggerating either--in this hyper-realistic first-person shooter, going lone wolf will often get you cut down in the line of fire. Success in Dragon Rising, therefore, is measured in steps where every decision you make on the battlefield needs to be carefully considered and expertly executed. Codemasters reps, including Lenton, recently visited GameSpot offices to show off the multiplayer modes in the game, which look to be just as demanding as those found when playing solo.

There's a fair bit of lore in Dragon Rising's near-future campaign setting, but the essential facts are these: The year is 2011 and China, Russia, and the US are feuding over an oil-rich island off the eastern coast of Russia. The island, known as Skira, is a real place, though Lenton told us that the in-game layout of Skira is actually based on an Alaskan island deemed to be more topographically interesting than the real thing. The campaign follows the fire teams on the ground as they look to sort out the Skira kerfuffle in the only way that makes sense in video games: gunning it out.

Though you can play the campaign solo or with a friend via co-operative play, our focus was on the game's multiplayer modes. There are two modes to speak of: Annihilation and Infiltration. Annihilation mode is essentially Deathmatch with two teams going up against one another on a specific section of Skira. Infiltration mode tasks teams with certain objectives--one team might look to assault and destroy a specific target, for example. The difference here is that the attacking team will have fewer forces at hand but will be better equipped, while the defending force will have more numbers but fewer weapons at hand.

In both Annihilation and Infiltration modes, each human player involved in a match will have a squad of three AI-controlled soldiers. Just as in the single-player game, you'll be able to issue orders to your squadmates, essentially making them an effective part of your attack (or defense). The command radial menu at your disposal is unchanged from the single-player game and will let you set targets for your squadmates to maneuver to, as well as set more specific orders, such as formation and specific rules of engagement. As Lenton told us, the AI squadmates have been designed to be self-sufficient and a help in battle (they even have minds of their own, it seems, and won't run willy-nilly into a kill zone despite your direct orders). At the same time, the AI commands are specific enough for players who want to dig deeper into the menus and really micromanage their fellow soldiers.

In the Annihilation match we watched, two teams of forces battled it out in a timed match, with both teams looking to take control of a bridge that acted as a choke point on the map. The same realistic injury model is fully in place in multiplayer--where one shot can take you out or severely injure you. If you take a bullet in the arm, your aim will be affected; if you take one in the leg, you'll be hobbling...and leaking blood all the while. If you don't get patched up, either by a medic or with a medikit in your pack, it'll be over for you. Despite the game's huge maps, you'll be respawned near any of your surviving squadmates; though if you all die, you'll respawn back at the start, which can result in quite a hike to get back to the action.

In the Infiltration match we saw, the attacking team's long hike to the objective gave the defending team time to set up the defenses. With more troops at your disposal, you can instruct squads to man strategic points, such as sandbag placements or mounted guns, as you wait for the attack to begin. The special ops team--armed with better weapons like sniper rifles, mines, and so on--will need to do some recon before they attack to try to figure out where enemy troops are stationed.

Running on the Ego engine that also powers Codemasters' racing games, such as the Dirt and Gird series, Dragon Rising has a look all its own. It is one that, according to Lenton, borrows more inspiration from war-time documentaries than feature films. As a result, the game's got a grimy look to it, full of sophisticated particle effects that add a layer of grit and haze to your surroundings and makes enemy soldiers that are already tough to find in the huge levels that much more difficult to spot.

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising is about as far from run-and-gun action as you can imagine, and that slower pace will require a measure of patience on behalf of the player who will need to front-load lots of planning into a level before the bullets start flying. Those with a head for strategy, heads up: Dragon Rising is set for deployment on October 6.

Resident Evil 5 is a fun and frantic evolution of RE4's breakthrough gameplay and the series' horror themes.
The Good

* Beautifully detailed graphics and character animations
* Having a partner enhances the fun and excitement while adding tension
* Real-time menu system keeps you immersed
* Plenty to do once you've beaten it
* Superior keyboard/mouse controls.

The Bad

* Frustrating hurdles to leap when joining an online game
* Slow, deliberate movement and gunplay may not appeal to everyone
* Can't swap weapons with a human teammate online.

Thirteen years ago, Capcom helped revolutionize the action adventure world with Resident Evil, a game that would define an entirely new genre dubbed "survival horror." In the years that followed, the series continued to build upon the standards set by the first game, Then, in 2005, Resident Evil 4 radically departed from its predecessors and broke new ground as a more action-oriented game. Resident Evil 5, the latest offering in the long-running series, expands on the action-heavy formula of its forerunner and is built from the ground up to support cooperative gameplay. Though it can no longer be considered a survival horror game, Resident Evil 5 manages to retain and effectively translate the most important aspect of that genre--tension--into its new mechanics. It crafts a fun, collaborative experience that will keep you on your toes the entire time.

Having two agents in the field lets you team them up to trade weapons or push dumpsters.

Ten years after the destruction of Raccoon City, former S.T.A.R.S. Alpha team member Chris Redfield is an agent of the B.S.A.A. This paramilitary anti-bio-organic weapons organization travels the globe to seek out and destroy Umbrella Corporation's creations, which have fallen into the hands of terrorists following the collapse of the multinational pharmaceutical company. When Chris gets a tip that a known weapons dealer will be making a big deal in the remote African nation of Kijuju, he heads there to put a stop to it and learn what he can about the mysterious doomsday project known only as Uroboros. Chris is joined by Sheva Alomar, a local B.S.A.A. agent, and together they battle wave after wave of infected villagers, horribly mutated monsters, and even series archnemesis, Albert Wesker.

The core combat mechanics haven't fundamentally changed since Resident Evil 4. The action still unfolds from an over-the-shoulder perspective, certain battles or cutscenes are accompanied by brief quick-time events, and you still have to stop moving to fire your weapon (though you gain a bit more mobility thanks to your newfound ability to walk sideways). Resident Evil 5's slow movement and gunplay take some time to get used to, and folks expecting a run-and-gun game may find the action too sluggish for their tastes. Fortunately, this slowness isn't really an issue within the game, because enemies are deliberate with their attacks and are better handled with a cool head and steady aim. Though the Xbox 360 controller is fully supported, the standard keyboard/mouse combo offers vastly superior aiming precision and control, which makes it by far the better option.

Regardless of how similar the combat in Resident Evil 5 is to its predecessor, the addition of a second character makes encounters feel quite different. Teamwork is necessary to take down more powerful enemies and bosses, and having someone to watch your back goes a long way toward keeping you alive. Furthermore, there have been radical changes made to the inventory management system. The immersion-breaking briefcase from the previous game is gone, and enemies no longer politely wait for you to rummage through your things because bringing up your armory doesn't pause the action. Each character can store up to nine items, and as long as you properly organize your inventory using the simple click-and-drag interface, all of your items are only a single keystroke away, which offers an unprecedented level of accessibility to your gear. It's often necessary to trade items with your partner, and keeping track of who has what at all times is crucial, especially during boss encounters.

Inventory management is easier than ever when you can click and drag items around with your mouse.

Sheva's artificial intelligence makes her a competent companion, though her degree of skill seems to rely more on her armaments than anything else. She is extremely good at using burst fire with a machine gun, for example, but she tends to waste ammo when equipped with a handgun. That said, at no point does she feel like extra baggage that needs babysitting (unlike some of the series' previous companions), and she can hold her own in a fight. Sheva really shines when there's someone else controlling her. Resident Evil 5 supports online co-op play through Games for Windows Live, and exploring Kijuju with a friend greatly enhances both the experience and the fun factor. Every game has the potential to go multiplayer, since other online players can join in on a free-for-all or invite-only basis if your game session is set up to allow this from the get-go.
Despite these conveniences, there are some frustrating hurdles that need to be leaped over before a partner can begin playing. Co-op isn't drop-in, so if someone joins, gameplay is interrupted and immersion is broken to some degree because the player who joined has to sit on the sidelines until the host either restarts or continues on to the next checkpoint. Another major problem is that players' main inventories are isolated from one another, and though you can trade healing items and ammunition, weapons are off-limits for exchange, making some battles more difficult if you're playing with a partner who is not as well equipped as you.

That's it for today. Be sure to read the chapter on gun maintenance--you WILL be tested!

Resident Evil 5 isn't a survival horror game, but that doesn't mean it hasn't learned a great deal from the genre. Tension is the central element of survival horror games, and in the past, tension has been conveyed by the gloomy settings, the sense of isolation, and the frustratingly clunky camera angles and controls. All RE5 does differently is convey this feeling through other outlets. Having a partner introduces new types of tension, because you're forced to rely on each other's support, find ways to manage both of your inventories during battles, and cover larger areas since enemies can appear from almost anywhere. Waves of enemies wax and wane with just the right frequency, and while the brightly lit environments make them less scary, they can be tough to deal with because they attack in large numbers and are smarter, faster, and stronger than their counterparts in previous games. Major encounters and boss fights are doled out with excellent pacing, and since you're never sure what to expect around the corner, you have to remain vigilant.

RE5 is one of the most visually stunning games available, and its huge variety of environments is meticulously detailed in every way. There are lots of large, open areas, and you'll constantly be on the move through them since there are usually so many enemies. In-game cutscenes are top-notch (though sometimes a bit over-the-top), and Chris and Sheva are incredibly well animated, especially their faces. If you happen to have the right collection of equipment, you can also take advantage of Nvidia's 3D Vision technology to experience Resident Evil 5 in stereoscopic 3D. The dialogue is often full of the trademark goofiness found in the series. The voice acting is competent, and when paired with the excellent facial expressions, it breathes a great deal of realism into the characters. Likewise, the fantastic orchestral soundtrack heightens the gameplay with everything from the low-key, ambient tracks that play during downtimes to the frantic, upbeat songs that accompany the massive boss battles.

On the first play-through, Resident Evil 5 lasts about 12 hours, which is considerably shorter than its predecessor. Once you're finished, though, there's still plenty to see and do. There are hidden B.S.A.A. badges scattered throughout most levels to find; you can strive to get better scores or times in each chapter to show off on the online leaderboards; and there are three initial difficulties available with a fourth unlockable. In-game points can be spent on collectible trophies of various characters and enemies, on additional costumes and graphics filters, and on special infinite-ammo versions of guns that you've fully upgraded. The Mercenaries minigame also returns in a format that is very similar to its last incarnation but with support for co-op. While it's disappointing that the Versus multiplayer mode available as downloadable content on the console releases is nowhere to be seen, a new PC-exclusive mode called No-Limit is included. No-Limit pits you against ridiculously huge mobs of enemies but is otherwise identical to the standard Mercenaries mode.

Having a partner to watch your back can save your life.

Resident Evil 5 successfully builds on the foundation of its predecessor while taking a drastically different direction. Having a partner introduces new degrees of gameplay depth and dramatic tension that make the game much more exciting to play. Though the slower, more deliberate movement and shooting may not appeal to everyone, this sequel's frequent large-scale battles and co-op play still offer a fun and exciting adventure

Release Date: 10/6/2009
Platforms: ps2pspdswii
Publisher: LucasArts
Developer: Krome
Gamesite: www.gametrailers.com
Genres: Action
ESRB: RP

During the last few months, Infinity Ward has teased gamers with short multiplayer trailers of the hotly anticipated Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. But apart from a few points gleaned from the videos (such as customizable killstreaks, riot shields, and being able to bring the rain with an AC-130), there have been few other details on just how the developer was planning to improve on the impressive multiplayer offering of the first Modern Warfare. That changed overnight: Infinity Ward released a ton of new information about online play in Modern Warfare 2 and allowed hands-on sessions for the first time. Greater customization, improved perks, deathstreaks, and new weapons and attachments are just some of the additions, which is all adding up to plenty of reasons for even the most dedicated prestige players to come back and wage war again.

Welcome to Rio! Have you met my gun?

First up, let's check out that awesome AC-130. If you thought calling in a helicopter strike was intense in Modern Warfare, then you'll be blown away by the destructive power of the 55 tons of flying death that is the Lockheed AC-130, which was featured in the Death From Above mission in the first game. You'll need to be a pretty elite player to get the AC-130 (because it requires 11 kills in a row), but once you do, it will be enough to send all your enemies cowering in fear. But even this massive piece of air support is not a confirmed match winner--the AC-130 sticks around for only 30 seconds, you are vulnerable while using it (because your character will be controlling the plane while crouched using a remote laptop), and organized enemies can take it down using RPGs and other antiaircraft weaponry.

The AC-130 is one of the new killstreak bonuses in Modern Warfare 2, a system which has been expanded with the addition of new rewards as well as the ability to choose the order in which you unlock them. While you'll still get the UAV bonus at three kills, a missile strike at five, and chopper support at seven, you'll also get care packages, counter-UAV, sentry guns, and, of course, the AC-130. The Care Package is an interesting addition: you'll gain this after a four kill streak, and when used, it drops a supply crate onto your chosen point in the map. What's inside the Care Package, however, is random. It could be as simple as ammo, or it could be a killstreak reward, allowing you to access the higher bonuses without having to do the tough work of killing your opponents. It's a potential match winner and will allow even novice players the opportunity to use the longer killstreak bonuses (at least if they get lucky with a package). Care Package users need to be careful, though, as enemies can also open the package and steal whatever goodies lie within.

Balancing out the improved killstreaks are new deathstreaks, which are rewards that are conferred onto players if they're killed multiple times in a row. The deathstreaks we saw (which kicked in at three deaths in a row) were copycat and painkiller. Copycat allows you to "steal" your killer's class and loadout (even if you haven't unlocked those weapons), while painkiller gives you a temporary health boost when you first respawn. These bonuses obviously aren't as powerful as killstreaks, but they may be just enough for players who are getting constantly squashed to score a morale-boosting victory now and again.

You can customize which killstreaks and deathstreaks you bring into battle, which is just one part of Modern Warfare 2's improved class creation system. Both primary and secondary weapons can be fitted with attachments and camo, with Infinity Ward reps telling us the list of adds-on has increased significantly (silenced shotgun, anyone?). Players also have a new equipment slot that they can customize. Mapped to the right bumper, this equipment slot allows you to swap out frag grenades and instead choose from a list which includes throwing knives (a one-hit kill), a blast shield, semtex (explosives which stick to an enemy when thrown), tactical insertion (where you can choose your next spawn point), and two others which were locked in the multiplayer build we played.

Riot shields take a lot of damage to crack.

Adding further to this depth of customization are new call signs that you can attach to your character. These call signs--which will be visible during all multiplayer matches--will act as a signpost to your foes as to how well you've played the game. Call signs (which consist of an emblem and a title) are unlocked depending on your achievements within multiplayer matches. Use the riot shield constantly, for example, and you'll unlock shield-specific call signs. As for perks, they're back in greater numbers in Modern Warfare 2. Infinity Ward said they took on board community suggestions when revisiting the perk system, resulting in additions, tweaks, and outright omissions. Frag X 3, for example, has bitten the dust, while widespread calls for two attachments on a weapon resulted in the creation of the Bling perk (which, as you can guess, lets you put two attachments on a gun). While we didn't see the final unlocked list of perks, we did manage to spy a few new additions/tweaks to old perks, including Cold-Blooded (makes a player invisible to UAV, sentry guns, thermal imagery, and air support), Scavenger (full resupply of ammo from dead enemies), Commando (increased melee distance), Marathon (which allows you to sprint indefinitely), and Scrambler (the ability to jam every radar). And in a neat addition, if you use a perk enough, it will upgrade to a second level where its abilities are further enhanced. The old perk Sleight of Hand, for example, allowed you to reload more quickly, but if you achieve its upgrade, not only will you be able to reload faster, but the speed at which you look down the sights of your weapon also improves.

Look! Up in the sky!.

When it comes to maps, don't expect your favourites from the first game to make an appearance. Infinity Ward says Modern Warfare 2 will feature all-new maps, although a final number hasn't been confirmed. The old maps were ditched due to gameplay reasons, according to the developer, because some of the new features being added didn't gel well with the size, layout, and design of the old maps.

So with all these additions, how does the game actually play? We tested out the game on three maps--Afghan, Highrise, and Favela--playing a variety of modes, including team deathmatch, domination, and a new mode called demolition. Afghan took place in a desert area that featured a downed plane in the middle of the map that was surrounded by small caves and narrow passes. Highrise was set on top of a group of buildings, with a large central rooftop area acting as an arena for many fierce battles. Favela is set in the slums of Rio de Janeiro and is a maze of tight alleyways, decrepit multistorey houses ideal for camping, and abandoned cars. As you'd expect from Modern Warfare, the pace was furious and lots of fun, especially in the narrow confines of Favela. Demolition is an interesting addition, with one team having to protect two large explosive devices, while the other team has to try to activate them for detonation.

As in the original, you'll get to choose from some premade classes for your first few matches. The premades in Modern Warfare 2 are the grenadier, sniper scout, overwatch, first recon, and riot control. Of these, riot control is bound to be a favourite. With this class, you'll get a riot shield and be able to dual-wield a pair of SMGs from the get-go. The riot shield is an extremely hardy defensive tool, able to soak up a ton of damage before breaking (up to two full magazines with some of the weaker weapons and most of the force of a grenade). Better still, slinging the riot shield onto your back while you have your SMGs out gives you protection from bullets coming in from the rear.

When it comes to looks, Modern Warfare 2 has few peers. The game simply looks great, with plenty of outstanding detail present in the three maps we played (newspapers exploded into tiny pieces when hit by gunfire, pots crumbled realistically, and fire hydrants sprayed gushes of water when damaged).

There are plenty of effects on show in each level.

Despite the mass of information unveiled about the multiplayer side of Modern Warfare 2, there are still plenty of unknowns, with the crew at Infinity Ward keeping some details secret. How prestige levels will work in the game, for example, is still under wraps, although we're told that they will definitely be in Modern Warfare 2 (as well as a higher level cap). And will there be greater streak rewards past 11 kills, and if so, what will they be? We'll have more on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 soon
# Platform: PC
# Release Date: Nov 24, 2009
Source : gamespot.com