My first Battlefield vs. COD impressions

[Wrightfellow]

So I've been playing the BF3 demo. It's the first BF game I've ever played and I'm finally starting to understand the argument between these two games. In one instance, with BF, you have what feels like a "combat sim". Or the closest thing since the old Ghost Recon days. Everything feels true to life. The sounds (amazing sounds, IMO; sounded like audio from a combat correspondence video), the bullet damage, the scale of maps, the absolute emphasis for camping, etc. I don't know what it's like with vehicles but all the typical descriptions of the game make sense now. This game definitely demands more commmunication, more camping, more tactical recon/report/support/attack type of coordination. Again, it feels like a combat sim.

I've liked the game so far. But afterward, I slipped COD back in the tray and couldn't believe the difference. For me, COD is just more intense, more visceral. It plays soooo much faster. I also forgot how much I love killstreaks. Those really give you a sense of momentum. And perks? Now I appreciate those even more. Perks seems to give you more versatility. You can play a map very differently based on what perks you have--never mind your loadouts.

Oh, and I think I hate BF3's aim-down-sight mechanic. Or rather, I hate how the recoil is so strong that I can't even focus my fire for more than two bursts. Is that realistic? Sure. But is it fun? Not for me.

In the end, I'm definitely a COD guy. But the BF3 demo was a unique experience, a nice change of pace, and I'll pick it up later next year. Just to cleanse the COD palette, at least. Good game, just not my style. Your thoughts?

[ortho4]

I don't want my video games to be realistic, I want them to be fun. .

[SmackEmYakEm]

COD was fun. But it has become the FPS version of Madden. It's basically the same exact thing release after release. COD has grown stale IMO. Other than offering the pay-for-premium features MW3 looks identical to MW2.

And this is kinda crazy:
http://www.next-gen.biz/news/modern-...cing-announced

[RageofKronos]

I really wouldn't judge Battlefield on a beta version of a game. If you want to make a comparison at least try Bad Company 2, even though it was a departure from the BF formula.
One huge advantage of BF games is the people that play them. Another is just the way you play it. If you love to run-n-gun, COD is for you. Personally, I'm more of a Clancey/BF person, but that's why there ware different games out there.

[Jameyt (founder)]

Huge maps. Buildings droping on someone's head. Vehicles. Wait till the final copy to judge between them.

In the end, they are pretty different types of games (despite looking pretty similar)

[MidnightGhostGF [sherpa]]

In the end, they are pretty different types of games (despite looking pretty similar)

Clear, concise, and to the point.... Jamey's reply should be included in the first post of every thread that compares these games.


I'm looking for a FPS game that bumps COD from always being in the drive of my 360 when I boot it up. In the last several years a number of games have taken a shot at dethroning COD and failed. Most recently I thought MOH might be that game and then I thought Homefront would definitely be it. This fall I thought BF3 would be it but have liked next to nothing about the beta. Normally I would say don't judge a game by the beta but being only weeks from release the beta should be much tighter. I have heard that the beta is from an earlier build so that's the root of the issues. If that's the case why even do have the beta, what's the point of checking for bugs if the certified copy of the game is one or more increments ahead of the beta code?

Throwing our the bugs, even based on things that appear to work as designed I won't be picking this up at release. They haven't shown me anything that would keep me from rolling full time back into COD when it hits so I'm not going to spend the money. I'll probably pick it up later to play the campaign.

All of that said, I know there are bunches of folks that will pick it up and like it. BF just isn't the series for me.... I'm holding out hope that Respawn Entertainment will roll out a killer title in 2012.

[WolfmanXIII]

i gotta agree with everyone saying they are two vastly different experiences..my time with the BF3 beta,well lets just say the first day or two i was extremely frustrated,but i started to play the way i was being told to play to succeed,squad up cover your angles,move the squad forward tactically like a swat team clearing rooms..i also thought the prone mechanics were pretty sweet,like in call of duty when you go prone your movement seems neutered,but in BF3 you seem to have alittle more realistic agility on yo' belly..in the end i had fun,just not as much fun as i have in the meat grinder that is call of duty free for all..lol..nothing like coming in in the top three

[SHAP ATTAK]

I'm waiting to judge the multiplayer although I tend to favor the BF3 style. As for single player, I'm much more excited about the MW3 campaign. The new trailer makes it looks fantastic. I've always enjoyed the COD campaigns and this one looks like it won't disappoint. Personally, I'd much rather play the 'Michael Bay-style' COD campaign than the more realistic campaign that I've seen in the BF3 trailers.