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Sunday, July 31, 2016

Review: Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - First Assault Online Beta


Before I get started, I want anyone who is reading this to know I have not watched the anime at the time of this writing. With that out of the way, I will give you my outsider's point of view.

My first impression is that Ghost in the Shell wasn't completely awful; though I'm glad I didn't pay anything for it. With this game still in beta I won't be too harsh about the issues with the game play itself. Hopefully the developers will fix a few things before release. However, there is still a problem that can't just be patched later - the game is a pretty generic FPS. Sure, there are a few game mechanics that you don't seen in every other online shooter. Fans of the series would even recognize the characters. It just isn't enough to keep the game from getting boring.

As far as game play goes:
There are eight(?) different characters to choose from, each with his or her own unique ability. (Temporary invisibility, ultra-fast sprinting, turrets, to name a few.) There are also three game modes to choose from. (Team Death Match, Terminal Conquest, and Demolition.) This may not be a huge spread of options but at least you aren't playing through endless rounds of death match unless you really want to. Having a few options is nice and all, but no matter who you pick you start with the same weapons as everyone else, and no matter what game mode you play it feels like everyone is still playing death match. All of that aside, you aren't stuck with the weapons you start with. In fact, weapon unlocks and customization are probably the most well thought-out part of the game. There's actually a pretty good selection of weapons and upgrades for each of them. (Grips, barrels, magazines, sights, maybe more.) That's not to say it takes quite a while to unlock weapons.

The problem areas:
I said above I wouldn't be too harsh about the problems that can be fixed; that won't stop me from writing about them. Here's my laundry list:
  • Poorly optimized (lag, dropped frames)
  • Weird menu layout (no main menu)
  • Poor hit detection
  • Not enough maps
  • Maps are small
  • No bullet physics
  • Poor hit detection
  • Clunky controls
  • Contextual jumping (to get over walls and up ladders)
Personally, good optimization is very important and unfortunately Ghost in the Shell needs some work in that area. There's lag that exists in menus but doesn't show up in-game. When playing, you have to get used to using iron sights on a toggle (click once to zoom in, again to zoom out), but you have to hold the buttons to run or crouch. The game also shows you certain places you can jump over walls or climb ladders, but is very picky about where you're standing and you can't be running when you do it.

Some of these things can easily be fixed or added later. (Like maps.) Others would require more work, but also need the extra attention. I understand some fixes may never happen, but there may not be a better time to make changes than while the game is still in beta.

When all is said and done, it's free (you have nothing to lose), it's different and not the 100th iteration of Call of Duty (this year alone), and I got to spend some time playing with some of my friends and having fun. I know a lot of fans of the anime are already severely disappointed by this game, but let me remind you of the price tag.

So, do I recommend it? For the price tag, yes.

Thank you for reading, please feel free to comment. -DED

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