Can we lay off, please? bloated has raised his points about BP, and I don't think the mod's so fragile we need to pounce on him just because it's not his kind of campaign. The only comments that aren't welcome are the ones that say "X sucks" with no additional explanation. bloated hasn't done that. I disagree with him, but I don't think he's done anything wrong here.
I'm going to be adressing a few points. Do keep in mind that I joined the team in Feb. 2013, after Act 3's release, and I'm only responsible for ship models. I'm in no way responsible for BP being what it is.
Instead it was a cinematic.I highly doubt anybody is expected to enter a series with the third act of the second game.
true, but then anyone can play Half Life 2 Episode 2 and enjoy it without the others, I played FS2 before I played FS1, Mech 3 before 2 or 1, WarCraft 3 before 2 or 1, all of these games have epic storylines yet are standalones. It's not about what's expected, it's about what can happen. FS2 was what got me to play FS1, Mech 3 was what got me to play Mech 2.
BP2 is discouraging in that way.
It's not typical, no. But keep in mind that if it was possible, WiH, the whole 5 acts, would have been one release. That couldn't be done because if it had been tried, the project would be long dead. It's not fair to judge act 3 as a standalone because it was never meant to be one in any way. Act 4 is going to be like this too. Speaking as a fan of BP, I really don't think it's something that needs to be worked on. The campaign doesn't need recap missions and half a dozen "as you know" speeches. If you don't judge WiH as a single campaign, then I can't say I blame anyone for thinking your criticism unfounded.
You don't complain that the plot of a TV miniseries makes no sense if you pick it up at episode 6.
What was it I disliked about BP2.
1 The Walls of Text: This post you are reading has been condensed a few times, BP2 doesn't feel like it was. Video Games are a visual medium, that's an asset that can be explored.
The text is actually a legitimate criticism. Unfortunately, the team can't afford to spend thousands on voice actors. Battuta's already paying quite a bit out of his own pocket for the bigger parts. And I can
promise you that BP2 was massively edited.
2 Time limits: I'm not sure every mission doesn't have them outside of the discussion missions. look at a list of the top 5 complaints in regards to any video game and Time limits is right there alongside escorting NPC's because they limit player options.
I can't speak for anyone else, but I think the few time limits there are were fairly generous, but succeeded at adding pressure where necessary. Yes they limit player options. They're meant to. I fail to see why this is a problem.
3 The heavy scripting: while all missions are scripted to a point BP2's involved dictating how players do the mission, what objectives and in what order, it goes well beyond limiting weapon and fighter choices, how many missions dictated stealth only? I think all of them limited weapon & ship choices but one, and it was short and to the point. I'm not saying get rid of the scripted missions but throw in some fun missions as well to break the monotony/restore the balance.
Out of 17(?) actual missions with gameplay, I think 1 is explicitly stealth only (Everything Is Permitted). The other two are more stealth encouraged. The first (Nothing Is True) is perfectly completeable without being stealthy at all, it just makes your life easier. In the second (Her Finest Hour), it's just in your best interest, because you'll get shot to **** if you aren't stealthy. No stealth missions at all in Acts 1 and 2.
Yes, BP missions are heavily scripted. And you know what? I like that. The missions feel alive. There's stuff going on that I, in my single-person fighter, can't (and shouldn't) be able to affect. BP deliberately moved away from Alpha 1-type missions where you save the day by doing everything. There are other campaigns available if that's what you're looking for. Derelict, for example, is quite good.
The third thing about scripting is that it's necessary. BP is a capship-heavy campaign, and FSO's capship AI is really not the best. I wish it was good enough that you could plop ship down and they'd fight intelligently, but it's not. Dynamic, interesting capship combat requires heavy scripting. No way around it.
4 The story centric focus at the expense of actual gameplay: BP2 was more story than game, some missions managed integrating story into the mission. The battle against Zinny & Zero was great at showing discord between TEV elements but most of the missions didn't bother with this.
This is very much a personal taste thing. If you want more shooting and less story, I refer you to my above answer. Although I will tell you that Act 4 is much closer to Acts 1 and 2 in terms of action.
5 no missions that allowed the player to indulge.
What does this even mean?
6 missions that weren't missions, just more text.
Just more story, or character development. I personally value that far more than shooting yet another wave of Tev fighters.
7 The ending was a missed opportunity. 2 options, one goes to the cinematic, the other could have been an epic blood bath, instead it was also a cinematic.
Universal Truth 2 wasn't meant to be a combat mission. It's a mission about revelations, and it takes place in your head. It would be a trite thing indeed if it was something you could affect with guns.
I really wish General Battuta was still here, because he's damn good at explaining WiH's whole design process. I can't hope to match him.