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Spent alot of sleepless nights playing G.R.A.W. Almost missed some of my research meetings in the morning because of it as well. After spending countless hours, I've finally finish the game on Normal difficulty. I'm mighty satisfied with it and feels like a having the stonehenge off my chest..
Here's a lil review just to sum up everything I have encountered..
Gameplay:
Not the easiest game. The game starts off pretty slowly for you to gain step into the steep learning curve of the game. You're dropped off from a Hercules together with your other 3 member GHOST team. And you're been left off alone after some pretty lousy HALO-jump (which incidently you have zero control over ur movements), and you're required to locate your team. During the path where you zero in on your first GHOST member, the guy on the cross-com give you some idea on how to duck and stand and getting into cover and all (if I remembered correctly).. and the real action only starts after you've located your first GHOST member.
From this point onwards, my hunch is any FPS self-proclaimed hero will try to start mowing down your opponents with your SCAR coupled with their sted-fast response with the mouse and your super strafing. But unfortunately, doing that will see you dead within the next bunch of mexican patrol squad. This game is a 2-hit-and-your-dead game, actually on some RARE occasion you'll probably survive 3 hits but thats about it. G.R.A.W aims to fit realism first so naturally you do not have super human reflexes. In effects to your physical limitation (or should I say lack of physical superiority), you're offered to be bunched on with some of the coolest gadgets around. These include GPS mapping, high altitude spot drones, cross-communication face modules and superior weaponry. Also, having said that this game is NOT your average shooter, this means you cannot dodge bullets, and enemies ARE allowed (they are not cheating) to mow you down from any 1/3 degree across the 360 degree viewing angle.
In order to survive G.R.A.W, working cooperatively with other members of GHOST is a must. I have heard from many that one of the biggest let down is how silly the on-screen command can get. Pointing in one direction and setting a command will have your NPCs going to the other side of the building. But for the time I have played G.R.A.W, the top-view GPS command screen is definitely the heart of the game. You can execute anything from point-to-point cover to tank, apache decoy. Once you've got used to the GPS interface, getting in and out of the menu from the tab would become second nature. Commands and executions most often need to be done quickly. Most obvious is to get your squad to cover. The NPCs are often happy enough to take care of themselves (provided you don’t send them straight into the firefight) and that you DON’T use the on-screen HUD command. I often move in a way that I first call for a spotter (often you’re the best one), then moving the rest of the team while leaving the sniper for cover. But there are a lot of other ways to move around. Once you get used to all that, you're ready to win level 1.
One thing I noticed about the NPC GHOST is that they do not take the initiative to unload their ZEUS on tanks. The way to get over this is to assign, again, through the GPS to lead them into a cover zone where there is enough cover fire to allow them to unload their ZEUS. I have seen many ppl complaining the squadmembers refusing to attack even when they are fired at. That is one of the occasional bug in the game, but most of the time I notice the problem is due obviously on the cross com direction you have pointed them to. When you set a GPS coverage area, just remember, the LOS can be adjusted, and it does make a difference. Having stretched the LOS further will intrinsically allow the NPCs to take out targets within that stretched LOS. However, this only applies to the non-sniper NPCs. Sniper NPCs are by far the best member to take out enemies with. Keep the sniper alive and you're 50% done with the mission.
Also, the open-endedness of the game is one of the best features. There is AT LEAST 10-15 ways to complete an area (not a mission). Some of the ways are easier than others. Finding the balance between an easy route (often littered with Mexican snipers that can take u out in one shot), or a harder quieter route where every movement is crucial but you can get pass most of the baddies.
As a whole, I’m very happy with the gameplay. It may not be as stiff as GR1, as many GR purists will nag over the overly advantageous equipment you’re given. But it’s a nice hybrid between realism and some cool almost ‘cheat-like’ futuristic equipments. Also, the lack of people in the streets also calls for a lot of skeptism. Mexico feels more like a ghost town. Nonetheless, the core gameplay stands tall.
I give it,
8.5/10
Graphics:
Graphics wise, it is ALMOST a mind blowing experience. However, for ppl that have gotten so used to AAed gamed will have to find time to get themselves reacquainted with a AA-less world. After you've overlooked the jagged screens, you're presented with an uber-ly detailed Mexico City. The streets are littered with detailed bump mapping to super cool HDR effects. The HDR isn’t overly excessive IMO as some others have complained about. Having come out of a dark corridor, you’re expected to have like a couple of seconds pain in the eyes right?
I personally don’t have a PhysX card, but having just software acceleration, the explosions are a lot of fun to watch. The detonation of bunkers, comm.-towers and even just a simple grenade launch to an oncoming Mexican APC is rewarded with enough flying debris to make you smile.
Other than the lack of AA, I would have given this game 9/10. But being an AA slave myself, having to overlook the AA at times is rather difficult. But you’ll have most of your time worrying about rooftop snipers and listening to tank engine rumbles.
I give it,
8.5/10
Sound:
All the weapons sound really powerful. I’m no expert when it comes to sound effects. But the explosions do sound like an explosion (painful to the ears as well). And launching a ZEUS or just firing a SCAR without a silencer will have your ears temporarily deafened, literally, when you have the speakers up loud. Furthermore, the sound effects stand out even on my onboard 5.1, so I would assume ppl with a X-Fi should be in for a treat. Overall I’m superbly happy.
9/10
Realism:
Most part of the game stresses well on the realism factor, from the physical limitations of the GHOST commandos, to the believable recoil of the various weapons. However, the lack of player fatigue is probably a minus. I can run for ages and ages and Captain Mitchell would still be all strong and healthy. But then you won’t really have the chance to run long distances (other than the fact that you want to die early). The overly advantageous equipments you have at hand is a LITTLE suss sometimes. I’m not referring to the GPS, as I feel this is a believable infantry enhancement. But the overly accurate sniper rifle, the overpowering carbine prototype and the video feed of other GHOST members through cross-com does make a lot of the confrontations a little easier than it supposed to be. On a lot of occasions you’d wish you weren’t those Mexican soldiers hiding somewhere to trying ambush the American GHOST members while the high altitude drone has enough cam resolutions to see you picking your nose. All in all, realism should almost score 9.5/10 other than some minor problems here and there. But its easily overlooked thanks to some other neat features.
I give it,
8.5/10
Difficulty:
If you like mowing down your enemies? This is not your game. If you like an enjoyable night playing games where the enemies bow down to your weaponry and basic superiority? This is not your game. Some parts of the game are EXTREMELY difficult where you are constantly being ridiculously outnumbered. Some of the roofs are literally crawling with snipers and you’ll have more than 1 Mexican tank to worry at times. But once you get through the hardship, it’s a totally rewarding experience. Having said that, I do feel some of the levels are just way too difficult. Some of it is way too much trial and error, and even the slightest mistake will have your team dead within minutes.
I give it,
10/10 (for difficulty wise)
Overall is this a good game?
Well if you enjoy a challenge, that involves using more of your head than your ego, then this can be a very enjoyable game. Super FPS skills are NOT needed for G.R.A.W but basic understanding of FPS perspective is definitely helpful in getting acquainted with the learning curve. Once you get passed the minor flaws of the game, it’s an enlightening experience. The game definitely has replayability as there are countless ways to replay a level. Enemies act differently all the time (except to the point where they’re being spawned), so none of their flanking footwork is actually scripted. I know, as I have replayed many times… courtesy of its sometimes ridiculous difficulty.
Overall, I give this game,
8.8/10
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Originally Posted by skull_00
