Boasting the worst launch in recent memory, Battlefield 1943 was plagued by inadequate server space a chronic inability to join games, and frequent console freezes. Yet, all this followed by the quickest and most impressive post release support I’ve ever seen. Was it simply a case of the game being far too popular for its own good? Does it deserve the popularity? Was it worth the frustration? A thousand times yes!
It does make sense that EA would want to get the issues fixed as soon as possible to save face. The people paying the bills expect a certain level of quality and when internet users don’t get what they want they can be the most vocal complainers you can imagine. Within a matter of days the number of servers has been increased to allow nearly seamless access to games. Within a matter of seconds of choosing “quick game” I am now connected to a game either in progress, or new, and after that game is finished a new one starts without any delay. While this is an extreme jump in being able to actually enjoy and get into a game there are still a few issues that nag and prevent a completely untethered love of the game. Private matches can only be initiated if the lobby is full, requiring 16 people means it isn’t an easy task to completely fill a game.
You can have squads of up to 4 people which means that you can have focused communications and tactics, if you do have a squad their icons will also display on screen. To allow friends to get together easier you can meet up with 3 friends, form a squad, and join a game together as a squad.
There are three maps at the moment, with a forth will be available soon, the maps are some of the first multiplayer maps that have immediately struck me as being designed from the ground up with every little detail planned to enhance the game experience. Paths are laid down, turrets and look-outs placed, flag, anti aircraft guns and vehicles all located in a way that makes for a balanced theatre of war. I really enjoyed walking up the side paths of the hill top fortress on Iwo Jima to challenge the opposing team who had control, then getting some action on the machine gun nest half way down the embankment.
The limitation of the game to having only three classes both simplifies and strengthens the way the game plays and how it is balanced. There are no medics or engineers, just a sniper, rifleman, and gunner. I like the simplified format of classes, too many options simply make it hard to concentrate on the action, while still allowing some choices means that you still have an element of personal style and strategy.
If I had to assign a label to the art style I would say it verges on a realistic cartoon, no blood or gore, no over-muscled war-hardened meatsicles, just young guys in uniforms fighting for their countries. The explosions are grey, the fire orange and red, grass green and sand yellow, the Pacific provides a simple and effective backdrop. I experienced some horrendous screen tearing (in small patches) and a little slow down in the frame rate but for the majority of the game things run smoothly.
The controls for the planes are difficult enough to prohibit every random from commandeering them and controlling the entire game, there are also enough AA guns to take them down if you feel the need. Air strikes from the radio bunker is another way of attacking from the sky, again, not as easy as to make it a sure fire game winner, however just enough pay off to merit the time it takes to get in and perform the action.
Closing Comments
As a download only title with a price of less than a third that of a retail boxed disc I can honestly say that Battlefield 1943 is a game that every shooter fan should be able to get into and enjoy without fretting about the cost or longevity. There is enough solid gameplay to keep most people busy for months. If some small adjustments are made to sharpen up the private match functionality then it might be the perfect game at the perfect price. As it stands currently, it’s enough to warrant the cost.
yay for being able to play a game that you paid for.
nicely done EA
It’s now becoming addictive with how fast it is to get into games.
Shame that weeks on the Aus/nz servers are STILL not up & running. Shame.