mgeorge on 8/4/2011 at 17:27
AP is one strange game. On the one hand, it's brilliant, on the other a very sloppy port. I've run into all kinds of weird shit, including one level where I reloaded and the map was completely empty, another where I killed someone and the game didn't register it, lots of clipping, slow loading times, and finally the freaking horrible mouse lag that I can't seem to fix no matter what I try.
I've learned to live with the bad though, and although I hate to admit it you guys were right. It's probably one of the most enjoyable games I've played since Bloodlines. I've stopped my playthrough of Stalker COP, because AP seems to suck you in despite all the flaws. I hated the checkpoint system at first but now I actually think it's a good idea as it's forcing me to play more cautiously.
But OMG, the game it could have been! If the stealth and mini-games were better implemented, I'd probably put it up there with the likes of DE, Bloodlines and SS2.
gunsmoke on 11/4/2011 at 00:58
I firmly put it up there with those 3 games. It will be one I go back to for years.
Bakerman on 11/4/2011 at 08:58
I've been playing it at a friend's, but I think I'll probably buy it. I'm through Saudi, and decided to go to Moscow next. Just one more mission to do there, then I'll hit up Taipei.
On one hand, I really can't stand the basic gameplay. The third-person camera is pretty dodgy, as well as the cover system. These aren't really game-breakers on their own, but they just make everything a little more frustrating than it needs to be. The levels are disappointingly linear in my experience so far. I found it quite an oddity in a game that seems to tout freedom of choice as much as this one.
But on the other hand, the story and characters are superb. The 'X likes you! Plus one!' popups are a little unsubtle, but I just really like how all the characters are written and presented. The dialogues and characters are where, I suppose, all that 'freedom of choice' design effort went, and it really shines. From my friend, who's already played it through once, I'm getting a sense of just how much power you have over the narrative. It's pretty awesome.
mgeorge on 11/4/2011 at 17:34
Couple of questions.
Is stealth really a viable option in the game? I mean I just used the walk silently skill, hit a guy from behind, and after he was out cold, he alerted the guards, turning the game into your basic shoot em up. I'd prefer not to play the game this way, but can get used to it if I have to.
Also does it matter which order you do the hubs in the game, or the missions themselves for that matter? I went from Saudi Arabia, to Rome to Taipei.
june gloom on 11/4/2011 at 17:42
Nah, it doesn't really matter. I went to Moscow first and Taipei last.
As to stealth; it's perfectly doable.
smallfry on 11/4/2011 at 19:53
Eh, as you gain stealth abilities, stealth sort of goes from being sneaky and clever and timing guards' patterns to running around with an invisibility ring on and karate chopping a room full of 50 guards. I liked it midway through where I had to be actually stealthy, but it wasn't too frustrating. Towards the end you become too powerful (although I remember having trouble taking down the bosses).
Still fun though :)
gunsmoke on 11/4/2011 at 20:52
I found Moscow's coke snorting boss impossible without levelling up a bit in other countries first.
june gloom on 11/4/2011 at 20:56
He's way easier if you can get Heck to poison his snow. It's 10x funnier that way too.
The trick to dealing with the guy is to basically just avoid him when he's going on a knife rampage. As soon as he runs out of steam, unload.
mothra on 11/4/2011 at 23:56
Quote Posted by gunsmoke
I found Moscow's coke snorting boss impossible without levelling up a bit in other countries first.
i found it doable if you just lay stunnades (can't remember the exact name) on the floor during his interludes, when he runs up to you he gets stunned and you can karate chop or shoot him without trouble. only stupid thing is that you HAVE
to fight his goons even if you utterly destroy him, you could easily skip a few stages if you time it right and use drugs yourself. or if you play other missions in other countries first you can lace his coke making
the fight much easier.
Kuuso on 13/4/2011 at 15:15
Quote Posted by smallfry
Eh, as you gain stealth abilities, stealth sort of goes from being sneaky and clever and timing guards' patterns to running around with an invisibility ring on and karate chopping a room full of 50 guards. I liked it midway through where I had to be actually stealthy, but it wasn't too frustrating. Towards the end you become too powerful (although I remember having trouble taking down the bosses).
Still fun though :)
There's definitely one (and possibly two) mission that encourage ghosting. The CIA outpost in Italy. It was quite fun doing it so that you have no direct contact with anyone.
Ghosting is otherwise doable in most of the missions, albeit not that satisfactory.
