Hello everyone,
This is my first post and topic here but I would like to mention some thoughts I have on the Predator (been playing since trial). Also English isn’t my main language so there will be some spelling errors.
First of all, the most important aspects of any game, for me, are: fun, immersion, overall atmosphere. Graphics are secondary.
As title suggests, for me, the Predator in the game is really disrespected. Below are listed some implemented game mechanics that I find ridiculous:
- self-destruct can be defused by fire-team members
How is it possible that a “elite” soldier, trained only in combat scenarios, is able to defuse, in matter of seconds, extremely advanced alien technology that he has never seen in his entire life? In the classic Predator movie, which this game is based upon, when Predator activates self-destruct, Dutch doesn’t know what is happening. So what does he do? Does he rush to the Predator to defuse the bomb? No, he runs away from it.
The only way to stop self-destruct should be mowing down the Predator while he tries to activate it.
When self-destruct is activated, however, fire-team’s only way to survive should be SPRINTING to the other side of the map (which also should be difficult to achieve).
- Predator can be marked by fire-team members while cloaked
Predator should be able to be marked by fire-team members only when he isn’t cloaked. Also “cloak effect” isn’t really well done since the Predator can be spotted by fire-team member from a mile away.
- Melee parry
How is it possible that Predator’s melee attacks (doesn’t matter which class) can be parried by humans? Predators are bigger, heavier, stronger and faster than humans (even elite soldiers) trained in combat. Fire-team members are supposed to be “elite” but they are trained to fight humans. Again, in reference to classic Predator movie, DutchvsPredator ended poorly for Dutch. He won by deceit.
I suspect that in near future there will be scenarios where 1 fire-team member will be able to defeat the Predator in one on one combat (maybe it is happening even now).
- Fire-team member escaping from nets in a seconds
Again, nets from the movies, are extremely hard and sharp. Nets cut easily through equipment and flesh. In AVP 2004 movie, net was destroyed by Alien acid blood and acid needed MORE time to destroy the net than fire-team members need in this game.
“Netted” fire-team member should be able to escape only when other fire-team member gets close to them and cuts them loose.
Also some general thoughts on the game’s atmosphere:
It is NOT possible to recreate the feeling from the classic Predator movie. Why? Because fire-team members KNOW that there is the Predator hunting them down. Half of matches I play look like this: 1 fire-team member complete objectives and other 3 fire-team members are aiming their crosshairs in the trees. So Predator’s “strength” on moving cloaked through the trees is actually his weakness because the Predator is being spotted all the time. Other half of the matches end up by all fire-team members abandoning their mission and focusing only on hunting down the Predator. The hunter becomes the hunted (opposite effect of what it should be like).
I hope that the developers will read this post and consider some balancing changes.
Thanks.