Okay. So you wanted to make an asymmetric shooter game. Sure, they make money right? And why not add in some nostalgia flavor into it by modelling it around say… A RETRO FRANCHISE AND FANBASE?
BRILLIANT IDEA. AMAZING. MAKE LOADS OF MONEY.
But you f%&ked it up.
Here’s why.
Fireteam Issues:
-the ability to use ammo bags and medkits at the same time, plus gearhead perk.
Q: Why is this a problem?
A: Restocking ammo and health for up to roughly 3-4 uses per dropped pack with up to 3 drops per loadout allows fireteam to outsustain the match with ease. Even without gearhead.
Q: What are possible solutions?
A: Limit loadout to either ammo bag or medkit. Not both. Gearhead also cannot be used with either gear loadouts unless the use per ammo/medkit is changed to 1 standard. This should not extend to the stimpacks.
-Movement speed not affected by stimpacks
Q: Why is this a problem?
A: You don’t run at full speed with a needle in you. This is a sarcastic answer. Everyone knows you slow down to heal yourself. Gamer rules 101. Come on.
-Plants blocking bullets.
Q: Why is this a problem?
A: If I’m shooting at the predator on a branch in the distance and ONE leaf is in the way I have to either move or shoot the leaf like it’s a plank of wood so it EXPLODES in a dramatic fashion. This is ridiculous. Fix it. Seriously.
-Spotting
Q: Why is this a problem?
A: This is more a personal opinion. The games atmosphere would be severely boosted by the inability to accurately track the predator. He’s cloaked and you just point your finger and everyone can see his outline? Nah dude. If I see my teammate shooting at a tree I’ll either think he’s messing around or OH SHIT THERE HE IS I SEE IT! I SEE IT! Adds excitement. Adds suspense. Original movie had this same feeling. As soon as you plop a tracker on him you can unload a number of rounds into him as he runs away scared. This is kinda a big problem especially with the balance issues.
Q: Possible solutions?
A: Add a secondary gun with VERY LIMITED AMMO that leaves trackers for the MINIMAP ONLY and the pred has to go and remove it. This would be a suitable replacement and it should be a high level item with some form of sacrifice to the loadout.
-Miniguns for delux
Q: Why is this a problem?
A: 1- it’s a minigun in a SECONDARY slot.
2- it’s available on level 1
I don’t care how unweildy it is, I’ve messed with the minigun, it’s very much a situational item but it’s still far too powerful for immediate use at level 1 and being able to pair it with a primary weapon is a bit of a joke.
Predator Issues:
-Clunky movement
Q: Why is this a problem?
A: If you’re playing as the main antagonist and need to get sh*t done, you don’t need your own controls working against you or at the very least being unreasonable little bastards. Moving in the trees feels awkward and forced, dropping down from the trees takes too long and it’s not easy at the drop of a hat, and leaping having a long cooldown.
Q: Possible solutions?
A: take another look into the treetop movement system, find some ways of making it feel less restricted and clunky. I’m unsure what method you used to make the mechanic, it’s a great idea, but it needs work.
-Stealth
Q: Why is this a problem?
A: When you watched the movies, was the predator always a clamoring loud elephant in the trees? No? Then why the f*&!k is he in this game? Seriously. What good is camo when you can be marked unlimited times in line of sight and every step you make sounds like your alcoholic dad stomping down the hall to your room with a belt in his hand. Even crouching makes too much noise.
The next issue is the amount of bark and leaf particles dropping every time the predator moves in the trees. The predator should only give himself away via his clicking noise or when he’s being hasty. By default it should be agile and stealthy, he may be a ton of neon pumped meat but he’s a trained specialized hunter, not an alien toddler in a loincloth.
Q: Possible solutions?
A: 1- Make the sound dependent on predator class. Berserker is loud when he runs around, sure, that makes sense. Scout is far more silent. Hunter is in between the two BUT REDUCE THE OVERALL SOUND IN GENERAL. If I can hear the predator anymore than 10 feet away from me as he’s running from ANY class, there’s a problem.
2- Provide a stealthier alternative to climbing and walking in the trees by default. This is ALSO seen in the movies where the predator is literally climbing the side of a tree slowly and stalking his prey in close proximity.
-Combat
Q: Why is this a problem?
A: No automatic melee proximity targetting, no ability to target at all, blindly slashing with VERY limited range. These are big issues. A lot of predator players are strugging in engagements mostly due to other issues but when it comes to melee fighting this is a significant problem. Sure you can miss gunshots but you have range. If you’re missing melee attacks where every hit counts in the current game state, this is a problem that needs fixing immediately.
Another point;
with the topic of stealth, this should be the primary method of engagement. you have all the tools in the game but decided half way that you were done and good to go. Sneaking up on the enemy and executing them in camo should be a core threat, it’s how the predators literally hunt. Also a thrown spear should impale, maybe not fatally but at least pin you down and force another teammate to pull it out of you. This game drastically needs more divide and conquer tactics and mechanics.
-Healing
Q: Why is this a problem?
A: If the game stays the way it is, the predator needs more avenues for replenishment. Put his ship nearby so he can restock, make the boars more accessible BECAUSE GOODLUCK FINDING ONE WHEN YOU NEED IT. (side note, if you have a cancel option when healing, make a cancel option when feasting. seriously. hell, make one for taking a skull too.)
If the fireteams have less loadout replenishment then this change is unnecessary (except for the pigs. Seriously fix that shit.)
Also the predator should have a VERY slow health regen, and his bleeding should eventually stop.
OR if you listened to my previous points on stealth, make bleeding less frequent and allow players to use BLOOD SPOTS as a form of tracking him down, not the marker.
Now, I understand this is a very hostile post and while I am very angry at the devs for not only knowing about issues on beta but then making them worse on release, this is a very serious post with very serious observations playing on both teams.
There are a number of people on this forum that know what I’m talking about.
Your que times are long because nobody is playing. I doubt you have as many sales as you’d like, as well.
If you want to make this game enjoyable for fans and for newcomers, look into this post and its points seriously. I want to see this game blow up into something amazing.