I've been watching live gameplay of this and I must proclaim that it seems as though the series has finally returned to its classic, fundamental roots... For the most part... In addition, from what I've seen, the beta shows incredible amounts of lag and whatnot. Horrible for hit detention and close quarter fights, but I hope its just the Beta's problem.
Here's a few aspects I like so far:
Gore. Yeeesss, I'm in love with those visuals. I love gory games like Mortal Kombat X, so that feature is a solid addition.
The voices. Both the announcer and ground units. I loved how Black Ops 2 heavily used voice clips such as soldiers yelling "Topping off" or "Sticky out" during gameplay that added a fair amount of livelihood in the midst of any matche. Although I will say that there is an apparent lack of music, which is a HUGE negative.
The score-streaks are decent at best (stupid Dart), but they might hold a potential that both Ghosts and Advanced Warfare failed to achieve and that Black Ops 2 didn't capitalize upon. Kill/Score streaks shouldn't be annoying or abundant, but rather helpful in accomplishing a strategy or goal for your team.
Maps this time around are "meh" so far, yet they're extremely colorful and bright, and some areas within them are amazingly designed that cater to the new mechanic. (Sledgehammer Games should take notes; I mean exo suits on microscopic maps? Really?!) Despite this, I think I'm in love with Combine; its such a beautiful, futuristic concept.
Gun customizations... Yeah, this is too epic to even describe. The best feature so far, BY far.
And then the guns. They look fine, but I'm loving the lack of kinetic energy weapons. Lead for the win.
My only disappoints thus far include the specialist system and the campers (which are a Call of Duty constant by now, but in the Beta... Already?!). Some specialist abilities are clearly more over powered than others, so maybe they'll balance them out or something.
I won't say anything else about the game such as gun balance or spawn points at this moment (Beta is still young) since I haven't physically tried it... But overall, this Beta holds promise for the full game, and I hope to face the mountains of men in November with fellow Pedians as a forum clan.
And a Zombies clan MUST happen here.
"Enemy in our AO!" (Area of Operations)
