War Z from a veteran players point of view

[Scion Blade]

So I'll be clear about this, First of all, I have enjoyed this game. I think the developers have done some pretty crappy things, and I'll outline them. Then I'll give my final opinion of whether or not you should spend your money, or hold off.

I bought War Z several months ago, and several of my Guild Mates from WoW decided to do the same. The game at first impression was a unique experience. Every moment is filled with the fear that someone can see you, they know you're there, and they are better equipped than you. This is a survival horror feeling. If you do not like being on the edge of your seat each time you play, then this game is not for you.

The game is a typical Third/First Person shooter. You can switch between the views, and you have access to Melee and Ranged weapons (Bats, Hammers/M16s, Pistols.) Some of the animations are choppy, in particular the Melee attack animations. Overall the graphics can use some touch up, but for the price, they are a lot better than other games. The underbrush is thick enough so that you can go prone, and completely mask your presence. This adds a unique element to gameplay.

PVP is sometimes frustrating. Just like in any other game, you will encounter hostile players looking to off you for whatever reason. They may open fire first, they may pretend to be friendly and kill you later, or they may hit you with a sniper rifle before you see them and have a buddy loot your corpse. Once you die, you have a 1H spawn timer. Create a new character, play again. Yes you lose your items, Yes you have to start all over. There are systems in place to help you with this. First of all, you can return to a safe zone and stash items in your global inventory. These can be retrieved by newly created players (and players visiting a safe zone) in order to offer a better chance at survival. Regardless, death and loss of items are a part of this game. If you do not like it, stop reading now and dont buy this game. Keep in mind each player is potentially hostile, no one has any obligation to keep you alive.

PVE is laughable, but it has room for improvement. Occasionally you will still end up swarmed by zombies, but this is largely avoidable. Gunfire and rapid movement attract them, so it is quite easy to screw up and be destroyed, however, most of the time they can just be avoided. Zombies do hit quite hard, and there are plans to introduce an infection model where you can die from being attacked by a zombie unless you locate a vaccine and delay or cure the infection.

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Now, to move onto some of the technical details I do not like about this game, and things that have frustrated me.

First, I believe the developers need to improve the way they handle information distribution to the community. It isn't done properly.

Second, they advertise planned features on Steam as "Current" features. This is crap. It needs to be undone. The game is DEFINITELY playable as it stands. I've spent over 40+ hours in the game already. These features will only make it better, but some of them are not currently implimented. An example of this is skill trees. They will be implimented, they just havent yet.

Third, This game is technically in a transition between Alpha and Beta. That means, that like Minecraft, it has glitches, errors, and will continue to improve as time goes on.

PVP is the main focus of the game. If you're looking to whack zombies, think again. That design viewpoint gets old fast. They are only so challenging. Instead, players offer a unique chance to change it up. Are you going to a bandit--murderer who takes peoples gear in order to survive? Will you hunt the bandits or avoid them completely just trying to live out your own story?

Finally, the price has changed. I paid $20 for this game through their website, now, I'm seeing it on steam for nearly $13. This is huge. Players who purchased higher level packages also paid more than the high level packages now offered on steam. Again, this is incredibly frustrating. Does this break the game? No. This is a personal grievance.


SHOULD YOU BUY THIS GAME?

In a short answer yes, and here is why.

Yes this game is in an Alpha/Beta state, and yes, it does have it's fair share of problem.

Yet, I've spent nearly 40 hours in this game, and I've died to nearly everything, from hackers, to players and zombies. My guild mates and I enjoy every minute of this game, and the team play is incredible. It's exhilirating fun that you cannot find in any other game on the market. The level of challenge is high. You need to find water, food, weapons, all the while avoiding and competing with people doing the same. You will Die, you will run into other players. It's just a matter of how you handle those situations.

The thing is, this game can only get better. They have a very basic product, with MASSIVE room for improvement, and all of the future updates are free. Buy this game now at $13 and you'll be included in future updates including vehicles added to the game, and all of the new weapons and maps they introduce.

One last note, This game is best played with friends. Get a buddy onboard and try it out with them. Large groups draw a lot of attention (we've learned this the hard way) but two-three can clear out a town, keep an eye on one another, and have a fighting chance against bandits.

[Adegan Gaul]

I'd agree with this if not for War Inc. D: it does a good job of analyzing the game, but you're sorely overestimating how Hammerpoint and Sergey deal with games. If it works for their playtesters, it works in the public version.

Hence why we were assured back before everyone was allowed in that rumors of rampant PK'ing were not true, and that all would be fine by the time october 31st came around.

And low and behold, look how well the rampant PK'ing has been fixed since? absolutely nothing has been done!

Trust me; it can get worse, and it probably will.

[Scion Blade]

I hope you're wrong. I belive this game has massive potential. The end result will be how they handle this arguably botched steam launch.

[Adegan Gaul]

It will be interesting to see. Good post.

I hope I'm wrong too. D:

[J-Mac]

So basically you list about how bad the devs screwed people over and lied but we should buy the game becuase it has potential?

[Blackunknown0x]

As a new player to this game I feel that in my short play time, I have thoroughly enjoyed this game and see great potential in it and hopefully it does not go down in flames.

[Vincent Price]

You're wrong about the game being in alpha/beta transition. It's out of beta and into foundation release, which is full release.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100322813

[Scion Blade]

I think the process was handled very poorly. I was screwed over too, keep that in mind. I could have waited a few months and bought it here on steam for 13.50 or whatever. In this time frame the game has seen much needed improvement. So yeah, they ♥♥♥♥♥♥ up. Should we crucify them for it and boycott their game? Nah.

They do need to either give more GC to package purchasers to compare with what the steam players can get for the price they can get it for. Well within their power to do so.

[Scion Blade]

Originally posted by The Price:

You're wrong about the game being in alpha/beta transition. It's out of beta and into foundation release, which is full release.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100322813

Here you go, This outlines more about what the foundation release means. http://forums.thewarz.com/showthread.php?65228-Foundation-Release-state-of-the-game-new-features

While this does state that he believes the game is "Released." Many of the features promised are slated to be added in the next few months. Can hardly call this a finalized version.

[Sirius]

Just started playing it. When it's dark, it's dark, eh? LOL Very odd but hopeful game. I'll get used to it I'm sure.

[TheaRetical]

I havent boughten it yet and all these reviews and post are very confusing. I have looked at the website and i do agree that the steam page for it has different information then the actual website. But me and a few friends have looked alitle into this and we all think it looks like a good game but after these very confuseing post about scams and DayZ people are just jealous its all really confusing.

[HeyZeuz]

ya the dayz trolls are out in full force about this. its kinda sad

[pfaffit]

War inc sucks, I don't expect this game to be much better. They need a new engine if they want to not be a f2p game.

[Vincent Price]

Originally posted by Scion Blade:

Originally posted by The Price:

You're wrong about the game being in alpha/beta transition. It's out of beta and into foundation release, which is full release.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100322813

Here you go, This outlines more about what the foundation release means. http://forums.thewarz.com/showthread.php?65228-Foundation-Release-state-of-the-game-new-features

While this does state that he believes the game is "Released." Many of the features promised are slated to be added in the next few months. Can hardly call this a finalized version.

Then they should have mentioned that on the steam page instead of advertising the game as if all the features are in. Also, Sergey and Hammerpoint are starting development on War Inx. 2.0 in February, and I doubt they'll be able to implement everything in 2 just two months.

[Scion Blade]

Engine could use an update, but it isnt horrible. Works perfectly for a game like this. It isnt too taxing, but it is realistic enough to not look childish or cartoonish.

[Scion Blade]

Originally posted by The Price:

Originally posted by Scion Blade:

Originally posted by The Price:

You're wrong about the game being in alpha/beta transition. It's out of beta and into foundation release, which is full release.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100322813

Here you go, This outlines more about what the foundation release means. http://forums.thewarz.com/showthread.php?65228-Foundation-Release-state-of-the-game-new-features

While this does state that he believes the game is "Released." Many of the features promised are slated to be added in the next few months. Can hardly call this a finalized version.

Then they should have mentioned that on the steam page instead of advertising the game as if all the features are in. Also, Sergey and Hammerpoint are starting development on War Inx. 2.0 in February, and I doubt they'll be able to implement everything in 2 just two months.

All valid points. Absolutely should have mentioned it. As I said, they botched this release, it needs to be fixed.