Game is not newbie-friendly

[Ban Banovich]

Firstly, i want to say that i haven't played that much, so feel free to correct me. I'm not going to talk about game mechanics here.

It plays really good in singleplayer, thus bots are smart enough to save the human player most of the time. But whenever i want some coop, as the game description says, i just don't get it. Seems like most of the active players are experts, or atleast know the map well. They know every possible route and run away as fast as possible, leaving their team behind. Sometimes i stop for a moment to check my cellphone and all i see after that - flashlight beams in 500 m away from me.
Experienced players may complain about people who dont do the objectives, call votekicks on them, but i can understand them. Most of the time we just got lost somewhere at the start, while you were speedrunning.
Also after (almost) a decade since release there's still no contagion wiki, where new players can get info about game lore, game mechanics, strategies, maps and enemies. The last one is a real problem. I'm not sure even when we got witches added.

But this game has its soul. I never was into coop zombie shooters made on source, but somehow i got through l4d, nmrih and now contagion. And i think they can't be compared "as it is". But the reality is that contagion always had problems in getting (and keeping) new players. In my opinion, it's also the main reason why the game has small community.

[Prisoner849]

It really depends on how you play and how far your screen is from your face.

If you play on a Computer Desk like I do with the screen roughly 3-4 feet from your face I would increase the FOV so that you can see more.

Having the FOV set to Default is hard on the eyes for those like me that use a Computer Desk with the Monitor roughly 3-4 feet away while playing on 3840x2160 to properly see everything. You are zoomed in so far that you have to move your mouse all over the place just to see where to go or to find weapons and ammo.

Me personally between 115-120 FOV my eyes are accustomed to that and for me it looks perfect but again I play on 3840x2160p with a 4K monitor roughly 3-4 feet away.

For you try 100 or 105 try these if you need to go higher bump it up to 110 FOV.

Play around with the FOV until you are fully satisfied. Try it out and see what you think. The Field Of View setting is under Video settings ingame towards the very bottom of the settings page.

Best map to test your Field Of View is on original Biotec on Escape gamemode it's the easiest map and good for testing out various ingame settings.

Original Biotec is good for improving skill because the objective is straight forward go into the Labs get the Cure and escape via Helicopter on the Roof of Biotec.

Biotec has two routes one goes into the Basement the other route takes you up to the Roof where you drop down into the second floor Locker Room in the Gym area of Biotec. I prefer the Blue Keycard route it's better and lets you prepare for opening the lockdown Shutters

An example of mine below
FOV - 120
Weapon FOV - 72

https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/14170847378965820/1FCA6E11C8271D9DF3CF666FC5E56BEBB63653DA/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

and

https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/14169808465500069/6D681D6A2E70F9DDEE026B12CD41470812E94919/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

[Ban Banovich]

Thanks for your advice.
But i still think that the learning curve is too steep for new players, especially ones who haven't played games like this before. And it seems like there's not enough information about Contagion online (despite it's not new game at all), except walkthroughs, which don't teach you how to play, but instead just show you one possible route/way of playing it

[Icey Coldddd]

Originally posted by Ban Banovich:

Thanks for your advice.
But i still think that the learning curve is too steep for new players, especially ones who haven't played games like this before. And it seems like there's not enough information about Contagion online (despite it's not new game at all), except walkthroughs, which don't teach you how to play, but instead just show you one possible route/way of playing it

git gud skill issues

[AkaiRam]

Everyone learns in their own speed, but yeah a lot of player or most play the game for a while, so it makes sense when they know everything of a map while you still have to see where the path leads you in it.

[Tiniestkuriboh]

Originally posted by Ban Banovich:

Thanks for your advice.
But i still think that the learning curve is too steep for new players, especially ones who haven't played games like this before. And it seems like there's not enough information about Contagion online (despite it's not new game at all), except walkthroughs, which don't teach you how to play, but instead just show you one possible route/way of playing it

A lot of it comes down to playing maps at least a couple times solo. There are only so many variations of where objectives can spawn and at least knowing the locations / phone messages can help you figure out where the map has progressed to and where to go so you aren't lost.

General tips -

• The classic - only go for headshots, avoid wasting ammo on riots unless you have a bow / deagle, melee them instead once the rest of the horde is dead.
  
  
• Avoid guns like the K9 / MP5 / ACR - they usually encourage excessive shooting due to poor accuracy and high fire rates.
  
  
• Reload when you can, especially when you have a couple seconds during waves. Avoid switching guns without reloading.
  
  
• Avoid melee weapons until you are confident you can regularly land hits without being struck. Certain melees have better hit radius and damage consistency. Sledges are great for dealing with riot heads.
  
  
• Remember melees stagger zombies most of the times so if zombies get to close and you need to reload, melee then reload. I cannot tell you the amount of times I have seen players just stand still and take hits trying to reload when they could have easily melee'd and been safe.
  
  
• If you are playing solo and run out of ammo outside of Nightmare mode, there is a very high chance you are missing head-shots and wasting too much ammo. You should have more than enough ammo on every map.
  
  
• As for gameplay objectives, almost every map does not require significant carrying / backtracking for objectives. While there are exceptions to this, once you progress to a new area, the next objective / item is going to be in that new area, not somewhere else.
  
  A couple notable exceptions are Roanoke PD where you must backtrack to find boltcutters used at the end (or the optional medbay) or Montclair where you must run a fair distance back to the sewer after obtaining the gas mask in the park.
  
  Additionally in campaign there are a couple items that may be used later for optional areas that give you extra supplies or alternative routes. Again, the areas are optional so don't feel inclined to carry them
  
  
• For most of the game, I would suggest only carrying 3 guns and using the 4th slot to either carry a medkit / innoculator or an objective item (this saves you from needing to backtrack and juggle items most of the time). For the 3 guns, I would recommend the Sig, Beneli, Deagle / Comp Bow, or the Scar / Ar depending on what you find. Regardless, only carry 1 gun of each ammo type. The comp bow can be replaced by the deagle and the Scar / Ar are mostly the same.
  
  
• The best spots to hold out during a wave may not always be near the next objective. If you are struggling holding out in a particular spot, likely there is a better location. For instance, at the end of Biolabs, it is a pain to hold out in the small office where you trigger the final door. Instead run back to the labs where you have a long hallway. Regardless, your mileage in different spots will vary depending on guns / skill.

As far as enemies are concerned

• Normal zombies - nothing special, a headshot kills, entire game
  
  
• Normal zombies with helmets - has helmet that must be dealt damage before it breaks, usually 1 to 2 shots. Damage required varies. Riot helmets usually take the most. For riot helmets, melee instead of wasting ammo, if possible. Riot helmets can be randomly in the whole game but the special variant helmets (hard hats etc) are more likely to be found in campaign and non-escape modes.
  
  
• Riot - These actually have 2 different skins, one that looks like classic riot gear and another that sort of looks like SWAT gear. Bullet sponges, helmets usually take about 20 - 30 auto rifle shots (Scar / Ar) to break. Weapons like the M1 or 357 deal more damage. Deagle is typically a 1 shot. Usually best to avoid until you can safely melee them continuously until they die or their helmet breaks. Staggers made them much much easier to deal with. Spawns randomly in per X amount of zombies with the X being lower as the difficulty goes higher. (For instance, every 30 zombies, there may be a 5% chance a riot spawns - not actual numbers)
  
  
• Scavenger / Loot - Normal zombie but with a backpack. Drops random ammo or items. Ammo dropped is more likely to be for a gun in the inventory of the player who killed it. You can manipulate this by dropping a gun before shooting them for a higher chance of getting the ammo type you want. Found in most maps with some maps having a higher / lower chance.
  
  
• Doctor / Scientist - Normal zombie wearing a lab coat. Occasionally has medical items on them. These will drop upon death. Found more in maps like Biotec and less likely in maps like Roanoke PD.
  
  
• Military - Easy to confuse with the riot variant but looks like they are wearing combat gear. May or may not have a helmet. Occasionally drops a Sig, Ar, or Ar ammo. Mostly found in campaign.
  
  
• Carrier - Always running bulky zombie. Takes multiple head-shots. Only found in Campaign, Horde, and Flatline. Can be in Panic but as a Player.
  
  
• Shield - Riot but with a shield and quick charging. Helmet does not break and requires excessive shooting to bring down. Melee just before it attempts to hit you in order to stun it. Jump over obstacles to avoid the charging. Found in Campaign, Horde, and Flatline.
  
  
• Bride / Witch - Screaming running zombie that takes multiple head-shots. Deals high damage and damages other zombies with its attacks. Screams will incite other zombies to start running. Only found in Campaign, Horde, and Flatline.

[V.V.]

Originally posted by Ban Banovich:

Thanks for your advice.
But i still think that the learning curve is too steep for new players, especially ones who haven't played games like this before. And it seems like there's not enough information about Contagion online (despite it's not new game at all), except walkthroughs, which don't teach you how to play, but instead just show you one possible route/way of playing it

Thats the point of any game. You get better as you play more, you start figuring stuff out and will be able to progress much further.

Your phone is pretty much the guide. Once you hear the ringtone you press B on your keyboard and read the hint. Important items will not be in the same places each game so its just about learning where the spawn locations are.

[Sarra]

Disagree. Items are highlighted when close, you have a HUD, and a map that tell you the POI's
The first game was not noob friendly, this one is much more casual