Stage 2 - Part 1 - "The Blind Sheep"

Hello there!

Yes, onto stage 2 we go! I have a new role and I am extremely chuffed with myself over it, but I am not here to talk about that.

I don't like conflict when it is not necessary. For me, a decent discussion can quash any friction between two arguing parties. That is why I tread very carefully when talking about religion, war, and whether or not I would sleep with Kiera Knightley (I wouldn't).

It is also why I tread carefully when the topic of Call of Duty and Battlefield comes up. Over the last 2 weeks, this has surfaced on numerous occasions and sometimes completely unpredictably, leaving the table open for ignorant opinions being put forward like "It's just shit!", or sweeping generalisations like "You just like it because that game is for faggots". That's usually where my efforts feel wasted and I back down.

"Why do people get so passionate about it?", you might ask. The same reason anyone gets passionate about anything. They enjoy it, they can talk about it with their friends, and almost form stronger bonds with people because of it. It has done them no harm, like a good friend. If someone were to say they had a better friend than that, well you might want to kick them in the box and tell them you slept with their mum.

Before I go on, I should actually note that, when looking at these two games in this respect, there is always an overall agreement (in my experiences) that both Single Player campaigns are piss poor. Neither have substance or particular character. It is the equivalent of going on a holiday wherein the brochure had a picture of a single hut made of bile, only to find that the back garden has a fairground, with a brothel and an open bar.

In regards to the Online Multiplayer, when you really boil down to it, it is difficult to decide which one is actually better. The reason being that it is very much based on personal opinion. I am not going to tell you which one I prefer, because some of you already know, and for those that do not may feel there is subconscious bias taking place here. Which I am trying to avoid!

NOTE: I am going to contradict things I have said in previous blogs. I am hoping that we can all appreciate the saying, "People Change".

The multi-player in Call of Duty, since the first Modern Warfare appears to have become more popular than drugs. There are numerous videos on YouTube, global competitions and championships, teams, clans, blogs. You name it. In fact, as per Rule 34 there is little you could imagine that does not exist regarding Modern Warfare... if you find anything let me know.

To say the least, I have had my time with it. Hours during the day, hours during the night, with friends, without friends, with beer, without beer, on drugs, not on drugs. I have had a truly sweet relationship with all Modern Warfare multi-player games. It is a game that I can always turn to, pick up, play and feel like I never left. Strangely it is actually the ONLY game I have queued up for at midnight. Not ashamed. It was worth it. Any time I even get a kill streak higher than 2, I get buzzing. I feel like God AND Jesus, like an unstoppable beast who knows not the danger of gunfire, but only the danger of his own fearsome rage. Then I realise I have respawned... it is the only game I have seen turn gentlemen into apes. Happy apes, but apes nonetheless.

At first glance, it can be seen as a bog standard FPS, with some good make-up and accessible playability to welcome almost any gamer, new and old.

But as my wonderful friend Jim brought to my attention, when you take a closer look and spend some time with it, an it is a wonderful throwback to all FPS games of the past, that were easy to play, fun and very difficult to put down! It funnels all of the good things we remember about shooting stuff and refines it into a well oiled machine minimising the "If only..." comment that you may have heard yourself say when playing Haze; For example: "If only it was not an absolute disappointment to the masses". 

It honestly could be played with friends without anyone getting bored or uninterested. I can picture another landmark in games wherein this took place.

To me, the Call of Duty online series has been and always will be a outspoken gem that stands proud, chest out (you can picture a man or woman, I'm not bothered!), and ready to take on competitors with a Tactical Nuke or a pack of dogs.

And then there is Battlefield. Now I will be completely honest, I only joined the gang with Bad Company, which undoubtedly will upset the more hardcore fans out there. I am sorry. I simply was not paying attention at the time it all kicked off. But by God do I wish I was.

When you go from the gloriously addictive short range (comparatively), quickfire nature of Call of Duty to the open landscapes and vistas of Battlefield, you can see how anyone who sits on the fence has troubled getting off.

The levels are larger; larger to the point where sniping has its own points system. The movement and guns seem a have a slightly more authentic feel to them, and one part I find truly phenomenal, is while you are on the ground trying to take posts or eradicate the enemy, gun fights can be taking place 200ft above your head. Sometimes it's the little things that give you the impression of war. Other times, it's when you're running towards your objective keeping an eye out for trouble on the ground, and half a fire lit helicopter lands only feet away and continues to crash its way in your direction.

It is a very different species with requires a much different approach. For one, the "Killstreak Reward" equivalents are free to use almost any time. If you see someone or something that deserves the be-jesus blown out of it, then you do not need to kill anyone without dying, just call in the air strike and it'll come. But that doesn't mean you should. A slap on the wrist from your teammates will be swift and prompt (if they're paying attention, which usually they are!) and you will find yourself looking for a new lobby to play in before the air strike is over.

This is another aspect of the Battlefield series that puts it aside from Call of Duty. You are part of squad. Now in that squad you can choose to go your own path and battle against your foes alone. If you are good, this will have its rewards, but only if you are good! I remember playing with a group and generally running off to do my own thing, and I was not good, but I managed. Then there was a player swap and one of my new teammates had a mic. I decided to get social and throw mine on too. The simplest transferal of information between the two of us nearly doubled my final score for the match. This is a game that rewards you hugely for playing well as a team and ensuring that all objectives are marked and met.

You definitely come back for more, but it requires more patience, and more strategy. If you feel like running blindly round corners constantly looking down the sights and throwing grenades willy-nilly then prepare to not be entertained.

Overall, looking at the two games it really is a case of what kind of gamer you are. Are you quick on the draw? Are you a closet cuss-demon wishing to find a release? A lone ranger who will only look out for yourself? Are you someone who can handle the quick respawns, and non-stop movement and action?

Or are you patient? Calculated? Willing to work as a team? A good helicopter pilot?

I am not suggesting that you are one or the other. I have played both and enjoyed both, but I always choose which game I play based on my mood. Of late I have spent far more time on one, but perhaps I have a unchanged mood when it comes to killing... who knows?!

In terms of the conflict over the two games, to disagree with something someone enjoys and appreciates, is disagreeing with their principles and persona. No one likes this. But all in all, it seems to keep the spirit of fans alive. I guess what I have just spent the last 2 hours doing is trying to kill it off... fuck.


If you have anything you wish to share with me or indeed the readers, feel free to comment or e-mail me at twentyfiveand0@hotmail.co.uk - Don't forget to check outthe What Have I Been Playing pages found on the right! OR Check out my channel at www.youtube.com/ike1luv