Hey guys. I was invited and I love this so far. I have 1100 hours on RO2 and about the same on RO1.
I bring positive and negative criticisms:
Positive:
-GUI is a great improvement
-great squad system
-maps are big and the scenarios are convincing
-bullet cracking sounds are great. I've never been in combat, but I pulled pits in the Marines and bullets cracking overhead sound like the game
-weapon choices are great and there's a lot of room for growth
- weapon power seems realistic
-RPG rocket speed is just right -- it isn't exaggerated or slowed down for cinematic effect
Negative:
-No key assignment to toggle iron sights
-problem switching graphic settings and restarting (Bug report submitted)
-some weapons still need some visual work
-the M14 reloading animation is wrong (I have a Springfield M1A I can validate this claim with, along with military instructional films)
-M16 long range site setting uses incorrect sight (I have an actual M16A1 upper receiver I used to compare)
-F-4 Phantom strikes should be more realistic: you should occasionally hear them off in the distance as they would "circle" designated points while on call IRL, at the speed they are flying at (looks like 400 kts) the players should begin hearing them close many seconds before bomb release (I worked around close air support jets for 4 years)
What I'd like to see:
- Weapon rack numbers: if you can give your guy tattoos and rip his trousers, you might as well go the extra mile and allow for custom rack numbers to be placed on stocks of US rifles
- Maps where air support isn't guaranteed: when rolling from map to map, there should be a *chance* that air support will/will not be available -- this keeps it interesting for the Communists
- Weapons: early Army and USMC units used M1 Garands, the Army trialed with STG-44s, and the VC used Mosin Nagant M44 carbines
- VC units (NOT NVA) painted their weapons black and removed cleaning rods. The black paint should be optional
- ARVN forces :some of the most intense battles were between the ARVN and Communist forces -- some of these battles were even between ARVN and the 2nd Marine Division near Da Nang!
- Khe Sahn 1968: Marines vs VNA with a 20% chance of an available B-52 strike limited to being called around certain distinct land features
- Ap Bac 1963: US advisers oversaw ARVN units assault a VC village. ARVN used M113 armored vehicles and had US weapons, but became disorganized and driven away by a much smaller force. This is THE battle that led the US to believe it needed to prepare for an active military role in South Vietnam
- Hue 1968: Seven point six-two millimeter, Full Metal Jacket.... 'nuff said (if it's here already I haven't played it)
- Embassy 1968: Tet Offensive hits Saigon
- At the rifle range, place targets out to 500 yards
Ciao!!!