Call of Duty 5: World at War beta impression and game summary. Collector's edition has exclusive addons.
Submitted by rapture on Mon, 10/13/2008 - 12:13pm.
Several Hushed Casket members are now in the public beta of Call of Duty 5: World at War. For those of you that aren't in just yet, here are some of my thoughts after playing it for the first day:
By the way, reserve the game at Gamestop and you can get access to the multiplayer beta. Also pay attention to this website and we'll let you know when beta keys are going to be given away.
My take of the beta:
CoD5 is as if you took the CoD4 engine and gameplay, stripped out the modern warfare element and the Middle Eastern setting, and then replaced it with WWII warfare in the Pacific/Asian theater and the German/Soviet front.
The party system, rank system, weapons, perks, classes, and kill bonuses are all built into the game just like they were for CoD4. Some new perks are added. Of course the weapons are from the WWII era.
During this first stage of the beta the maximum level is capped at level 11.
As of this writing (2PM CST), 7000 players are online.
My first game was in a large map set in what seemed like a Philippine island. The map was dark and set on a beach. On the shore where huts and buildings made out of old wood and old metal. Some of the buildings stretched out over the water. At least one building was raised about 20' off the ground and a sniper was owning us from that spot.
Wild dogs attacked us as we were playing. See below:
If you get 3 kills without dying you can call in a recon plane that will reveal enemies on the map just like the UAV in CoD4.
If you get 5 kills without dying you can call in artillery rounds to the spot on the map that you pick. (The cannon fire seemed to last 3 or 4 times longer than the bombing in CoD4). I feel like this will be more deadly than the airstrike in CoD4.
Get this...
If you get 7 kill without dying you can call in dogs. The dogs will sniff out the enemies and go attack them. The enemies can shoot the dogs. A new wave of dogs may attack if the dogs are killed before a certain time limit or before a certain kill limit.
I've been killed by dogs more than once already.
In my second map we moved to what looked to be a place in Germany. The industrial complex was in rubbles. The map was large with plenty of cover. There were also many walkways high above ground level. Tanks were in this level. Because of all the buildings and the rubble, it was easy to avoid the tanks.
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Beta maps:
Castle: The Imperial Japanese Army faces off against the Marine Raiders in a daytime battle, located on the grounds of an ancient, Japanese castle.
Makin: The U.S. Marine Raiders square off against the Imperial Japanese Army in a nighttime fight, set in an outpost on the Makin Atoll in the Pacific.
Roundhouse: The Wehrmact will fight the Red Army to the bitter end in a daytime struggle that features tank and infantry combat, set in a desolate, war-torn European train depot.
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Perk 1:
- Special Grenades x3
- Satchel Charge x2
- M9A1 Bazooka x2
- Bomb Squad [level 16]
- Bouncing Betty x2 [level 24]
- Bandolier [level 40]
- Primary Grenades x2 - [level 44]
- M2 Flamethrower [level 65]
Perk 2:
- Stopping Power
- Fireworks (higher explosive weapon damage)
- Flak Jacket (reduces explosive damage)
- Gas Mask (protects against Tabun gas)
- Juggernaut
- Camouflage [level 12]
- Sleight of Hand [level 28]
- Shades [level 32]
- Double Tap [level 36]
- Overkill [level 56]
Perk 3:
- Deep Impact
- Extreme Conditioning
- Steady Aim
- Toss Back [level 6]
- Second Chance [level 9]
- Martyrdom [level 20]
- Fireproof [level 48]
- Dead Silence [level 52]
- Iron Lungs [level 60]
- Reconnaissance [level 64]
Vehicle Perk:
- Water Cooler (decreases turret overheat)
- Greased Bearings (increases turret rotation speed)
- Ordnance Training [level 12]
- Leadfoot [level 28]
- Coaxial Machine Gun [level 40]
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Primary Weapon:
- Bolt Action Rifles
-- Springfield
-- Arisaka
-- Mosin-Nagant
-- Kar98k
-- PTRS-41
- Rifles
-- SVT-40
-- Gewehr 43
-- M1 Garand
-- STG-44
-- M1A1 Carbine
- Submachine guns
-- Thompson
-- MP40
-- Type 100
- PPSh-41
- Shotguns
-- M1897 Trench Gun
-- Double-barreled shotgun
- Machine guns
-- Type 99
-- BAR
-- DP-28
-- MG42
-- FG42
-- Browning M1919
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Gametypes
War - Capture battlefield command points. Secure and hold all positions to achieve victory. Players 6-12.
CTF - Get the enemy flag and return it to your base. Players 6-12.
Team Deathmatch - Straight up TDM. Use teamwork to kill enemy players and reach the score limit. Players 6-12.
Pick up TDM - Straight up TDM with no parties allowed. Players 6-12.
Free for all - Kill or be killed. You are alone. Everyone wants you dead. Players 6-12.
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As of this writing, War has 1417 of 7084 gamers, CTF has 769, TDM has 3755, Pick up TDm has 504, and FFA has 639.
Prestige mode hits at Level 65.
Party privacy settings are available.
The multiplayer beta is only playable through XBOX Live. I have not heard if CoD5 will support LAN play.
13 multiplayer maps will ship with the game. Expect for there to be more maps to purchase after the release.
Soviet T34 and German Panzer tanks are playable in some multiplayer maps. They are destructible and were added to the game with balance in mind.
Unrelated to the beta, CoD5 will support online co-op during the campaign.
CoD5 is not made by Infinity Ward. It is made by Treyarch, makers of CoD3. CoD3 was a disappointment to many gamers. Treyarch is not going to let you down with CoD5.
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The collector's edition of the game contains exclusive content:
- Colored Clan Tag: Identify your VIP-status in multiplayer with a uniquely colored clan tag
- Day 1 Edge: Dominate your rivals online and rank up faster with your instantly available FG 42 Machine Gun. The FG 42 is a high-level (45+) machine gun which you can have from day-one. Saw through your opponents from 50 yards with this fast firing machine gun.
- Double Experience: Take advantage of a week of double experience in multiplayer to accelerate your advancement. (Limited time offer. Exact date for week of double experience will be announced on CallOfDuty.com, register online to receive confirmation of date and time and other key information.)
- Stainless Steel Canteen: Authentic 8-ounce brushed stainless steel Call of Duty branded canteen.
- Metal Storage Tin: Featuring Call of Duty inspired artwork, this collectable metal storage tin provides enough space to store multiple games and their cases.
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Thanks for the quick summary rap. I think I'll join you all in the beta once I preorder at GameStop.
I did finally get my key from gamekult.com, I am downloading the beta now. Can't wait to try it out tonight!
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"Don't blow this, Gene!"
Good summary rap. I'm looking forward to trying out the beta and seeing just how similar it is to CoD4 now.
I can say that I don't the dogs. I'm not going to want them in the game. They seem to take a few bullets and even a knife stab and that doesn't deter them. They keep coming for more.
FoulBreed just joined up.
The spawn locations on Roundhouse CTF are messed up. To start a round, I ran about 50' and I was already face to face with an enemy.
Another time I ran to the other side of the map, grabbed the flag and was halfway to our base. An enemy spawned about 15' feet behind me and killed me. His spawn was near the middle of the map.
I'm not liking those spawns.
Agree with rap's analysis. It's COD4 set in WWII. However, it also has that "Treyarch/COD3" look to it. I had time for one quick game before class. I plan to play some more later tonight.
I don't think I like the dogs either. I don't know why any dev would want to add BS to a game. If I get killed by a player that I would have normally killed had I not been randomly attacked by a dog then I will be pissed off.
I like the look and sound of the Russian SKS.
The announcer is getting on my nerves. He screams at the top of his lungs in some weird accent and he does this repeatedly. Foulbreed mentioned that the music is also unpolished. I agree.
FoulBreed said he was killing the dogs with one melee with the knife. If there's a way to do that, then that makes the dogs a little more tolerable. Still, I think they could have done something more clever after 7 kills. Maybe drop a little Napalm?
After a few more games I'm not as optimistic. In addition to a slightly cartoony look, the game also lacks the feel of COD4. I feel like I'm encouraged to hold down the trigger instead of fire controlled bursts. I can't place exactly why, but I think I like COD4 better. After a few games Slayer, FB, and I went back to COD4.
The yelling announcer really does get annoying. They don't do that in COD4, I don't know what made them do it now.
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"Don't blow this, Gene!"
I was going to play this last night, but I fell asleep while waiting for it to download.
Hi how do i get a cod 5 beta code ???
I do like CoD4 better. But, it think it's because of the weapons in CoD4 and because of the announcer and dogs in CoD5.
I think that once I've plussed up a few builds I'll enjoy CoD5 more. But I'm also going to have to remember what the game is and what is it not.
Remember that one reason we liked CoD4 so much during the beta was because it was so different than CoD3 and CoD2. We don't have that much of a difference to celebrate now that CoD5 is here. The developer has clearly taken the CoD4 engine and groundwork that Infinity Ward has laid and translated that game into a WWII era.
CoD4 is the benchmark to which we are judging CoD5. Afterall, CoD4 is perhaps the most popular FPS being played on all platforms.
I think the graphics are good enough. I actually don't see that much of a difference between CoD4 and CoD5. I do think the Castle map is a little cartoonish. But then again, Japan is cartoonish. I think Roundhouse and the German map both look good.
I don't think we'll find a weapon that is as good as the M16 with Red Dot Scope. I think this plays true to life. We have better technology now that make our shots in CoD4: Modern Warfare more accurate...allowing us to have more control over our weapon.
I think the developer is trying to be true to the WWII era. I don't think that we should be surprised that we have to physically use our controller differently to take down an enemy. Can any WWII era weapon really stand up to an M16 with RDS? I'm guessing that only a few can and that only a few people can use them that way.
I like placing my Red Dot on an enemies head and pulling the trigger. It's a twitch reflex that can play out well in CoD4 (gives it H1 qualities). But such weaponry didn't exist in WWII which is why I'm guessing that I would prefer to play CoD4 instead of CoD5.
That said, at the end of the day CoD4 may be more fun for you. It will be for me. I could have played CoD5 last night but chose not to.
I don't think the game will be a disappointment for the WWII shooter fans...fans that were upset that CoD4 took place in the Middle East during modern times. I don't know many WWII games that take place on the Asian lines. And I don't think it will be a disappointment for the original Call of Duty fans.
I think we are going to have to grow into this game.
There will be competing interests once Gears of War 2 hits. Didn't GoW1 and CoD3 come out at the same time? We obviously flocked over to GoW. I'm guessing that we'll do the same this time around...play GoW2 more than CoD5. However, I'm willing to give CoD5 a chance.
I definitely have high hopes for the CoD5 campaign...now with online co-op.
1) Pre-order the game at Gamestop and you may be able to get a beta code. They have a promotion going. Unsure when the promotion starts/ends or the details.
2) Register at callofduty.com and wait for the publisher to announce an open beta call.
3) Pay attention to gaming websites looking for codes. Some websites will have a limited amount of codes to give away.
4) eBay
I pre-ordered this and GoW 2 at GameSpot yesterday...hopefully I'll get my code before today is over.
I tried to play this game again last night, but it hadn't finished downloading from the night before. By the time I went to sleep last night, after letting it download for several hours, it was only 85% done. Why is it taking so long?
So, did everyone quit playing?
Right now, I'm digging it. I'm liking the Gewehr 43 and SVT-40 as all purpose weapons. I'm thinking an SVT-40 with the scope (just unlocked today) will be very similiar to the M16 with Red Dot Scope.
A few days ago, I got owned by the M1 Garand. My the deathcam it looked like there was very little recoil and a high rate of fire. I just unlocked the M1 Garand today.
In the map Roundhouse there is an exploit that allows a person to get under the map. From there they can see most of the map and kill enemies without the enemies every seeing the killer (except, of course, on the kill cam). I haven't found a way to counter this except to vote to skip the map when it comes up. Yesterday, the party I was with was regularly skipping that map because of the exploit. Today, no one skipped it and I got killed a lot by someone underneath the map.
The dogs aren't as tough to kill now that I've been mauled a few dozens times. A knife stab at the right time takes them down. However, I haven't figured out how to take 2 dogs down without one of them killing me.
I'm very much looking forward to working through the campaign on co-op and solo.
...just deleted my copy.
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"Don't blow this, Gene!"
CoD5 has sold twice as many copies as CoD4 this time after launch. Waw.
I wonder if/when CoD5 will outsell CoD4
FoulBreed, Shyzza and I've been co-oping this for the last couple of nights. Last night WillDaBeast played a couple of levels with us. I haven't spent anytime in multiplayer yet. I won't render any real opinion until I have.
The campaign's story doesn't seem to flow as well as COD4's, but since I'm co-oping I'm missing all of the cut scenes. I expect it will make a little more sense when I go back through it solo. There doesn't seem to be as many memorable moments, but I'm comparing to COD4 and COD4 was exceptional in that reguard.
Game-play seems pretty solid. On heroic the AI is decent with oponents using cover, trying to melee you if you get too close, and tossing your own grenades back at you.
With the fully auto weapons in the campaign you do a lot better with controlled burst fire. I don't know if that carries over to the multiplayer.
I'll post a little more when I've played a little more.
2 cents.
- Brick
Your party doesn't pause to watch the cut scenes?!? Have they been through the campaign once already?
I haven't seen where we have the chance. We catch all the in game dialogue, and the intro and outro of each level. However, we haven't seen any of the in-between level footage.
I think it's pretty cool that the in-campaign action nets you experience towards your multiplayer. We did a little multiplayer last night, and I was a level 7 starting out.
In multiplayer, I didn't see where spray-and-pray was extensively rewarded. I used a gewehr rifle (semi-auto) most of the time and did pretty well in everything except for close quarter work against sub-machine gun armed oponents. That's par for the course with me. I never do well close quarters with a precision weapon.
Snipers are still just as big of a PITA as they always are. I get unreasonably irritated when killed by sniper fire. I'm not sure why ... maybe its a character flaw. I'm don't think I'm crazy about the tanks. I think that they detract from the experience in TS. I can seem where it might add a strategic element to goal-based game types.
The dogs didn't seem to be as big problem. I killed several with a combination of gunfire and melees. I don't think I died a single time from the dogs. Enemy artillery was a different issue. They seem to have beefed that up. I was inside a hut and was killed by enemy artillery fire. The times I called in artillery fire, it seemed to take forever to get there. Almost too long as fighting had shifted to a different area of the map by the time it arrived.
Initial impressions are that COD5 multiplayer is COD4 with new maps, new weapons, and a few minor tweaks.
I wasn't killed by any glitches as far as I can tell. There was an update waiting for me my first time to log into XBL with the game, so GG beta.
- Brick
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