MEMBER BLOG

MAG - The Most Misunderstood Game/FPS of this Gen.
Posted on Friday, August 3 2012 @ 08:48:33 Eastern


My favorite game of this generation is MAG. Yes, MAG. Massive Action Game. It's not even close either, and I've played all of the big titles released for Xbox 360 and PS3.

I know you think I'm crazy, and most other people may think I'm crazy as well, but no other game this gen exemplifies 'you get out of it what you put in it' like MAG. The core gameplay is fantastic, all of the guns are great which is rare for an FPS these days. The squad/platoon/compan- based teamwork and communication is the best that has ever graced any console, and I never thought it could be pulled off as well it has.

Being a squad leader and telling your squad what to do over the mic works surprisingly often, and switching voice channels to communicate directly with your platoon leader to coordinate a platoon-sized attack is seamless. The platoon leader can, in turn, chat with the other platoon leaders and the company commander to discuss strategies and weakpoints. All of this information is then disseminated back down to the squad leader, then to the squad members. When it is working like a well-oiled machine, MAG is one of, if not the, best console experience I've ever had.

So, why don't a lot of people like MAG? It isn't noob-friendly, AT ALL. MAG will shove its boot down your throat until your **** is on it. For the first 20 or so hours, you get smashed. Over, and over, and over, and over. The game's leveling system acts very similar to that of an MMO, with higher players having better guns, lower recoil, more health, more resistances, run faster, etc. It's basically like if you rolled a brand new level 1 character in World of Warcraft and challenged a fully geared level 85 to a duel. You are going to die a very quick death, and you will rage and rage and quit the game forever. If you stick with the game, however, gain some experience, learn the maps, learn how to become a squad leader, and reach the level cap, all of a sudden the tides turn. You are now smashing people with ease, and I'm talking 7:1, 8:1, even a 10:1 kill:death ratio. I can put together 20+ killstreaks with relative ease. Going 65-3 is pretty common for a skilled player.

Once you put in the time and effort, join a good clan, and fully learn the game and all its nuances, you are deeply rewarded. I have put more hours into MAG than any other game this gen, and I am deeply thankful for all the fun it has given me. Bad Company 2, BF3, and all the CoDs have been great shooters this gen, but none of them have the depth or lasting appeal that MAG has.

MAG was just too brutally tough for noobs. Getting killed 100 times in a row and feeling completely helpless just isn't fun. I too, almost quit MAG after only 10 hours or so. Like in WoW,  a level 1 will not beat a level 85 no matter what. However, if you spend the time to train, get stronger, faster, and tougher, you can not only come back to smack down that 85 who bullied you, but ALL of his 127 friends as well.

The opinions expressed here does not necessarily reflect the views of Game Revolution, but we believe it's worthy of being featured on our site. This article has been lightly edited for grammar and image inclusion. It has been submitted for our monthly $20 Vox Pop prize. ~Ed. Nick