Shellshock Nam '67

[Moefugger]

Anybody have this yet? Just wondering how it is. I know
there is no multiplayer but it still seems like it might be a cool
single player game.

[The Empty Way]

In spite of some poor reviews (that seemed rather personally biased rather than objectively done after re-reading them), I grabbed this game the other day. BUT.. with all that's going on with new games at the moment, I may not even "look" at this game for another week-ish or so.. lol. But I will report back my basic impressions.

[Moefugger]

Cool, thanks empty. I'm gonna try to rent it if I can but I haven't seen it at the local rapeya-for-late yet.

[The Empty Way]

Some of the complaints were aimed more at the fact that the play mechanics are nothing special. I don't care as long as they function reasonably well for what they are intended to do. My interest is in the atmosphere of this game more so than anything else. It seems like it will do atmosphere better than Purple Haze and another one coming out, but that remains to be seen. I think my curiosity will peak sometime this weekend and will give it a look.

[Moefugger]

Any word on this yet? I think I might rent it here and check it
out. I checked out Vietcong: Purple Haze...oh man does that game
blow.

[The Empty Way]

Man.. lol.. I've only gotten as far as the opening credits and storyline. Since my Mortal Kombat: Deception Special Edition won't arrive today (shipping error my butt! lol)....



Perhaps I'll give Shellshock a bit of my time this evening. Man, I have read such conflicting stuff about this game. All the "bad" stuff from pro reviewers and all the "good" stuff from user reviews (and only a small percentage at that).



Thanks for the tip on Purple Haze. I saw Hazard online in it and wonder how it is online? I've also read mixed reviews on this one... so hard to say without actually trying it.



But hang tight on the Shellshock info.. I'll offer an early report, just keep in mind it will be based on a short time within the game. But I don't think this one will require an in depth, hours long look to make a reasonable determination.

[The Empty Way]

LOL.. (no.. not yet.. but shortly...).. I just noticed that you and I Moe are the only ones even "discussing" this game. I am probably the only one who dared buy this game.. lol. The few, the proud.. the guinea pig game testers!!!

[Dr Superb]

I was highly anticipating this game. I installed for PC,and played for 10 minutes, and i didnt like the gameplay much, so i havent played it since.

[Yooper]

LOL.. (no.. not yet.. but shortly...).. I just noticed that you and I Moe are the only ones even "discussing" this game. I am probably the only one who dared buy this game.. lol. The few, the proud.. the guinea pig game testers!!!

I almost bought the game but because of the negative reviews, I purchased NBA 2K5 instead. I would trust a review from Empty on the merit of the game. Please keep us informed. Thanks in advance.

[Dean O]

LOL.. (no.. not yet.. but
shortly...).. I just noticed that you and I Moe are the only ones even
"discussing" this game. I am probably the only one who dared buy this
game.. lol. The few, the proud.. the guinea pig game testers!!!

I
almost bought the game but because of the negative reviews, I purchased
NBA 2K5 instead. I would trust a review from Empty on the merit
of the game. Please keep us informed. Thanks in advance.

I thought it sounded like it might make a good single player game but
the reviews have also kept me away. Looking forward to hearing what you
say about it, from what I read on gamespot it didn't sound very
promising though.

[The Empty Way]

Please note that the following comments on Shellshock Nam '67 are only based on playing through 2 full missions and a good chunk of the 3rd mission.. only. This will not be a comprehensive review, but rather a first impressions discussion.



The good news... this game IMHO is not trash and it does not suck. At the same time, it is not a blockbuster, stellar kick ass innovative game either. Shellshock seeks to immerse you in the Vietnam War and so this game is more about atmosphere than cutting edge gameplay.Since I was several years too young to be a candidate to be in the Vietnam War, I cannot speak from experience in terms of the atmosphere. Having watched many a Vietnam War movie and seeing photos and hearing stories from my brother who was there.. I can say that Shellshock did a nice job making me feel like I was in a foreign situation that looked, sounded and felt very much like what one might expect for Vietnam.

The gameplay and handlingis fairly standard first person shooter fare, but with a slighty over the shoulder and third person view (similar to views found in Full Spectrum Warrior) which I liked since I could see my soldier and yet still handle things like a first person shooter. But when you use what they call "iron sighting", you zoom in slightly and take on a full first person view with only your weapon and reticule visible (this does however reduce your ability to move much like in GR, so it is best used while crouched in bushes or behind cover, etc.). The controls are fully customizable and I found it helpful to re-arrange a couple of button assignments to make the layout a sort of cross between RS3 & GR controls. I would have preferred they opted for a jump button rather than a sprint button though because it is difficult in some cases to find a smooth path to get out of a trench for example. Running is useful though since you will need to run from grenades tossed at you or from a C4 charge you've just planted.. with a very short fuse. But you can only "sprint" so far before your endurance meter runs out, then you have to walk/run normallyas it slowly refills. I assigned the crouch function to my left thumbstick-click and found that you can pretty much stay in crouch mode since when you start moving about, you stand up while moving and then crouch atuomatically when stopping (saves you from having to click to crouchover and over). I assigned the quick switch function to my left trigger, but it only switches from primary weapon to grenades and back (if you have grenades). In order to switch between a rifle and a pistol though, you have to bring up your inventory and cycle to the pistol, etc. (almost like choosing a grenade, etc. in RS3). Ultimately, the interface still takes a little getting used to, but by the end of the first mission and with a little experimentation at your base after the mission, it comes together. Oh, and contrary to many reports I read, you do have full sensitivity control for x & y axis and you can invert your look view (up & down), but they call it "rotation" in the options.



Hit detection seems spot on and weapons certainly have recoil that will throw off your shots if you do not use burts (and some weapons do let you choose rate of fire between burts or fully auto.. I assigned this to the black button ala GR). Of the several different weapons I tested out, I thought they did a very good job of giving each one a distinct personality. Some will give you excellent accuracy at long distance and some will give you notably greater killing power than others (one shot kills vs several shot kills). There are dozens of weapons to use and many can be found scattered about next to the dead VC's you've just made dead. It is worth experimenting with them and you can also use a range at the base to get a feel for a weapon's personality and characteristics. You are limited to carrying a rifle, handgun and an assortment of grenades and you need to get used to the system of picking up weapons and remember th

[The Empty Way]

Holy cow! That was damn long for a "non-comprehensive" review... lol. :smt004

[Anonymous]

i think i will just rent this and give it a go. there are some good games coming out and I need all the money I can for those.

[The Empty Way]

i think i will just rent this and give it a go. there are some good games coming out and I need all the money I can for those.



Highly advisable. Amidst the season of great new games combined with a tight budget... Shellshock Nam '67 is not a "must have" title. If you got the bucks to spare and want a taste of something different in a war game, it ain't half bad. But a rental first in either case is a good idea.

[Moefugger]

Cool, thanks for the info empty. I'll definately give this one a rent.