PC Game Review: AMERICA'S ARMY (Vanity)

U.S. Army ^ | 1/1/2003 | PokeyJoe

[PokeyJoe]

The "AMERICAS ARMY" game was launched in a limited form July 4th 2002. but the lates releave (v1.5 12/23/2002) is uber cool.

The US Army funded this simulator, using the UNREAL graphics engine. It allows the gamer to "enlist", and receive "training" as a real soldier would, and tactical simulations that are pretty dang cool. It has free online gaming against opponents.

Is it any good. Hell yes.

How much does it cost? It's FREE.

Is it stable? It is MUCH more stable than some retail games on the market.

There are many servers now hosting the game, and some of the server "names" you'll recognize if you're a COUNTER-STRIKE player, or perhaps a TRIBES2 player, or a MEDAL OF HONOR player. You might even recognize a few "nicknames" of the players. =)

My 12 year old son has been playing MEDAL OF HONOR for the last couple of months, and this game is on par. There are a few obvious holes missing that should be fixed - such as real-time microphone team communication as it exists in counter-strike, and damage to 3d objects in the world. The game still rocks, however, even with these shortcomings.

I just wanted to post a link to this game on "free republic because it is cool, has great graphics due to the UNREAL engine, and is fun to play - and comes from the US ARMY.

BEWARE: The download for v1.5 is 318 megabytes, but it is WELL WORTH it if you have cable or dsl.

Our friends on the DU will attack this game as a evil recruiting tool used by the military industrial complex - so naturally I thought that everybody on FR should check it out. =)

[PokeyJoe]

. . . if you try this game, just be prepared to spend a few hours cursing the sniper who shot you, and you'll vow to get him first next round, and he'll "tag" you again, and you'll swear that you'll do better, and you'll shoot him, but he'll throw a grenade at you and "frag" you . . . very addictive.

[PokeyJoe]

The link is HERE

[Frohickey]

I guess Mac recuits are not welcome in America's Army. :(

[Skooz]

Aren't the system requirements pretty steep?

I downloaded it awhile back but have not yet played it. I have a PIII 500 with 256 k RAM and a GeForce 2 Video card. Think I can play it?

[PokeyJoe]

yeah. That can handle it.

.... as for MAC PLAY... didn't see any evidence of MAC links.

[PokeyJoe]

Q: What are the recommended system requirements?
A: The recommended requirements for the game are:
Pentium4 1.4GHz (or equivalent)
256MB RAM
WinME/2000/XP
DirectX8.1
64MB GeForce2 or similar 3D card
1GB disk space
4x CD-Rom (CD version only)
EAX 3.0 compatible sound card
NVIDIA® nForceTM or other motherboards/soundcards containing the Dolby® Digital Interactive Content Encoder required for Dolby Digital audio.
Broadband network connection

Q: What are the minimum system requirements?
A: The minimum requirements for the game are:
Pentium3 766 (or equivalent)
128MB RAM
Win98/ME/2000/XP
DirectX8.1
32MB vid card supporting hardware T&L
600MB Hard Drive free space
4x CD-Rom (CD version only)
DirectX 8 compatible sound
56k modem or better
NVIDIA® nForceTM or other motherboards/soundcards containing the Dolby® Digital Interactive Content Encoder required for Dolby Digital audio.

[Skooz]

Well, MAC users are mostly commies anyway. :)

[antaresequity]

Excellent...So if your a good killer in CS will it translate to this game?

[PokeyJoe]

yup. BUT - you gotta use TACTICS and ROE in this game to advance and get better weapons.

[Cultural Jihad]

The system requirements were well-hidden on their website!

The minimum system requirements for America’s Army: Operations are:

• Pentium III / 766MHz
• 128MB RAM
• Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
• DirectX 8.1
• 32MB 3D Graphics card supporting hardware transformation and lighting
• 600MB disk space
• 4x CD Drive
• DirectX 8.0 compatible sound card
• 56Kbps modem or faster net connection

The recommended system requirements for America’s Army: Operations are:

• Pentium 4 1.4 GHz
• 256MB RAM
• Windows ME/2000/XP
• DirectX 8.1
• 64MB GeForce3 or similar 3D card
• 1GB disk space
• 4x CD Drive
• EAX 3.0 compatible sound card
• Broadband network connection

[Benrand]

Ghost Recon is excellent as well...I have been playing it a lot recently. Fun stuff. The future for war sims is bright, IMO.

[PokeyJoe]

One one BIG difference. AA is FREE! =) I already installed it on four computers in my house. (got a kid, get a computer theory)

[antaresequity]

This sounds great...can we form a team and play together (ala CS Clan)...

We should have a Free Republic gaming contingent that is formidable force in this game forum. Solid chain of command, practice...and surgical destruction of the enemy.

How are the enemhy portrayed?...some mythical country?, Islamo Fascists?...

I have always been left less then satisfied with my CS experience. Prior to CS I used to fly SpitFires IX in Air Warrior and was a flight leader for the 416'th Lynk under Manx's leadership as Squadron Commander.

We practiced and flew together as a team, and were always at or near the top of the stats board after the 3 week sys reset...

I loved the ability in that game [AW] to conduct private pre flight briefings with squad mates. It was truly a cohesive multiplayer gaming experience...and it was not uncommon to form strong friend ships with other honerable players. We had many Vetran pilots joining us...

Download progress is now 48%

[Cultural Jihad]

Here's the current number of servers available:

Medal of Honor = 3531
Battlefield 1942 = 887
America's Army = 213
Return to Castle Wolfenstein = 165

[Saturnalia]

Try Operation: Flashpoint. It allows for armor, aircraft and sea-borne operations.

[PokeyJoe]

You'll have to go thru the training cycle and get all of your qualifications - but yeah.... it appears to allow that. They are currently working on a LINUX server for dedicated hosting - and I think that's the ticket.

[LiteKeeper]

thanks

[Psycho_Bunny]

The AA beta period was almost better than the final release because it was hardcore HF gamers vs. professional soldiers...lol.  You can imagine how that went.

Look for me on the new Weapons Cache map in the HF servers.

Frag ya later, Freakypants.

>:)

 

 

[Saturnalia]

If you want a good WW2 flight sim, check out Il-2 Sturmovik.
Air combat on the Eastern front, so you have a primarily Soviet/German planeset.
Of course, a sequel, Forgotten Battles is coming out in Febuary (we hope).
FB will feature an additional 23 aircraft, with 30 more aircraft becoming flyable, dynamic campaigns as well as improvements to flight/damage models and proper altitude effects.
Currently in Il-2 you have 82 aircraft, of which about 50 are flyable.
Webpage is http://www.il2sturmovik.com. Enjoy!

[Psycho_Bunny]

OPFOR are Islamo Fascists.