Perception is everything

Ok, so my copy of Frontlines: Fuel of War arrived Friday night. I was in the middle of some actual work so I didn't get to break it open until Saturday afternoon. So, how does it compare to the last couple of disasters I have purchased?

First of all, I believe perception is everything. Both R6V2 and GTAIV came with so much hype, they really didn't stand a chance. I had such high expectations for both of them, the disappointment was intense. Especially with GTAIV. I mean, how could it be such a lousy game?? EVERYONE was saying it was good. I figured the worst it could be was mildly entertaining. Instead, I can't even open the box anymore, I am so disgusted with it.

The concept of R6V2 was more of the same. It didn't work because 'the same' came before COD4 and more of it just didn't cut it. It's not a bad game and I still play it, but halfheartedly.

The point of all of this is that with Frontlines, I had no expectations at all. I had read reviews when it first came out and they were middling at best. I had no preconceptions as to how I was going to feel about this game. I also paid $20 for it, so I wasn't counting on it being any good.

Actually, it was quite good. The story was sound, the action pretty intense and the controls were easy to figure out and work. It has the best weapons switching system (once you get used to it) of any FPS I have ever played. It has to, because you're required to switch weapons frequently. This is because there is a fantastic selection of weapons, from your standard assault rifles, sniper rifles and shotguns, to robotic mini-tanks and helicopters of various shapes, sizes and functionalities. Also, there are tanks, helicopters and Humvees to drive around it. The action is fluid and fast paced. It was a lot of fun.

Actually, the biggest knock on the game is that it was very short. I plopped it in Saturday afternoon. Played for a while, but switched to COD4 with Blackwalt for the evening. Picked it up again Sunday morning and by 3PM, I was done. Finished.

Now there are still challenges I can go back and do, but that was basically it. I think they expected it to be more of a multiplayer game, which I think it would be excellent at, but since it didn't really take off, I can't imaginve there being a huge multiplayer community playing it. I am going to go try and see what happens, but I'm not expecting much.

Anyway, if you find Frontlines in a bargain bin somewhere (just check with Coxxorz), I would recommend picking it up. It's fun enough to make me go back and do the challenges I missed. That's more than I can say for a lot of XBox games, especially GTAIV!!!!