ArmA2 1.03 Impressions - ALL Impressions/Videos/Screenies Here

[BadBone 0]

TBH even though i like Arma 2, i was kinda hopeing it was gonna be working a lot better than the state Arma was when it came out. Single player is worse!!

Doesnt look like it was bug tested very well at all, just rushed out before OFP2 and left to the community to fix.

Shame games can be released in this state, especially when it was just as bad with Arma, and from what ive heard, OFP to.

Need a governing body over games to say " you cantt release that, its broken "

[overk1ll 10]

surely you dont think Arma 2 is the ONLY game that has ever been released unfinished. I have to use my fingers and toes and i still run out of space to count the unfinished products that have been released.

What you fail to understand though is that BIS will fix the issues where most companies would flash the middle finger at you and take your money all the way to the bank.

*Cough* Bethesda *cough*

[cheeseman52 10]

Please fix the receiving data bug, I can't play Arma 2 without getting this message.

[Litos 10]

The first impression is that the demo is FAR off from what the game is actually like. I hated the demo... it seemed so dull and everything, and I just played the first campaign mission and it was awesome! Secondary objectives dude? You get to chose so much! Like either send in an air strike but risk killing citizens, or risk yourself for their lives and use satchel charges instead... and no bugs at all so far. Great!

It got me a bit tired though, so I'll play again later.

I'm only worried about multiplayer, I'm not sure where I can find a good match with smart people right now. And I don't know how it works either.

[TCEd 0]

It is 2009 people don't put up with nonsense like that anymore. Is it that hard to learn from your mistakes and get it right the 3rd time. Attention spans drop and expectations of quality rise every year.

It's 2009 already, upgrade your hardware & you won't have to spend 3 hours tweaking the game to get it to perform. I have a middle of the road PC, compared to the suggested specs from BIS, the only time I spent tweak/adjusting was setting up my joystick, the rest I left on default once the game installed. No problems to report, no bugs to report, having fun playing the game.

[jubalearly 10]

It's 2009 already, upgrade your hardware & you won't have to spend 3 hours tweaking the game to get it to perform. I have a middle of the road PC, compared to the suggested specs from BIS, the only time I spent tweak/adjusting was setting up my joystick, the rest I left on default once the game installed. No problems to report, no bugs to report, having fun playing the game.

My PC is fine, it runs every other game I have thrown at it perfectly. You might wanna take a look at the mess going on in tech support forums before you toss idiotic statements like that out. People with cutting edge pc's are having more problems than most.

There are deep flaws within the game - flaws that will kill sales and make this the last game from BIS if they don't get to work fast.

[lastn1ght 10]

this might sound strange, but with all the glitches, all the bugs, all the single player AI flaws that sometimes break the game for us...well...don't hurt me, but I think this feels like a budget title with a talented design team and fancy graphics, but a budget title still. I mean, even the death animations and blood effects look like something out of the original Ghost Recon. Dialogue is laughable...not just the way sentences are pieced together word by word (I understand why this is in a mil sim) but the voice acting and scripted sentences are weak.

[An Fiach 10]

My PC is fine, it runs every other game I have thrown at it perfectly. You might wanna take a look at the mess going on in tech support forums before you toss idiotic statements like that out. People with cutting edge pc's are having more problems than most.

There are deep flaws within the game - flaws that will kill sales and make this the last game from BIS if they don't get to work fast.

Hahaha, this game isn't like "every other game", that is such a sad comparison. The mess going on in tech support is nothing different than you see in any other high end game, people having issues with drivers and other factors. The fact that not everyone is experiencing these issues points to these issues being on their end. Game designers cannot anticipate every combination of hardware and software the end user will have and I think BIS does a pretty fair job of trying to address these issues. If someone has a higher end system than I do and they can't run the game it points to issues with their system and not the game.

[eyetumor 10]

Hey Anfiach, why are you always so quick to dismiss other individuals valid points? the guy is absolutely right. This game is broken and full of bugs at this current state. There's nothing to defend. Stop being such a focking fanboy dude! This launch is nowhere near what other games might have had problems with. The amount of bugs just in the single player alone are complete gamebrakers. just look at the single missions sections of these forums. Almost every single mission has a game breaking bug. So don't tell me that these forums are like any other game that launches...Bullshit my friend!! Complete bullshit! It's obvious that your reaction is based of emotion and not fact.

you have to be blind not to see the amount of people posting geniune game breaking bugs.

Don't get me wrong. I love this game...I do, but at its current state it's completely unacceptable to have put out this game in the market! As I have stated before, this game is in pre-alpha stage at it's best.

Name me one game, just one, that every single mission/stage from the single player campaing was completely unplayable.

[An Fiach 10]

Hey Anfiach, why are you always so quick to dismiss other individuals valid points? the guy is absolutely right. This game is broken and full of bugs at this current state. There's nothing to defend. Stop being such a focking fanboy dude! This launch is nowhere near what other games might have had problems with. The amount of bugs just in the single player alone are complete gamebrakers. just look at the single missions sections of these forums. Almost every single mission has a game breaking bug. So don't tell me that these forums are like any other game that launches...Bullshit my friend!! Complete bullshit! It's obvious that your reaction is based of emotion and not fact.

you have to be blind not to see the amount of people posting geniune game breaking bugs.

Don't get me wrong. I love this game...I do, but at its current state it's completely unacceptable to have put out this game in the market! As I have stated before, this game is in pre-alpha stage at it's best.

Name me one game, just one, that every single mission/stage from the single player campaing was completely unplayable.

I am quick to dismiss uninformed complaints, if you read everything I ever post you would know I have complaints about the game too, I think we can all agree that it has issues. Game bugs regarding the campaign, etc., have nothing to do with someone's pc not running the game properly.

here's a quote from the troubleshooting forum (not my words)

So effectively this was an IDENTICAL setup, aside from running on XP 32-bit instead of Windows 7 RC 64-bit.

So now i'm thinking its either the DX10 path, Win 7 RC, or the Win 7 RC Nvidia drivers that are causing the problem.

I think we're closing in!!!

This pretty much proves its NOT the core game code, the GTX295 card or the Core i7 chip causing the problem.

So whilst a lot of ppl here are giving BIS a hard time, perhaps its the drivers afterall?!?

Even if the game was flawless people would still be having issues. Just consider the number of people using Vista (I am one) knowing Vista is pretty much garbage. Then look at how many people have W7RC which isn't even an officially released product, nevermind that micosoft hasn't put out a single piece of properly working software since...I don't know when, then consider the sub par drivers put out by Nvidia and ATI in the last few years and all of the betas and different versions people are using and multiple manufacturers for the same hardware products, etc..

Call me a fanboy if you like, it matters little. It won't fix the gameplay bugs which I fully recognize and share complaints about, neither will it fix the amount of stupid that people exhibit when it comes to technical issues, the majority of which originate with them and not the game. The game is definitely not properly optimized for performance, but when it won't work at all, that's not the game.

[remo135 0]

Finally got to play this game. What I could say is that its definitely much better than Arma1 (I hated arma1). Arma2 has smoother movement, improved weapon aimability(?) but still feels a tad heavier than it should. Yes, its much better.. but its not quite there yet. I've been playing OFP for years and I have to admit that its basically become the standard I use when comparing with games such as these.

First thing I'd notice is the graphics. The graphics are great, except there are lots of fuzz and blur. Even with anti-aliasing and post-processing disabled. I'm wondering if the devs think this look realistic.. well, I don't know... Perhaps if there was some mini-game or something showing random pictures and you would have to guess which pictures are screens of arma2 and which are real-world pictures... That ought to be an eye-opener. LoL.

Then the head bob. At first I thought, "damn, this is giving me a headache..." Well, it really was giving me a headache.. I mean with OFP there was a headbob but not so much and your eyes can still compensate easily. This headbob thing, the way I see it is that in real world, there is headbob when we walk or run, but our bodies have a kind of gyroscope mechanism to compensate for that. On-screen, no gyroscope compensation.. well, just got me a headache.. Although, later on I discovered that can be tweaked.. well, good. Perhaps if I could make it go the same way with OFP. Comfortable headbob without the headache. LoL.

Then there's the AI. I especially noticed Mack(?) giving me instructions how to fly choppers. Hey, mack, are you talking to me or my boots? Then, after deciding which chopper to use, off he ran.. He runs funny though... Again, with referrence to flashpoint, the way I see it, loons in OFP move around in a more realistic manner.. or lets just say less weird manner. LoL! Ah, but the medic! Very good! I liked the way the medics patch up some wounded guy on the ground. Hahaha. Very Good.

But I guess it didn't do the magic for me... When I first played OFP, I was like, "WOW!" OFP graphics may be rough but lighting was very good. Now with arma2, well, sorry to say, it still didn't make the grade for me. If I could, maybe I would probaby just suggest they smoothen the graphics in OFP, just smoothen the graphics. Retain most of the physics and gameplay in OFP and that's it. "WOW!" OFP is still the best. But hey, its just me...

[jakerod 254]

I am thoroughly impressed with what just happened.

Situation: Im the pilot of a CDF Mi-17 carrying a CDF Colonel to the North. He is in command of the group and there are two hinds and two SU-25s flying escort with me. My objective is essentially to get as close to my waypoint as possible and if shot down to crash land it so that the crew lives.

The group got engaged by six Russian SU-34s (originally they were going to be harriers but I didn't want to take the time to group them to an OPFOR guy to make them my enemy because it was just a quick thing I threw together). The two SU-25s got shot down first followed by the mi-24s. I was almost to my waypoint when I got hit by an enemy air to air missile. My helicopter lost power and the tail rotor but due to my speed I kept it from spinning out.

As I am trying to crash land it I get hit by a second missile and my armor drops to the point where I figure that I am dead even if I do land it gently but I stick with it anyway. I am now about 20 meters off the ground when an SU-34 comes back and trys to nail me with its guns and almost gets me about 10 times but misses. My helicopter hits the ground and knocks the armor bar all the way down but it doesn't explode. I get out and start running from it as quickly as possible and then the crew and the colonel gets out.

I got to a safe distance and turned around. The blades were completely mangled. Far worse than I had ever seen them before. They were no longer straight, they were spinning all crooked and as my crew tried to get away from the helicopters I am fairly sure the blades killed them. The Colonel went prone and thus survived. My armor when I landed was so low it took less than 13 (I fired full auto) bullets to destroy the helicopter. The Colonel wasn't happy and proceeded to shoot me.

Why I was impressed: I never saw the blades get so mangled before nor have I ever seen them kill people. Plus its one of those moments where there is no way I will ever be able to recreate it again.

EDIT: I started at 021 113 (West of Pavlovo) and my final waypoint was at 034 078 (East of Pustoshka). I got hit the first time around 033 081 (South-East of Pustoshka) and I crashed at roughly 035 072 (North-East of Pustoshka).

The SU-34s tried to strafe the (downed) helicopter with rockets too but missed on the first run and then never came back.

Edited July 14, 2009 by Jakerod

[Spectator6 0]

Just wanted to say that I am loving the heck out of this game. I think the entire dev team did an excellent job. I'm blown away at the scope and detail that's been achieved in ARMAII. Granted, it's my first BIS game, but still...

I'm on the Manhattan mission right now, and while not having access to the artillery makes it very difficult to take out the main base (known bug), I'm having a blast redoing my approach time and time again. Is it frustrating at times? A little... But nine times out of ten it's because I started standing on my heels thinking there's "only" one or two more enemies and got careless. Just like IRL, this game reiterates that lethal force is lethal force and needs to be respected!

What's caught me by surprise is how *each and every time* I load my save and give it another go, SOMETHING is different. Either another patrol group enters into the fight, there's an RPG, etc etc. I was also pleasantly surprised whenever I reloaded the entire mission to try and use the artillery before it glitched, only to find that the base was at a different location from my first fresh start! =) Nice touch

But I can't help but notice and appreciate the EXCELLENT sense of character movement in first-person, the AI, the sounds, on and on! Your ambition reminds me a lot of the old Red Storm Entertainment (before the franchise changed hands/was bought out). This is like Ghost Recon x100 and I'm loving every moment of it! It's amazing how far games have come, thanks for all your hard work and continued dedication!

[Binkowski 26]

This, is a first. Most people are like "ZOMGIHATESTEHARMA2ITBLOWSJBOSKAFHEDPFKJHSDFSf."

I agree with you.

[Cobra Pilot 10]

My hope for humanity has been restored. A human can voice an opinion using logic instead of just going "sfbkjefbsjfnbk:blahblah2:jebmdnb:argue: vkebkmsnbkd:cry2:"

Though I've only played the demo (so far), I must agree with you.

[jakerod 254]

I also agree with you. They did a great job.

[remo135 0]

Hmmm.. Well, seems the experience delivered by Arma2 must be a first for many here... Could it be assumed that OFP fans who's already experienced those things in OFP may have too high expectations?

[Litos 10]

I decided to make my own version of that huge air battle :P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOCE2jlexRM

Check it out. It's processing right now but should be good in a few minutes. Sorry for the low FPS, I think I did something wrong in sony vegas, although the FPS was about 15-20 when I filmed it.

[Steakslim 1]

My hope for humanity has been restored. A human can voice an opinion using logic instead of just going "sfbkjefbsjfnbk:blahblah2:jebmdnb:argue: vkebkmsnbkd:cry2:"

Careful, you'll conjure demons with talk like that.

[An Fiach 10]

Hmmm.. Well, seems the experience delivered by Arma2 must be a first for many here... Could it be assumed that OFP fans who's already experienced those things in OFP may have too high expectations?

Hmm , that's a good question. Or perhaps they are so in love with OFP (OpF for you sticklers) that more real doesn't 'feel' right to them. I guess they have to tell us.

[the_shadow 0]

i have been around from OFP through ArmA 1 (wich was basically crap in every single part)

but ArmA2 for me is "back to basics".. it has the best of what i remember from OFP with so much more that makes the game entertaining.

ok, it have some bad parts too, like bugs and random crashes/system reboots wich i hope can be fixed..

but it lacks what i have been wanting since OFP... something that would boost the atmosphere a huge amount..

and thats.. multiple lighting sources.

i mean.. shadows should be casted from ALL light sources..

car lights, street lights, fires, explosions, flashes, moon and sun..

that would add a HUGE amount of atmosphere and would make the game look so much better i think.

but, perhaps thats not possible without a major rework of the engine (i dont have deeper knowledge in such things)

[dunedain 48]

I bought Ofp in july 2001 and I play online since summer 2004, to me the most disappointing thing was all expectations over Game2, BIS helped in that with many enticing promises years ago, which are gone in the garbage can.

The game still lack of things I can't believe aren't in the Ultimate Military Simulator. Thanks to ACE team we won't have to wait that much to play at least an actual infantery sim.

Without talking of bugs there still many details and things outdated which didn't evolve enough for me after 8 years, like first person animations "weapons/hands", netcode, physics ect.. Plus some suggestions there.

But Arma2 is a niche game, so I won't complain much more :rolleyes: I'm just glad BIS is here to do such game. :)

Hahaha, this game isn't like "every other game", that is such a sad comparison.

This game may look fine, but nothing extraordinary.

And anfiach, I have really bad performances with my computer too, whatever the settings I use ingame while it's pretty smooth with every other games even Crysis Warhead at vhigh Fa16 msaa4..

I changed for a fresh install on Seven cause i got really low framerate on Vista64, happy you don't have any problem of this kind, but at least show a little emphaty for those who bought a computer for this game and have to play with 30fps on Utes with nothing around.

The fact that not everyone is experiencing these issues points to these issues being on their end.[...].If someone has a higher end system than I do and they can't run the game it points to issues with their system and not the game.

Strange logic you have .. :cry:

Edited July 14, 2009 by dunedain

[An Fiach 10]

I bought Ofp in july 2001 and I'm online since summer 2004, to me the most disappointing thing was expectations over Game2, Bis helped in that with many enticing promises years ago.

The game still lack of things I can't believe aren't in the Ultimate Military Simulator. Thanks to ACE2 team we won't have to wait that much to play an actual infantery sim.

Without talking of bugs there still many details and things outdated which didn't evolve enough for me since Ofp, like first person animations "weapons/hands", netcode, physics ect.. Plus some suggestions there.

But Arma2 is a niche game, so I won't complain much more :rolleyes: I'm just glad BIS is here to do such game. :)

This game may look fine, but nothing extraordinary.

And anfiach, I have really bad performances with my computer too, whatever the settings I use ingame while it's pretty smooth with every other games even Crysis Warhead at vhigh Fa16 msaa4..

I changed for a fresh install on Seven cause i got really low framerate on Vista64, happy you don't have any problem of this kind, but at least show a little emphaty for those who bought a computer for this game and have to play with 30fps on Utes with nothing around.

Well guess what? That's what I get on Utes with nothing around. The thing to note is that you bought a pc just for this game and you didn't build a top end system, why do you expect top end performance? DOes that in your sig mean you have the gfx card in xfire? If so, it probably isn't working, not that it would make a difference because the graphics levels aren't the problem (btw your hd4850 runs about as well as my 9800 gtx , looking at benchmarks). Your processor is the problem (same issue I have). If you read about the forums you will see that the Core i7 is the one doing well which suggests that we need a quad with a clock speed of 3.0Ghz or better in order to get good performance. I believe we will get better frames once they release an optimization patch, but sadly, when your cpu is the bottleneck, everything slows down. I empathize with you so far as you were misled by the stated game requirements and recommended specs, everyone was.

Anyway, my statements are aimed at people that have driver issues and things like that, the rest of us are just underpowered for what the game is. Our specs should have been the stated minimum. There was one clown complaining that he couldn't run on a 1.86 Ghz processor, which is well below even the minimal specs. Some people have issues that genuinely cannot be fixed by anyone but BIS, but they are in the minority when counted among the complaints in the forums.

[the_shadow 0]

my PC is spot on the reccomended requirements (slightly slower CPU though)

and i get about 24-30 FPS in MP combat on CHernarus.

everything set to normal, no post processing, AA and AF set to low, highets on textures and hig on shadows.

2119m viewdistance.

on UTES i have around 40-45 fps on a smaller scale mission with maybe 100-200 AI in total..

i dont understand why everyone with seamingly higher specifications got worse perfromance then me..

maybe it´s just pure luck and i have a extrwmly well put together machine (no, i did not build it myself)

i have same thing with other games.

ppl with better rigs have worse performance...

[jakerod 254]

I liked all 3; OFP, ArmA and ArmA II. ArmA was lacking in a few areas but overall I felt it was an improvement.