Stryker_1

Bought a Strat a few years back and hack around on it in a PC based home studio. I also have an acoustic that I hack around with. Do it for kicks only and I've always been fascinated with the Electric Guitar. Muscle memory amazes me. Sometimes I don't pick it up for months and it comes back within a few hours. Totally cool. Kind of like BI software, may not load it for months at a time, but always coming back.

You've obviously missed the context of my entire post. Although ARMA II is a GAME, I do classify it as a SIM opposed to a FPS, RPG etc...the point is that DR is a console FPS and a disappointing one at that. CM could not deliver on the Operation Flashpoint name.There are few companies that develop BI type of software. BI developed the original Operation Flashpoint and their experience and evolution shows in ARMA & ARMA II. Personally I don't give a crap or what genre you call it, it's still the best we got in this class of software. I have played a lot of games and I have racked the most hours up with BI software. Bugs, flaws and all. Why? Because they are fun.

I thought this thread would've died ages ago....lol....comparing ARMA II to DR is useless. They are completely different games. DR = Console Shooter & ARMA II = Military Sim. Nuff said. I bought DR and the thing that ticks me off is CM shouldn't of marketed it as the sequel to Operation Flashpoint because frankly it is no where near or close to anything like the original. If CM had of named it something else I would've waited before purchasing and find out more about it. I would've realized that it is a console shooter and bypass it. A shame really, I was hoping it would've succeeded to give a different product in the mil sim genre. Lesson learned here, I don't trust CM and the marketing engine. Bohemia I trust and the proof is in the support and the way ARMA II can be modded. ARMA II gets most of my playing time because it is fun, period. DR is not, it's button mashing like a lot of console games.

Hmmmm, interesting idea, but I would prefer to polish the voice overs as they did with the original Operation Flashpoint. This is one of the weaknesses to ARMA I & II. I've gotten used to the voice stuff as it is now and overlook it when I am playing. Good to great voice talent costs money, I would use the investment of money on the technical side of this game. It be nice to see a real improvement on the voice acting in general.

Since I've been following the beta patches, I was surprised to see 60393 and before I even read this thread, I was thinking man they have a lot of beta patches and they are quick on the trigger....lol...Great work and thanks BIS, looking forward to Arrowhead!

That is the bottom line with DR, there is no challenge and the enemy AI couldn't hit their way out of a wet paper bag. There was video I saw on Youtube and someone used the DR editor and placed a pile of AI AT soldiers that were to take out a small boat. They couldn't hit the dam thing and it reminded me of that scene in Predator where the guys blew away the jungle with all their arsenal and they hit nothing....lol...

It's too bad you are having these experiences. The AI can be dumb as stumps, but I have seen them randomly do things that seem intelligent, the key word being random. AI's in any game will do retarded things. I get the most out of the squad by babysitting and telling them every move. I enjoy that aspect, switching views and controlling each one separately on occasions to make them do exactly what I want. What an awesome feature. Sometimes I leave them in a vehicle or tell them to stay put and do things on my own, just depends on the mission. I use a Nostromo Keypad programmed with macros to simplify some basic tasks. Since you've played previous iterations of BI games, you know the drill of the command system it uses. Can be complex and cumbersome when split decisions need to be made. ARMA II is by far the best and one of the deepest open ended game I've ever played. To get the most out it, it's best to accept the short comings and try enjoy the positives. Some of the user missions and campaigns I've played have been flawless and most enjoyable. The AI in DR is far worse. That game was a cake walk for me and turned out to be another console shooter and offered no challenge. It also has really bizarre vehicle physics. I have been killed in ARMA II far too often and I prefer the challenge. As far as the beta patches go, keep in mind that the Beta patches are not official patches. They are not installed in the convential way as official patches are. They use the method to access the beta patch like it is a mod. This is BIS's way to keep the community engaged with the progress of proposed patches. They do read the constructive feedback and try to improve the game. Remember, you don't have to use the betas. Anyway, keep playing and I'm sure you'll uncover some good stuff, if not, I guess it's not your thing...

Easy, there is a slider in the options menu, I believe under game options, but it is there for sure. I got rid of that right away by setting the slider to complete left - this for the head bobbing, I was ready to yak after a few minutes, talk about motion sickness..this is for ARMA II..... The easy solution for DR is exit to windows and not play it anymore, my sickness from it is not a motion sickness problem, It's a "I wasted my money problem"

Welcome to the forums, if you are prepared to make a bit of an investment in time and patience, you will get the most out of your PC and will give a ton back for what will be some great gaming experiences. Ton of resources for that on the web, but for ARMA II specific stuff www.armaholic.com This forum is great as well, a lot of experienced guys here and ton of technical information...

I'm not going to get into the technical lingo, but there is no doubt that DR lacks the technical capability that ARMA II has. What Luhgnut says is correct. DR is a console game and tricks have to be used in order to fit that package of pile for the console. You need a PC for ARMA II or for any real milsim for that matter. You get what you pay for. A decent PC does not cost 2K, what a pant load to make that statement. I believe in the PC for the best in class games and I have invested time and effort to be able build my own hardware. What you can get for your money these days is awesome, but it takes an investment of time to educate yourself. My last upgrade was less than 800 bones and ARMA II is running with flying colours. As Vilas said, a PC does more and the time I spent gaming on my PC is 50%. I do all the other stuff, internet, editing, school, work and well, the list goes on. I am not against consoles and I do own a PS3, but really it's not that much cheaper when you consider the costs of the games and short lived time you spend with those games. Sometimes its fun to play an FPS or sports game on a console, but it's not the same as a PC. ARMA II, well, there is so much you can do with that software and not enough time to devote to it....

I recently hooked up my PC via HDMI to my 42" Plasma and I am about 6 Ft back. I use my coffee table and and have makeshift place to sit using a support cushion (one with arms) and a firm pillow. It's made in such away that it's like sitting on an office chair. Playing ARMA II this way is absolutely phenomenal experience. I am using Digital coaxial to a 5.1 receiver and the audio is nothing like I've experienced before. I can't play this game on my office PC anymore. This is immersion at it's best

Couldn't agree more, anything for CM to squeeze more money. Money is and will always be the driving force behind the gaming industry. When the PC market was thriving, consumers wanted quality and a good bang for their buck, they got it. My library of current PC games is shrinking and the quality of console ports such as DR is absolute garbage. It's a quick fix and no depth. It's like a one nighter with a chicky and you realize when you wake up, you'd rather chew off your own arm and get away than waking her up. Then ask yourself, why did I do it...lol.

I echo everyone here about trying it. This game just rocks for immersion. The key with this game is you have to give it time to understand how to play it and make the most of all the views. 3rd Person, First person etc.... I use all the modes for a various things.This game really can grow on you and it has for me. I have spent countless hours of enjoyment. Does it have bugs? Sure it does, anyone who is a PC gamer knows that bugs come with the turf and none of the bugs have been a deal breaker for me. In fact the lastest beta patches are incredible. This is not a console game and it is not a quick gratification game. This game is deep and I mean really deep and if you don't play it long enough to realize what it is, your missing out. There is alot to learn in the controls and configuring for your personal style of play. My brother was impatient with the original Operation Flashpoint and kept saying it was c r ap. He just sucked at it and he managed to stick with it and he got better playing it. It grew on him too and he kept bugging me to hook up online in CO-OP. This is not an easy game and not a typical FPS. I think you'll either hate it or love it. One last thing, you will die a lot....lol

I think it'd be ok as long as they keep the main program for the PC and then strip that down for the console. Any PC game I have played that is supported by the console is stripped down. I was disappointed within 5 minutes of playing DR for the PC because of it's consolish feel and the vehicle physics are a joke....literally, at least I had a good laugh for my money considering I allowed myself to get screwed in CM's marketing. I'm not against consoles by any means. I am PC gamer and DR cannot even be compared to ARMA II. CM & DR succeeded in marketing, but failed in the product for the Flashpoint fans. DR will be remembered for the disappointment that it is.

Yes, thanks BI....I've purchased OPF I, ARMA Gold & ARMA II because of all the positive things said in this thread. I will purchase Arrowhead as well. This is the only PC game software that has kept my interest this long term because it keeps evolving in something better. I'm always coming back

I'm going to bypass it, I didn't like MW1. Too much flash. MW2 seems to be big production stuff with very little longevity. Hey man, if that's your gig, great. The gaming industry has changed dramatically with titles like these. 6 hr SP, get your fix and move on to the next one. As long as the money is rolling these will continue to churn out. $70 -$80 bucks a pop for the console, no wonder this happening. I have a PS3 which has now become an expensive Blu Ray player. The current generation of gamers appear to be like salivating drug addicts that need constant big flash and quick rushes. They also have the money (or credit) to fulfill this addiction....lol I play ARMA II like a chess game sometimes and while not stimulating for some, this works for my gaming addictions :D

First off, welcome to a group with fierce opinions...ha ha I don't blame you for being skeptical about performance, bugs and playability. You do need a good rig to get the most from ARMA II. I shelved my copy of ARMA I Gold for awhile and recently installed it again to play some of the mods and campaigns available for it. Ton of content available. I had recently upgraded my rig to a Quad Core with an OC GTX275 and ARMA I is smooth as silk with everything full tilt. I've got my second life out of it. In spite of the bugs, ARMA II is by far the best BIS have developed and with these mods coming out, my oh my the potential is phenomenal. With the latest build, it now runs really well and I would say that I am satifisfied. DR is nothing more than a FPS console game and what ticks me off is I allowed myself to be sucked in to CM's brilliant marketing. All the media prior to release is not what it appeared, and yeah I have right to say this, I got shafted and they got my $40 bucks. At least with BIS, with ARMA II, I knew what I was getting into. CM, I gambled and it was wrong. ARMA II is evolving in to a great piece of software and the money I spent is worth every penny. Cheers

CM has indirectly helped the marketing for ARMA II. I was caught up in the idea of another developer making "military sim". I like alternatives for the fresh approach and I will say that CM did a masterful job on their marketing. I bought it and absolutely disappointed. It's another shooter for the console. Gameworld feels fake and the vehicle physics are a joke. Ski jump off of hills anyone....LOL. I always discern on professional reviews and prefer to read what the purchasers has to say. I should've waited before I bought the PC version. $40 bucks I'll never get back. BIS has years of experience in this type of software and there hasn't been any other developer to match it. Reminds me of the time when Looking Glass was the first and best in class of the First Person Sneaker. Thief I & II were developed by Looking Glass and published by someone else. The third iteration sold well because of the fanbase, but it wasn't a Looking Glass product. Thief 3 was sub par, like OPDR. The difference here is, CM marketed off the name and were succussful in this regard. Lesson learned here, always learn who the developer is and wait for a demo or real people's reviews. Bugs and all, BIS software rocks!

Yeah, Arma II is not like OPF, but the engine certainly is and has evolved into something much much better since the OPF days. In fact for ARMA I you can get the CWR mod (google search it) The CWR mod is essentially the OPF & Resistance campaign. There is also a CWR2 mod coming for ARMA II. I bought the Codemasters OPF DR and regret it. It's merely a FPS for the console. Nothing wrong with a console, but they are not good for "Military Simulation" like all of BI stuff is. ARMA I & II is awesome PC software and I can't count the hours I spent playing these titles an the mods that are out there.

Great Utility! The ability to save a profile would be a great option :D

No way to substantiate this claim, I believe this to be a technical limitation due to stripping down to the lowest common denominator, the console. Dragon Rising keeps you in a container more so than ARMA II. I've played them both and I don't believe DR's limitation is a design decision. Every great PC game created for the console is stripped down to a nice little package and works in the console limitation, so I guess you can argue the DR is a design decision due console's technical limitation :)

I was awaiting to see what OPF: Dragon Rising would bring to the world of "Military Simulation" Now that I have played Dragon Rising, my impression is that it should not be compared to ARMA II. It is not in the same class. Dragon Rising is an FPS, period. I approached the missions with a Rambo style of play and found the game merely another shooter. It's fun enough in its own right, but now that I know what I know, I wouldn't of purchased it. I have always been impressed with Bohemia's product irrespective of the bugs. The shear scope pf ARMA II has not been matched to date. Dragon Rising design is poor and cannot fit in the class of a "Military Simulation" due to the fact that it is clearly a console game. All that is required to play this game is button mashing. ARMA II very easily trumps Dragon Rising and that is because you cannot consider them in the same class. ARMA II is still on it's own in this regard. My two cents :) Addendum: The vehicle physics in Dragon Rising makes me laugh, what a joke. Vehicles can actually do ski jumps off of hills and they bounce around unrealistically. It's obvious the game was brought to the lowest technical limitations, the console denominator. Such a shame.