Battlefield Heroes
Soon after writing last week’s post about browser-based games I finally received my beta invite to Battlefield Heroes. Coincidence? Probably so. I quickly logged in and input my beta key. Unlike Quake Live, Battlefield Heroes requires the installation of a client. So technically, it doesn’t play in a browser, but is launched from one.
Upon logging in and downloading the appropriate software I was prompted to create a Hero, choosing from either the Royal Army (think British) or National Army (German). I chose the Royal Army. Next, I was prompted to choose a class. There are only three classes, but each is highly customizable…but more on that later. The soldier is the basic grunt armed with a sub machinegun and shotgun. The gunner carries a light machinegun and an anti-tank bazooka-like weapon. Finally there’s the commando, equipped with a sniper rifle and knife. I chose the soldier and quickly joined a game.
As expected, the game plays just like a classic Battlefield conquest match. I played on about three or four different maps, each with about four control points each. These aren’t the huge maps or matches found in Battlefield 2 or 2142. Instead, they’re scaled down to keep the action steady for what appears to be a 16-player cap. While that may seem small by Battlefield standards, don’t worry. There’s plenty of craziness going on to keep things interesting. Another difference is the third-person perspective, though it hardly takes getting used to.
Battlefield Heroes also has one of the deepest persistence systems ever seen in a Battlefield game. As in the more recent installments, you earn XP by killing opponents, healing friendlies, and capturing control points. Beyond the earning of XP and leveling up, you can customize your character by purchasing different articles of clothing, weapons, and abilities by spending battle funds, valor points, and hero points. It’s really quite deep, and far more impressive than I was expecting for a free game. So if you haven’t already signed-up for the beta, do so now. I look forward to slapping a satchel of Sticky TNT to the back of your tank.
