Review: MAG

Big. Bold. But does it actually work?

Published 25/01/2010 at 17:00.
By Lee C [Kovacs].

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Armed with a killer buzzword (or, more accurately, a prodigious number), Zipper Interactive’s MAG has hovered in the background since its surprise debut at E3 2008, promising much before skulking back into the shadows and leaving a wake of unanswered questions in its path. Like, what does 256 players on one map actually play like? What have been the trade-offs – if any – in terms of performance and the game’s aesthetic in order to achieve this admittedly impressive technical feat? And, most importantly, is the FPS market as a whole ready for a game where the emphasis is not so much on personal achievement, but the concept of team-work and strategy?

MAG has been treated as a deus ex machina by Sony; a salvo in a genre-war they’re seen historically to be on the losing side of. Keen to highlight the game’s salient virtue of scale, Sony have understandably taken the easy road when faced with the task of dazzling potential adopters to MAG. After all, it’s easier to quote a number rather than dissect the ensuant qualities that arise from a game of such scope, aspects that may in fact be somewhat daunting and are assuredly missed by some. But, fittingly, it’s these virtues that marks MAG as a truly eye-opening and engaging experience.

In fact, if it wasn’t so noteworthy, we’d almost wish the technical achievement surrounding the amount of players involved at one time was suitably benched for a while in order to give MAG’s more impressive, and obviously connected, virtue – that of how collaboration is paramount to succeed in the game – more due attention. For make no mistake about it: MAG is one of the first titles that actually enforces clan mentality in a game. And hence, because of this and a number of other reasons, some people will simply not get MAG. They will not appreciate the core outlook that drives the game from the very getgo: the fact that this is not your typical FPS. This is different.

MAG demands patience and, for those more used to jumping online and running around mindlessly shooting anything that moves for a few minutes before their ADD kicks in, it requires a change of mindset in order to see what Zipper Interactive are attempting. These are war-games. And the scope and scale of the action at hand in MAG is much bigger and, paradoxically, more intimate than any other FPS on the market.

Zipper Interactive – mavens of the SOCOM franchise and a studio which boasts personnel who have worked on war simulators for the US defence forces – openly refer to their new creation as “an MMO with guns.” It’s a snappy sound bite and not without merit, but just how much of what lurks behind MAG’s 256 badge of honour can be actually quantified as MMO-ish, and what is merely deep game immersion?

Dizzily, MAG is a vertiginous labyrinth of depth and selection. And though you’re eased into its inner workings like a newborn lamb by its discerning and protective mother, it quickly becomes apparent that the scope of what has just cracked open is staggering. Three PMCs – each with their own ethos, strengths and weaknesses – levelling, buffs, vehicles, and an armoury jammed with an assortment of weapons to keep you busy for months, there’s so much to wrap your head around in MAG that some will balk and bolt. If not because of the scope of what’s on offer, then possibly due to how the game takes everything you know about FPSs and twists it into something new and challenging. Prepare to find yourself outside of your comfort zone.

The game’s premise is a focus on strategy, to communicate and plan – qualities some people will naturally shy away from in favour of a more simple online experience. It’s a shame really, as when MAG works (and admittedly, depending on who you’re playing with, sometimes it just doesn’t) there’s not much out there like it. Running from objective to objective, your squad leader’s voice guiding you toward a common goal, the feeling of immersion and purpose is second to none. Sure, other games do this, but no other game makes it the backbone of their game-play model, and hence MAG truly excels at it.

MAG is a smart FPS, an action title for those of us who want more than simply learning maps and climbing up the pecking order or earning badges so as to unlock new toys. MAG’s levelling structure offers something different from the norm in that it allows players to choose which path they wish to embark on. Unlike other games where it takes time to unlock certain classes, MAG allows you to purchase skills in whatever specialised area you wish from the start. Snipers can invest their credits in new weapons and other perks that make them more effective in the field at long-range engagement. Those that prefer to be on the front-line can equally lean in that direction with armour and more devastating up-close weaponry. Embedded within this levelling structure, the ability to command others and stamp your own personal tactics on the battlefield surfaces. Harking back to the game’s 256 mantra and the natural elements birthed from what such a large number of players presents, as you move up the ranks, the opportunity to command a squad of eight, a company of platoons, all the way up to 128 players against an opposing force of equal size (there’s that 256 number again) adds an extra layer of enjoyment and complexity to MAG. It gives the title an angle other games just don’t possess. While offering most – if not all – of what the competition can give (with the expected trade-offs), MAG’s command structure and communication aspect infuses a high degree of longevity into the game. MAG is a game that could remain popular in the online arena for a very long time, especially if Zipper Interactive support it in the way we think they will.

As a game without an offline component, however, the fate of MAG relies on its online experience. Zipper have invested time and effort in not only making Valor, Raven and SVER – the three PMCs you must choose to join at the game’s beginning – different, balanced and attractive for their own particular reasons, but also forging the premise of The Shadow War – a global conflict the trio of private armies are engaged in – to entice players back into the arena. It might not be a unique approach in the online gaming spectrum, but it is a novel and fresh concept for console gamers. With every player part of one all-encompassing persistent struggle, there is a sense of narrative introduced into what is essentially a genre where story and plot arcs often not only take a back-seat, they’re usually ripped out of the car altogether. It’s both intriguing and complimentary; a device which enhances the experience by connecting you personally to the larger conflict. Each game played affects the Shadow War and how the universe evolves. Such an aspect adds a further touch of personalisation into the game, something other online-only titles including SOCOM: Confrontation and Warhawk have ignored.

Tagging on this plot device also in no way detracts from what MAG purports to be: an online shooter MMO with an emphasis on community. While in some FPSs the primary objective (no matter how it’s masked) is to simply shoot people, in MAG the prime objective is the objective itself. Though other games reward players who work toward a common goal, in MAG it’s not only its prominent attribute, success and failure literally balances on people’s ability to take orders, strategise effectively and focus on the bigger picture. This work-ethic permeates right down through the echelons of the command structure, effectively supported by the game’s designers through buffs and passive incentives. Commanders have spheres of influence, for instance, allowing for such benefits as soldiers being able to reload quicker and obtain bigger multipliers from working together than they would off on their own.

It’s a testament to Zipper’s focus on level design and how the massive engagements play out that, throughout the manic bedlam of battle, you always feel like there is a clear objective; a constant target that is achievable. One concern, however, is just how visible the other goals and overall objective is from your limited perspective. This issue is mitigated to some degree the more you play MAG and as new avenues of visibility and command open up. For the grunt in the bunker, however, starting out in MAG or maybe just after unlocking Domination – its biggest mode – the sense of scale of what is going on around you in the 1km squared battlefield can be sometimes lost.

MAG’s much heralded technical accolades in terms of scale and size do also come with some expected drawbacks. For one, MAG is not the prettiest game at the FPS ball by a long shot. In fact, in terms of visuals and such effects – aesthetically at least - MAG can appear dated and flat compared to some of the genre’s bigger hitters. Of course, such graphical trade-offs were expected in order to deliver what MAG offers up so well, so it’s hardly surprising that it does not compete visually with the likes of the Call of Duty games or the Killzone 2s out there. The controls, too, can be cumbersome at times. This is also somewhat forgivable though, as while other shooters have the luxury of the d-pad buttons to map weapons and such to, MAG must factor in a range of command features onto the controller without relying on a cumbersome control wheel or its ilk. You quickly come to terms with the fact that throwing a grenade is a two-part action (choosing grenade from your weapons list and then physically throwing it), and while mapping the non-scoping and shooting shoulder buttons to gear and alternative weapons respectively might feel awkward at first, you make do and adapt like any good soldier would.

As we come toward our conclusion, we have to admit that MAG is inherently difficult to assess with just a mere few hours of game time under our belts. Though it had the longest beta period in Sony’s history, and many will feel familiar with its quirks and charms, it’s important not to judge the game based on what were purely evolving builds. Now that it’s here, finished and opening up its battlefields for all to experience, the fate of MAG very much rests on those who will gravitate toward its lofty premise and who naturally resonate with such grandiose aspirations.

How is it possible to review a game that, by its very nature, must be played for a long period of time before a full impression can be formed? Is such an endeavour not akin to reviewing a book based on its opening chapters? The challenge of branding MAG with a number (much smaller than its trademarked 256 and between 1 and 10) to denote its quality is akin to rating World of Warcraft after a weekend of gold-farming, long before the full majesty of the game has blossomed and shown its true potential. The best we can do is rate our early impressions, undoubtedly influenced by the game’s prospects for the future while extrapolating to some degree using such factors as Zipper’s pedigree and our own penchant for smart, tactical games that offer depth and re-playability.

In fact, MAG almost demands a second pass in order to touch base on what will undoubtedly be a fuller, more detailed picture, and we intend to do such a re-review after spending more time with the title. Though this revisit might add or subtract from the final figure below, what adorns the bottom of this review is our opinion of where MAG stands now, on the brink of going live and opening up its doors to the gaming public, and is its official score.

Pros:

Audacious premise some will fall into and never re-surface from.
Not another typical FPS; takes chances and pulls most off with aplomb.
Promotes smart play and a collaborative effort, embracing the future of gaming as being online.
Deep immersion.
Huge scope for re-playability and customisation.

Cons:

Visually not the most impressive game out there.
Controls can be finicky at times.
Visibility of what’s going on at a higher level can be sometimes hidden to those on the ground.
Enjoyment can depend on others’ investment in the idea of collaboration.

There’s no doubt Zipper Interactive have made a really great game with MAG. However, only time will tell whether or not they have made a truly exceptional one.

Score: 8/10

Full disclosure: this review is based on extensive play-through with the final open MAG beta along with time spent with the final version of the game at a MAG review event in London. This event – and hence the author’s expenses – were covered by Sony.

Comments

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parker | 25/01/2010 17:07
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1206 TSA Points | Member since: Apr 2009

Sounds good. I’ve decided I’m going to buy this day one anyway, due to me not having much to play right now. I know I’ll probably regret it (Not for it being a bad game, but due to the almost definite online issues this game will face in the first few days…).
- mynameisblair | 25/01/2010 17:11
  Member
  4205 TSA Points | Member since: May 2009
  
  I doubt it will have many issues, the beta worked fine and Zipper seem to spend more time on making sure the servers will work rather than actually getting the game out there.
mynameisblair | 25/01/2010 17:10
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4205 TSA Points | Member since: May 2009

Read the full review; very good.
The 256 players is the only thing gripping for me, from the beta it certainly doesn’t look great.
I love how it’s not just run and gun and is objective based… but will people actually play it like this? I don’t know.
Sony really need to up the advertising on this also if they want it to sell, I’m positive a few of my friends don’t even know it’s coming out on Friday.
Not a day 1 buy for me.
- Dexter17 | 25/01/2010 17:21
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  4699 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009
  
  Like most online games these days, if you can’t get a small team of eight to work together then how the hell are you supposed to get a team of 256 to work together?
  
  I would buy it, but I just know that the majority of people who I will be playing with won’t grasp the concept of “team play”
  - colmshan1990 | 25/01/2010 21:47
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    1526 TSA Points | Member since: Apr 2009
    
    Can we have a 256 player free for all? ;)
  - Zackackle | 26/01/2010 01:14
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    I don’t want to make wide sweeping statements before the final game comes out and people have really had a chance to test MAG’s metal, but I played the beta and, from what I experienced, you needn’t worry as much. The sheer volume of experience bonuses were enough to convince most people to play in a team, and the few that didn’t were cajoled by the leaders and commanders into either leaving or playing ‘correctly’ (whatever that is).
  - codeman- | 26/01/2010 02:44
    Banned
    Comment hidden
glennpfc | 25/01/2010 17:11
Member
415 TSA Points | Member since: Forever

Why is playing with 256 people fun? Is it just the higher level of commanding you can do?

Nice review, I feel like this game is destined to fail….It is a full price blu ray release right?
- Kovacs | 25/01/2010 17:15
  Team TSA: Writer
  2666 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2009
  
  The fun stems from being part of a much wider scale engagement. Admittedly, the people commanding this 256 scale battle do probably garner more enjoyment from it than those on the ground, but even then, winning a HUGE battle that can literally sway back and forth is very pleasing.
  
  It’s important to note that not all MAG battles are with 256 players. There are also 64 and 128 skirmishes possible. These battles do play out quite differently. So, there’s different game types and hence experiences available.
- a inferior race | 25/01/2010 17:15
  I'm special
  2810 TSA Points | Member since: Jul 2009
  
  From my experience in the Beta its being part of a something bigger than you that makes it fun. Working with a sqaud to secure your objective before moving onto your next objective which will help in completing the main objective for the match.
  - glennpfc | 25/01/2010 17:21
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    But do you see those other squads and feel that you are part of a hundred strong battle?
  - Kovacs | 25/01/2010 17:27
    Team TSA: Writer
    2666 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2009
    
    I touch upon that in the review. Sometimes you don’t. It depends a lot on who you’re playing with.
    
    It’s all about getting better at it, though. The better you are, the more you see. The further you progress out of your area and into other skirmishes. At first, you won’t see the other hundreds of people. Soon enough you run into them. Especially if you wipe out your foes and the commander redeploys you to another area to flank someone or as support. Opportunities are endless.
  - dirtyhabit | 25/01/2010 23:38
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    What happens in a years time when everyone is a General or Brigadier and nobody wants to play the Corporal?
    
    ‘Too many chiefs not enough Indians’ as the phrase goes. I’m sure they thought of this but……? What happens then?
  - LtMiKe23 | 26/01/2010 00:16
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    5 TSA Points | Member since: Jan 2010
    
    dirtyhabit, in order to obtain several trophies they require you too play as a different faction after you rank up to the max level (65 I believe).
  - dirtyhabit | 26/01/2010 01:33
    Member
    1716 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
    
    Good point, but the question still stands.
    Granted people ranking up through different factions at different times will add some longevity to the game. But as the influx of new players slows eventually you’ll still end up with 100′s of commanders with barely anyone to command.
    As kovacs said in his (excellent BTW) write up, the game opens up more the higher your rank, so very few people are going to work there way to the top and then play as a foot soldier. Surely you just end up in a stalemate where everone wants to be in charge. Or am I missing something?
  - alisound | 26/01/2010 02:17
    Member
    100 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008
    
    @dirtyhabit
    
    You do not get to pick your role. You can select a tick box stating you are willing to play as OIC/Platoon leader/Squad leader (if you are qualified!) but it gets assigned randomly from match to match.
    The system works well so do’t worry about that.
  - dirtyhabit | 26/01/2010 02:31
    Member
    1716 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
    
    I’m not worried, I’m not buying it :-)
    But it get it now, thanks.
  - xdarkmagician | 27/01/2010 19:58
    Member
    755 TSA Points | Member since: May 2009
    
    The command role assignment isn’t really random. It favors the people that haven’t held the command role before. A person that has never commanded a squad has a better chance to be chosen than a person who has just finished a game in a command role.
TehFunk | 25/01/2010 17:19
Member
332 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2009

Nice review, I can’t wait to get my hands on this on friday :d
Maybe sooner if Zavvi are nice >:]
AddictedAndy | 25/01/2010 17:19
PS3Addict
611 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008

Really looking forward to this, although collaboration is going to be the only key to success here, and with all my friends in love with MW:2 and me just feeling, well, meh, I’m going to have to find a good clan to be a part of, are TSA going to be holding bootcamps?
- nofi | 25/01/2010 17:23
  Wants a custom tag.
  5421 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
  
  TSA will be right behind MAG… =)
  - AddictedAndy | 25/01/2010 17:30
    PS3Addict
    611 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
    
    Awesome, will keep an eye out, always wanted to get involved with TSA on the gaming front and this seems like the perfect title for me to start, especially as so many players are needed!
  - Alex_Assassin_08 | 25/01/2010 23:05
    Member
    930 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009
    
    nofi I already have you on my PS3 friends list so jumping on MAG with you should be easy :)
    
    you never reply to messages :’(
  - nofi | 25/01/2010 23:06
    Wants a custom tag.
    5421 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
    
    Yes I do, I just get quite a few.
  - Gamoc | 26/01/2010 17:41
    Member
    1285 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
    
    Correction:
    
    ‘TSA will be right behind MAG telling it to bend over =)’
skibadee | 25/01/2010 17:23
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10429 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2009

not interested in MAG not even a preowned for me.
- LtMiKe23 | 26/01/2010 00:21
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  5 TSA Points | Member since: Jan 2010
  
  Why would you even waste your time commenting let alone looking at this review if your not even going to get the game in question… or maybe you were looking for a review too determine if your were going to purchase the game… if that is so has this positive review (8/10) discouraged you from buying the game?… why’d I even write this?
- hairfreax | 26/01/2010 08:51
  Member
  1717 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009
  
  Seems like the Fanboys are out to get us all already skibadee. Mike this is a open forum where we can all comment freely in reason to said articles. Some people are friends on here and value each others opinions .
ShovellyJoe | 25/01/2010 17:25
Member
1439 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008

Didn’t like the demo, won’t be picking this up. Enjoyed the review though, I’m interested to know what you thought about all the menus and displays and things? I found them needlessly confusing.
- Kovacs | 25/01/2010 17:29
  Team TSA: Writer
  2666 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2009
  
  Daunting at first, which I allude to above (a lot about MAG is daunting) but you quickly get the hang of it.
  
  They need to express a lot of options in as clear a way as possible. I think they did a good job in that area.
- Dexter17 | 25/01/2010 17:29
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  4699 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009
  
  I found them confusing at first, but after I while I just got used to them.
Ryan1991 | 25/01/2010 17:26
Member
2692 TSA Points | Member since: May 2009

Good review but I just didn’t like the beta. I felt that the only thing that was pulling it was the 256 players. Other than that I just thought it was a poor shooter. Based on the beta, I’m not buying it but I will rent it to see if the full release can change my mind.
- Kovacs | 25/01/2010 17:30
  Team TSA: Writer
  2666 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2009
  
  How long can you rent for? Because MAG requires an investment of time. If you don’t have the time to open it up, you might as well just go rent something else.
  - Ryan1991 | 25/01/2010 17:48
    Member
    2692 TSA Points | Member since: May 2009
    
    As far as I know, with LoveFilm you can rent for as long as you want.
  - Lfc-Gaz | 25/01/2010 18:03
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    1462 TSA Points | Member since: Jan 2009
    
    or £3.49 for 1 game per month at Boomerang Rentals.
  - Beck | 26/01/2010 12:42
    Member
    76 TSA Points | Member since: Jul 2009
    
    Lovefilm are not renting this out, I guess due to its MMO nature.
ii3illy | 25/01/2010 17:29
Member
755 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008

Excellent, well written review.
- Kovacs | 25/01/2010 17:31
  Team TSA: Writer
  2666 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2009
  
  Many thanks. If it wasn’t for caffeine though, it never would have made it in time.
  ;)
  
  So, my thanks also go out to Lavazza. Mmm … Lavazza.
gazzagb | 25/01/2010 17:31
Master of speling mitakse
4274 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009

May get a pre-owned after a month or two, the only thing that is putting me off getting this is money. Im already getting BFBC2, and i dont know if ill even give MAG any attention. I havent given UC2 any since i got it for xmas, didnt think it was the amazing game everyone hyped it up to be…
- AddictedAndy | 25/01/2010 17:37
  PS3Addict
  611 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
  
  Really? played through it 3 times, and just like the 1st one think it gets better each time!
- Kovacs | 25/01/2010 17:38
  Team TSA: Writer
  2666 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2009
  
  BFBC2 and MAG are very different games. A topic I brought up with Zipper’s Ben Jones in fact. Expect that interview to be published soon.
  
  :D
  - minerwilly | 26/01/2010 00:08
    Member
    1197 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009
    
    Getting them both and finally getting shut of MW2 for MAG .