Brink is a bit odd in what it sets out to be. In the grand scheme of things, the game is really fun and I think the gameplay is solid. I haven't played too much yet, maybe two hours in and like level 5 or 6 but I've already noticed some things that are bugging me.

Issues I've seen so far:

Huge black lines that look like really really bad jaggies. Some people hate it, some people don't care, I personally don't mind it but I can see how people would be bugged.

I can't tell if it's the game's net coding or if it's a framerate thing, but the game likes to run a little on the sluggish side at times.

The in-game server browser svcks. Why does it have to populate the server list both slowly and cause my game to sputter and freeze up until I get into a game? It almost reminds me of when they released Bad Company 2 with its horrid PC server browser. I hope they fix this.

The last thing that bugs me but seems the easiest to fix (and by fix I mean work itself out over time) is the fact that bots are in every server. The drop in and drop out system is nice and all, but I'd prefer entering all my games without bots.


Aside from the issues the gameplay is intense, it's pretty much what I paid for. Quake Wars/Enemy Territory with updated graphics and a SMART system. I just think the game could use some good fine-tuning and then it'll be a very awesome and solid shooter. The customization is fantastic too, but that's been covered plenty times over. Gunplay is strong but explosion sound effects seem like they're on the weak side (not enough oomph to it in my opinion) but overall it's fun as hell sliding everywhere and shooting people with powerful guns. But I think my quirk of the game is the whole being knocked down system where if someone melees you or throws a grenade at you, you have the ability to be knocked over. That's pretty damn neat, alongside the SMART system. Seems minor but it's pretty neat. Oh, it's also nice that they added lean to the game too, but to be honest, it seems sorta tacked on and weak... but hey, at least it's there!

And then I guess to finish this all with a random question: What exactly did they mean when they were boasting about the 45 ways you could die? Did they just mean scripted death animations? If so that's a bit on the lame side. But hey, you can't have everything.

Brink is a strong shooter with heavy team tactics, I think it's very solid but it definitely seems like it's a bit rough in its current state and could use some smoothing around the edges.

PS: I'm looking for some community input here and would like to know if any of you share my same views of the game or have a very differentiated opinion. Looking forward to it.

Informative, unbiased, and concise. Nice and thank you for the review. Kudos

post script: I'll be up and running in a few. I'll make sure to stop back by and post.

Yep now that is a review you can count on.

post a video please?

Pretty much spot on. The PC optimization seems horrendous to me; especially online.

Looking past those issues, the game actually is very fun, and what I was hoping and expecting when I pre-purchased the game. Unfortunately, getting past those issues is the hard part.

Overall it's just very disappointing that the game would be released in the state it is. Should have had either beta testing, a demo, or just better internal QA.

Nice! its a good critique to the game.
Kinda sorta puts me of the game a lil' bit, but most of what you've said will probably end up getting fixed through updates and patches before me and the rest of the people in Europe get the game on the 13th of may

I really hope it's fixed, I remember returning to Quake Wars after a long hiatus and I feel that the net coding issues that were there are here too and that I may not be able to enjoy a smooth seamless experience. I mean, I'm hoping for the best, but if worst comes to worst I won't be surprised if the net coding won't be fixed to be up to par. Is it the same engine or a new engine by the guys at Splash Damage? If it's different, it's certainly similar.

Also Bloodryne38, I'm digging the romantically apocalyptic avatar. :{D

Edit: There were times during my games tonight where I'd shoot a grenade from my launcher and/or thrown, and the server would lag right as I needed to angle that perfect nade and it'd bounce off a window next to me or something. It was really frustrating. What was the other thing I was going to comment on... Uh. Oh yeah! I don't like how they show ping in this game. They show it like they do in console games where it's a giant green bar or a yellow bar or a red bar, a la Call of Duty for the consoles. Not really digging that because it's completely unrepresentative of the ping you get. For all I know, a full green bar means 100-200 ping to the server (host as they call it... which makes me more suspect that the game is a console port, despite them saying they built it solely for the PC).

Not saying it is, but it's a bit frightening how similar the net coding will be to consoles.

Not particularly a fan of this (especially since I'm double posting) but.... Bump.

Wait.. This isn't a horid review trashing Brink for not being COD?

I applaud you. Its people like you that make me take the time of out of my day to visit the Brink forums.

ssshhh...don't let the cat out of the bag and let everyone know that devs are gravitating toward console title production vs pc.

:/ I certainly hope not. But all the versions are identical except MAYBE the PC having lean (not sure if consoles have it) but it's not really needed in this kind of game. So for them to say they built each version from the ground up.... Yeah, call me a skeptic.

PC'll always have its dedicated fan base. But it's reverting back to the ways of pre-mainstream gaming. Which is actually more a blessing than a curse. More independant titles usually ends up being more unique and new ideas, too. Variety is always a plus for the consumer and is capitalism in its purest and most honorable form. Support your mom and pop shops, please...checked the postal box and nothing :verymad: All this back and forth on these threads over the game's quality has whet my appetite and not detered as it appears it's done to most.

(I like to use 'em to put things in a better perspective) anology: Brink is like a hot chick/dude. First impressions are of her/him being sixy, smart, cool. You've heard all the buzz and can't wait 'til you get a chance at forming a relationship of some kind with this person. Now here is where all the mindless drones should pay careful attention...for whatever reasons, you're given a chance with this person. Now you could let all the talk of others experience sway you from getting to know the individual, or you could learn and make an opinion based off your own personal experience. The depth of the relationship you choose to form beyond that is up to your own personal deciding factors. Personally, I can't wait to TAP DAT *censored*!

The game isn't bad at all. But I find it very hard to play with its current issues. I can play in short bursts like 30 minutes to an hour with how it currently is... but I'd much rather be able to play for more extended periods of time than that. It's fun and has a lot of potential but with how everything is set up, the lack of communication from the devs, it's just really in a tough spot at the moment. I hope they can get some fixes out before they alienate too much of their playerbase.

The game was released early so as not to compete with some of the bigger releases in the coming months.
all these bugs will be ironed out soon i imagen,
dlc will come with added content (stated by team, dlc will be Value for money "dude with glasses')
and those of us that supported the game will be happy we didnt have to rebuy it when it starts to get popular.