Marine Mike Reviews: Magazines and Reloading

[Marine Mike]

I wonder why no one mentioned Swat (at least 4) here - seperate magazines, that you keep, and realoading half loaded ones if your out of full ones).
While I'm generally with you on the matter, some sacrifices have to be made (at least in multiplayer environments - things like a differing loading span on a random basis would be a terrible thing to do, as such can decide a duel, a whole game even, without any player being responsible for it (which is as much a no go, as dropping live magazines in iraq ;P )

Nice review though.

On the contrary, I think different loading spans would make those duels even more intense and satisfying when you come out as the victor. It would also drive players to do things like seek cover to reload and break the habit of reloading immediately after each kill.

 

[fanklok]

Waaaay back in the day I played Delta Force: Land Warrior it was some nonsense about Desert Storm (maybe). I just knew that there would be missions I got to use an automatic mounted grenade launcher (the mounted guns could actually run out of ammo in this) but when you reloaded you're guy dropped the mag (maybe they did it differently back then?) and it was gone forever and you still had that 1 chambered round.

Plus guns came with like 8 mags, and I know this'll sound crazy but the heavy machine guns actually held 200 rounds not 100 (those came with 2 of those drum belt thingies)

Then I discovered a few glitches and broken parts of the game (did you know picking up a half reloaded empty weapon gives it unlimited ammo?) and holding down ctrl (bound to fire on the keyboard by default) would make any gun shoot as fast as a machine gun even the 12 shot grenade launcher (it had one of those revolving chamber whatchamajiggers like a well revolver)

Hey Mike educate me on the proper terms for the stuff I didn't know/got wrong so I can sound smart over XBL.

 

[Marine Mike]

Very insightful, i've just looked at your other reviews, and i'm hooked. Interesting stuff. I would love to see one done on sights, e.g. Holographic/Red dot/thermal. Still, keep up with the great work.

Glad you enjoyed the articles, and combat optics is definitely a good topic that I'll probably hit on soon.

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

I have to say I agree with this but I do have an addiction with reloadingi n FPS because I can abuse this system. When I played Socom this never happened because you didn't drop magazine you just changed them with a different one. Although I don't remember if there was a bullet left in the chamber but they didn't drop magazines. Although in some weapons in CoD4 if you don't fire the last round the character doesn't cock the weapon which is something atleast.

 

[Tarrou]

Props to Mike, and he's DEFINITELY right about ammo carrying and reload times. I'd say the average infantryman should be able to reload in under a second and a half, and 8 mags is called the "basic combat load" for a reason, because it's the minimum. Almost everyone who leaves the FOB takes much more than that. My basic load was 12 mags on the vest, with eight more in the assault pack.

All that said Mike, I still like my shooters with a bit of non-realism. I've had enough time on the two-way range for one lifetime, and I'm not in a hurry to recreate it too closely. Realism shouldn't ever get in the way of a good game, so I cut developers a lot of slack in that regard. If it makes the game smoother or more balanced or enjoyable, feel free!

 

[Marine Mike]

Realism shouldn't ever get in the way of a good game, so I cut developers a lot of slack in that regard. If it makes the game smoother or more balanced or enjoyable, feel free!

Thats ultimately the point I'm trying to convey in these reviews. I offer insight into the real-world versions as compared to video games and try to offer my opinion on whether the differences were made for balancing issues, to make it more fun, or if it was just an oversight on the part of the developers. I strive to clear the air for all of the gamers that say "That is so unrealistic, the people who made this are idiots!" and respond with "Yes, its unrealistic... and this is why its better that way."

 

[BlackKraken]

I've always disliked in games where the shit hits the fan and you're still reloading like you've got all the time in the world.

"there are about a hundred guys coming for you, seriously, A LITTLE URGENCY HERE"

 

[51gunner]

- snip -

Marine Mike, I like your reviews.

I think MW2 is probably the absolute WORST example of silly ammunition handling out there as it fails in both single player and multiplayer. You mentioned multiplayer, with the 30:90, and I agree with you. It's even sillier when you notice the character models have about ten magazines on them... what's in the rest, pez dispensers?

I ended up explaining to some friends of mine just how dumb this is: I'm an Army Reservist (Canadian), Artillery by trade, and one of our mutual friends is a cook by trade. My friend the cook carries more ammo than someone in MW2 multiplayer...

Singleplayer is just as bad, in the opposite direction. I noticed with an ACR I was carrying 1290 rounds, counting the mag in my rifle. Where the hell would you put 42 spare magazines?

 

[Marine Mike]

- snip -

Marine Mike, I like your reviews.

I think MW2 is probably the absolute WORST example of silly ammunition handling out there as it fails in both single player and multiplayer. You mentioned multiplayer, with the 30:90, and I agree with you. It's even sillier when you notice the character models have about ten magazines on them... what's in the rest, pez dispensers?

I ended up explaining to some friends of mine just how dumb this is: I'm an Army Reservist (Canadian), Artillery by trade, and one of our mutual friends is a cook by trade. My friend the cook carries more ammo than someone in MW2 multiplayer...

Singleplayer is just as bad, in the opposite direction. I noticed with an ACR I was carrying 1290 rounds, counting the mag in my rifle. Where the hell would you put 42 spare magazines?

Its MW2, you only have 2 auto-refilling magazines and a backpack full of loose rounds... at least thats what the ammunition counter leads me to believe.

 

[Marine Mike]

- snip -

Marine Mike, I like your reviews.

I think MW2 is probably the absolute WORST example of silly ammunition handling out there as it fails in both single player and multiplayer. You mentioned multiplayer, with the 30:90, and I agree with you. It's even sillier when you notice the character models have about ten magazines on them... what's in the rest, pez dispensers?

I ended up explaining to some friends of mine just how dumb this is: I'm an Army Reservist (Canadian), Artillery by trade, and one of our mutual friends is a cook by trade. My friend the cook carries more ammo than someone in MW2 multiplayer...

Singleplayer is just as bad, in the opposite direction. I noticed with an ACR I was carrying 1290 rounds, counting the mag in my rifle. Where the hell would you put 42 spare magazines?

Its MW2, you only have 2 auto-refilling magazines and a backpack full of loose rounds... at least thats what the ammunition counter leads me to believe.

Also not to mention that 1290 rounds of loose 5.56mm ammunition would weigh about 35 pounds.

 

[Beartrucci]

I'm enjoying these reviews, they are very interesting to read, especially since you have actually been in combat and knows what it is like.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

HOLY SHIT!

Real marines reload FAST.

 

[Marine Mike]

Welcome back Escapists to another one of Marine Mike's reviews. /snipped

Fantastic review.

You could maybe look at everyones favourite the M203 in the future

Or my personal bugbear why guns using the same calibre (ie the M4, the L85, the G36) have such radically different handling and accuracy 'stats' in these games despite the real world differences being neglible (under 250 metres).

Your like the gaming equivalent of Box O' Truth

Could you imagine the rage if MW2 used the "normal combat load" of 6 40mm HE grenades? Grenade launchers is something I'm definitely going to end up doing. Also, you seem to have the same frustration with games as I do... the 5.56 bullet doesn't magically get more powerful if you use an M16 instead of an M4; sure the shorter barrel length does reduce muzzle velocity, but like you said the difference is negligible at the usual engagement ranges. Both excellent ideas and you can expect to see articles on grenade launchers and... Hmm, what would I put as a title for the other one?

 

[Sebenko]

I personally carried 8 magazines, and seen people carry as many as 14... and this was for patrols only lasting a couple hours.

I hear British soldiers carry a lot less ammo (Though this was told to me by a friend who was "going" to join the army. He did hang around with quite a few ex-military types though- maybe the retirement plan was jobs at PC world or something, so I don't know how reliable he is).

I'm just hunting the internet to try and find some figures...

 

[Arachon]

I really like your articles, you should consider talking to the Escapist staff about getting a column of your own on the site.

 

[Marine Mike]

I really like your articles, you should consider talking to the Escapist staff about getting a column of your own on the site.

You're actually the second person to mention that to me today. I'd love to see my work become official Escapist content, maybe if I get a few more reviews posted and start getting more views/comments the staff will take notice... anyone can help by shamelessly advertising this series! Start mic spamming on MW2 or BF:BC2 games, post links in other forums, hold other people's family members hostage until they create an Escapist account... OK, well maybe not the last one unless you really don't like their family.

Disclaimer: By reading this you agree that the entity known as "Marine Mike" is not liable for any repercussions as a result of kidnapping and/or hostage taking. The views and opinions expressed in these posts do not necessarily reflect those of a stable, well-balanced human being.