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Frontlines: Fuel of War Hands-On Preview for Xbox 360 (X360)

Frontlines: Fuel of War Hands-On Preview for Xbox 360 (X360)

Multiplayer Magic

January 18, 2008 – Kaos Studios and publisher THQ have come together to create a multiplayer FPS that looks like it will stand out from the ever-increasing crowd of online shooters. What make this title so different from others are the ever-present and malleable frontline system and the use of team tactics. Yesterday the CCCChamps got to take on two multiplayer maps called Mountaintop and Village, and man did we have fun! The 32 man multiplayer action of Frontlines is shaping up to be something special, a real game changer.

Frontlines: Fuel of War screenshot

The Frontline mechanic of the shooter allows for expansive level design without the dilution of action. Several key points of military interest will make up the frontline and act as choke points that concentrate the action into fiery pockets of death. These hotspots are neutral or are controlled by either the Alliance or Coalition forces. Thus, a line is drawn from objective to objective that demarcates the battlefront. This front is constantly changing as the targets fall to the various squads on the field of battle.

Your team’s goal is to control these zones, in any order, and gradually and constantly push back the frontline all the way to your enemy’s base. The only game that comes close to this mechanic is the War scenario in Call of Duty 3. However, this is not a very good comparison for two reasons. First, there are multiple objective points that can be taken in any order. Second, your team will be broken up into squads that use specific soldier load-outs (kits) and communication via the headset to achieve your objectives. The haphazard, how-fast-can-you-spawn, chaos of CoD 3 is replaced by deliberate and efficient strategy.

The use of team tactics is paramount to your success in these rich multiplayer battles. As part of a squad, you will have a specific role. This role can change with each death by changing your load-out, but generally you will play a key part in your team’s success by taking on specific responsibilities. This may seem confusing right now, but it is actually quite simple.

Frontlines: Fuel of War screenshot

You are able to choose from various weapon builds including Assault, Heavy Assault, Sniper, Anti-Vehicle, Special Ops, and Close Combat. Sounds familiar, right? Wrong! You’ll combine these basic weapons packs for your soldier along with a role. You will be supplied with additional tools and weapons depending on which role you select. These roles include Ground Support, Air Support, Drone Tech, and EMP Tech. Ground support can repair and set mines. Air Support will be able to call-in airstrikes. Drone Techs are able to use a multitude of little robots in order to support their squad. The drones available to you will depend upon your team’s affiliation and your skill level. I’m not going to go through each drone, but let’s just say that there are awesome little helicopters, mini-guns, and mortar cannons. These remote controlled, mechanical helpers can be utilized in order to take out perched snipers, get your squad a better view of the battlefield or sent in to take out heavily armored vehicles. Drones are not invincible, however, and armor isn’t either. They both can be foiled by strategically placed EMP Techs. EMP Techs are able to stop vehicles, stay concealed from recon drones, and have the positions of both those drones and their operators available on their HUDs in order to silence the threat of their Drone Tech enemies.

So, what does this all mean? Lots of variety and tactical nuances. For example, you can build your soldier with various load-out and role combos that will best suit your squad’s needs. Maybe your squad is going to need a good long distance guy that can defend a position by taking out the bad guys before they get too close to an important objective. In that case, have the player choose the Sniper load-out and take on the Drone Tech role. That way he’ll be able to send up a scout drone to give him a better view of the area and then set up sighted death lanes with his rifle. You could also have someone be a menace to enemy armor choosing the Anti-vehicle load-out and the EMP Tech role in order to give him a dual-mode rocket launcher that can stop the vehicles in their tracks and then finish them off with fireworks. These are just a couple of the 24 possible combinations. Are you beginning to see just how different this game really is?

Frontlines: Fuel of War screenshot

After you’ve gotten everyone’s roles ironed out, you will be supported by excellent squad communication. Comms will prove to be crucial in the use of proper team tactics. You will be in constant contact with your squad mates in order to meet your objectives efficiently. This allows your squad leader to issue orders to certain members to flank around the side, cover your six, or find a perch to rain down fire. The combination of specific role build-outs and team tactics from communication within your squad will make Frontlines: Fuel of War an amazing multiplayer experience that simply can’t be duplicated by any game.

This game is shaping up to be an amazing online blitz. I hope players will really take advantage of all the wonderful tools that they have available to them. During our play test, a lot of players, including myself, were too used to the old way virtual fighting. We were not using load-outs and roles correctly, and we kept using the various vehicles in a chaotic rather than methodical fashion. I suppose we weren’t quite ready for the shift in tactical paradigm. However, I’m sure that will all change after just a couple of sessions and I am anxiously anticipating its release in late February. Meanwhile my trigger finger is getting itchy. I also hope the single player mode that will be included will rival the multiplayer fun. If it doesn’t it would be a shame, but it won’t be particularly consequential. Frontlines: Fuel of War’s multiplayer action is so good it could stand alone. Check back in six weeks for a full run down on the final version.

Features:

  • Frontlines System: Combat in Frontlines: Fuel of War is focused and intense, in a system that inherently promotes teamwork by creating a unified front of war. In both single player and multiplayer, players join the forces on the frontline that result in focused combat and increased intensity while allowing player choice.
  • Open World Environment: Through intensely cinematic, non-linear objectives, players assume the role of an elite soldier. Players can create their own path to victory with non-linear objectives and destructible environments.
  • Next Generation Firepower: Join the future of war with over 60 vehicles and weapons based off real military designs of the near future. From futuristic tanks and jets to remote controlled drones and sentry guns, feel the adrenaline rush of utilizing next generation firepower on the battlefield.
  • Customizable Soldier System: Character customization allows you to represent your play style through character choices, weapon load-out, and role specialization. Upgradeable character roles encourage experimentation, increases replay value, and combined with the open world environment and teamwork, provide numerous combinations to achieve objectives.
  • Advanced Team Play: Supports up to 32+ on Console and 64+ players on PC via LAN or Internet for large scale wars online utilizing shared targeting systems, squad-based VOIP and more to promote teamwork.


  • Fuel for thought

    March 2, 2007 – In the modern-day world, fossil fuels are one of humanity’s most precious and limited resources. More specifically, oil is the lifeblood of modern human existence. As the world’s population continues to grow, the amount of oil necessary to sustain us increases. With increased demand comes higher consumption, higher prices, and a rapidly dwindling supply. Combine this finite supply with the fuel’s incredible importance to everyone’s day-to-day lives and our future begins to look bleak.

    Frontlines: Fuel of War screenshot

    Every country in the world will want to ensure that they will have enough oil to support their own populations. This rationale may eventually lead to violence in order for these countries to guarantee their necessary supply of oil. This not too distant and horrifying future is the backdrop for Frontlines: Fuel of War.

    Fuel of War’s gameplay takes place in the year 2024. By this point, the lack of oil has driven societies to begin fighting one another to procure every last available drop. Eventually, two global powers emerge to decide the fate of all that remains of this precious necessity. Developed by Kaos Studios, Fuel of War will have players joining the Western Coalition (USA and Europe) or the Red Star Alliance (China and Russia). Kaos Studios may be a fairly new development team but they are well versed in the art of war. Several of Kaos’ members have helped to create the Desert Combat modification for Battlefield 1942 and worked on Battlefield 2. With this kind of pedigree, we can expect some great things from their upcoming release.

    To help differentiate Fuel of War from the other war games on the market, Kaos Studios has implemented a new Frontline mechanic into the mix. To win a battle, players must advance their frontlines, effectively pushing their enemy into a retreat. While on the battlefield, players will be given objectives that will vary depending on what is happening in the skirmish. If the enemy begins to seriously attack an important placement, the player may be given the objective of defending it against the onslaught. Unlike most war games however, battles will not be won by a player’s Rambo-esque character turning the tides of the fight. Instead, gameplay will be heavily focused on teamwork and strategy. Players will need to constantly outthink the opposition and work together like a well-oiled machine to complete objectives and achieve victory. Fuel of War should satisfy fans of single player and multiplayer gameplay alike. The single player experience will unfold in a nonlinear campaign with varying objectives to keep players on their toes. Multiplayer however, as mentioned before, will be heavily team focused. While no official number of online players has been given, all three versions are said to support 32 or more players at a time.

    Frontlines: Fuel of War screenshot

    Also new to the game are several role-playing game elements that have been added to the gameplay. Players will be able to customize their characters by choosing their role (class), weapons loadout, and by leveling up essential skills. There will be four roles to choose from, each with their own advantages. Some examples are ground support, which specializes in armor, defense, and repair while drone tech focuses on using remote-controlled drones for reconnaissance and offensive purposes. Players can switch between roles and level up each of them for more diversity. Each role will receive bonuses when they level up that will equip the player with essential battlefield skills. Players will also be able to change their weapons’ loadouts to suit the situation. With over 60 near-futuristic vehicles and weapons to choose from, there is a good weapon for every style of player. To keep these vehicles and weapons from feeling unrealistic, they are all based on real world designs that currently exist.

    Players looking forward to this game should be pleased no matter which version they play. All three versions are supposed to be basically the same. The only difference comes in the PS3 version’s Sixaxis implementation. The Sixaxis’ motion-sensing movements will be used for object interaction, controlling helicopters, aiming, and more. This may initially seem to be an advantage, but after reviewing how poorly the Sixaxis has been implemented in games to date, it quickly becomes questionable.

    Frontlines: Fuel of War screenshot

    Until we get a chance to play this game, we will just have to keep our fingers crossed that Kaos Studios can make it work properly. No matter which system you play it on, look for Fuel of War to spark some excellent single and multiplayer combat upon its release.

    Features:

  • Tomorrow’s weapons, today: As depicted in F.O.W., the U.S./E.U. and Russia/China have combined their military research and budgets, and the result is over 60 next-gen vehicles and weapons inspired by military designs for the near future. This includes remote controlled drones, gun cams, and next-generation counter-measures systems, all of which are player-controllable.
  • Advanced information sharing: Use high-tech combat systems to collect and relay recon, targeting, and threat information between team mates. Target acquisition and sharing between vehicle occupants is just one example of F.O.W.’s focus on an advanced team play experience.
  • Customization: The customization system allows players to grow their soldier to fit their play style by choosing a weapons loadout, as well as a technical specialization (role). As the game progresses each role will upgrade, providing advanced equipment and abilities. The system is a mix of RPG-like depth but with the accessibility of a fast-paced FPS.
  • Frontline combat system: The main game mechanic featured in F.O.W. in both in single player and multiplayer, is the ability to join the forces on the front line. This front expands across large portions of a mission and will require a strategy to achieve the contextual objectives in order to move this front forward. Not only does this system keep the battle centric and players in the midst of the action, it gives a unique sense of advancement as your Division is rewarded with territory for their victories.
  • Choose your path to victory: Within the front, players can take advantage of a sandbox of destructible elements and various weapons of war to create their own unique paths and strategies. Instead of failing and re-playing the same sequence of events, players can ‘chip-away’ with varied approaches, allowing diverse missions with high replay value.

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