BiA-EiB VS CoD 2 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Kodega · 10-31-2005, 06:41 PM

Well, I have played both games through and decided to write about each a bit in side by side comparison. Unless I specifically say make mention of the first ones, I'm referring to the second game.

AI: BiA AI has generally increased from the first game. The enemy moves, flanks and tends to make semi-intelligent decisions. They aren't perfect and can be flushed into the open. They can also be tricky. Ally AI is kind of weak, they do what you say and not much more, though they don't tend to give nearly as many "I can't shoot there!" messages as they did in the first. Enemies will shoot at everyone and wipe out your squads just as easily as they will wipe out you.

CoDs AI on the other hand seems to have taken a step backwards it seems. Almost every time you engage an enemy, they will throw a grenade and then shoot at you. It's like clockwork. Which is funny if you engage 6 or more enemies as the enemy will literally nade spam you. Also, the AI has a nasty habit of concentrating fire on your character only. You will move up and literally every enemy will ignore the npcs to fire at you. Allies also have an annoying tendency to run in front of your firing weapons. I've had to restart levels several times when the computer decided I was shooting to many friendlies, which is extremely annoying.

Killing enemies in BiA is rewarding, and they stay dead. In CoD there is times when there is no reason to kill enemies as they will keep spawning. I have sat and kill 20 waves of spawning enemies before I decided to move on. Very few times will you kill groups of enemies and they'll stay dead.

Graphics: CoD graphics are quite easily the best, however the smooth play is gone. With A 9800xt, P4 2.8ghz, 1gig ram I can only play on 800-600 with medium graphic settings and get smooth game play (Yes I updated my drivers, cleaned hard drive, defrag, the works). I hope it's a graphical incompatibly issue and not that my computer can't play at higher resolution. BiA however looks a lot like the original, no real noticeable graphic updates.

Sound is a big win for BiA, weapons sound great and varied. You can usually tell weapons apart by there sound. CoD guns all sound roughly alike, and kind of weak to boot.

Musical scores is a tie, sadly CoD no longer seems to have the memorable music scores it had in the original. No real Pegasus Bridge scores this time around. BiA never had much of any music in the original, the same holds true for the sequel.

Game play: It seems that every time I play BiA every situation has to be handled differently, tanks, field arty, mortars, MG-42's, 88's and an enemy that feels like it actually wants you dead, and will give you hell. While some people might be turned off by the fact that weapons aren't going to always hit where you put your iron sights, I find it adds a nice depth of play. If you can get past the fact that the graphics are basically the same you'll find this game is a lot more than a rehash people (who haven't played this game I think) claim it is.

CoD is a very cinematic experience, unfortunately after playing this game through; I can't help but wonder if they shafted AI and play elements to make it so cinematic. The enemy has a basic paint-by-numbers AI. The only thing that really changes is the amount of enemies and how accurate they are. By the time you finish you pretty much know what the enemy will do when you engage them.

Most memorable game play moment:

CoD's most memorable moment is easily the Tank Blitz across the North African desert. Tanks will be shooting at you, arty going off everywhere. A lot of fun.

BiA's is the first time I came across an 88. The thing blows a tree apart and then you get to flank it. Weee.

In all, I've had a lot more fun with BiA-EiB then CoD 2, both are good games, but while CoD 2 seems to have focused more on visual experience, BiA-EiB was ramping up everything else and left the graphics seemingly alone.

Ooooh my first wall of text.

Coppertop · 10-31-2005, 07:38 PM

What about multiplay?

Kodega · 10-31-2005, 08:53 PM

I haven't play either of these online as I didn't enjoy either of the originals online. Still I should probably give them a chance, I'll try em for a couple hours each to get a good feel for them and give my opinion.

Coppertop · 11-17-2005, 02:55 PM

So, any updates for us?

portwineboy · 11-22-2005, 03:43 PM

I went out and picked up BIA EIB after reading this review. Nice post Kodega.

I didn't play the first BIA.

BIA is a completely different game than COD. Much more tactical. Let me say that again. Much more tactical. I didn't enjoy the Unreal graphics or the very poor voice acting. I did enjoy the gameplay a lot. I was very frustrated by the lack of save points or health packs but once I realized that the game gave my squad a free heal after the 4th or 5th time loading it wasn't so bad. I really don't like the weapon sights. I could (and have) done better with a real M1 than I can in game. I know COD was bit crazy on accuracy but I'd like a happy middle ground that BIA didn't give me. I felt like some insurgent doing a pray and spray every time I pulled the trigger. However, it seems like everything was well thought out in terms of realism, so maybe this is meant to portray what it's like to be shooting while being shot at...a situation I've certainly never been in before.

I think that if it weren't for the bad voice acting I'd be loving this game. It's hard but very very rewarding.

No time to try online play so can't comment there.

ToiletDuck · 11-22-2005, 05:19 PM

BIA, It was ok. I did like the squad based play (kinda diffrent having to think of what your going to do) Did not care that i felt like i was strung out from crack while trying to aim down the iron sites. Dude shakes more than my buddys 16+ year old dog. MP? sigh, no fun playing with bots is all i can say.

COD2 was a letdown but i guess M$ offered enough cash to Activision and IW as this game is a port from the Xbox 360 version. small maps, little to zero recoil, nade locator, blips on the compass and whatnot. New health regen sucks as well. Ive gone back to CODuo as i wait for the modders to hopefully bring this game back to make it feel like it belongs on a PC. Ohh, yeah, no vehicles either for MP. Lets hope GM gets to make the next add-on.

10-31-2005, 06:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kodega Crazy	BiA-EiB VS CoD 2 Well, I have played both games through and decided to write about each a bit in side by side comparison. Unless I specifically say make mention of the first ones, I'm referring to the second game. AI: BiA AI has generally increased from the first game. The enemy moves, flanks and tends to make semi-intelligent decisions. They aren't perfect and can be flushed into the open. They can also be tricky. Ally AI is kind of weak, they do what you say and not much more, though they don't tend to give nearly as many "I can't shoot there!" messages as they did in the first. Enemies will shoot at everyone and wipe out your squads just as easily as they will wipe out you. CoDs AI on the other hand seems to have taken a step backwards it seems. Almost every time you engage an enemy, they will throw a grenade and then shoot at you. It's like clockwork. Which is funny if you engage 6 or more enemies as the enemy will literally nade spam you. Also, the AI has a nasty habit of concentrating fire on your character only. You will move up and literally every enemy will ignore the npcs to fire at you. Allies also have an annoying tendency to run in front of your firing weapons. I've had to restart levels several times when the computer decided I was shooting to many friendlies, which is extremely annoying. Killing enemies in BiA is rewarding, and they stay dead. In CoD there is times when there is no reason to kill enemies as they will keep spawning. I have sat and kill 20 waves of spawning enemies before I decided to move on. Very few times will you kill groups of enemies and they'll stay dead. Graphics: CoD graphics are quite easily the best, however the smooth play is gone. With A 9800xt, P4 2.8ghz, 1gig ram I can only play on 800-600 with medium graphic settings and get smooth game play (Yes I updated my drivers, cleaned hard drive, defrag, the works). I hope it's a graphical incompatibly issue and not that my computer can't play at higher resolution. BiA however looks a lot like the original, no real noticeable graphic updates. Sound is a big win for BiA, weapons sound great and varied. You can usually tell weapons apart by there sound. CoD guns all sound roughly alike, and kind of weak to boot. Musical scores is a tie, sadly CoD no longer seems to have the memorable music scores it had in the original. No real Pegasus Bridge scores this time around. BiA never had much of any music in the original, the same holds true for the sequel. Game play: It seems that every time I play BiA every situation has to be handled differently, tanks, field arty, mortars, MG-42's, 88's and an enemy that feels like it actually wants you dead, and will give you hell. While some people might be turned off by the fact that weapons aren't going to always hit where you put your iron sights, I find it adds a nice depth of play. If you can get past the fact that the graphics are basically the same you'll find this game is a lot more than a rehash people (who haven't played this game I think) claim it is. CoD is a very cinematic experience, unfortunately after playing this game through; I can't help but wonder if they shafted AI and play elements to make it so cinematic. The enemy has a basic paint-by-numbers AI. The only thing that really changes is the amount of enemies and how accurate they are. By the time you finish you pretty much know what the enemy will do when you engage them. Most memorable game play moment: CoD's most memorable moment is easily the Tank Blitz across the North African desert. Tanks will be shooting at you, arty going off everywhere. A lot of fun. BiA's is the first time I came across an 88. The thing blows a tree apart and then you get to flank it. Weee. In all, I've had a lot more fun with BiA-EiB then CoD 2, both are good games, but while CoD 2 seems to have focused more on visual experience, BiA-EiB was ramping up everything else and left the graphics seemingly alone. Ooooh my first wall of text.

11-22-2005, 03:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
portwineboy Master of No Domains Location: WEEhawken, New Joisey	I went out and picked up BIA EIB after reading this review. Nice post Kodega. I didn't play the first BIA. BIA is a completely different game than COD. Much more tactical. Let me say that again. Much more tactical. I didn't enjoy the Unreal graphics or the very poor voice acting. I did enjoy the gameplay a lot. I was very frustrated by the lack of save points or health packs but once I realized that the game gave my squad a free heal after the 4th or 5th time loading it wasn't so bad. I really don't like the weapon sights. I could (and have) done better with a real M1 than I can in game. I know COD was bit crazy on accuracy but I'd like a happy middle ground that BIA didn't give me. I felt like some insurgent doing a pray and spray every time I pulled the trigger. However, it seems like everything was well thought out in terms of realism, so maybe this is meant to portray what it's like to be shooting while being shot at...a situation I've certainly never been in before. I think that if it weren't for the bad voice acting I'd be loving this game. It's hard but very very rewarding. No time to try online play so can't comment there. __________________ If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran. Last edited by portwineboy; 11-22-2005 at 03:45 PM..

10-31-2005, 07:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
Coppertop Getting Medieval on your ass Location: 13th century Europe	What about multiplay?

10-31-2005, 08:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kodega Crazy	I haven't play either of these online as I didn't enjoy either of the originals online. Still I should probably give them a chance, I'll try em for a couple hours each to get a good feel for them and give my opinion.

11-17-2005, 02:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
Coppertop Getting Medieval on your ass Location: 13th century Europe	So, any updates for us?

11-22-2005, 05:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
ToiletDuck Insane Location: In beautiful (YOUR AREA)	BIA, It was ok. I did like the squad based play (kinda diffrent having to think of what your going to do) Did not care that i felt like i was strung out from crack while trying to aim down the iron sites. Dude shakes more than my buddys 16+ year old dog. MP? sigh, no fun playing with bots is all i can say. COD2 was a letdown but i guess M$ offered enough cash to Activision and IW as this game is a port from the Xbox 360 version. small maps, little to zero recoil, nade locator, blips on the compass and whatnot. New health regen sucks as well. Ive gone back to CODuo as i wait for the modders to hopefully bring this game back to make it feel like it belongs on a PC. Ohh, yeah, no vehicles either for MP. Lets hope GM gets to make the next add-on.