CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE

Call of Duty 4 features team-based and deathmatch-based multiplayer modes on various maps. Each mode has an objective that requires unique strategies to complete. Players can call in UAV reconnaissance scans, air strikes, and attack helicopters, either an AH-1 Cobra for S.A.S. or USMC or an Mi-24 for OpFor or Spetsnaz, when they achieve three-, five-, and seven-enemy kill streaks respectively.

A game ends when either a team has reached a predefined number of points, or the allotted time expires in which case the team with the most points wins. However in the rare case the points are even when the time expires, Sudden Death mode is activated in which there is no re-spawning and the team who either has the last man standing, or achieves the objective first are the winners. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare also offers a great single player campaign and was awarded the 2007 Game of The Year award.

KILLZONE 2

KILLZONE 2, the latest next-gen multiplayer shooter that is looking to evolutionize the genre offers an unmatched single player campaign with robust multiplayer feature. Warzone, the title of the multiplayer component of Killzone 2 has been developed by Guerrilla Games in conjunction with the game’s single-player campaign. The multiplayer gameplay is class-based, meaning the player can choose a class of character which is specialized for a specific role to better suit the player’s needs in battle. There are 7 classes in total, in which the player can mix and match two according to their playing style, and can switch abilities upon death. Players play as either the ISA or Helghast, with no gameplay difference pending on which team one is assigned to other than character model. Each class levels up with experience gained from killing or completing mission objectives, with enough experience they unlock new weapons, skills etc. as well as a new class that is unlocked. Each class has two badges, the Primary badge selects the class and their specified skill, the secondary badge has an extra skill for the specified class but can be swapped to custom create your own class. KILLZONE 2 is an incredible example of what can be accomplished by a game developer that takes their time with the PS3 hardware.

HALO 3

Players must actively seek out other players through their Xbox Live Friends list, using the party invite system, or the LAN search feature to play multiplayer matches with their own custom rules and customized maps. If they are connected to Xbox Live however, a player can choose to have the game decide for them the exact rules and map to play on, as well as finding additional people to play against or with, using the “Matchmaking” system (the automated grouping of players of similar skill). A player will decide from a selection of developer designed “playlists” which each contain a certain way to experience the game. The games contained within a playlist can range from 1 vs 1 free for all, to 8 vs 8 team play, often focusing on either deathmatch games (known as “Slayer” in Halo), objective games ‘Capture the Flag’ or a combination of the two. The playlists are regularly updated; either to remove unpopular types of games or map variants, fix ones that do not work well, or to introduce entirely new gametypes or whole playlists.

Like other multiplayer Xbox 360 titles, Halo 3 uses a customized version of TrueSkill ranking system for its matchmaking on a per-playlist basis (a player’s performance in one playlist will not affect who they are matched against in another playlist). On top of this, a linear measure of a player’s experience with the matchmade portion of the game and each particular playlist (as of TU2) is also tracked (denoted as XP). Rank insignia are unlocked and displayed by a player’s Gamertag as they attain certain totals of XP (and/or skill level). To help players have an enjoyable time online, several peace-of-mind features are implemented within easy reach, such as avoid/feedback options on a player’s service record, as well as voice chat mute straight from the in-game scoreboard. Like Halo 2, Halo 3 supports downloadable content and updates. Recently Halo 3 made a milestone accomplishment by registering one billion games played online which has now been played for the equivalent of more than 64,100 years. Crazy, I know.

RESISTANCE 2

60 players online and it doesn’t get any better than that for a console shooter. Resistance 2 Resistance 2 features multiplayer in two variations: cooperative and competitive. Both multiplayer modes track the player’s performance, gaining experience and leading to benefits and rewards, as well as assigning the player a skill ranking.

Unlike its predecessor, Resistance 2 does not offer co-op for the single player campaign. Cooperative mode features a separate campaign mode which runs parallel to the single-player campaign. The cooperative campaign supports anything from two to eight players, taking the role of a special forces group called “Spectre Team”. Players are tasked with many randomized objectives around the map, while defeating hordes of Chimera in the process. The strength of the enemy forces is altered based on the number of players and their skill levels. There are three classes to choose from: Special Ops – long-distance damage dealers, who also provide ammunition; Soldiers – the “tanks” who endure the most damage; and Medics – who drain life from enemies and impart to teammates.

Competitive mode features support for up to 60 players at any given time; the highest number of players for any console online game as of Resistance 2′s release. Four games modes are available: Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag (Core Control) and Skirmish, while involved players getting split up into squads of five and take part in objective-based proxy-battles. Players can play as either the Humans or the Chimerans, and get to choose their weapon loadout before and during a game while respawning. Maps have varying sizes and layouts for the different game modes and number of players. Truth be told this is probably the most robust online shooter next two KILLZONE 2 on todays next-gen consoles.

SOCOM: Confrontation

My personal All-Time favorite, SOCOM which was a huge crowd pleaser back in the days of the PS2. Now developer Slant Six has brought this popular series to the next-gen consoles by way of the PS3. SOCOM: Confrontation at it’s release brought about many problems for online users. SOCOM: Confrontation received mixed reviews at its North American launch as critics cited technical issues, lag, missing features that were advertised, and only seven maps. A major bug present at the game’s release caused many player’s systems to crash while either looking for a match or at other various points during gameplay. However most of the issues were addressed by series of game updates. From lagging problems to a lack of stable server support SOCOM: Confrontation did not have a happy reception. However, today SOCOM: Confrontation has been beffed up with Playstation Network trophy support and more reliable server suport. For fan of the series, SOCOM: Confrontation is better than ever. Offering the best team based clan support on the internet, SOCOM: Confrontation is an internet based game that definitely brings delivers.