Battlefield 1943

[sambo]

Here's a quick test to establish just how old-school you are. When you think of the Battlefield series, what imagery pops into your head? Perhaps it's the gritty realism of BF: Bad Company. Or if you're a bit more of a veteran, it may be the zoomy player-switching of BF2: Modern Combat.

The main fact of the matter is that the Battlefield format was originally designed for Battlefield 1942, a PC game with WWII vehicles and weaponry, rather than the surgical strikes of modern warfare.

And we're actually inclined to think that the more antiquated kit suits the game better. None of this fire and forget nonsense - if you want to kill your foe, you're going to have to ruddy well plug him yourself.
This return to the classic pacing makes Battlefield 1943: Pacific an enormously satisfying shooter. DICE has selected three of the most popular maps from the original game, including our personal favourite Wake Island, and has added the destructible buildings and graphical polish of its Frostbite engine.

The result is a gorgeous tropical paradise ripe for ruination and easily the prettiest XBLA game around.

Fighting chance
Wherever you fit into Battlefield 1943's war machine, you're guaranteed a good time. Take the air combat - there's no denying that planes can be tough to control initially (we swapped the sticks around in the menu almost instantly), but once you've managed to learn the art of keeping them in the air, there are thrilling low-tech dogfights and near-kamikaze bombing runs to be had.

However, if you don't like jumping into the cockpit, even just sitting on a flak cannon and attempting to skeet-shoot enemy bombers out of the sky is a pleasing contribution to the cause.

On foot, the combat is similarly solid and satisfying. This isn't a realistic shooter, so players are able to absorb a chunk of machine gun fire before they drop to the deck. The anti-tank rocket launcher is a fiddle, but when you judge the arc perfectly and take out a vehicle or emplacement from miles away you'll be punching the air with glee.

We do have one minor niggle, though, and that's with the grenades - it's possible to hurl them into a low orbit, as if your soldier has a Popeye-sized throwing arm.

The only thing lacking in Battlefield 1943: Pacific is AI infantry to fill any empty spots. Okay, it's supposed to be a purely multiplayer game, but AI would allow you to play with a squad - just a few mates of a similar skill level - while still enjoying a full-scale battle.
Battlefield 1943: Pacific is slimmed down where necessary and expanded in all the right places to haul the mechanics of Battlefield 1942 up to the standard of modern shooters.

It may only have three maps (with an extra one appearing when players total 43 million kills), but they are among the best in the entire series. If you're looking for a great multiplayer shooter with all the flab trimmed away, Battlefield 1943 is going to have you gripped this summer.

[Failed]

I find it a bit pricey.

[sambo]

Is'nt everything.

[sambo]

I am considering getting this, Has anyone tried it?

[Failed]

ask PR1MEVIL he plays it every day.

[GamerMan316]

The download-only game has set records for downloads on both PSN and Xbox Live.

A lot of anticipation led up to the release of Battlefield 1943, and DICE and Electronic Arts today confirmed that the fans have responded enthusiastically. The download-only game has becine the fastest selling title during the first day and week after launch on both PSN and Xbox Live.  Battlefield 1943 has sold over 600,000 copies since launching July 8, 2009.

"We are honored by the reception that the game has received so far," says Gordon Van Dyke, Producer on Battlefield 1943. "Watching and participating in this non-stop multiplayer action has been a real treat for us and we can't believe how fast our fans reached 43 million kills. We can now truly say that we have set a new standard for what can be done in the downloadable games category and gamers recognize the endless value that Battlefield 1943 provides for just $15."

Battlefield 1943 is now available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and the PlayStation Network for 1200 MS Points or $15.

[nCogNeato]

I haven't played the game yet, but I'll definitely pick it up if they use it as a Deal of the Week.

The last I heard, the Xbox 360 version has already outplayed the PS3 version nearly 2:1.  At some point, new maps are supposed to unlock, so at this rate the Xbox 360 version is going to get it first.   

[sambo]

Battlefield 1943 producer Gordon Van Dyke has told Joystiq the reason why there hasn't been any DLC for the downloadable title yet.
The reason, simply enough, is that the DICE team has been too busy.

"We don't have any immediate plans right now, but it's not ruled out," says Van Dyke about potential DLC. "There's a lot of pressure on the team for Battlefield 3 and Battlefield: Bad Company 2... we don't want to stretch things too thin and and make something that's not up to quality.

We just want to make sure we keep our options open, and make sure that the decision we land on is what's best for everyone. We don't want to be that company that pushes out DLC just for DLC's sake."

[GamerMan316]

According to a post i've just seen on the xbox.com forums, Battlefield 1943 will be available for 400 MS Points on New Years Eve as part of the Countdown To New Year Deals.  Hope it's true, we might all finally get to play this game online with Sarge  

Listed Deals (also posted on the Eurogamer Forums)

20th, New Year Theme free
21th, Lips DLC previously 180 points now 80 points
22th, LIVE Arcade Rez HD, 800 -> 400
23th, LIVE Arcade MARVEL VS. CAPCOM 2, 1200 -> 560
24th, LIVE Arcade, UNO Rush 800 -> 400
25th, LIVE Arcade, The Secret of Monkey Island 800 -> 400
26th, LIVE Arcade, Magic:The Gathering 800 -> 400
27th, Fallout® 3 DLC 400
28th, Guitar Hero 5 Rolling Stones Live Track Pack 720 -> 320
29th, LIVE Arcade, Braid, 1200 -> 560
30th, LIVE Arcade, Castle Crashers, 1200 -> 560
31th, LIVE Arcade, Battlefield 1943, 1200 -> 400

[sambo]

Some good deals there. I think I will get Battlefield 1943. Braid looks a good deal also. I already have Marvel v Capcom 2, But can recommend the game to others.

[Failed]

My credit card company is gonna love me, getting.

22th, LIVE Arcade Rez HD, 800 -> 400
23th, LIVE Arcade MARVEL VS. CAPCOM 2, 1200 -> 560
24th, LIVE Arcade, UNO Rush 800 -> 400
25th, LIVE Arcade, The Secret of Monkey Island 800 -> 400
26th, LIVE Arcade, Magic:The Gathering 800 -> 400
29th, LIVE Arcade, Braid, 1200 -> 560
30th, LIVE Arcade, Castle Crashers, 1200 -> 560
31th, LIVE Arcade, Battlefield 1943, 1200 -> 400

and Shadow Complex and Maw, which are Deals of the Week! for 800 and 400msp respectively.

= 4880msp holy cowpat!

[GamerMan316]

Just Shadow Complex & Battlefield for me I think, maybe Monkey Island too, hardly any room on my crappy 20gb hard drive though.

[Failed]

Looking at Rez on xbox.com and it's still 800msp.

[NeuroticSarge]

According to a post i've just seen on the xbox.com forums, Battlefield 1943 will be available for 400 MS Points on New Years Eve as part of the Countdown To New Year Deals.  Hope it's true, we might all finally get to play this game online with Sarge  

Listed Deals (also posted on the Eurogamer Forums)

20th, New Year Theme free
21th, Lips DLC previously 180 points now 80 points
22th, LIVE Arcade Rez HD, 800 -> 400
23th, LIVE Arcade MARVEL VS. CAPCOM 2, 1200 -> 560
24th, LIVE Arcade, UNO Rush 800 -> 400
25th, LIVE Arcade, The Secret of Monkey Island 800 -> 400
26th, LIVE Arcade, Magic:The Gathering 800 -> 400
27th, Fallout® 3 DLC 400
28th, Guitar Hero 5 Rolling Stones Live Track Pack 720 -> 320
29th, LIVE Arcade, Braid, 1200 -> 560
30th, LIVE Arcade, Castle Crashers, 1200 -> 560
31th, LIVE Arcade, Battlefield 1943, 1200 -> 400

I live in hope!

[Failed]

The list has been mostly right so far with only Rez and Magic the Gathering (Japan only) being wrong.