MAG: Is it any good?

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As the Beta comes to an end, what do we think of Sony's ambitious 256 player shooter?

Amazingly, people actually follow orders - in the Beta, at least. Partly because you get a FRAGO bonus, boosting your XP - so following 'FRAGmentary Orders' issued by squad leaders and you'll get promoted and unlock new weapons or abilities. Mainly, though, the whole game is built around teamwork, so going solo in MAG is like going clubbing without any friends. Sure, you get to hear the music and see the lights but you are alone. So very alone.

The guns could be stronger. Both literally - it can feel like you're hosing enemies to no effect - and in terms of overall impact. Squeeze the trigger in Modern Warfare 2 and it's like a metal terrier barking in your hand. In MAG it's more like someone someone saying 'bang!' but not really feeling it.


Above: MAG's guns: weak sauce

 Vehicles also feel a little misplaced. They don't seem to fit in on the maps. They can only really get around on the roads. You can tear into the nearest fight but rather than having a decisive affect on the tide of battle it's more a case of trying to park once you're there. While people shoot at you.

It's still impressive, though. Both for the sheer size of the damn thing and because people are taking it seriously. We never managed a promotion to a command rank because the Beta only allowed one character save, meaning we had to keep deleting it to try out each of the factions (more on those in a moment).

Fortunately you don't have to have your heart set on Commander In Chief Of The Whole Universe to enjoy yourself. Most of the action is on the ground, in direct conflict, anyway. So as long as you don't mind following orders (blow up the flashing bit of the map, usually) then things are looking good for MAG.

Next: The game has three playable factions: how different are they?

Leon Hurley
Leon Hurley
Managing editor for guides

I'm GamesRadar's Managing Editor for guides. I also write reviews, previews and features, largely about horror, action adventure, FPS and open world games. I previously worked on Kotaku, and the Official PlayStation Magazine and website.