OK, I will post an actual review. I've played about 6 hours worth, mostly CTF, but a few games of Fuel.
Overall I like it. A lot.
Skiing fast takes a lot of skill. I occasionally hit really good ski routes and that will be the difference between being really good and just being OK. But I would say that the act of skiing takes more skill than in T2. T2 is about knowing the routes, T:V is about knowing the routes and executing properly.
The game moves faster overall, and a good player can move really fast. This may turn out to be a problem once people perfect skiing. It would be very difficult to shoot someone moving at high speed like that.
Maps. Now granted there are only a few maps, but the smaller ones are not too good. They are just too small for a game that moves this quick. You know I'm not a capper, but on Cavern, I could cap the flag in about 5 or 6 seconds and no one was able to catch me. The bigger maps are better, they allow for more strategy capping is harder and therefore more fun.
Armors. I like the armor differences. The 3 are pretty equal, and I usually play in medium. In fact I cap in medium when I do it. Only having 3 weapons is a bit of a drag, but not as big a deal as I thought it would be. You don't have to bring the missile launcher as in T2, so that is one less weapon slot you need.
Turrets. The new deployable are much bigger and easier to see, so it will take more skill to farm them in areas that are more hidden but have a good field of fire. 2 shots from a disc takes them out. I like the new farming system of being able to pick up a pack plus a deployable. It means you can farm part time. Put out a turret, then go attack the enemy base. The big turrets you have to man. They are fun to play and powerful, but you can get killed while manning them. A good balance I think.
Weapons. No shocklance, fine by me. The chaingun heats up and spreads out as you shoot. Doesn't seem to be a problem with me unless you're shooting far away. The grappler I just can't get the hang of. This will take a lot of practice. I don't even using when capping on Cavern which is a cave map designed especially for it. Disc is basically the same, but it seems easier to MA with it. Burner catches people of fire for sustained damage, but takes energy. I don't use it except on gens or when HOFing. Grenade launcher is the same and is pretty powerful against people stuck on the ground. Mortar is easier to use becuase it has much less arc to it. I keep overshooting with it. Shotgun thing I haven't used much, but it would be good indoors. It's mostly useless past about maybe 30 feet or so. Laser I've only used a few times, so I can't comment. Rocket things seem to be very underpowered. Supposed to be good against vehicles, but it doesn't seem like it. Buckler blocks some shots, but you can also throw it and guide it against an enemy. It is supposed to do a lot of damage, but it's really hard to use. Might be powerful if you could get the hang of it.
Deployables. I like the new mines, no more TKs with them. Deployable repair thing is good, but can't save turrets from a turret killer. Good to put near a gen and it's hard to see so you might miss it. Inventory stations are the same.
Vehicles. Fighter is fun, too many spammy rockets though. Only useful against grounded targets or other vehicles. Easy to kill, fun to fly. The camera lags too much, it's a third person view. Bomber is so so. Does damage, but easy to kill if you concentrate fire on it. Fighter can take it out pretty easy just like shrike. Tank is powerful but easy to kill. Easy to drive. You can do all of these by yourself by the way. Rover is very fast and is a mobile spawn point. You can spawn while it's driving. You could make this into a fast assault vehicle by driving straight to the enemy base and then pooping out a bunch of heavies right on top of them. Could be strategically powerful.
Packs. I really like the way the work. Energy pack adds a little faster energy regen, but on active it gives you a fast boost for about 2 seconds. Good for the capper get away. Maybe too powerful for capping. Shield - don't use it too much, not as important as T2. Repair is good even for cappers and HO since you don't have to aim it. Speed pack is really good becuase you can shoot faster. The chaingun really shoots fast with it and who wouldn't want more mortars flying?
The point system is much better. You get 1 point for a kill, you get O and D points, plus style points for doing fancy things like MAing. It is no longer true that the capper gets all the points and everyone else, especially the farmer is at the bottom. Farmers now get 1 point for each turret of theirs that gets a kill.
Voice binds I don't like as well, you have to go through more layers so more keystrokes. Also you have to hold down the V key, but they are supposed to change that (maybe already can change it in .ini file).
Sensors are pretty important, gens a little less so than T2. Inventories are in the same machine, so one shot will take down an entire inentory area.
Current biggest problem: no server admin functions which means you can't kick Tkers. A big pain in the butt and has ruined many games for me. They need to fix this in beta or it will drive people away from the game. It will only get worse during the free download period.
To sum it up, I find it pretty addictive. The maps will have to be sorted out, but I find myself spending more time shooting people and doing things and less time waiting around or walking. It still needs some polish, but I think it will be a great game when it's done. I think there will be almost as much strategy as T2 (ignoring those tiny maps which I think will not be used much) and has more action(=fun) per minute than T2.
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