» Sun Dec 11, 2011 7:35 am So how is the new DLC you may ask? Is it even worth my time to download? Well, for a whopping 0 Microsoft points (or Psn points, whatever you guys call em) you can download the newest map pack for Brink, from Splash Damage! This new pack contains 2 extra maps that continue the story after both the security and resistance storylines, a new outfit for Security and Resistance. 5 new Abilities, 4 more character levels, and new weapon attatchements.
Patch General Information
Maps
Labs- Resistance is stealing a archoral sample from the security. Objective order is Plant charge, repair, steal sample; there are two secondary objectives for operative to complete. The outside of this map is beautiful and full of lush gardens, the inside looks exactly like what you would expect a labratory to look like. Overall I would say that this map ranks average among the other maps.
Founders Tower- Security is trying to defuse the bomb that Resistance has planted at the top of founders tower, they are trying to make a beacon for the outside world. Objective order is Hack, plant charge, plant charge, repair, despose of bomb. This map is looks very beautiful, in fact, when you reach the top of the tower you can look down and see the entire ark! This map has to be the best map in the game so far.
My Thoughts- Both maps are welcome expansions to the game, Labs very short and fun, reminds me of Aquarium almost. I can see this map being played a lot in the clan ladder. Founders Tower is a very nice finisher for the game, the map is very fun and gorgeos as well.
Outfits
The Sad Punk- Resistances new outfit, add a little bit of steam punk to your character
The Limey- Securities new outfit, looks like an old style police officer from britain...
My Thoughts- Both outfits are pretty nice additions to the game. Something Splash Damage didn't have to do, but they did.
Abilities
Tactical Scanner- See the buffs that the enemy has on them. If you aren't good at telling if your enemy has a weapon buff then this may come in handy, otherwise it's totally useless. Sorry Splash Damage
Napalm Grenade- Lays down a small area of fire for a few seconds that damages anybody that walks through it. Great at holding people back in choke points or stopping somebody from finishing the objective.
UAV- A remote control helicopter that reveals the location of nearby enemies, the pilot may choose to self destruct the UAV to damage nearby enemies, while activated the location of the UAV is displayed on the mini-map. UAV is fairly simple to take down, but is great for sending in first to clear rooms.
Field Regain Unit- Place a small structure that heals anybody that stays inside it for a short time. Overall this can save pips and when put in a good location can keep your team alive while your away. Not exactly necessary, but can be useful. This displays on both friendly and enemy radars.
Pyro Mine- Your first mine will become a pyro mine. Basically gets rid of the need for double mining.
My Thoughts- Tactical Scanner is a waste of a point, Napalm Grenade is great for taking down hostages and keeping them down for a few seconds, UAV is just AMAZING! It'll be a minute before people get used to it tho. Field Regain Unit is great if your a heavy Medic, if your a light I would suggest speed boost as you won't be able to hold it down and it'll just get nade shotted. Pyro Mines are nice and save Engineer's pips. No more double mines
Weapon Attatcments
Bayonett- Attatchable on SMG's and Assault Rifles. Deals 100 damage per hit, but does not knock the opponent down
Weapon Shield- Attatchable on Assault Rifles. Prevents the enemy from getting headshots on you (does save your life somewhat)
My Thoughts- Both are very useful, however I kind of wish that the bayonett would knock people down as well, but only be on AR's. I would love to see Mediums be a little more usefull.
My Thoughts
Everything added seems to go well with the game. I feel as if Tactical Scan should be a level 1 skill as low level characters will benefeit more from this than higher level characters. The napalm grenade is alright, I would say that it's about as good as satchel charges so it's a welcome skill in my book. I'm really loving the UAV, along with the EMP the operative is starting to shape up to a pretty nice class that can be used at almost any time as opposed to only when necessary. I absolutely love the Medics Field Regain Unit. I would say it's about as useful as speed boost so picking between this and speed boost is a pretty hefty toss-up. Engineer's pyro mine isn't that big of a deal, but I'm glad to see engineers finally not having to double mine. The new maps are beautiful, I'm still trying to navigate Security Tower. Labs is a little bit easier to learn, but it'll be a few weeks before people are confortable enough to do try-hard games on these maps.
I played a few games on the old maps and found that while playing the old maps with the new stuff becomes pretty interesting. The Napalm Grenade easily burned through the Hostage on Aquarium and kept him down. UAV still works as a Radar, even if it is not active, which means a skilled operatives will fly these to specific spots to keep a constant eye on the enemy. The Medic's Field Regain Unit is great when its being defended by a heavy, otherwise it becomes a deathtrap as people are stuck in place for ten seconds just to heal. :facepalm: Also, I haven't seen anybody double mining so Pyro Mines are doing their job.
As far as how classes are working out for people, I've seen some Heavies tearing things up with their heavy weapons. I had a Heavy pop in front of my spawn and take out my whole wave with ease! Mediums are still a mix of the light and heavy world, with the addition to bayonett and weapon shield they are a little bit more deadlier. Light is still fun to play, we got a small nerf from that Carb which has made some Lights seem a little less god like, but that still hasn't stopped me from bouncing off every wall I see.
Overall everything looks fair and balanced. Every new ability has their purpose, however, if I could change anything it would be to lower Tactical Scanner to a level 1 ability and make the Medic Field Regain Station heal as soon as you step in it because it takes a while to start healing, which has killed me quite a lot.
Also, this is old news, but thank you splash damage for the weapon tweaks, they are very much more balanced now :thumbsup:
Anyways, those are my thoughts on the new DLC. Overall the DLC is a nice add on, I appreciate the amount of new players as well, hopefully a lot of them will stay. Feel free to post below about how you feel about the new DLC.
My Rating: 9/10
:foodndrink:
