Premature Evaluation is the weekly column in which we explore the wilds of early access. This week, Fraser s been conscripted into World War 3, an online FPS that once again pits east versus west. If nothing else it s convenient for map makers.
Developer: The Farm 51
Publisher: The Farm 51
Release: Out now!
On: Windows
From: Steam and Humble
For: 24, $28, 25
My first hour fighting in the grey European battlefields of World War 3 was not the most pleasant introduction I ve ever had to an online shooter. The first obstacle was the loading screen, which was quite adamant about not letting me play. It took almost 20 minutes to connect to the game on the second attempt. Finally over the first hurdle, I was immediately directed to an in-progress match that my team was losing spectacularly. Unfortunately for them, I wasn t going to turn the tide.
The screen was violently shaking, there was shouting coming from every direction and I m pretty sure I saw a tank. I was shot in the stomach straight away. The rest of the match went about as well as could be expected given my utter confusion. I wandered around, following people I hoped knew what they were doing. Then I died. 28 times. I killed one person, accidentally. My only consolation was that I could at least blame the persistent and often fatal stuttering that I was unable to get rid off. We lost, incidentally.