The Outfit - free online multiplayer demo
Plus post-launch content dripfeed over Xbox Live
THQ has just released a free downloadable multi-player Xbox 360 demo of its forthcoming WWII shooter, The Outfit. The firm has also announced its post-launch plans to dripfeed further game content over Xbox Live. The game is the first pre-launch online multiplayer demo for the Xbox 360.
SPOnG had a brief shot at the preview code for the game and we were certainly impressed. Should you have the mildest interest in good, free games for your 360, we recommend you get onto Xbox Live and grab the demo.
The 441MB demo allows 360 gamers the chance to check out one of The Outfit's full-on multiplayer maps, where you can battle it out with up to eight mates over Xbox Live to secure command points and strategic objectives throughout the map.
Players can choose their side, Axis or Allies, then choose between three playable squad leaders - each with their own skills and abilities, working together with other team-mates to win the battle.
Jockeying for control over the map, you can blow up just about anything you can see. As you progress, taking control of more landmarks, you accrue Field Units that enable you to purchase items such as tanks, additional infantry, and air-strikes.
You also get to sample the game's unique Destruction on Demand feature, which enables players to call in reinforcements ranging from troops, tanks, guns and heavy artillery to air-strikes, instantly increase their firepower. It’s like a warmongering pyromaniacs wet dream.
If you're only an Xbox Live Silver member, or you don't have any mates that are up for some fighting on Live, you'll be limited to playing one-on-one battles locally via a split screen. This is still a bucket of fun - something we can attest, as we are still a little hoarse from screaming at our squadrons over the weekend.
THQ and Relic Entertainment also announced plans to develop and release downloadable content for the game after its release. This will include a series of multiplayer map-packs, allowing gamers to continuously extend their battle lusting experience.
Ming the Merciless look-alike and Xbox Big Cheese Peter Moore had the following to say about The Outfit demo and THQ’s post-launch Xbox Live strategy for the title: "Xbox Live is continuously changing the way people think about games and entertainment and we are very excited to deliver the first ever pre-launch online multiplayer demo to Xbox Live members through THQ's The Outfit."
For more trailers and other warmongering goodness check out the game's asset-loaded official website. The Outfit on Xbox 360 is slated for US release on March 14 and March 17 in the UK, at a respective retail price of $59.99 and £49.99.
SPOnG had a brief shot at the preview code for the game and we were certainly impressed. Should you have the mildest interest in good, free games for your 360, we recommend you get onto Xbox Live and grab the demo.
The 441MB demo allows 360 gamers the chance to check out one of The Outfit's full-on multiplayer maps, where you can battle it out with up to eight mates over Xbox Live to secure command points and strategic objectives throughout the map.
Players can choose their side, Axis or Allies, then choose between three playable squad leaders - each with their own skills and abilities, working together with other team-mates to win the battle.
Jockeying for control over the map, you can blow up just about anything you can see. As you progress, taking control of more landmarks, you accrue Field Units that enable you to purchase items such as tanks, additional infantry, and air-strikes.
You also get to sample the game's unique Destruction on Demand feature, which enables players to call in reinforcements ranging from troops, tanks, guns and heavy artillery to air-strikes, instantly increase their firepower. It’s like a warmongering pyromaniacs wet dream.
If you're only an Xbox Live Silver member, or you don't have any mates that are up for some fighting on Live, you'll be limited to playing one-on-one battles locally via a split screen. This is still a bucket of fun - something we can attest, as we are still a little hoarse from screaming at our squadrons over the weekend.
THQ and Relic Entertainment also announced plans to develop and release downloadable content for the game after its release. This will include a series of multiplayer map-packs, allowing gamers to continuously extend their battle lusting experience.
Ming the Merciless look-alike and Xbox Big Cheese Peter Moore had the following to say about The Outfit demo and THQ’s post-launch Xbox Live strategy for the title: "Xbox Live is continuously changing the way people think about games and entertainment and we are very excited to deliver the first ever pre-launch online multiplayer demo to Xbox Live members through THQ's The Outfit."
For more trailers and other warmongering goodness check out the game's asset-loaded official website. The Outfit on Xbox 360 is slated for US release on March 14 and March 17 in the UK, at a respective retail price of $59.99 and £49.99.
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Comments
thane_jaw 7 Mar 2006 15:14
1/5
cool. downloading now, I'm really liking being able to get demos off live.
fluffstardx 7 Mar 2006 23:04
2/5
It went up around midday yesterday. It's not my kind of game, it turns out; vehicle control is awkward, sometimes you just die without it telling you how... Destruction on Demand works well, though. Just, well, not my kind of game.
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jhorto1 8 Mar 2006 02:56
3/5
I agree, not my type of game either. Plus, they throw you into it without any guidance. The other guy had obviously been playing for a few hours. He had me surrounded in no time and knew how to find and drive vehicles. Frustrating and not fun. They should at least have a quick tutorial before throwing you to the wolves.
I never want to play that again because it pissed me off so much.
I DO love being able to download games on LIVE though. Great online service they have going.
I never want to play that again because it pissed me off so much.
I DO love being able to download games on LIVE though. Great online service they have going.
thane_jaw 8 Mar 2006 09:42
4/5
I can understand there being no tutorial, it'd probably have added on a bit in the download - but it is frustrating.
If you're having problems try loading up a split screen game and learning everything through there. When you've got a 3/4 players going for each other there's a nice ebb and flow - constantly having to react to the other players creates a sense of urgency and the destruction on demand thing, similar to mercenaries, works very well and its lots of fun dropping trucks on peoples' heads. It does feel like a first person rts - probably similar to how battalion wars on the GC was intended to behave, although you do have to make sure you place gun emplacements carefully especially since pretty much everything can be blown up (trees kinda vanish whilst buildings collapse into themselves after a while. You can also blow up some of the capture points which works nicely.)
Criticisms. vehicles (at least at the lower end of what you buy) seem to be very underpowered. At the higher end they are almost unstoppable unless you've got anti tank weapons. There's also really really dodgy collision detection when you're in a vehicle. You can't swim. You don't really get much air in jeeps (shame since I like jumping gaps and you can blow up the bridges). Lag in 3 v 3 matches is atrocious and sometimes rears its ugly head in 2 v 2. There doesn't seem to be quite the range of things to buy as in Mercenaries- this maybe to do with complexity and balance but I'm not sure. You get a choice of 3 characters, although for the purposes of gameplay they're equivilent to different classes (sniper, antitank (bazooka) and anti-infantry (flame thrower)). The maps are fairly small with 3 choke points, so you don't really ever see the sniper being used. Its much easier to drive people over, drive up to them jump out and flame or send a few rockets heading their way.
It is lots of fun but games are really varied depending on who you're playing against/with. I'd possibly consider buying this when it comes out, but I want to find out how bad the lag is in the final version.
If you're having problems try loading up a split screen game and learning everything through there. When you've got a 3/4 players going for each other there's a nice ebb and flow - constantly having to react to the other players creates a sense of urgency and the destruction on demand thing, similar to mercenaries, works very well and its lots of fun dropping trucks on peoples' heads. It does feel like a first person rts - probably similar to how battalion wars on the GC was intended to behave, although you do have to make sure you place gun emplacements carefully especially since pretty much everything can be blown up (trees kinda vanish whilst buildings collapse into themselves after a while. You can also blow up some of the capture points which works nicely.)
Criticisms. vehicles (at least at the lower end of what you buy) seem to be very underpowered. At the higher end they are almost unstoppable unless you've got anti tank weapons. There's also really really dodgy collision detection when you're in a vehicle. You can't swim. You don't really get much air in jeeps (shame since I like jumping gaps and you can blow up the bridges). Lag in 3 v 3 matches is atrocious and sometimes rears its ugly head in 2 v 2. There doesn't seem to be quite the range of things to buy as in Mercenaries- this maybe to do with complexity and balance but I'm not sure. You get a choice of 3 characters, although for the purposes of gameplay they're equivilent to different classes (sniper, antitank (bazooka) and anti-infantry (flame thrower)). The maps are fairly small with 3 choke points, so you don't really ever see the sniper being used. Its much easier to drive people over, drive up to them jump out and flame or send a few rockets heading their way.
It is lots of fun but games are really varied depending on who you're playing against/with. I'd possibly consider buying this when it comes out, but I want to find out how bad the lag is in the final version.
fluffstardx 8 Mar 2006 11:11
5/5
They could have at least told you that joystick 2 allows you to alter the positioning of a weapon; I found that out a bit too late.