published on: 25/06/2021
Author:
Sonic
Warface is now one of the most played titles in Russia, Germany and South Korea. So what's special about it, and above all, since we are talking about free-to-play, how does it manage the delicate balance between those who play the most and those who pay the most?
Let's start right from the store: most weapons and equipment (night vision goers, bulletproof vests, etc.) must of course be bought with two types of currency: the credits of the game and the real money, called "Kredits". However, there is a major problem for those who think they are getting everything by paying: the Crowns.
This name identifies the third type of currency in the game, which accumulates only by playing in a cooperative, so there are items that can be purchased in both Kredits and Crowns, but also special items that can be purchased only and exclusively with the latter.
With this simple move Crytek has avoided that those who spend always have an advantage over those who play but cannot or do not want to use the credit card, and has created a great incentive to continue playing, because only then can you get that beautiful zebra Kalashnikov that you like so much.
As for the game modes there is only one crossroads: either competition with other players or the cooperative. Everything you have to choose from is one of the four classes available, namely doctor, soldier, sniper or engineer, just to change.
The first mode presents a fairly familiar range of possibilities: there's the classic team death match, all against all, a capture & hold, a Counter-Strike-style bomb mode, and one with three battlefield-style control points to defend.
The gameplay pace of multiplayer is very fast, at COD to be clear, with a slight preference for short-range weapons and "slide kills", that is, the killing of an enemy while making a slip, a movement normally used to reach shelters. A game philosophy that is linked to a well-made and intricate level design, which mixes tunnels and open spaces without there being practically ever a chance to find a quiet place to "camper" and with few places to hope to sniper in peace.
One good thing is that you almost never get the feeling that you've been killed by a player who's spent more money than us, but only by the best. This is because we are eventually faced with an FPS, and money can do little if you can't align the enemy with the viewfinder.
Co-op mode, on the other hand, has slower times. Co-op missions usually put the four participants in front of three possible variants: escort something, recover something, or destroy something. In any case, you will have to face various waves of enemies, moving along the map until you clash with one or more final bosses.
In this mode it is also possible to use tokens (which can be purchased with real money) to be reborn immediately in case of premature death. Without tokens, once you exhale the last breath you will be forced to wait for the end of the match, or the death of all your teammates.
It may seem like a useless point but being a Crytek game, the graphic level is definitely high (but outdated), especially considering that it is a free game, but not particularly expensive, even with computers purchased a couple of years ago.
Excellent variety of environments, all of which tend to be urban, ranging from Afghanistan to China, passing through the Balkans. The only out-of-context aspect is the female characters, who look more dressed up for a military-themed parade than a conflict, but the Korean players like it so much...
Warface therefore seems to have all the cards in order to carve out, as a niche in the FPS sector is already doing, thanks to the fact that although it does not offer anything particular, it does so for free and with a decidedly high quality and supported over time.