I love rediscovering a forgotten game.
Forgot all about this game while it worked its way through closed beta into an open one. I greatly enjoyed my time as part of the invite-only beta, so I was eager to see what changes have been made since then. With that in mind, I re-installed the game the other and had as much fun as I did the first time I played it. GRO is a great tactical shooter that everyone should try, especially those who are always clamoring for a "tactical shooter". It doesn't get more tactical than this game! To prove this point, I made a vid showing off some of the action/ This vid features all three classes: assault, sniper and support. It also shows off three (or four?) of the maps, some of which have been newly added since leaving closed beta (the sub pen and the "city of the future"):
[video=youtube_share;9splBkblk-Q]http://youtu.be/9splBkblk-Q[/video]
A lot of fun!
As you can see, that game can be quite the white knuckle experience. However, it is most definitely not a "twitch" experience. Teamwork, combined with solid tactics, wins the day.
So what's not to like?
Two things:
1) It can take an inordinately long time - 2 to 5 minutes - to get in a game. I don't think this is due to a lack of server population as much as a lackluster "quick match" automated system (I had the same problem with Hawken until they incorporated a server browser). This game also desperately needs a server browser.
2) Matchmaking needs to be more precise with the different levels of skill. As it is right now, new players are restricted to a beginners pool for the first five levels of any class, but once you hit that, you are dumped into a mosh pit of players with widely varying skill levels. One session you might enjoy a really tense and well-balance match, while the next you will be me mercilessly curb stomped into oblivion by the opposing team. This definitely needs work.
Despite these minor flaws, the great nature of the game continues to shine through!