MAG Introduction and Review

Does this Multiplayer Shooter go beyond the rest?

     How many of you guys are saying that this is a little too late for a review? Well you are definitely right, but since I just recently got the game  figured I am obligated to do a review for all of you guys who have not even played. First I would like to start this review out with an introduction to MAG. What is the plot behind this game?  So without further hesitation... let us begin.

     MAG (Massive Action Game) is a PS3 exclusive created by Zipper Interactive. This game is most known for it's ability to plunge 256 simultaneous players into one game. 

MAG Reveal Trailer

Introduction to PMCs

     When you first start up MAG, after you install all of the software to your system, you are given a choice of three PMCs (Private Military Corporations) to fight with:

     All three of the Private Military Corporations available in MAG have different models of weapons. S.V.E.R services is known for their "middle eastern" typed weapons. For those of you who do not know what I mean by "middle eastern"; Basically used weapons, or in other terms weapons that have seen everything. The use of "middle eastern" weapons might have to do with the fact this PMCs Headquarters in located somewhere in the Middle East.

Click here to learn more about S.V.E.R.

     Valor Company, the PMC that I currently hold my allegiance to, has the United Stated Marines feel to it. For those of you who have played Call of Duty 4, or Modern Warfare 2 then you should know what I mean when I say their weapons are more what you would have if you were on a campaign mission as the U.S Marines, or in Modern Warfare 2 as the U.S Army. So basically their weapons can be easily related to the weapons used by the United States Armed Forces today. This PMCs Headquarters is located somewhere in the Alaska.

Click here to learn more about Valor.

     The final PMC available for use in MAG is known as Raven Industries. Raven is known as the PMC with the sexy and sleek looking futuristic weapons. Their vehicles and equipment are just stunning and just blow away Valor's and definitely S.V.E.R's (let's face it S.V.E.R's guns are crappy looking) in terms of appearance. This PMC residence is in Europe.

Click here to learn more about Raven.

     All three of the PMCs available in MAG may have different looking weapons, but I assure you that they are all evenly matched. Lets say that you just started playing MAG and you choose Valor. One of the default weapons you have on Valor is the M4A1. Lets say you join S.V.E.R now. The default weapon for S.V.E.R is just as powerful as the default weapon for Valor. Does that make sense? It should, but if it is not making sense to you then you probably need to learn more about the weapons.

Click here to learn more about the Weapons of MAG.

Introduction to MAG PMCs

Introduction to Player Paths

  

In MAG you will find that there is a bunch of things you can do to help your team in a battle. Below you will be able to read about some of the many positions available while participating in the ever changing war in MAG.

Field Support: This battlefield role is very important to MAG. As a field support soldier your main priority in battle is to repair you team's damaged, or destroyed battlefield equipment when defending, but when attacking you are the one who is planting charges on enemy defensive emplacements. I suggest when taking the Field Support career in MAG that you always make sure you have you repair kit on at least one of your custom class slots. I recommend you use a close quarters weapon, such as a shotgun, as your primary weapon, and a repair kit and smoke grenades in your equipment slots for this custom class slot.

Medic: As a Medic in MAG you will have a responsibility to healing your team members as they fall subject to enemy attack. If you see a glowing "+" sign above a fellow teammate, then that is a sign that you can revive them and get them back into the battle. Be aware that before you can revive any of your downed teammates you must first purchase the Upgraded Medical Kit from the Supply Depot for 500 experience points, then proceed to the Barracks where you will need to spend Skill Points to upgrade your Medical Skill. You will not be able to revive any of your team members without upgrading the Medical Skill section appropriately. The Medical Kit is a piece of equipment that you are going to want to equip to all of your Custom Class Slots.

Sniper: As a Sniper in MAG you will find yourself taking down members of the opposing PMC from extremely long ranges. Keep in mind that you will want to upgrade your Marksman Skills in the Barracks; Doing so will give you advantages with your rifle such as a decreased barrel wander while scoped, faster rifle reload time, better accuracy, and more. You will also want to purchase a bipod attachment. Having a bipod on your Sniper Rifle will make it so that your rifle has no barrel wander.

Commando: When you are playing MAG and are one of those people who are always moving towards the battle, racking up kills, planting explosives on enemy equipment, and pretty much just leaving the opposition dumbfounded by your awesomeness, then you my friend are a Commando. As a Commando you will want to have a weapon that you can get a kill with from long range, and short range, so a Sniper Rifle is out of the question. As a Commando a Medical Kit is always great to have.

Leadership Positions

Squad Leader: As a Squad Leader you are in charge of giving your Squad objectives to fulfill. Another great thing about being a squad leader is that you have the ability to call in strategic strikes. The types of strikes vary depending on whether you are defending in a match, or attacking. As a defending Squad Leader you will have the ability to call in strikes using your team's Mortar Battery and Triple A batteries, but remember that your team's Mortars and AAA must be in working condition in order for you to use these advantages in the battle. While attacking as a Squad Leader you will be equipped with the ability to call in a UAV Recon plane, which when activated will scan the map for enemies and reveal their locations to you, and be able to call in a small, but sometimes useful, "anti-hostile" bombing run. In order to use any of these strikes while attacking, you and your team must first destroy the enemies Anti-Aircraft Gun. The ability to play as a Squad Leader in MAG becomes available once a player has reached level 15.


Platoon Leader: First of all, to become a Platoon Leader you must first acquire 100 Leadership Points. You will be able to earn Leadership Points during battles each time you are assigned to an in-game leadership position. I personally have learned that you are assigned a leadership position more often if you are using a Bluetooth Headset during the game. You need to be assigned a leadership position during a game to earn leadership points. Click here to learn more about how having a headset will ultimately increase your ability to earn Leadership Points.

Platoon Leader Defending Abilities: As a Platoon Leader of a defending team you will have the ability to call in 2 major strategic battlefield strikes. One of these strikes is known as a Gas Barrage. A Gas Barrage uses the Mortar Battery to a can containing a large amount of Poison Gas towards the Platoon Leaders desired battlefield location. This strike comes in handy when trying to temporarily push attacking forces away from a certain location. Remember that since the Mortar Battery is what deploys this strategic strike, it will have to be in a functioning condition in order to call in a Gas Barrage. The 2nd ability that a defending Platoon Leader is equipped with is the ability to call in a Sensor Sweep. A Sensor Sweep is basically just a UAV, but it has the ability to scan a larger amount of space. Your team's Sensor Array must be in working condition in order to use this ability.

Platoon Leader Attacking Abilities: (Information N/A)

Officer in Charge (Domination Mode Only)
(Information N/A)

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