Call of Duty Elite : DLC Impressions #2

The second dose of Call of Duty Elite introduces a solitary map in the form of Overwatch, a huge partly-finished skyscraper that overlooks the New York skyline in a dusky setting.                                          
The first conclusion that you'll most likely come to is that the map looks an awful lot like Highrise from Modern Warfare 2. Though this comparison is logical, Overwatch is better in every aspect, and is much bigger in scale and complexity than Highrise was.                                           
The map is probably my favourite thus far. It's close quarters surroundings will suit a run and gun style, but at the same time, there's alot of hazardous drops dotted around the map (not to mention the entire exterior perimeter being barrier-free too) and every turn will have you airing on the side of caution. It adds a strategic edge and makes you think carefully about your next move.   
                         

Set 70 feet above ground level, Overwatch is literally death from above.

Adding to the strategic element, the map also is multi-tiered, littered with hiding places and tight spots and includes numerous raised areas in the form of scaffolding and beams.                                
The action is still fast and frenetic, but you'll always need to be thinking about where enemies might be around the next corner. Will they be above or below you? Is someone perched on those beams? Will somebody be taking advantage of the tight hiding spots? It adds a deeper thought that the game lacks sometimes.                                                                                                                          

Recommended Perks

Recon will give you the advantage of being able to pinpoint exact locations of enemies, in order to combat the amount of hiding places scattered around the level and Assassin will allow you to stay anonymous and suprise enemies as you make use of the many vantage points and tight corners.  
                 
Stalker helps you keep moving swiftly as you negotiate the multiple levels and vast amount of corners and sharp turnings, but you could also make a case for Marksman to help you pick out longer range targets on elevated areas.                                                                                                  
The map is excellent. It possesses threats from every angle, will keep players on their toes as they assess where enemies may be located around any given corner and keeps with the fast paced and frenetic trademark of the online game in tact.                                                                                          
Just as a final side note, it's also important to acknowledge the wonderfully crafted New York skyline, and though it has no impact on the gameplay, it shows the care and attention to detail crafted on this map.               

What is the big deal over Day 1 DLC?

There are a number of phrases you can utter that will boil the blood of gamers worldwide. Whether it be "Yellow Light of Death", "Rubber-Banding AI", "Unskippable Cutscenes" or "So, Bethesda are releasing a new  game then..."

All of these have been with us for a while, but there's something missing from that list. Day 1 DLC.

This is mainly because of the fact it's only really come to fruition in more recent times, as more and more developers catch onto the idea of releasing additional content at the exact same date as the release of the main retail game itself.

Naturally, it has caused a storm of sorts amongst gaming communities who believe day 1 DLC is nothing more than a shameless cash-grab, and the content of said DLC should have been packaged within the game already at no additional cost.

Mass Effect 3 is the latest game to embrace Day 1 DLC

Mass Effect Producer, Casey Hudson, has jumped to the defence of Mass Effect 3 by stating, "It takes about 3 months from "content complete" to bug fix, certify, manufacture and ship game discs. In that time, we work on DLC."

From a purely personal point of view, I understand the argument, after all, isn't post game DLC exactly that? Whether it's released 2 hours, or 2 years after the game, the core factors such as the degree of content and pricing will still remain the same, so it somewhat baffles me why people are against getting their hands on DLC earlier, rather than later.

Do some developers take advantage of the concept of DLC by creating a game, deliberately chopping off 10% of it, and then shipping it out as DLC at a later date? Possibly, but that's a completely different argument entirely. There's a difference between offering an expansion unrelated to the core game experience, and purposely cutting off parts of the game in order to make room for the possibility of DLC later down the line.

Sure, the primary concern of both methods is to maximise profits, but the ethics of both are at completely opposite ends of the spectrum.

It's a shame in some ways, because I genuinely feel that most developers who offer day 1 DLC are doing so simply because they want to bring post game expansions to players at a greater convenience, but they'll always be under scrutiny for it because of how much of a juggernaught computer games have become in recent years and the amount of money the big dogs in the business make from them.

If you don't agree with day 1 DLC, then simply boycott it and either wait to purchase it at a later date or when it comes down in price, which still isn't guaranteed to happen. Whichever side of the argument you're on, it doesn't change the fact that day one DLC is becoming more common, and, in my opinion, we should embrace times where developers are willing to go the extra mile on games to offer us a greater all round experience, at the soonest time possible. 

After all, how can it ever be considered a bad thing to see developers, who take such pride in their work, want to keep expanding it and giving us even more?

DLC #44 - LA Noire - Nicholson Electroplating

Discover the mystery behind a huge
factory fire.

LA Noire DLC is finally wrapped up with the Nicholson Electroplating Arson case, which introduces yet another 5 trophies. As usual, 1 gold and 4 hidden, and, as usual, extremely easy to achieve aswell.

Completing the case will take around an hour or so, but the hidden trophies are quite easily missable, unlike certain previous cases, so use a guide at your own discretion.
                                            
I can't think of another game that provides such a generous offering of DLC trophies. 20 trophies in total, 4 of which are gold, and all 4 cases can be easily finished within less than 5 hours collectively. There isn't that great of a challenge in any of the cases, but they offer some excellent additional gameplay and extend the LA Noire experience excellently.
                                                                     
You shouldn't really get the game for whoring the trophies, but for the fact it's an excellent game, though there is no doubt the vast abundance of DLC trophies on offer make the incentive to pick this game up much greater.