All Points Bulletin Review | Cybernetic Punks
All Points Bulletin Review
All Points Bulletin is a game designed and developed by Real Time Worlds Entertainment. The setting is based around good versus evil and their struggle over a city scape called San Paro. This struggle is divided amongst two factions, the Enforcers (police/security force) and Criminals (vigilantes).
Due to the dominance of criminal activity in San Paro the City Mayor has invoked the law known as the Criminal Services Act (C.S.A). The new law has given private security forces (at this time Praetorian and Prentiss Tigers) the authority to enforce legal action by any means necessary. This gives Enforcers the ability to commandeer any citizens’ vehicle and shoot criminals in public streets. Arrests bring higher rewards and unlocks achievements but the Less Than Lethal weapons are far outmatched against multiple enemies. It seems that the C.S.A ruling was invoked to establish the old phrase “to catch as criminal, you must think like a criminal” or in this situation, act like a criminal.
The other faction, Criminals, are able to run throughout the city committing crimes. These crimes involve “car jacking”, “mugging”, shooting the innocent, driving through red lights and running over pedestrians on the sidewalk. It is during these times that the city AI or enforcers may “witness” their criminal activity and report it. This sends out an “All Points Bulletin” to available units so that enforcers may bring them to justice (death or arrest).
There are a variety of missions that can be accepted. Both Enforcers and Criminals share in “pickup/drop off” , “Capture/Defend” and “Kill” missions, however, there are some differences. Each side sets off “APBs” differently. Criminals can have an APB issued on them at random which they must evade/escape capture. Enforcers either accept “Bounties” or get APBed by Criminals by doing various missions. Though many reviewers have complained about the lack of variety and repetition of missions, I believe it is because they misunderstand the concept. Missions are only issued to set an objective for player verses player action. People don’t complain about Team Fortress 2 or Counter Strike: Source’s lack of variety. And to be honest, APB is just like that. APB could be likened to Counter Strike in an open environment. If Grand Theft Auto and Counter Strike had a baby, it would be All Points Bulletin.
All in all, I don’t see why so many people have given APB low scores. I was fortunate enough to participate in the beta and continue to play to this day. I find the game refreshing and can see myself playing for months if not years to come. Just as I fell in love with Counter Strike : Source (and still play it to this day), I have with APB. Amazing concept, amazing customization and truly a game thinking outside of the box in terms of environment. GTA in MMO form, “YES PLEASE!.” I believe Real Time Worlds has hit the nail on the head!
Though I simply love APB, it isn’t without its flaws. But honestly, any game that has ever been released (especially MMOs) has some issues. Gun balancing, car mechanics and mission times will always be debatable. As far as APB is concerned, it seems they have come pretty close to balancing it all out. There is not one single gun or car that is perfect for every situation. Everything as a strength and/or a weakness and most people haven’t figured that out yet. Glitches are all over the city. Mail boxes that one minute can be destroyed will stop your car dead in its tracks the next. Hit boxes sometime don’t register correctly and incoming fire from guns will go through walls/cars but outgoing fire won’t (even when using the same weapon) are still major issues. Give it time and I am sure RTW will address these issues.
Aside from all these set backs, I have not had so much fun in a game since World of Warcraft and that’s saying something! For full enjoyment, find a good group of friends and tear up the streets of San Paro. APB is a grouping must for full enjoyment! Alas, not everyone is going to like APB, and I completely realize that. As for me, I can’t get enough and would, at minimum give, APB a 8 out of 10.
Review by : SolidBrim
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