No I don't mean Battle "we'll release the only game mode that was actually any good (Conquest) at a later date for free, in the meantime you can only play with bars of gold" field: Bad Decision Company, but a game that potentially could actually be a lot of fun online (unlike Battlefield), I'm talking about Beijing 2008.

 

It's been a bit quiet which is possibly a bit worrying but with 38 events and online play it could be a lot of fun. Hands on preview here which doesn't look too bad.

 

Events: 100m, 200m, 400m , 800m, 1500m ,100m and 110m hurdles, high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, shot put, discus, hammer throw, javelin, parallel bars, vault, rings, floor exercise, beam, uneven bars, shotgun skeet, 10m air pistols, 25m rapid fire pistol, archery, weightlifting, team pursuit cycling, K1 kayak singles, Judo, and singles table tennis, decathlon and heptathlon.

 

OK I know some people probably won't get both and Battlefield will be the game of choice but anyone considering getting this too?

 

To be fair I have succumbed and pre-ordered Battlefield because I suspect it'll be popular, but TBH the demo didn't really do it for me. I only hope the full game has some larger maps with the gold not right next to each other so it just doesn't end up in one great big mess of everyone rushing to the same point on the map and die, respawn, repeat. Again potentially it could be a good game I just hope the demo wasn't totally representitive of how the full game will play, otherwise I may as well save my money and just play Ground War on CoD4 and get pissed off with that instead, at least it won't lag .

 

While we're at it, might as well see whose getting Battlefield too, so who'se gettting Battlefield/Beijing/Both/Neither?

I got Beijing 2008 and I reckon if I play it any more I'll wreck my gamepad and/or do myself an injury.

 

Old school 'waggle' at it's best (or worst).

True some events are, but to brand it purely a joystick waggler is pretty harsh I think. I've just spent (or wasted ) a few hours going through all the events with my son and there are some button bashers/wagglers, some that use a quick burst of button bashing to build up power before it's locked and events that purely use timed button presses and/or thumbstick movements.

 

Considering the time it took us to get through all the events you could eaily spend a whole session on the game with very little or even no button bashing at all some of which can be even harder than the button bashers to get to grips with at first.

 

Mind you when you do have to let rip the joypad can really get it, especially if like me you use power to try and compensate for lack of rhythm so probably best not to use your best brand new controller. Having said that I think I came of worst with a blister on my finger. Also, it has to be said these controllers have always felt pretty rugged, only ever had one problem once with a shoulder button that still worked fine but didn't click properly, so I rekon they can take it, but don't quote me on that .

 

Yet to take the game online, but will hopefully get to try it out tonight. Overall though a great alternative to some shooting, it looks great and it could definitely be a laugh with a group online.