I watched another E3 video of Far Cry 3 and noticed the number of strategically placed exploding barrels. Are AI characters becoming more intelligent? If so why do they stand near barrels of volatile fuel? Where did this idea of exploding scenery come from? I guess my earliest memory of it was Doom. So I got to wondering if perhaps ID software got the idea from scenery around their HQ? I decided to travel there (at great expense). 17 hours later I was wondering around their car park and later, inside ID building I was thrilled to see a number of barrels of explosive liquid (it appeared to be rocket fuel). After wondering around for 40 minutes I was escorted off the premises by a chubby security guard who asked me to have a nice day. So then I wondered if perhaps more common locations also features the exploding barrel? I went to my local town armed with a rifle, grenades, pistol and knife. I could see a few groups of people standing around but not one exploding barrel. I figured perhaps a place with a lot of cars or trucks might have some barrels so I went to an auto repair shop. Again I was dismayed to see not a single barrel. Recently I've been playing Crysis 2 and just like the original Doom it features many strategically placed barrels. Unless you head over to ID software, strategically placed barrels are a rare occurrence. I would like to see a new stage prop to replace the overused exploding barrel. Crysis 2 has at least implemented exploding cars. I think it would be great if someone made a game where any item of scenery is likely to explode. Shoot a pavement and it explodes, shoot a window and watch the building collapse. Shoot one character and watch all of the nearby characters explode. We need to take the barrel prop to the next level and beyond.
I've been playing Mass Effect recently. They have strategically placed "Fuel Cell" type things. I'm so used to them now I was surprised there wasn't one I could shoot to take out the guy following me at the top of Eau Rouge in F1 2010.
Although cliched, I've always really like them. Especially if it means a satisfying moment when you take out multiple bad guys with a single bullet (or a couple if it's a particularly armoured barrel like the Half Life 2 ones). At the end of the day if it adds to the fun I say keep 'em!
Funny thing is, I've actually shot real "exploding barrels" (propane tank) and sadly, it didn't explode at all; on the contrary, all I got was a 20ft jet of flames coming from the hole... So those barrels must have a convenient built-in detonator, like cars in movies that explode the second they bump into anything.
Just Cause 2 did it with a big twist. Tie an enemy to a propane tank, shoot the tank once and watch the man get frantically flown around until he evetually explodes in mid-air along with the tank.
I prefer grenades. There is a distinct lack of good explosives in modern FPS's imo. I always loved the older games when you could run around shooting people one by one, and if you ever got a cluster of several guys together, a well aimed grenade could 'gib' all of them with one big satisfying blood and guts and flying limbs explosion. Now days you don't get grenades as much, and sometimes even when you do, they are so limited that I end up saving them for one of these classic moments and am still holding them as the end credits are rolling. :/
Some variety would be great, though. I think exploding animals is the next big thing, as preluded by Worms 3D's 'exploding sheep' weapon...
A friend of my was moving a helium canister at work when he told everyone to get out and immediately run out himself. Sufficient to say there is now a hole in the wall where he damaged the regulator. Exploding barrels are as exciting in real life situations
The reason for that is AI over fun Developers put in AI so that all the bad guys run away from the grenade so you barely even get one guy. The old days were better in that respect when there was only simple AI - the bad guys were happy to all stand around your 'nade like it was a nice warm campfire and then kaboooooom
This thread reminded me of this lol http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/12/29/maximum-kersplode-five-ridiculous-crysis-explosions/
They're fine by me. In most cases I've killed everything before I notice them or it's too late to use them anyway (the enemies moved out the way etc). And let's face it, who doesn't like explosions for no reason?
Hahah, loved that vid. Tried it myself, only one piece of C4 had become dislodged and it let me pick it up on it's own. It didn't stick, but I damn well hit that heli with it before watching it explode. Always a barrel o' laughs playing with C4, you got me a little addicted.
I think devs should take a leaf out of CoD's book (yes, even the newer ones) and include exploding cars. They don't act like barrels though, more like explosion catalysts which give your nades a bit more welly. They do work well in MP because they make you think to avoid them if possible but you can always use them as temporary cover if you're feeling brave.
