| Project Reality | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Project Reality Devs |
| Engine | Battlefield 2 Engine |
| Version | .708 |
| Released | Initial release on August 7, 2005[1] .609 release on July 15, 2007 |
| Genre | First-person shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single player, Multiplayer (AAS v2, Insurgency, Scenario) |
| Platform(s) | Windows XP |
| Media | Download |
| System requirements | Battlefield 2 and Official system requirements |
| Input methods | Keyboard, mouse, joystick (optional) |
Project Reality (PR) is a modification for the computer game Battlefield 2 on the PC. The mod's aim is to use the game engine, developed by Digital Illusions CE (DICE), to create a more realistic combat environment than the original BF2 gameplay provided, and place a greater emphasis on teamwork and cooperation. Most aspects of Battlefield 2 that have the capacity to be modified (such as physical properties of weapons and vehicles) have been tweaked to reflect their real life counterparts.
Features
Project Reality primarily focuses on making gameplay more realistic and much more teamwork orientated, compared to unmodded BF2. The mod also features new factions, weapons and vehicles.
Realism
Although the mod uses many of BF2 weapons and vehicles, their properties were modified for increased realism. Ballistics were adjusted to reflect those of real weapons. Player health and damage dealt by firearms were modified to reduce the amount of times a person can be shot before becoming incapacitated. Unrealistic game elements such as the health bar, the crosshair and kill messages were removed. Also present are destructible buildings. Project Reality also features a modified damage system, that allows vehicles to be disabled as a result of damage in combat. Tank tracks, for example, can be disabled, making it possible to immobilize a tank without destroying it outright.
Game mechanics
PR game mechanics are significantly different than those of unmodded Battlefield 2. Players can no longer spawn on any of the flags that their team captured during the match. Instead, they can spawn on their squad Rally Points - player-created spawnpoints deployed by squad leaders. Also Project Reality commanders now have the ability to deploy bunkers (which act as spawnpoints), razorwire and sandbags, which need to be constructed by other players. A quartermaster system was added to the game, allowing for distribution of weapons normally not available to everyone. Limited weapons, such as sniper rifles and Anti Tank weapons, now have to be requested, and are given out by the quartermaster only when available. Additionally, in contrast with BF2, driving any Armored vehicle or aircraft now requires special kits: Crewman and Pilot kits. PR features two major game modes:
- A conventional warfare mode, Assault and Secure, where players have to capture control points in a predetermined sequence, in order to reduce the enemy's ticket count (similar to BF2's Conquest mode).
- Insurgency mode, intended to simulate asymmetrical warfare, where a conventional army team has to find and destroy hidden ammo caches, while the insurgent team defends them.
Factions
Project Reality includes six factions.
- United States Marine Corps - main weapon: M16A4
- British Armed Forces - main weapon: L85A2
- People's Liberation Army - main weapon: QBZ-95
- Middle Eastern Coalition (fictional) - main weapon: G3
- Insurgents - main weapon: AK-47 - While lacking conventional armor and air power, insurgents have half the conventional spawn time and have access to various "unconventional" weapons, such as IEDs, Molotov cocktails and car bombs.
- Militia - a step between insurgents and conventional armies.
New vehicles and weapons
QBZ-95 Rifle Series (PLA)
The Chinese forces are armed with the 5.8mm QBZ-95 rifle series. In addition to the standard BF2 QBU-88 marksman rifle, there are three new variants of the rifle: the QBZ-95 assault rifle with 4x scope, the QBZ-95 iron sighted variant, and the QBZ-95 assault rifle with 4x scope equipped with a grenade launcher.
AT4 Light Anti-Tank (US)
The USMC light AT weapon is the AT4 Anti-Tank system. This light but powerful unguided anti-tank rocket launcher system has been used by the US and British armed forces for many years to destroy light vehicles and particularly against hardened positions such as bunkers.
M14 Designated Marksman Rifle (US)
The USMC marksman is equipped with the 7.62mm M14 marksman rifle. This gas-operated rifle features high damage and precision accuracy with its high powered scope.
Merlin HC3 Transport Helicopter (UK)
This is the British Merlin HC3 transport helicopter. This aircraft can transport up to 6 players and includes a fully functional rear loading ramp which is opened and closed by the copilot by pressing the W and S keys.
G3 Rifle Series (MEC)
The MEC forces have totally new models for their G3 rifle series. There are three variants of the rifle: the G3 with a 4x scope, the G3 with iron sighted variant, and the G3 with a 4x scope equipped with a grenade launcher.
M16A4 Rifle Series (USMC)
The USMC have totally new models for their M16 rifle series. There are three variants of the rifle: the M16a4 with a 4x [ACOG], the M16A4 with Iron sights variant
Land Rover (UK)
The British forces have also been given the Land Rover in the light jeep category. This vehicle is armed with one M2 .50 caliber and one 7.62mm GPMG and can carry up to 3 players.
Warrior IFV (UK)
Armed with a L21A1 30mm RARDEN Cannon and a L94A1 7.62mm co-axial Chain-gun, with the ability to carry 6 passengers, the warrior is the British Force's Main Infantry Fighting vehicle. Crewed by one driver and one gunner.
Challenger MBT (UK)
Armed with a L30 120mm CHARM main cannon and a L94A1 7.62mm co-axial Chain-gun, the Challenger is the British Force's Main Battle Tank.
Scimitar Armored Recon Vehicle (UK)
Armed with a L21A1 30mm RARDEN Cannon and a L94A1 7.62mm co-axial Chain-gun, the Challenger is the British Force's Main Battle Tank.
Reception
- IGN Review:
- "Why all BF2 players should download this mod."[2]
- http://pc.ign.com/articles/763/763618p1.html
- Gamespy Review:
- "The mother of all realism mods arrives for BF2"[3]
- http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/battlefield-2/766629p1.html
- Computer Games Magazine Spotlight:
- Project Reality was featured in the February print edition of "Computer Games", a magazine distributed in North America.
- PCZONE Magazine:
- "Not only does it make the virtual warfare harsher, Project Reality also adds fantastic new maps, vehicles and weapons to the fray."
- Gamestar Magazine:
- Project Reality was published in the March issue of Gamestar as well as being distributed on a CD with the magazine.
Awards
In 2006, Project Reality won Mod DB's Silver Spanner in the Mod of the Year awards, with 80,000 votes in total, and out of 4,000 mods PR came in second place.[4] In 2007, Project Reality won GameFlood's $25,000 Mod & Map Contest in the category "Best FPS Mod".[5]
Official system requirements
Project Reality uses more effects, more code, includes larger maps, with more objects, which is taxing on systems. As such, the Recommended Specifications are higher then that of normal BF2. Minimum Specification:
- CPU: 1.7 GHz
- RAM: 1 GB
- Video Card: nVidia GeForce FX 5700, ATI Radeon 8500 or ATI Radeon 9500 with 128 MB of RAM
Recommended Specification:
- CPU: 2.4 GHz
- RAM: 2 GB
- Video Card with at least 256 MB of RAM
References
- ^ Project Reality Mini-Mod. Project Reality Forums. Retrieved on 2005-08-07.
- ^ IGN Review. IGN. Retrieved on 2007-03-10.
- ^ Gamespy Review. Gamespy. Retrieved on 2007-03-10.
- ^ Mods of 2006. Mod DB. Retrieved on 2007-02-15.
- ^ GameFlood Mod & Map Contest winners. GameFlood. Retrieved on 2007-08-04.
