MAG

 PlayStation 3
  • Publisher: SCEA
  • Release Date: Jan 26, 2010
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 573 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 442 out of 573
  2. Mixed: 58 out of 573
  3. Negative: 73 out of 573
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  1. Ryan
    Jan 29, 2010
    10
    Fantastic game, so much more in-depth than most traditional FPS games. If you enjoy strategy, working as a team towards objectives then MAG is for you.
  2. JonE.
    Jan 29, 2010
    10
    MAG is the type of a game where you shouldn't judge it by it's cover. What i mean by this statement is that the more you play this game and the higher rank you are, the more you will enjoy this game. Graphic may not compete against the competition but the scale of this massive game makes up for it. At first you might think that with 256 players, it will be chaotic and your going MAG is the type of a game where you shouldn't judge it by it's cover. What i mean by this statement is that the more you play this game and the higher rank you are, the more you will enjoy this game. Graphic may not compete against the competition but the scale of this massive game makes up for it. At first you might think that with 256 players, it will be chaotic and your going to lag like crazy. But the truth is that the way this game is structure, massive lag and getting killed every 2 sec is pretty much non existent. The game doesn't offer a single player but who cares, if i did you would just play it for 5 hours and never again, but that doesn't mean that your 60$ purchase doesn't come with a story behind it. The story is built-in the heart of the game which is online and you truly feel that you have an impact in the game. In my opinion, this is a successful game and zipper has once again creating an online game that will last for years to come. Yes at launch many had experienced lag in domination, but that's because the game is running on dedicate server and zipper was managing the huge number of gamers coming in. If you love fps and prefer tactics and strategy over simply run & gun, than i highly recommend you to try this ambitious game. I gave it a 10/10 not because it deserve it but to bring the overall user voted score to 8,7 (my true rating for this game). PS: It's from zipper, so expect a lot of patches to improve the game, dlc and much more.… Expand
  3. JustinC.
    Jan 28, 2010
    3
    256 players is the draw, to bad they didn't supply a good shooter to back up the large numbers that can play this... got me a trade in I guess. Should have came to Metacritic earlier before buying to learn up on it :(
  4. DaveE.
    Jan 28, 2010
    10
    This game is pure win. It takes skill to rise in this game. It's the first game I've played where there's no friendly fire, no auto aim not even cheats. if you don't like it, it's because you have no skill.
  5. AlexJ.
    Jan 28, 2010
    9
    This game is much better than MW2 since it focuses all it's attention on online play, but at the same time tells some what of a story with the different factions.
  6. MarkD.
    Jan 28, 2010
    9
    This game isn't MW2, it's more difficult, less forgiving and way more team-based. It's a total different experience. The graphics might not be the greatest, but when you understand they couldn't make breath-taking graphics without lagging, you'll find them more than satisfying. The gameplay is this game's jewel, when you unlock the 256 mode, you'll This game isn't MW2, it's more difficult, less forgiving and way more team-based. It's a total different experience. The graphics might not be the greatest, but when you understand they couldn't make breath-taking graphics without lagging, you'll find them more than satisfying. The gameplay is this game's jewel, when you unlock the 256 mode, you'll understand that you are nothing more than an ant. You will need to fight as a team to win, without doing so, you will just die countless of times. I've played the beta more than I've played some game that I bought. I would recommend this game to FPS fans that don't just run and gun.… Expand
  7. NickC.
    Jan 28, 2010
    10
    This is really incomparable to games like MW2. If you play call of duty style you will hate this game die a lot. If you at least attempt to work along with your teammates and form strategies it becomes one of the best experiences you can get from a FPS. Even if your not the best FPS player, you can still do decent and have fun in this game.
  8. PhillR.
    Jan 28, 2010
    10
    when i first heard about this i expected the best game ever. I then realized the game did nothing to innovate but sometimes that is not a bad thing. what it does it does perfect. Fun, plenty, communication useful, multiplayer, the best i have ever seen and it sets a new standard for shooters MAG is a massive action game
  9. KEvinH.
    Jan 28, 2010
    9
    Once you get to the level where you can command a squad or at least have a good squad leader and comprehend that you need to listen to your leadership then this game unfolds into the most deep rewarding experience I have had playing FPS.
  10. kennyJ.
    Jan 28, 2010
    10
    This game deserves 9, but I gave it a 10 to balance the idiots' score. If you like fps genre, then this is a must for you. Teamplay is important and where the fun lies, something lacking in most fps's. The only thing I can complain is a bit dated graphics but not really that much. I think I'll play it for a long time.
  11. davidshepard
    Jan 28, 2010
    0
    best game ever
  12. JoshL
    Jan 28, 2010
    10
    Once again the 'professional' reviewers show their ignorance and preference for petty graphics and gimmicks over true gameplay. This game is genre-defining and offers all kinds of new possibilities to the player. It is massive, it works, and it is absolutely fun and engaging once you give it an hour or two.
  13. JimmyS.
    Jan 28, 2010
    9
    This game is a lot of fun. The fact that there's a back story involving everyone in the game and it benefits the particular faction members via points boosts is a nice twist. This is a "man's" war game.
  14. TaylorC.
    Jan 28, 2010
    10
    If MW2 deserved 10's, and I'm having more fun with MAG, that means MAG deserves a 10 too, yes?
  15. J.Frosty
    Jan 28, 2010
    10
    Very good FPS for people looking for a more team based shooter on a massive battle scale. If you like to run and gun then this game is not for you(EX. Halo,COD:MW1-2) I recommend this only for mature parties who are not afraid of teamwork,cooperation, and strategy. The graphics are fine, I have a 50" LED TV. The learning curve is steep, but once you get the hang of things you will find it Very good FPS for people looking for a more team based shooter on a massive battle scale. If you like to run and gun then this game is not for you(EX. Halo,COD:MW1-2) I recommend this only for mature parties who are not afraid of teamwork,cooperation, and strategy. The graphics are fine, I have a 50" LED TV. The learning curve is steep, but once you get the hang of things you will find it very hard to go back to run-n-gun fps titles… Expand
  16. BuzBuff
    Jan 28, 2010
    9
    This game is a blast. Been playing almost everyday for 3-5 hours. It is a great game, lots of shooting, lots of healing and lots of sweet weapons. CounterStrike + SOCOM + LOTS MORE PEOPLE = MAG. Even when you play with 256 players, you'd only see maybe 40 of them on screen. I wish there was more open space to see more people. But the best thing to do is go out guns blazing! This game is a blast. Been playing almost everyday for 3-5 hours. It is a great game, lots of shooting, lots of healing and lots of sweet weapons. CounterStrike + SOCOM + LOTS MORE PEOPLE = MAG. Even when you play with 256 players, you'd only see maybe 40 of them on screen. I wish there was more open space to see more people. But the best thing to do is go out guns blazing! Don't bother sniping, you'd get owned quick from behind, the side, the front or the sky! Snipers are rendered useless in some levels, and I'm a fan of that. One thing though, this game defiantly NEEDS some work. Just like LittleBigPlanet needed improvements, hopefully they will add on more extras FREE. I don't want to pay any more than my $60. These are necessary for me to give it a 10: 1. women characters 2. some way to find your people in your group easier. When there are 50 allies running around, it is so hard finding my best friend. 3. more variotions of costumes by each character. It's really hard to be unique. 4. being able to play music from your PS3 in the game. I would like to listen to my own music. 5. some sort of tournament mode where I can join a game with serious players. It is annoying getting a 10 year old screaming and spewing racist comments. I love trash talking, but serious intolerance is lame. (only met 1 so far ^_^) 6. more levels around the world! There are not enough levels in the Middle East or South America 7. 3 factions fighting at once. I want a game where SVER, Raven and Valor are all attacking for a certain base or vantage point. 8. faction block system, there are way too many people in SVER. I joined it first becuase I'd thought they would be the underdogs, but we dominate everything. 9. I want to fly a helicopter 10. I want more vechicles… Expand
  17. BrianN.
    Jan 28, 2010
    9
    Fantastic game, once you realize that the scope of the battle is bigger than you are and you start to work with your platoon rather than lone gunning it, you'll get alot of enjoyment out of playing 'MAG'. The graphics, although not on par with 'Killzone 2' are still great considering the vast amount of players ingame. We've all only recently got this game so Fantastic game, once you realize that the scope of the battle is bigger than you are and you start to work with your platoon rather than lone gunning it, you'll get alot of enjoyment out of playing 'MAG'. The graphics, although not on par with 'Killzone 2' are still great considering the vast amount of players ingame. We've all only recently got this game so the full potential hasn't been reached, but I have high confidence in 'MAG' becoming a solid online title for PS3.… Expand
  18. JoshBoynton
    Jan 28, 2010
    9
    A really well executed FPS, bring something absolutely fresh to the table. Having commanded a team, I have not experienced anything as satisfying for a long time, especially in the FPS genre.
  19. MattM.
    Jan 28, 2010
    9
    This game is amazing. If you're a COD fanboy, who likes to run and gun and be a one man team, please DO NOT buy MAG. MAG relies on each player knowing what their job is, and having the ability to get it done. Teamwork is key. To everyone complaining about long spawn times... God forbid you get punished for dying! Soldiers spawn in waves, so you could wait up to 20 seconds to respawn, This game is amazing. If you're a COD fanboy, who likes to run and gun and be a one man team, please DO NOT buy MAG. MAG relies on each player knowing what their job is, and having the ability to get it done. Teamwork is key. To everyone complaining about long spawn times... God forbid you get punished for dying! Soldiers spawn in waves, so you could wait up to 20 seconds to respawn, but you may end up re-spawning instantly. As for the graphics, of course they're not as good as a game like MW2, but MW2 doesn't have 256 players running around on the map. All in all, I highly recommend this game, and wish people would stop trashing it based on ridiculous expectations and things that are beyond the developers' control (such as players not working as a team)… Expand
  20. SteveM.
    Jan 28, 2010
    9
    This is a great game if you like working with a team. It is completely awful if you don't. You can see this in the scores. People love it or hate it. If you just want a FPS that is all about K/D ratios then you will not like MAG. It does not have a anything that sets it apart except being big and requiring you to work as a team. I am very happy that I bought the game.
  21. LyleS.
    Jan 28, 2010
    9
    I love Modern Warfare 2. After playing MAG for a few days, I think I love MAG more. If you like the Battlefield type of gameplay, with vehicles, and where sniping is fun, you'll probably like this more than MW2. It doesn't have the crazy perks (2 headshots, 1 bullet) which is too bad. I found no problem with the controls, other than it wouldn't let me swap L1 and R1 (aim & I love Modern Warfare 2. After playing MAG for a few days, I think I love MAG more. If you like the Battlefield type of gameplay, with vehicles, and where sniping is fun, you'll probably like this more than MW2. It doesn't have the crazy perks (2 headshots, 1 bullet) which is too bad. I found no problem with the controls, other than it wouldn't let me swap L1 and R1 (aim & fire), but I've adjusted. The maps are really nice. The graphics are great. Not that much worse than most games of this type. I'm engrossed in playing, not looking around to see litter fluttering through the air. The games are always full. I't's not overwhelming at all, and if I get in a squad that isn't communicating, I "lone wolf" it, and it's still awesome. Without team communication, the team may not win, but you can still rack up a ton of points lone wolfing...just not the bonus for victory. This game can be played in so many ways: You can find a nice tower or hill and snipe, or drive in an armored vehicle to the front and get into the chaos (ala MW2). I've got a feeling I"m going to like Bad Company 2 better than both MW2 and MAG. I played the BC2 beta, and it's amazing. I'll miss the games with more than 32 players though. As mentioned the game has no colorblind option (so he rates it a 2?!?) How many PS3 games do you have that have a colorblind option? I don't think I've ever seen ANY game with that option. Getting revived by a medic is great but only happens one out of 5 times you die. It's not overdone. Someone mentioned 256 ppl with headsets is too much. Obviously they've never played the game. You only hear your 7 squadmates on the headsets, half of which won't be using headsets, so that's a stupid complaint. As far as walking around and not finding anyone, just click the select button for map, and see where the action is, and head that way. Be careful though, that enemy could be around the next building... The controls are not sluggish at all. I moved the stick sensitivity up from 30 to 70. A lot of things are more realistic in MAG. It takes 2 quick clicks to throw a grenade: 1 to grab it and one to throw it. It would take a lot longer in real life, but it's more realistic than MW2's instant throw. Friendly fire is always on, and you lose points for team killing. It takes adjusting, but ends up being the better for it. You can't just spray a crowd of people with bullets and watch the bad guys drop and the good guys walk away. The spawn time is 16 seconds or less. It's not a big deal. Definitely stick with MW2 if you need to die, spawn and kill the guy that just killed you within 5 seconds. MAG is more realistic. It also forces you to think about what you should be doing next. The guy who returned the game because it was so bad didn't realize it was a PS3 game, and tried to play it on his Xbox. That's the only reason I can think of for returning it. One user rated a 2 said it was "kinda frantic and confusing". Has he played MW2. MW2 is more frantic than this. The game does take a few hours of play to really get comfortable with. For me MW2 took way longer to get good at. One user said he doesn't like that there are 256 players but you are confined to a squad of 8 vs 8. I don't know what he was playing, but you aren't confined to anything. Pick any equipment, mix and match, and get out there, lone wolf, with your squad, or play alongside a completely different platoon...it's up to you. One user give it a 2 and says the lvl system is flawed because you can have 1 or 2 weapons fully upgraded by the time you are top level. I like that a lot better than in MW2 where even a level 5 can pick up a BFG from a dead enemy and use it ,,, Anyway. The game is as good as MW2, which I"d rate the same, but for different reasons.… Expand
  22. AbdelK.
    Jan 28, 2010
    5
    256 players do not make a game good. Gameplay machanics do. It lacks fun gameplay. MAG doesn't have anything special gameplaywise.
  23. SeungchulL.
    Jan 28, 2010
    4
    Far less than stellar, what a letdown. lots of ambition, but executed poorly. controls are loose and sloppy, gameplay is confusing at best, guns sound like toys while explosions sound like firecrackers, too steep a learning curve (and this coming from a fps vet), a poorly constructed level up system, server problems, not to mention the visuals seem to suffer considering everything elseFar less than stellar, what a letdown. lots of ambition, but executed poorly. controls are loose and sloppy, gameplay is confusing at best, guns sound like toys while explosions sound like firecrackers, too steep a learning curve (and this coming from a fps vet), a poorly constructed level up system, server problems, not to mention the visuals seem to suffer considering everything else they were trying to do. granted, the game isn't without its merits considering the sheer size... liked the concept, bummed by the product.… Expand
  24. RagzPSN
    Jan 28, 2010
    10
    An intense multiplayer experience that changes how an online FPS feels and is played. While not for everyone (namely lone wolves or those fixated on Kill-Death Ratio), there is no denying Zipper Interactive has made a quality product with long lasting appeal.
  25. Spenok
    Jan 28, 2010
    9
    After playing the beta for this game my hype level for this game dropped from a 9 to about a 6.5. It could have been much better with less issues. Even still i went out and bought it day one (midnight actually) and i couldnt have been more wrong about this game. Though the graphics (could) be better, i know they aren't because of the massive levels and player count. The objective After playing the beta for this game my hype level for this game dropped from a 9 to about a 6.5. It could have been much better with less issues. Even still i went out and bought it day one (midnight actually) and i couldnt have been more wrong about this game. Though the graphics (could) be better, i know they aren't because of the massive levels and player count. The objective based modes are where this game shines. From attacking an enemy base to defending your home turf this game is solid. When you get a team working together this game easily becomes an 11! (to bad that doesnt happen as often as it should) All in all this game is a must own for all fps fans who own a ps3… Expand
  26. ExpendableSoldier
    Jan 28, 2010
    10
    MAG is a deep, tactical game that rewards teamwork over individual play. It also requires a great deal of attention from all ranks of the command chain so paying attention to the people with microphones becomes a necessity for leadership and troop coordination. It's not arcadey in the sense of Halo or Modern Warfare 2. If you die and if you're lucky, you'll be "bleeding to MAG is a deep, tactical game that rewards teamwork over individual play. It also requires a great deal of attention from all ranks of the command chain so paying attention to the people with microphones becomes a necessity for leadership and troop coordination. It's not arcadey in the sense of Halo or Modern Warfare 2. If you die and if you're lucky, you'll be "bleeding to death" during which time you can still speak with your teammates and hope that a medic will revive you so that you don't have to sprint your way across the map. Spawn points are very important in that respect so working together as a team to destroy or protect a spawn point becomes that much more rewarding with success.… Expand
  27. TonyP
    Jan 27, 2010
    2
    A prime example of Sony over-hyping your typical very below average shooter. Laggy controls on top of lackluster game types makes this game fail short of almost any shooter I have ever played. If you want large battles with actual teamwork, go play Battlefield 2. Also no one talks on this game. Mostly the PS3s fault but also the demographic of this game appeals to the people who lack the A prime example of Sony over-hyping your typical very below average shooter. Laggy controls on top of lackluster game types makes this game fail short of almost any shooter I have ever played. If you want large battles with actual teamwork, go play Battlefield 2. Also no one talks on this game. Mostly the PS3s fault but also the demographic of this game appeals to the people who lack the knowledge to hook up a blue-tooth device.… Expand
  28. RobertW.
    Jan 27, 2010
    10
    I know ten is a very high rating but I could not see any flaws with this game. More complex than COD and with more players, more realistic graphic's and of course the little mentioned customization. And with the MAG blog promising more of everything buy MAG now and say you saw how good it was from the start.
  29. kays
    Jan 27, 2010
    10
    I admit i did not enjoy MAG at first, but after a while, I grew to love the game. It is amazing playing with 256 other people the best part is that it works. Great buy.
  30. flowjo
    Jan 27, 2010
    10
    ok so plain and simple this game is not , their will be a lot of players that jump into this game thinking its your typical shooter... wrong . this shooter goes much much further into the depths of MMO territory if you have played a game with guilds you will understand MAG that much more. planning out exactly what your clan wants to execute is not for the simple minds that want a quick ok so plain and simple this game is not , their will be a lot of players that jump into this game thinking its your typical shooter... wrong . this shooter goes much much further into the depths of MMO territory if you have played a game with guilds you will understand MAG that much more. planning out exactly what your clan wants to execute is not for the simple minds that want a quick TDM this is very large scale planning it takes a little time to understand but be warned if you do not have the concentration and ability to communicate goals then you will not like this shooter for people that want strategy in character builds and planning on the field will absolutely love it… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Best PS3 Game of 2010
8
#8 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2010
91
#91 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 83 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 83
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 83
  3. Negative: 0 out of 83
  1. Destructoid
    80
    Massive Action Game delivers on the promise of its name. It's certainly massive, and there is more than enough action to go around. MAG's biggest draw, however, is that it's perfect for both hardcore multiplayer FPS fans and newcomers alike.
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  2. TheSixthAxis
    80
    The challenge of branding MAG with a number (much smaller than its trademarked 256 and between 1 and 10) to denote its quality is akin to rating World of Warcraft after a weekend of gold-farming, long before the full majesty of the game has blossomed and shown its true potential. The best we can do is rate our early impressions, undoubtedly influenced by the game’s prospects for the future.
    Read full review
  3. Meristation
    80
    256 players in the same battlefield is clearly a new step beyond what console online gaming was offering. Spectacular in its size, MAG allows at the same time a deep approach for the hardcore FPS lovers, and also an easier gameplay appealing for those more casual action gamers. The lack of any non-online mode can limit its influence, and the visuals are not over the top, but in the end, MAG achieves success delivering the closest experience to fighting on a living battlefield.
    Read full review
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