This is the definitive MAG: Massive Action Game Review. MAG is a game that pushed the boundaries of online console gaming as we know it, Putting in a game mode that allowed a massive 256 players in one game! Another first for this FPS genre was giving the responsibilities of strikes, objectives, and planning to the player. You had roles such as squad leader, Platoon leader, and the big one Officer In Charge. Each role gave the player additional abilities, Such as being able to talk to the whole squad, platoon, or the whole army.

MAG: Massive Action Game gave so much but didn’t favor well with a number of people. Some blame the graphics while some blamed the lack of “COD” in it. While many didn’t even know it existed!. Poor DLC later in life didn’t help and Zipper made the mistake of listening to the wrong fans and effectively killing the very game we all knew and loved. DLC split the community and offered game modes that didn’t quite fit in with the original plan.

With no single player at all, This also turned people away who were not ready for an online-only game on their home consoles. The entire combination of the good and bad ideas ultimately brought this game down in both ratings and player numbers. Numbers you needed to keep high in order for people to play the modes they wanted to. Welcome to our MAG: Massive Action Game Review.

Featured on our article on games we want to see remastered.

MAG: Massive Action Game Review Pros:

• Nice graphics.
• 256 players online in one game at the same time.
• No boundaries so you could roam the whole map.
• Huge varied maps.
• Platinum Trophy.
• Mass MMO like FPS gameplay.
• You could be in control of the whole army issuing orders and tactics
• You served a role and got rewarded for it, Meaning if you wanted to play it safe and just repair structures? Fine do that and still rank up like your teammates.
• Game modes-
  • Domination– big 256b player mode where you have attackers and defenders and attackers must take down the smaller bases before the big main depot opens up.
  • Suppression– Team deathmatch which is self-explanatory and is 64 players.
  • Sabotage was the smallest gamemode of those with Shadow War influence. It was played by 64 players from two of the game’s three factions, 32 players aside. In Sabotage, the attacking team must work to secure two enemy satellite uplink centers—objectives A and B. Once both centers have been secured and simultaneously held, objective C is unlocked.
  • Acquisition pits one faction against another, 128 players per game, 64-player factions, and is MAG’s variant on the Capture the Flag game type.
• The unlock system created a good balance of stealth versus all out the attacker.
• Game modes were varied and you either attacked or defended your turf.
• 3 Factions to choose from, each with unique weapons and a back story
• After reaching the max level you could swap factions.
• Shadow war- As you won and lost games the game map choices would change so the winning team would have to defend more and the others would attack more. Winning would also give EXP bonuses both overall and on a per map basis.
• Voice comms were and still are the best quality of in-game communication in any ps3 game.
• Full Clan support complete with player roles like team leader, Squad leader, etc.
• Controls were simple.
• PlayStation Move support didn’t feel tacked on and actually improved the way you play the game.
• It had vehicles to help transport fellow soldiers.
• In-game screenshot support.
• An external website to show your stats.
• You would parachute in on your final objective.
• Prestige was available enabling you to earn more XP per game. Works the same as in Call Of Duty, Prestige means you give back all your unlocks and rank to start again.

MAG: Massive Action Game Review Cons:

• The graphics were not great, Very bland, and PS2 looking. The colors used were your greys and browns.
• Your first match alone could be a very daunting and isolated experience.
• The patches after patch 2.0 ruined the balance and feel of the game.
• The DLC didn’t really add to the experience and felt tacked on for the sake of it
• Spawn camping on certain maps was horrendous, Could have easily been fixed
• Getting sniped when parachuting in was a big problem.
• Team killing while accidental only got worse and the penalties were nonexistent.
• When they opened up all maps to everyone it cheapened the whole faction loyalty incentive.
• The user interface isn’t very clear for the new players.
• Waiting times for games could take ages if you joined the queue cycle at the wrong time.
• Possible to be stuck in the loop on matchmaking and never get a game.
• No single player.
• When there was maintenance no one could play.

MAG: Massive Action Game

Official website (Wiki as the main site is shut down)

Developer: Zipper Interactive

Publisher: Sony Studios

PSN Store link- Defunct now.