Spec Ops: The Line is one title I have been eagerly awaiting, and now that it’s available on Linux I took a look for you.
About the game (Official)
Spec Ops: The Line is a new original title from 2K Games that features provocative and gripping Third-Person modern military Shooter gameplay designed to challenge players' morality by putting them in the middle of unspeakable situations where unimaginable choices affecting human life must be made. Features include, a gripping, storyline reminiscent of Apocalypse Now and Heart of Darkness but set in a ruined Dubai, tactical squad-based Delta Force gameplay throughout a horizontally and vertically oriented world, devastating sandstorms which can be used in combat, a variety of multiplayer modes and maps, and deep support featuring two factions.
The Linux port is from Virtual Programming, who gave us The Witcher 2, Stronghold 3 Gold and Bioshock Infinite. Their porting tech has come a long way, so it’s time to check out another game ported with their proprietary eON technology.
Linux gameplay video
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Direct Link
Direct Link
Port report with initial thoughts
Specs: Nvidia 970, Intel i5 4670K, 16GB RAM.
Performance
It did start with lowest everything, and a resolution of 640x480, but it was painless to crank up up. The settings change was instant too, so no reloading needed.
So far performance seems to be mostly good, I've seen it bounce between 60FPS to well over 140FPS. This is with the highest possible settings that I'm able to set. That's pretty on-par with most other big releases that we have had, so they did a pretty good job as far as framerate goes.
During the first battle on foot the performance seemed great, and I was still getting well over 100FPS, but I have noticed some micro stuttering here and there, and it seems like it’s when it’s loading an area much like Bioshock Infinite does. One of them lasted for 2 seconds, and that’s the most I’ve seen. It is a little bit distracting when it does it.
It also stutters when something big happens, like an explosion.
It seems to be much more stable than Bioshock for reference, Bioshock I could crash quite easily, but Spec Ops: The Line has been open the whole time, with a lot of alt+tabbing, and it worked fine while recording a video and rendering the video in the background. That's pretty great news for me!
Gameplay, initial look only
It seems like a pretty standard story-based third person shooter, with some reasonably pretty visuals. I say reasonably as it's quite bright, seems like it has a lot of bloom going on.
The intro scene seems pretty on-par with what you find in most Call of Duty games, and that makes me a happy gamer. Nothing like a good Hollywood style showdown. I don't care how others feel about such scenes, I think they're good old fashioned fun. I like helicopters, I like big machine guns, and I flipping love blowing stuff up.
There’s plenty of banter between characters, and it has already given me a few chuckles as you comment about the stupid remarks one of your soldiers makes. This seems like a repeating thing too, goodie. I like games that have chatty characters, as it enables me to get a little more engrossed in the story and the characters themselves.
The controls aren't bad, but it's pretty simple. You can simply tap space and your character ducks and runs, or press space against an object to get cover. The cover system is pretty easy to use too, and is very much like the one used in Gears of War and Mass Effect
The stuttering I mentioned before is a repeating issue though, and it doesn't make the game a perfect experience for me.
Other issues
I have the same issue as with Bioshock, my Logitech F310’s look is inverted even though it’s turned off, setting it to “on” in Bioshock fixed it, but I am unable to change that setting in Spec Ops: The Line, it’s quite annoying. If I try, it flickers extremely fast to on and off again.
Final Verdict: Honestly, it seems like a reasonable port and an interesting game, but the stuttering is really quite annoying. If they fixed the stuttering, then it would be gold.
You can find Spec Ops: The Line on Steam and Humble Store, it’s also dirt cheap right now. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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The comments on this article are closed.
Quoting: GuestAnyone try the pool memory size increase trick like with Bioshock yet to get rid of stuttering and low-rez textures?Yes, it works perfectly. Thank you guys for pointing it out.
Increasing PoolSize from 140 to a mere 256 made all the difference in the initial chopper sequence between "unplayable dia show" and "flawless without a single stutter".
Btw. the config var is located in .local/share/Steam/SteamApps/common/SpecOps_TheLine/Engine/Config/BaseEngine.ini
1 Likes, Who?
[Linux] tayshady May 16, 2015
The stuttering is really annoying for me, maybe I'm just spoiled from Windows gaming but this is pretty bad. I mean it freezes for seconds at a time, it's not just tiny stutters too, something's happening with the memory buffer for the framerate to completely tank for up to 3 seconds or so at a time. Also my input is wonky, I'm using a wireless 360 controller and it keeps sliding everything to the left nonstop, can't select difficulty or anything really. I started the game and the character was constantly moving to the left, tried unplugging, resetting game, etc. It seems like an issue with the game.
Outside of that performance is solid, 60 FPS on Max Settings for me, with some occasional dips into 50's, it's tolerable but not ideal because an old game like this should not be hard for my hardware to max out easily at 60 FPS 1080p.
My rig:
FX 8370
GTX 970
8 GB DDR3 1866Mhz
2 TB HDD
Linux Mint 17.1 Rebecca
Outside of that performance is solid, 60 FPS on Max Settings for me, with some occasional dips into 50's, it's tolerable but not ideal because an old game like this should not be hard for my hardware to max out easily at 60 FPS 1080p.
My rig:
FX 8370
GTX 970
8 GB DDR3 1866Mhz
2 TB HDD
Linux Mint 17.1 Rebecca
2 Likes, Who?
Quoting: CaldazarIncreasing PoolSize from 140 to a mere 256 made all the difference in the initial chopper sequence between "unplayable dia show" and "flawless without a single stutter".
Btw. the config var is located in .local/share/Steam/SteamApps/common/SpecOps_TheLine/Engine/Config/BaseEngine.ini
I can confirm that this indeed works. The game stopped being an unplayable stuttering mess. Now I only get stutters when entering a new area, loading new opponents' models and things like that. I wonder if increasing it to over 256 helps even further. Anyone tried?
I also have a bit of mouse lag input, just like in Witcher 2. It's a bit annoying, but nothing serious. The game also doesn't remember the settings, I have to set the resolution every time.
0 Likes
Quoting: morbiusAs far as I read, you can increase the PoolSize to 512 no problem or even 1024 if you feel adventurous. I doubt you'll get rid of the initial stutter in new areas though. But I'll try it too and see what happens.Quoting: CaldazarIncreasing PoolSize from 140 to a mere 256 made all the difference in the initial chopper sequence between "unplayable dia show" and "flawless without a single stutter".
Btw. the config var is located in .local/share/Steam/SteamApps/common/SpecOps_TheLine/Engine/Config/BaseEngine.ini
I can confirm that this indeed works. The game stopped being an unplayable stuttering mess. Now I only get stutters when entering a new area, loading new opponents' models and things like that. I wonder if increasing it to over 256 helps even further. Anyone tried?
I also have a bit of mouse lag input, just like in Witcher 2. It's a bit annoying, but nothing serious. The game also doesn't remember the settings, I have to set the resolution every time.
Don't worry about the game forgetting your settings. That only happens after you change the config file.
I don't have any mouse lag but the game has a hell of a annoying mouse-acceleration implemented. It has a similar effect on my gameplay. You can mistake that for lag because of the constant overshooting. Sure that this isn't your problem also or is it really that "react 3 seconds later" as in The Witcher?
0 Likes
No, mouse acceleration seems fine, except that mouse is way too sensitive. The problem is that cursor reacts split second after I move the mouse. In the game it's not that much of a problem, but in the menus it really feels bad.
0 Likes
Good job freezing and forcing me to restart my 3 months uptime desktop eON! Losing all of tabs, closing all of the programs...
Linux traitor seal of approval!!!
Inner enemy seal of approval!!!
Linux traitor seal of approval!!!
Inner enemy seal of approval!!!
0 Likes
And this test with Vsync On
View video on youtube.com
System Specs
Nvidia Drivers 349.16
Linux Mint 17 XFCE Edition 64Bit - Kernel 3.18.0.31
CPU: INTEL Pentium G3220 (Haswell 22nm) 3.0Ghz
MEM: 8GB DDR3 1333 (2x4) Patriot value (dual channel: 21.3 gb/s)
GPU: Zotac Nvidia Geforce GT630 (GK208 28nm: 384 Shaders / 8 ROPS) Passive Cooling 2GB DDR3 1800Mhz 64Bit (14.4Gb/s)
BOARD: MSI H81M E33
Slowdowns reduce and more stable however maybe more later upload other test with more poolsize value maybe 512
^_^
View video on youtube.com
System Specs
Nvidia Drivers 349.16
Linux Mint 17 XFCE Edition 64Bit - Kernel 3.18.0.31
CPU: INTEL Pentium G3220 (Haswell 22nm) 3.0Ghz
MEM: 8GB DDR3 1333 (2x4) Patriot value (dual channel: 21.3 gb/s)
GPU: Zotac Nvidia Geforce GT630 (GK208 28nm: 384 Shaders / 8 ROPS) Passive Cooling 2GB DDR3 1800Mhz 64Bit (14.4Gb/s)
BOARD: MSI H81M E33
Slowdowns reduce and more stable however maybe more later upload other test with more poolsize value maybe 512
^_^
0 Likes
Quoting: Linux tayshadyThe stuttering is really annoying for me, maybe I'm just spoiled from Windows gaming but this is pretty bad. I mean it freezes for seconds at a time, it's not just tiny stutters too, something's happening with the memory buffer for the framerate to completely tank for up to 3 seconds or so at a time. Also my input is wonky, I'm using a wireless 360 controller and it keeps sliding everything to the left nonstop, can't select difficulty or anything really. I started the game and the character was constantly moving to the left, tried unplugging, resetting game, etc. It seems like an issue with the game.Rotate the thumbsticks few times, full circle.
And increase the PoolSize to something more than the default 160, but not by much; the game uses at best 700MB.
0 Likes
Quoting: morbiusNo, mouse acceleration seems fine, except that mouse is way too sensitive.Well, a console port ported to Linux.
The mouse sensitivity issue is where a gaming mouse with dpi switch actually comes in handy.
Setting my RoG Gladius to 6400dpi and cranking the sensitivity up to full 10/10 lets me shoot like a seasoned marksman whereas before it was rather like spray and pray like a jihadi.
0 Likes
I just gave it a try and I have to say that game is very cool, and port is not very bad, but for sure needs some additional work.
On my machine (i5 2410m, 10GB RAM, gt540m, Ubuntu 14.10 64 bit) I have about 20-30 fps and some serious drops from time to time. And like Liam and few other Logitech F310 - I just cannot use controller in game which is pretty disappointing.
Anyway - I am glad that this genre of games finally has a nice representative on the Linux system.
On my machine (i5 2410m, 10GB RAM, gt540m, Ubuntu 14.10 64 bit) I have about 20-30 fps and some serious drops from time to time. And like Liam and few other Logitech F310 - I just cannot use controller in game which is pretty disappointing.
Anyway - I am glad that this genre of games finally has a nice representative on the Linux system.
0 Likes
Quoting: wojtek88And like Liam and few other Logitech F310 - I just cannot use controller in game which is pretty disappointing.Doesn't work at all or...?
I have the same controller and works OK, force-feedback and all.
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@dubigrasu It is impossible to even start the game with gamepad plugged in because in menu it permanently changes selected option - it behaves like "up" button is treated as pressed.
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Quoting: wojtek88@dubigrasu It is impossible to even start the game with gamepad plugged in because in menu it permanently changes selected option - it behaves like "up" button is treated as pressed.Yes it does that, but rotate the thumbsticks few times full circle and it will settle down.
It seems that it needs some kind of calibration first.
0 Likes
Quoting: dubigrasuThat's pretty impressive, seeing as the F310 doesn't even have force-feedback. :PQuoting: wojtek88And like Liam and few other Logitech F310 - I just cannot use controller in game which is pretty disappointing.Doesn't work at all or...?
I have the same controller and works OK, force-feedback and all.
Anyway, the reason the gamepad works for you and doesn't for others could be due to different versions of the xpad driver or something else unrelated to the game.
0 Likes
Quoting: tuubiQuoting: dubigrasuThat's pretty impressive, seeing as the F310 doesn't even have force-feedback. :PQuoting: wojtek88And like Liam and few other Logitech F310 - I just cannot use controller in game which is pretty disappointing.Doesn't work at all or...?
I have the same controller and works OK, force-feedback and all.
root@steamos:/home/steam/Desktop# fftest /dev/input/event8
Force feedback test program.
HOLD FIRMLY YOUR WHEEL OR JOYSTICK TO PREVENT DAMAGES
Device /dev/input/event8 opened
Axes query:
Effects: Periodic Rumble
Number of simultaneous effects: 16
Upload effects[1]: Invalid argument
Upload effects[2]: Invalid argument
Upload effects[3]: Invalid argument
Enter effect number, -1 to exit
4
Now Playing: Strong Rumble
Enter effect number, -1 to exit
5
Now Playing: Weak Rumble
Enter effect number, -1 to exit
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Quoting: dubigrasuYour point being what exactly? The controller doesn't actually vibrate unless it has a force feedback motor to produce the vibration. And my F310 definitely has none. There used to be the wired Logitech F510 that had ff though (seems to be discontinued), and the wireless F710 sports dual motors for double the pleasure.root@steamos:/home/steam/Desktop# fftest /dev/input/event8
Force feedback test program.
HOLD FIRMLY YOUR WHEEL OR JOYSTICK TO PREVENT DAMAGES
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Quoting: tuubiWell, I don't know about your particular controller, but this one has force-feedback capabilities and two motors.Quoting: dubigrasuYour point being what exactly? The controller doesn't actually vibrate unless it has a force feedback motor to produce the vibration. And my F310 definitely has none.root@steamos:/home/steam/Desktop# fftest /dev/input/event8
Force feedback test program.
HOLD FIRMLY YOUR WHEEL OR JOYSTICK TO PREVENT DAMAGES
As you can see above both Strong and Weak Rumble can be played. When certain effects are not available it simply says: No such effects.
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Quoting: dubigrasuWell, I don't know about your particular controller, but this one has force-feedback capabilities and two motors.There must be different versions of the F310 then. Even Logitech's website or my copy of the manual have no mention of this feature. As I wrote before, the lack of force feedback was the only real difference to the more expensive F510 back when I bought mine. Maybe they simply sell the F510 rebranded as F310 now, and it was the old F310 that was discontinued instead? If they did, I'm glad I got one without the annoying vibrators. Useless extra weight I'd disable anyway.
As you can see above both Strong and Weak Rumble can be played. When certain effects are not available it simply says: No such effects.
PS: fftest shows support for the effects here as well despite my controller's lack of motors. As expected, nothing happens when I select a test to run.
PPS: Everyone else, sorry about going off topic... once again.
0 Likes
Quoting: tuubiThere must be different versions of the F310 then. Even Logitech's website or my copy of the manual have no mention of this feature. As I wrote before, the lack of force feedback was the only real difference to the more expensive F510 back when I bought mine. Maybe they simply sell the F510 rebranded as F310 now, and it was the old F310 that was discontinued instead?No idea, this one that I have is branded F310, it looks like a F310 and identifies itself as such (046d:c21d Logitech, Inc. F310 Gamepad [XInput Mode]).
It could be a different animal though since I bought it from Ebay, and you can find all sort of weird clones/fakes there.
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This test are with poolsize at 256 (i try more higher value but dont work in my case reset settings)
Pool size at 256 for both test
Without Vsync
View video on youtube.com
With Vsync
View video on youtube.com
At simple seek game improve considerably in change game areas
^_^
Pool size at 256 for both test
Without Vsync
View video on youtube.com
With Vsync
View video on youtube.com
At simple seek game improve considerably in change game areas
^_^
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