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I've always loved Flamethrowers. They kill slowly, and the sound of them burning to a crisp while being in absolute pain thrills me. Glad to see it get some love! I liked the World at War flamer, despite its short range. I was really pissed off with the useless flamethrower in Black Ops.
PS they still don't explode when shot.
PS they still don't explode when shot.
But... But... The flamethrower was one of the best weapons in contra 3! The worthless one was that stupid laser.
The worst ft I've ever used goes to dead space 1. It was a champ in dead space 2, however, and I used it to compliment the plasma cutter to cheat my way to the end on the hardest difficulty. (it's a pretty broken weapon).
If course, I'm prolly just biased since I absolutely love flamethrowers in games. It was probably my biggest draw to tf2 and the pyro remains as one of my most played and adored classes with around 160 hrs put into him.
The worst ft I've ever used goes to dead space 1. It was a champ in dead space 2, however, and I used it to compliment the plasma cutter to cheat my way to the end on the hardest difficulty. (it's a pretty broken weapon).
If course, I'm prolly just biased since I absolutely love flamethrowers in games. It was probably my biggest draw to tf2 and the pyro remains as one of my most played and adored classes with around 160 hrs put into him.
All this talk of fire and no mention of Far Cry 2? Flamethrowers in that game can be just delightful if used carefully. Granted, the downside of probably not having anything to deal with gun trucks is a big one, but still, FIRE!
Also, I find it extremely funny that the pic you put up of contra shows the miniboss where I found the flamer is most effective. You could be at any angle and fire away at the enemy instead of having to be directly under him. I would literally groan when I went into that fight without the flamer. Perspective is a funny thing.
It's a shame flamethrowers have been used in real life to kill people in the slowest and most horrific ways.
:D
:D
I never really thought it about it much before, but I feel pretty much the same way as you regarding flamethrowers Chad. Good read! I think the flamethrower in Gunstar Heroes was pretty satisfying actually - like Contra, it helps to have long-range attacks in that game, but it had more power and felt damn satisfying when swinging in a 360 motion as loads of enemies homed in.
Somehow it hadn't crossed my mind that this could be a thing among gamers lol...I also don't like to use flamethrowers, they go un-upgraded in most of my games, mainly because usually the ammo (fuel) is so expensive and it drains out so fast!
There's always more than one weapon more practical and efficient, but there's something fun and challenging about using flamethrowers, you've motivated to give them a try next time. And you're right, it's neat and more inviting when they give it special gameplay implications uses.
There's always more than one weapon more practical and efficient, but there's something fun and challenging about using flamethrowers, you've motivated to give them a try next time. And you're right, it's neat and more inviting when they give it special gameplay implications uses.
Never been a fan of the flamethrower. It's the only weapon type in Fallout 3 and Fallout NV that I have never, ever used. I want up close or I want long range. Mid-range is just not appealing to me.
Killzone 2 had a pretty gnarly flamethrower, and Gears of War's flamethrower execution is by far my favorite :)
@tekbunny,
I agree that the flamethrower in Contra III is great against a few bosses ... but outside of that I never liked it. :)
I agree that the flamethrower in Contra III is great against a few bosses ... but outside of that I never liked it. :)
@tekbunny,
Haha. I know. I thought about that the minute I posted the image. That is the best place to use the flamethrower, hands down. :)
Haha. I know. I thought about that the minute I posted the image. That is the best place to use the flamethrower, hands down. :)
This could've all been avoided if you used the flamethrower in Gunstar Heroes. That one was brilliant.
@Ellie ODaire and @SeymourDuncan17,
Far Cry 2 is great! The flamethrower is so awesome in that game that I decided to use it as the header image. :)
Sorry no further mentions of it. But I agree with you!
Far Cry 2 is great! The flamethrower is so awesome in that game that I decided to use it as the header image. :)
Sorry no further mentions of it. But I agree with you!
I always had a lot of fun busting out the flamethrowers in GTA!! Nothing helps you to unwind after a hard day like punching in the Max health, armour, and ammo codes, and burning the citizens of the city to a crisp.
@Radox Redux,
The flamethrower in Gunstar Heroes was totally awesome. That's when I started to slowly come around. :)
The flamethrower in Gunstar Heroes was totally awesome. That's when I started to slowly come around. :)
I agree that back in the day, flmaethrowers sucked. Games would pit you against long range enemies with a short to mid range weapon. When given a choice between a gun and flamethrower, I'd choose gun.
Now they're used better, but it depends on the game. Team Fortress 2's Pyro may seem useless against mid to long range enemies, but they have a lot of uses, like Spy checking, air blasting stickies and and other projectiles, and much more. Plus they're deadly if they can get the drop on the other classes. It's all a matter how the weapon is used in the game against other weapons in the game.
Now they're used better, but it depends on the game. Team Fortress 2's Pyro may seem useless against mid to long range enemies, but they have a lot of uses, like Spy checking, air blasting stickies and and other projectiles, and much more. Plus they're deadly if they can get the drop on the other classes. It's all a matter how the weapon is used in the game against other weapons in the game.
Yay! It's a Chad post!
While never practical, I've found flamethrowers are a lot of fun in Saint's Row 2. It might be a bit sadistic, but watching civilians catch each other on fire is good for a few laughs. And I love the flamethrowing dunebuggys in Starcraft 2(can't remember the specific unit name). They're surprisingly effective at holding off the Zerg, and move super fast.
While never practical, I've found flamethrowers are a lot of fun in Saint's Row 2. It might be a bit sadistic, but watching civilians catch each other on fire is good for a few laughs. And I love the flamethrowing dunebuggys in Starcraft 2(can't remember the specific unit name). They're surprisingly effective at holding off the Zerg, and move super fast.
I remember the first time I rocked the flamethrower in Turok 2. burning those yellow Dino dudes never got old.
The flamethrower is my favourite weapon in Warhawk. Anti-tank, anti-jeep, anti-personnel, anti-mines.....but mostly it put those knifing fuckers in their place. I love it so much. Also, pyro is my favourite TF2 class, flamethrower-shocktroopers in Valkryia Chronicles own and fire Pokemon are best Pokemon.
In games with limited weapon slots you typically don't use a flamethrower. Now, if you can pickup a weapon from your fallen enemies by the time you're about out of ammo, then FLAME ON I say. Same with other novelty weapons.
"Yay! It's a Chad post!" I said the same thing. :D
I was glad you mentioned the fire flower in [i]SMB[i], however I disagree about it's usefulness. That thing lets you keep enemies at bay because it HAD range! FireBALLS would continue down the screen and obliterate anything in the way! :D
In recent games, I used to avoid the Pyro in TFC because the flamethrower wasn't that great but in TF2 it's incredibly overpowered, so he's become my main class. Natural Selection 2 has a flamethrower that's pretty good, especially at taking out alien infestation, structures and smaller alien lifeforms. So much fun!
As far as weapons I used to hate that I've warmed-up to(;D) I'd say Sniper Rifles! I used to HATE them so much back in the days of Quake(Railgun) and Counter-Strike(AWP) but the Half-Life mod 'Fire-Arms' got me started down the one-shot-one-kill path with the Barrett98b .50 cal sniper rifle. Now I'm more comfortable with them and fully recognize their value to the point that I gravitate towards them!
Great article!
I was glad you mentioned the fire flower in [i]SMB[i], however I disagree about it's usefulness. That thing lets you keep enemies at bay because it HAD range! FireBALLS would continue down the screen and obliterate anything in the way! :D
In recent games, I used to avoid the Pyro in TFC because the flamethrower wasn't that great but in TF2 it's incredibly overpowered, so he's become my main class. Natural Selection 2 has a flamethrower that's pretty good, especially at taking out alien infestation, structures and smaller alien lifeforms. So much fun!
As far as weapons I used to hate that I've warmed-up to(;D) I'd say Sniper Rifles! I used to HATE them so much back in the days of Quake(Railgun) and Counter-Strike(AWP) but the Half-Life mod 'Fire-Arms' got me started down the one-shot-one-kill path with the Barrett98b .50 cal sniper rifle. Now I'm more comfortable with them and fully recognize their value to the point that I gravitate towards them!
Great article!
@chad
Now that you mention it, my.friends didn't really like the weapon either. I was always gunning for the powerup. I pretty much became a walking wall of damage. That and it made that part where you had to get across the railing with all those stupid things picking you up and taking you to the top of the screen. You don't even have to stop moving, just keep jumping forward with the flames sticking up.
Now that you mention it, my.friends didn't really like the weapon either. I was always gunning for the powerup. I pretty much became a walking wall of damage. That and it made that part where you had to get across the railing with all those stupid things picking you up and taking you to the top of the screen. You don't even have to stop moving, just keep jumping forward with the flames sticking up.
Return to Castle Wolfenstein had my favourite flamethrower, I remember there was a MASSIVE fuss over the graphics (particularly for the flamethrower) back in the day, they were ahead of their time, really!
The Flame (Chemical) Thrower in Bioshock was pretty effective, but my favorite flame thrower is in [/b]I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES!!!1[/b]
A flamethrower is almost a defensive weapon: overwhelming offense at close range.
A flamethrower is almost a defensive weapon: overwhelming offense at close range.
Legendary had a great flamethrower for that style gameplay, enemies would rush you hard and fast, the heavy damage on the weapon made it a nice addition. That or i'm just remembering the game wrong and it didnt actually have a flame thrower. Other honorable mentions, Metal Slug has a good flame weapon, it does heavy damage and doesnt obscure bullets as much as Contra III. Should do an article on fire magic for games that use flames in the context of special attacks.
What I really like about the flamethrower in both Bastion and TF2 is the burn damage. I like that you can charge in, light stuff on fire, and then back off and let the enemies burn to death on their own. The fact that you can make the flamethrower slow enemies in bastion was also a nice perk.
Flamethrowers just need to deal more damage. In games like Black ops the flamethrower rarely comes on top because of its slow speed and lack of instant killing power. If they did more damage and had a lasting effect in the environment they would be more competitive.
Still screw K/D. I love lighting people on fire.
Still screw K/D. I love lighting people on fire.
I really liked the flamethrower in Contra III, and I mostly play Pyro in TF2 :-) Does anyone remember the Flamewall in Rise of the Triad? That gun was insane, I'm so looking forward to the remake.
Please don't have Andy shoot me in the knee, but.. Not a great write-up, Chad. You repeated some of your experiences and points several times too many and thus could've kept it all much shorter. Right, I know; everyone's a critic.
Also.. The Flamethrower in Contra III was so good that it was almost broken. It did tons of damage since the wide-ass hitbox dealt each point in rapid succession and it acted like a friggin' shield if you'd wave it around whenever destructible enemy projectiles were incoming. It could also shoot through obstacles that most other weapons couldn't go though. If one wanted range, one would just have to swap one's weapon out, since there were always two in the inventory, including the default Machine Gun. I always preferred the Flamethrower and the Homing Missiles (you could shoot around obstacles by firing at an angle) as my two weapons of choice.
Generally though, yes; there aren't too many games where flamethrowers aren't useless or devoid of any impact. At least in the 16-bit and 32-bit era - where they started to become bread 'n' butter in many arsenals - the hits would register as blinks on enemy sprites or instantaneously set them into a death animation.
Oh, btw, dude.. If you've started to find a liking for flame based weaponry, you've got to get up on some Hard Corps: Uprising and try the Plasma gun. Shit's nuts. It burns most enemy projectiles to ashes, can be charged for a bigger shot and does sweet damage.
Also.. The Flamethrower in Contra III was so good that it was almost broken. It did tons of damage since the wide-ass hitbox dealt each point in rapid succession and it acted like a friggin' shield if you'd wave it around whenever destructible enemy projectiles were incoming. It could also shoot through obstacles that most other weapons couldn't go though. If one wanted range, one would just have to swap one's weapon out, since there were always two in the inventory, including the default Machine Gun. I always preferred the Flamethrower and the Homing Missiles (you could shoot around obstacles by firing at an angle) as my two weapons of choice.
Generally though, yes; there aren't too many games where flamethrowers aren't useless or devoid of any impact. At least in the 16-bit and 32-bit era - where they started to become bread 'n' butter in many arsenals - the hits would register as blinks on enemy sprites or instantaneously set them into a death animation.
Oh, btw, dude.. If you've started to find a liking for flame based weaponry, you've got to get up on some Hard Corps: Uprising and try the Plasma gun. Shit's nuts. It burns most enemy projectiles to ashes, can be charged for a bigger shot and does sweet damage.
Chad is a late bloomer CONFIRMED.
If you want a grand flamethrower experience, I can't think of anything more satisfying than the one in Contra: Shattered Soldier. It looks awesome, does good damage and watching enemies collapse in a pile of flame-meat just never gets old to me.
If you want a grand flamethrower experience, I can't think of anything more satisfying than the one in Contra: Shattered Soldier. It looks awesome, does good damage and watching enemies collapse in a pile of flame-meat just never gets old to me.
The CoD World at War flamethrower is my favorite. Man, World at War in general is my favorite CoD. Wish they'd police the servers still; I can't get into a non-hacked lobby.
And while we're on the subject, I'd like to see the flamethrower have a comeback in Halo 4. Maybe even as a more mobile weapon?
And while we're on the subject, I'd like to see the flamethrower have a comeback in Halo 4. Maybe even as a more mobile weapon?
This is perfect. I'm always training myself to be more open-minded when playing games, as if it were some sort of virtue. My latest trend has been forcing myself to experiment with more tech/status spells and items in RPGs, rather than just saving up a hundred useless things for the final boss. I'm always worried that I'm missing out on something really fun, and I owe it to myself to try things I'd previously disregarded.
Any Super Mario Bros. game after the original one. Would you honestly take a fire flower over a leaf in Mario 3? Or a feather in Super Mario World? Never. Fire Flowers were a hindrance, because in those beloved games, movement-based abilities FAR outclassed offensive abilities.
I Made A Game With Zombies In It: Most OP Flamethrower ever, best weapon in the game. Otherwise, I kinda agree. Flamethrowers tend to suck.
The flamethrower in Team Fortress Classic was useless, and is probably the reason I don't play TF2.
Scenario: I boot up TF for the first time.
I pick the Pyro, because he's so damn cool.
I die.
I die some more.
And more.
I get no kills.
Because the flamethrower in TF will whittle down someone's health to 1 but WONT FUCKING KILL THEM.
/End rant.
Scenario: I boot up TF for the first time.
I pick the Pyro, because he's so damn cool.
I die.
I die some more.
And more.
I get no kills.
Because the flamethrower in TF will whittle down someone's health to 1 but WONT FUCKING KILL THEM.
/End rant.
i usually don't disagree with chad but i'll have to in this one. i LOOVE the flamethrower in contra III! best weapon in the game IMO...i would fight to get it and i would get sad when death took it away from me.
flamethrower in dino crisis 2 was badass too as well as in metalslug and shattered soldier
flamethrower in dino crisis 2 was badass too as well as in metalslug and shattered soldier
The pyro was good in TF and TF2 if you don't care too much about kills, but like being a nuisance. Done right, it can be the biggest assist. Spy-catcher, group toaster, sniper distractor and medic-negator. Just forget about the score, light everyone up, die and repeat. It's done best when laughing like a maniac.
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