If I had to describe the soldier customization introduced with Stalingrad I would label it wasted potential.
It’s no secret that Enlisted doesn’t boast the most historically accurate uniforms on the market (and idk why) but the customizations is just wrong, sad and half-assed.
First of all, we all remember how in screenshots/alpha/beta lots the soldiers had all the webbing and gear?
Then, I would assume, most of this gear was removed because the devs thought “Hey, we can monetize that!” which resulted in most soldiers wearing the notorious ‘pajamas’ without any gear.
(One of the alternative reasons suggested was that the hanging gear would be difficult for old-gen consoles, but I can’t debunk or confirm this, especially given how we now have Stalingrad customization also on old-gen).
However, the system of adding gear by actually buying backpaks, grenade and ammo pouches sounded really nice and looked authentic - you equip an ammo pouch, your soldier gets both the cosmetic item and the increased ammo capacity.
Though even at that stage visual problems started to arise: ammo pouches don’t correspond to weapon types at all, pistol holsters don’t exist, shovels and axes are not displayed, secondary rifles hang in the air using magic.
But this system at least made sense and could have been improved upon.
The current system is weird:
On the left I have my Large Backpack bought in Logistics, but when I buy cosmetics, it somehow transforms into a sack?
Lots and lots of head models collide with headgear
Naturally, the more gear you have the more collision happens (secondary rifles also really need a sling)
Some customization choices are ridiculous
Now then, let’s imagine what an actually good soldier customization system would look like:
- ammo pouches should automatically correspond to the weapon type (e.g. stick mag pouches when you equip MP-40 and drum mag pouches for MP-717(r) regardless of cosmetic purchases);
- backpacks, grenade pouches, pistol holsters, shovels etc everything that is tied to items which can be bought in Logistics should appear automatically;
- purchasable cosmetics should include visual items which don’t correspond to gameplay gear and don’t disrupt the uniform color palette, examples:
a) helmets, hats and goggles
b) rolled sleeves
c) period appropriate camo/cosmetic options (Dot-44 camo should NOT be available in Stalingrad, Budyenovka hats should NOT be standrad issue Soviet headgear in Stalingrad)
All in all, I understand that this essay will most likely fall on deaf ears, since the devs don’t seem to care about the overall quality before launching new stuff.
But a man can dream.
