Reminder that this game is currently in beta. In-game pictures and such might not reflect the game on release.
So I’ve only had a little experience with the Tribes IP. LAN parties with friends tended to be my only inlet to the Tribes universe. The experience wasn’t groundbreaking for me. Nothing in the realm of life changing. But in a way that was refreshing. It didn’t feel like it was trying to “fake” being something it wasn’t. It was a multiplayer fps. All the basic strategy tropes. A little team play elements sprinkled in. A tranquil simplicity for something that, when you add players, becomes chaos on canvas. So when my email lit up with a beta invite I had to see if the game retained any of that original flavor.
Flashy graphics? Latest in light mapping technology? Visuals so real you will actually believe you are there? Why would that matter here? I feel Hi-Rez kept to finding the beauty in simplicity so far. A few hints here and there of some nice visual flair, but nothing over-done. When it comes to gameplay, there has been some tweaks that I need to delve further into though. Perks and a pre-made class system to be exact. I have some worries about these things as they tend to deter new players if done improperly. So far, with a K/D ratio well into the positives, I’ve yet to see these things as a plausible issue.
Definitely one to check out. The beta is still ongoing and you can sign up for it here. If you don’t get in, the release will still be a free-to-play set up. And one more thing. Props to Hi-Rez for avoiding my biggest pet peeve in fps gaming today. Lack of a personal character model that you can both see and have cast a shadow. I applaud you all.
