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| PC Review | |||||||
A genre that has kept a large fanbase since the early days of Doom, First Person Shooters have seen many new variations and ideas throughout the years. From the multiplayer madness of Unreal Tournament to the vehicle driving battles of Halo. New ideas continue to spur every day. Planetside was one of the first online FPSs. Planetside is a game based a on a world ruled by 3 armies. The Terran Republic, who believe more is better, and prove it with their mini chainguns. The New Conglomerate, who believe bigger is better, and use their shotguns to prove this theory. And Finally the Vanu Sovereignty, who believe technology is better, and allow their Magriders to deal with any who oppose that idea. In Planetside you are a soldier allowed to take up arms in one of those three opposing factions. Each faction battles for control of all the bases on each of the many continents. Once a continent is completely under a faction's control, the battle moves on to a new conquest, and another faction moves to the previous continent, allowing for an almost never ending war. There are a total of 20 battle levels, each level allowing you a point which you can use to learn a skill, be it using a certain type of weapon, driving a certain truck or tank, or flying a bomber or fighter or even gunship. Skill groups include those, as well as Engineers (who can repair vehicles and bases, and place mines and turrets), Medics (who can heal and even revive players), and Hackers (who can break into bases and take them over, as well as vehicles.) On top of battle ranks are Command ranks, which are given to those who lead squads into battle. There are 5 command ranks which allow you to do anything from placing waypoints on the map for those in your squad to view, to directing a large oribital strike to kill anything that stands in your way. Combining both the multiplayer warfare of Unreal, and the gamplay of games like Halo and Red Faction, Planetside is a game that appeals to any FPS player, and continues to grow even today. Chris Smith 2003-11-14 | |||||||
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