PC Tribes: Ascend

[woopedazz]

This beautiful free-to-play game deserves it's own thread. Don't let the free-to-play be a turn-off, but instead let it be a turn-on... like a midnight movie on SBS. It is a AAA title that is legitimately free and not pay-to-win. I tend to be verbose/write like people actually care when I try to spruik games/movies, but bear with me.

Gameplay teaser trailers:



One of hundreds of montages:


Sign-up here: https://account.hirezstudios.com/tribesascend/?referral=3158608&utm_campaign=email (It would be much appreciated if you were to use this link to create an account)

Tribes: Ascend is a brilliantly executed successor to what is still rated as one of the best multiplayer games ever made. For those of you who don't know the decade old original(s) don't fret; Tribes: Ascend is intuitive and easy to pick up despite it's complexity and high skill ceiling if you choose to look under the surface.

At it's core it is a fast-paced FPS with the ability to "ski" across land and use your own personal jetpack to soar above the ground (until your energy runs low and you begin to plummet). Skiing is more "sliding" with 0 friction: if you slide down a hill you gain momentum, if you slide up a hill you lose momentum. There is an art to skiing and many tutorial videos exist to help you gain maximum speed. The simple method I use is ski down hills and jetpack up, but it can be as complicated as you want it to be.

There are nine different classes (all fully customizable) split into 3 different armour archetypes: "light," "medium" and "heavy." That is 3 light, 3 medium and 3 heavy classes. Each class has unique strengths and weaknesses. Some are better in defence, some are better in attack, some are better flag carriers and can go extremely fast, some can create barriers to stop the flag cappers, some can repair defence structures, some can rain mortars, some can snipe, some can briefly go invisible, etc. All are useful.

There are several different game modes: Team Deathmatch, Arena, Capture and Hold, one I forget the name of... and the main mode: Capture the Flag. The maps are large and riddled with hills and valleys (and a few buildings) and a home base for each side. The layout enables skiing and different tactics, routes and duelling opportunities. Each map is gorgeous.

The last thing I would talk about to get you guys interested is the fact it is free-to-play without being pay-to-win. The entire game can be unlocked for free and unlike certain games (League of Legends, etc) going down the cheapskate path is a legitimate option that doesn't drain the life-force out of you. Every "upgrade" can be bought with experience you earn in every match or with coins you can purchase. I put upgrade in inverted commas because they really aren't. They are sidegrades that are not any more powerful or weaker than the weapons you get for free, they simply enable a different playstyle. I can assure you that money is not required, but that steam pack is dirt cheap at the moment... ($5).

Pros:
-Free-to-play.
-NOT pay-to-win.
-Exciting/Ultra-fast.
-Easy to learn.
-Balanced.
-As complicated as you want to make it.
-Great visuals.
-Made for PC - not ported.
-Regular updates, including multiple maps every major patch.
-The player base is mature and friendly.
-Loads of different playstyles.
-"Skiing" is great fun and relatively original.
-High skill ceiling.
-Great Dev team that is permanently working on the game.
-No hackers! Average play time before being banned for cheating is a matter of hours (apparently). I certainly haven't seen one.

Cons:
-Vehicles seem a little lame - Very much transport oriented/damage sponges/armoured mortars as opposed to legitimate attacking/defensive options.
-Takes a while to really master ski techniques (including dropping explosives at your feet to make you go faster/half kill yourself).
-Some skins require money and cannot be bought with experience.
-Experience gain can be slow if you are not a VIP.*

* VIP status gives accelerated xp returns forever. To gain VIP status you must spend money on the game once (any amount). Personally I bought the Steam Starter Pack for $5 on sale, which included loads of unlocks and 800 in game currency. You can become a VIP by spending less/more if you wish, but it is definitely worthwhile spending a dollar or two for the permanent xp boost.


To me tribes is similar to TF2, but better in every way. It offers original and compelling gameplay and a great community. If you have any interest in the game at all the only barrier to jumping into the game and deciding if you like it or not is the hour or so it takes to download. If you are a PC gamer there is no excuse not to give it a shot! If you liked my DayZ recommendation you should give this one a go too!

In closing - play the damned game!

If you are thinking of playing the game then using the link I posted above would be appreciated as it lets me get some free xp, which boosts my forlorn attempt to unlock absolutely everything as fast as possible. Forlorn, because Med tends to take up so much of my gaming time these days.

In any case I hope to see some of you in game!




TL;DR It's free, it's beautiful, it's fun, it's easy to learn, but difficult to master, IT'S FREE!!! You have no excuse not to play this masterpiece and create an account here: https://account.hirezstudios.com/tribesascend/?referral=3158608&utm_campaign=email

EDIT: Woops I forgot to add in a graphic called Tribes: Ascend 101 http://puu.sh/w7SC

 

[Barnzy]

Have played it before. Quality game for F2P and very fun. What's your steam mate? Would be up for a few games here and there.

 

[woopedazz]

http://steamcommunity.com/id/woopedazz Although I'm trying to finish Hitman: Blood Money before Uni goes back!​

 

[Jizmos]

Damn fast game! Played it a few months back.
Timing the ski and nailing an opponent while going 300odd mph is bloody satisfying!

Capture the flag is probably the games strength from the limited time i jumped on i'd say.

Def a quality game and like OP says FREE!

 

[HBK619]

I applaud them for their F2P model, very hard to have something incentivising enough that people are willing to pay but don't break the balance in your game.

I guess that's why they make it that you'd have to put in A LOT of hours to unlock everything there is to unlock, but at least you don't have to have everything unlocked in order to a) Win and b) Have fun.

My computer ain't even close to being able to run this though, so unfortunately I cannot give it a go.

 

[woopedazz]

Played for a couple of hours tonight, finished top every round and earned 21k xp. Loving it more the more I play.

 

[GrandBlue]

Just got this, and it's extremely good. The balancing needs a bit of improvement, but considering all the current FPS games on the market, this is easily the best (in my opinion), and its free!

Anyone who doesn't have this and enjoys FPS games should absolutely pick this up.

 

[GrandBlue]

Bumping this for a rant.

Played it a bit recently and boy has my impression changed. Can someone please explain the logic in why all these shooter games give the player heaps of health? Complain about the CoD games all you want, at least they got the health right. Killing enemies in this game takes way too much firepower, especially the heavier classes, which make the game borderline unfair. Anyone with a Juggernaut class can camp near the enemies generator and it's almost impossible to stop him.

Yeah sure, the game's free, but I've spent the last hour going through frustration and I'll vent every day of the week after that.

 

[woopedazz]

The lack of good match-making has tarnished the experience for me. You have noobs and pros and all you can do is look on with no real impact on the fight yourself. I used to go top every single round on defense or attack, but it simply doesn't matter if your team has a handful of duds in it. Gets a tad frustrating; I'll spend my gaming time on Dota 2 and CS:GO custom maps until Total War: Rome II comes out at this rate.

 

[GrandBlue]

The lack of good match-making has tarnished the experience for me. You have noobs and pros and all you can do is look on with no real impact on the fight yourself. I used to go top every single round on defense or attack, but it simply doesn't matter if your team has a handful of duds in it. Gets a tad frustrating; I'll spend my gaming time on Dota 2 and CS:GO custom maps until Total War: Rome II comes out at this rate.

Know exactly what you mean. Very similar to a game called Warhawk on the PS3 in that regard.

The community has also created a metagame that involves nothing but spamming vocal commands like 'shazbot', which was funny for about 5 seconds, until I realized people are more focused on that than playing the actual game.