(PC) Tribes: Ascend

[whatthefbomb]

Developer: Hi-Rez Studios
Genre: First Person Shooter
Price: Free-to-play (optional micropayments)

Tribes: Ascend is a free-to-play multiplayer-only first-person shooter part of the Tribes franchise. It is developed by Hi-Rez Studios and is currently available as a digital download for Microsoft Windows, though Hi-Rez Studios haven't ruled out the possibility of an Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 release in the future. Aspects from previous Tribes games such as jetpacks and skiing are featured in the game. The game was released on April 12, 2012.

Loadouts and classes

Tribes: Ascend features a class-based loadout system. Each loadout specifies what type of armor the player has, along with what weapons and items they carry. Each loadout supports two in-hand weapons, a set of belt items such as grenades or mines and a pack. There are three possible sizes of armor to choose: light, medium and heavy, with 3 loadouts in each weight group, for a total of 9. Players can select which loadout to use either when first joining a game, respawning or at an inventory station. Loadouts may be acquired either through an upfront payment, or through playing the game and earning experience, which can be used to purchase classes, weapons, perks and upgrades. Paid-for loadouts will be available to the user instantly, while those who choose to unlock them through playing will have a much longer wait. Upgrades to armor, weapons and perks can only be purchased by experience points. Players will be given 3 free loadouts: the Pathfinder, Soldier, and Juggernaut, when they first start playing the game, each wearing light, medium and heavy armor respectively.
Hi-Rez will also sell cosmetic items such as player skins, along with boosters that allow players to gain experience points at a faster rate. Players earn in-match credits during matches for killing enemies, repairing structures or capturing objectives. Credits are then used to buy vehicles, supply drops, Tactical and Orbital strikes and base upgrades.
As of February 22nd Tribes:Ascend opened up public beta for all interested players. Arena 5v5 was added and rabbit was disabled during this phase of the beta.
Game modes and maps

Hi-Rez Studios has thus far released Capture The Flag, Team Deathmatch Arena and Capture & Hold game modes. While some maps have retained the classic nature of the Tribes franchise with large open areas and base structures, others have a more urban feel to them, featuring buildings and streets. Katabatic, which originally appeared in Tribes 2, has been remade in Tribes: Ascend, along with a revamped version of Broadside called Crossfire."

Anybody playing this? I'm on US West as Aldaberan. I'm not very good, but I'm having fun. The newest patch is rather unbalanced (looking at you Plasma Rifle!), but the game is a good time and a breath of fresh air from the hordes of military shooters out there.

Surprisingly, for the most part the community is mostly mature. I had a few whiners today when they were getting owned, but most of the people I've been matchmade with have been mature or at least quiet.

If you're thinking about joining up, help me out and click this referral link: https://account.hirezstudios.com/tri...campaign=email Get to rank 6 in-game after clicking that link and I get free stuff.

SHAZBOT!

[Thefabledgamer]

Yeah, I've been playing this. My username is PresRonPaul.

EDIT: If you haven't already done this, you can get 250 free gold for liking them on facebook.

[Manio]

Downloaded, and installing right now!

[Gonzo]

I played this on and off since the beta went live, and I've enjoyed what I played. I'd be down to get a 'toober game going at some point (I'll post up my username once I remember what it is).

[whatthefbomb]

My username in-game is Aldaberan. (Aldeberan is the name of a star, but was taken, so I changed it a bit) I play on US West, but I've played an East server no problem.

Oh, by the way. Not sure if there are any left, but Destructoid is giving away free Spinfusors in-game for the Soldier class. It's a 42,000 XP deal, and maybe about ~500 gold.

http://www.destructoid.com/here-s-10...d-226273.phtml

[OverLad]

My username is OverLad I play this now and then and I really enjoy playing, I'm from europe but I just play on US West and it worked fine.