Tribes 2 simply shines in the multiplayer team conflicts for which it was designed, and the tactical possibilities are nearly endless. Players can hop into vehicles, as a pilot skims over the planet's surface and threads narrow canyons while team members in the back blast enemies as they whip by. Miles of varying terrain separate each team's base, yet the transitions from outdoors to indoors are entirely seamless, regardless of an installation's complexity. There are endless weapon load outs and armor combinations from which to choose, and equipment, such as targeting lasers and deployable defense turrets, really add to the game's depth. For example, a player in light scout armor can quickly move to within range of an outpost, then illuminate it with the targeting laser for his heavily armed buddies crouching behind a hill. These heavies can fire their mobile mortars in complete safety with the knowledge that the laser will guide the rounds on target. This is just one example of the need for teamwork in Tribes 2.

Graphically, Tribes 2 leaves a little to be desired in terms of detail, but the massive environments more than compensate for that shortcoming. It sometimes is possible to see enemies approaching from a few miles away, and those foolish enough to silhouette themselves on a ridgeline are soon dispatched by an enemy laser sniper they'll probably never see. The special effects are excellent, and there are few shooters on the market that can match the intensity Tribes 2 reaches when dozens of players are fighting all at once. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Crisp graphics with great special effects
• Team-based gameplay offers a whole new world for deathmatch fans to explore

• Lame single-player campaign
• It is tough to learn the ropes in the brutal online matches