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Great Game Brought Down By Lack of Communication

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 20 / 22
Date: October 10, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is a derivative (not a copy) of the Tribes series of games for the PC. The basic idea is the same: a team-based, online battle supporting lots of players (up to 16, depending on your connection), multiple game types and cooperative gameplay. While, in theory, this is an exciting and very entertaining mixture (and very successful on the PC), there are a couple of things, one very glaring, that bring this game down to a mediocre level.

First, the controls take a little while to get used to. Anyone who has played Medal of Honor: Frontline or Agent Under Fire knows the dual-stick First Person Shooter setup that Tribes uses. What's a little different is the aiming system. With the aim assistance on, your shots automatically lead your moving target. However, a lot of times they don't hit, and you can't manually adjust where you're aiming (unless you take assistance off--which is NOT an individual option in online play, the host must decide if everyone has it on OR off).

Also, even though the dual-stick FPS setup is similar to the titles mentioned above, this is NOT a run and gun game. This is a jumping and flying through the air with jetpacks and shooting people on the ground game. You have to conserve your jetpack energy or get stuck on the ground with rockets raining around you--not a good thing if you're trying to stay alive. This takes a WHILE to get used to.

The other problem, and this is the MAJOR one, is that this is a team-based game. Especially in capture the flag games, your team needs to coordinate together to set up and repair defenses, like guns and turrets, launch coordinated attacks with vehicles and ground troops, and maintain and stable group of defenders. This is a WHOLE lot of fun when it works right. I mean, it's probably the MOST FUN I'VE HAD WITH A GAME IN A LONG TIME!!! But that's only if you've got a team familiar with each other and who knows what each other is going to do without communicating with each other. Why? Because you CAN'T COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER. No voice support, no in-game chat, no chat in a lobby before games. This is inexcusable, and makes the game INCREDIBLY HARD for beginning gamers to get into.

So, to sum everything up, if you have a ton of patience with both games and annoying players, and you can go to clan/team websites and learn from advanced gamers and get into a team that practices (a bonus), this can become one of the MOST FUN GAMES YOU'VE EVERY PLAYED. However, if you can't spend a lot of time (I mean a LOT of time), getting into the community, which is HARD to do, it might not be worth the purchase.

P.S. a broadband connection is also HIGHLY recommended

Review of Beta Version

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 16 / 18
Date: September 11, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I was lucky to be sent a beta version of Tribes Aerial Assault in the final days of the PS2 network adapter beta test. I am a long time Tribes and Tribes2 (for the PC) player and was very surprised by the console version. It was well done and did not sacrifice too much of the original. For some, the learner curve of the PC version was quite steep, but will be easier on the PS2 and thus more enjoyable for many.

The graphics for TAA are very good. They do not improve the PC version, but do not appear a lot worse. The characters seemed cleanly drawn and I did not notice any framerate problems. The beta did lack water, which was weird, but that may show up later.

The control was actually better than I expected. It will not replace the mouse and keyboard of my PC, but with the addition of autoaim it made the controls work nicely. The movement was fluid and the jetpack continues to make Tribes standout from other FPS.

All the weapons seemed to be there, from the plasma to the mortor, and all the armor classes are there as well. The maps are similar but not identical and work for the 16 player limit of the PS2. Playing online was a breeze, with only a small amount of lag at times. You could host of game or join one, so lag may be due to overloading a PS2 as a server.

This game could be for the PS2 what Halo was for the Xbox as it is the derived from one of the original team based game. There are lots of weapons, armor and vehicles to choose with team based warfare that make Tribes a unique gaming experience. I recommend checking this game out if you like multiplayer FPS action. Be sure you have the network adapter for PS2 or don;t bother as Tribes excels as a multiplayer game.

A great game if you don't play the PC version

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 14 / 16
Date: October 13, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This is the first online FPS for the PS2 system, and it turned out pretty good. The gameplay is loosely based on the PC version. It's similar to paintball or capture the flag, as the purpose is to divide into teams that try to capture the flag from the other team and return to their base. It differs, however, because you have jetpacks, hovercrafts, and jets. You have bases and a decent selection of weapons at your disposal as well. This is one of my favorite games for the PS2 right now.

The only downfall, and it is a big enough one to keep it from getting five points, is that you can't communicate with other players. While I never expected something like SOCOM with the microphones, I would have at least expected keyboard support. The problem is that this is truly a team game, however it is impossible to come up with a strategy because you have no way of discussing it with your fellow players. The end result is that you have a bunch of people all independently running to capture the enemy's flag, but without support from their teammates or being able to use a frontal attack decoy while you sneak up from the rear.

All in all though, I like the game. I am looking forward to the next online FPS for the Playstation 2. I hope they learn the importance of communicating in that one.

great for online only

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 11 / 12
Date: April 13, 2003
Author: Amazon User

i got this game, and i love it. but, i have it online, and thats all i play on it.
if you dont have network adapter, DONT BUY THIS GAME!
if you already have an ISP, i recommend buying this game along with the network adapter.

when going on line, you get to customize your character.
you get to choose either male/female/bioderm (an alien species)
you then get to pick colors (like blood eagle suit, ice diamond, star wolf...etc) and their voices. you can also SEE what the certain guns/packs looklike on you warrior.

when online, you can join a variety of games. from capture the flag, which defines itself, death match, where you [eliminate] anybody and everybody, and capture n' hold, where you capture objectives for points.

if you like games because of stories, or single player, stay away from this game. there is VERY little story into this game, and is mainly meant as a multiplayer game.

the reason i gave it [4 stars] is because you cant communicate with your teammates. im guessing sierra sort of forgot this or something, seeing as they could have at least added keyboard use.
but, they ARE WORKING ON A FORM OF COMMUNICATION!
right now, its where you press a series of buttons to make your character say something.
to use this, add CHAT-TEST to your buddy list, and then go to a game with a --> at it and use [square] to navigate the words.

if that works out, and is more user-friendly when it becomes permanent, this game will deserve 5/5.

graphics=5/5
gameplay- single=2/5
online=4/5
sound=5/5
fun factor=5/5

Technical Fun

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 11
Date: October 14, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I went thru training, and stunk, then got to the last level of training and got sniped! 15 points is the passing grade, I only made 13..... needless to say my character didn't last long in the game alot! hoo boy
..Its hard to get used to the controls, (which the game has ALOT of!!), but the game I feel after you've gotten used the the controls will be fun, its VERY technical ,and innovative! It has lots of options , you can be a medic,foot soldier, base guard,or sniper. you can fly an aerial fighter, drive a grav cycle, pilot a base bomber, or a transport with your buds in tow, however the controls for the machines are just as complex and tough to get used to, most of them fly or drive like a REAL vehicle...

soldiers can REALLY catch some air with their jump packs ,however if you land to hard from a jump you can die!!! so when jumping you have to make sure you keep a bit in reserve for a quick "Hard" landing!!
.....its fast and furious battle at its finest! even if it Does take some getting used to the controls, the game is pretty cool! its almost like being Jango Fett!!! but in the game if you hesitate for a second you'll find yourself starting over quickly!!!

Great game with one small flaw

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: January 03, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Tribes Areal Assault is a very fun and enjoyable game.If you are used to playing first person shoot em' up games,the controls will be a sinch for you to learn.

As you battle throughout the different maps,a battle can be different in many ways,even if you are playing with the same people on the same map.There are so many different weapons,armors and equipement for you to use,and there are also roles that you can adopt in team play.You can decide to be a base defender and stop any enemy advance towards your base,or you can elect to be a sniper in light armor,scaling the mountains and silencing anyone that comes into your range.You can even be a medic and heal your comrades as well as fix the turrets,generators and various other equipement that your base has.

There are also vehicles that render the game that much more interesting.Take out and bomber and obliterate the enemy even before they leave their base with your bombs.Use the fighter to soar through the skies and take control of the skies above your base.Or even transport your fellow teamates with the troop transport to the enemy base,unloading them and wreaking havoc.You can also elect to sneak up on the enemy with the scooter,hugging the ground and using your speed and agility to capture the flag and drive back to your base at full speed.

The one drawback to the game is your ability to comminucate online.There is no built in chat room,or microphone capability or anything of the sort allowing you to plan a strategy.The only way to definitly figure out what is lacking to your teams strategy while playing online is simply to observe the situation while it unfolds and plug the wholes that you see as the game progresses.

The reason I gave the game 4 stars is because of the inability to communicate,or else the game would have had top ratings.I would recommend this game to anyone as I enjoy it thouroughly.

This game is pretty cool

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: March 26, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I played it when my friend was sleeping over. We played for HOURS AND HOURS! It's pretty cool! I like that you can have co-op online play. You can have 2 people playing online with one PS2. So, I like that fact. One of the things I do not like about this game is the lag. Sometimes it lags REALLY BAD!! But if you can find a server with no lag, it ROCKS! Also, you cannot chat during the game. So, that's a big bummer! As for the last thing I do NOT like about this game is, when you are playing, you cannot hide and do a surprise attack or anything. You see a little triangle above EVERYONE'S head!! Meaning, I could see a guy WAY WAY WAY WAY far away and I will know where he is gonna come up above that hill and stuff. And that is REALLY annoying!!!!! Besides that, I love everything else. The player creater is really cool. The graphics rock. The sound is good. Good gameplay, sweet weapons and levels. I really like this game!

Great game if you have intend to play online.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: January 05, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This is one of the better First-person shooters of the year.Lot's of weapons like the Spinfuser,Chain-gun,Plasma Rifle,Sniper Rifle,etc.Vechicles are things like APC(can carry five people including driver),Scout(A fast,but non armored hover-bike,Fighter(Fast flying ship with machine guns),Or Bomber(Slow aircraft but can drop bombs and go very high)You can play the 1-player game and do various missions with objectives set for you.Play with bots(AI) in multiplayer or with a friend in modes like Capture The Flag,or Deathmatch.Or go online and play with people from around the world.Dial-up users will be able to play but their connection will be slow.Broadband,DSl,Cable modem users will obvisouly have the faster connection.Online play is free though(*you still have to pay you service provider for time online).The downside to the game are two things,1 Lack on communication online,and 2 A one second delay when firing weapons online.Overall this is a good game and I recommend it to any avid First-person shooters fans.

THIS GAMES ROCKS!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 6
Date: January 04, 2003
Author: Amazon User

this game rocks it is so awsome! if u like socom then this is the game to get. the only thing is that if u like to do the story modes it is a hard once you get passed the secound mission(not trainging) and it can get fustrating. Since my network adaptar isnt here yet i cant play online so i do 1player botmatch. that is a lot fun u can fly jets and bombers and this motorcycle thing it is pretty cool so over all buy this game then if ya want more fun you should get the network adaptar for it to so u can play online. I hope this reveiw is helpful for you.

P.S there isnt any good cheats for this game so dont even waste ur time.

Great Game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: August 04, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Overall Tribes is a great game and a good pick up. It may take a little bit to get used to the controls, but the game does offer helpful training levels in the campaign mode. After training you will enter missions like deathmatch, team deathmatch, capture the flag, capture and hold, and Hunters (CTF and Deathm,atch hybrid game.
The offline play will keep you busy with a smart AI that knows how to avoid attacks, but the real draw of this game is online. Join a game with up to 16 players (8 on 8)in different games. You are also able to customize your character in a number of ways. EX:Name, Gender, Shin, Voice, etc.

In the game there are 3 types of armor(heavy, light, medium, 8 guns, 4 grenades/mines, 4 armor packs, 5 deployable packs (turrents, explosives) and 4 vehicles. Also your base will have 5 different turrents.

This game does not get a 5 only because of the lack of communication, but that does not hurt it a whole lot. This is a great game and I recommend it to anyone

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