I wanted to suggest a game that strangely wasn't in the suggestion list, with it being such a large game and all.
Planetside 2 is an MMOFPS (Massively Multiplayer Online First Person Shooter) that is free to play. It is currently in beta, requiring a beta key to access, which can be obtained fairly easily through Twitter Facebook or simply by signing up for the beta at planetside2.com
The game is persistent, meaning there are no "matches". There's always a continuous landgrab between the three playable factions. Each faction has it's own backstory and playstyle. The three factions are:
The "continents", or game maps are 64 square kilometers big, and up to 2000 players can be playing on each continent at any one time. The game is based around strategy, and resources and weather can be used to your advantage. Whenever large battles take place, it will create smoke clouds, lowering visibility in surrounding areas. There are also volumetric clouds and dynamic lighting which allows you to use nighttime to your advantage, making stealthy ambushes possible.
The game has a deep progression system, where you earn "certifications" or "certs". These can be anything from the ability to command armies, to the ability to drive a certain vehicle, or functional and cosmetic upgrades for weapons and vehicles. You can gain resources from capturing bases which can be used to spawn vehicles or buy new weapons.
There are several classes to choose from at any time. The Infiltrator, who can be a long range sniper or a short-range spy; the Light Assualt, who uses jetpacks to position himself tacticallly ontop of buildings to rain down bullets from above; the Heavy Assualt who can play an anti-vehicle or anti-infantry role; the Engineer who can construct fortifications and sentry turrets, resupply players' ammo, and repair vehicles; and the MAX suite which essentially counts as a vehicle. The MAX suite can equip a any combination of two weapons, meaning he can play anti-infantry, anti-vehicle, or both. He cannot use vehicles, however, and is generally not very mobile. He is also expensive to spawn as.
Planetside 2 is an MMOFPS (Massively Multiplayer Online First Person Shooter) that is free to play. It is currently in beta, requiring a beta key to access, which can be obtained fairly easily through Twitter Facebook or simply by signing up for the beta at planetside2.com
The game is persistent, meaning there are no "matches". There's always a continuous landgrab between the three playable factions. Each faction has it's own backstory and playstyle. The three factions are:
- Terran Republic: the TR believe that humanity must be united by force under one empire to advance. Anyone who believs differently will be annihilated. Their weapons and vehicles are designed around speed and use in large numbers.
- New Conglomerate: The NC are a rebellious faction made up of mercanaries and backed by large corperations. The NC are freedom fighters and aren't afraid to use any kind of weapons they can find, even experimental weaponry, to fight for their beliefs of freedom for all of mankind. Their weapons and vehicles are designed for being able to dish out the most damage and withstand the most, although they are neither particularly fast or maneuverable.
- Vanu Sovereignty: The VS strive for technological advance. They seek the technology left behind by an ancient alien civilization called the Vanu. They think that humanity can only advance if they harness the power of these artifacts. They aren't afraid to use force if anyone blocks them. Their weapons and vehicles are designed around being maneuverable, and their guns don't have bullet drop. They are not particularly fast or tough, though.
The "continents", or game maps are 64 square kilometers big, and up to 2000 players can be playing on each continent at any one time. The game is based around strategy, and resources and weather can be used to your advantage. Whenever large battles take place, it will create smoke clouds, lowering visibility in surrounding areas. There are also volumetric clouds and dynamic lighting which allows you to use nighttime to your advantage, making stealthy ambushes possible.
The game has a deep progression system, where you earn "certifications" or "certs". These can be anything from the ability to command armies, to the ability to drive a certain vehicle, or functional and cosmetic upgrades for weapons and vehicles. You can gain resources from capturing bases which can be used to spawn vehicles or buy new weapons.
There are several classes to choose from at any time. The Infiltrator, who can be a long range sniper or a short-range spy; the Light Assualt, who uses jetpacks to position himself tacticallly ontop of buildings to rain down bullets from above; the Heavy Assualt who can play an anti-vehicle or anti-infantry role; the Engineer who can construct fortifications and sentry turrets, resupply players' ammo, and repair vehicles; and the MAX suite which essentially counts as a vehicle. The MAX suite can equip a any combination of two weapons, meaning he can play anti-infantry, anti-vehicle, or both. He cannot use vehicles, however, and is generally not very mobile. He is also expensive to spawn as.