PlanetSide

"Planetside from a person with 8 months experience"

Now this, will be my first ever review of a game on here. I have been playing Planetside daily for about 8 months now, and I figured I would help those of you who were interested in this game.

The first time I ever tried Planetside, I played it on a 256mb RAM Laptop with a 56k connection. I joined huge fights, I joined small fights, and I basically ran around lost a few times because of the sheer size of everything. I played the game for over 36 hours straight, only stopping once because I was disconnected. I didnt eat, drink or even use the bathroom for this time, I was that engrossed. Unfortunately, my own personal laptop at the time was incapable of running this game, and my time with Planetside was just that period of time. I quickly went out and got a PC that could run it, and got the game the very day after buying the PC. Now this review will come from someone with a GeForce 2 64mb, with 512mb RAM, playing on a good cable connection.

Story 0/10
Needless to say, this isnt a game based on a story, it's based on it's gameplay and it's empires, which all do have extensive backgrounds if you are really into that type of thing. You actually get a nice story to follow along with while you are installing the game, but if you are like me, you are chain-smoking waiting for the thing to install.

System Requirements 5/10
I give this a 5/10 because this game can be a monster on a PC that isnt ready for it. A few people in my outfit play with 256 RAM, and a 56k, and they get along fine most of the time. I run every setting as low as it can go, and my FPS hangs around 40-50 in the biggest fights you can imagine. It is playable with the minimum system requirements, just dont expect everything to run smoothly.

Gameplay 10/10
Where can you even begin to talk about the gameplay? There are SO many things to do, sometimes you feel overwhelmed trying to do them all. The premise of the game is you play as one of three empires, whether you be fighting against oppression, or just fighting to be left alone. Each Empire also brings to the table alot of it's own Empire-specific weapons and vehicles. some may say this is the downfall of the game. Alot of the reviews say, "I got owned by some jackhammer noob triple blasting me so much I never had time to play the game," or something to that like. It is true that you can be owned by a veteran quite quickly, as they have alot more experience, alot more certs, and alot more strategies. But you also cant expect to jump into ANY MMOG and not get owned from the start. It's simple math. I dont care how good at FPS's you are, chances are you are going to get owned frequently when you first start.
Squads play a big part in this game, outfits, an even bigger role. Joining an outfit from the start can help you greatly, as you can meet alot of people there that can teach you the "do's and dont's" of Planetside, and believe me, there are plenty. Many outfits utilize TeamSpeak in a per outfit basis, and that really adds to the gameplay alot.

Sub-Category
Game play Roles 10/10
Whatever your preference is in games, albeit a Metal Gear Solid-esque cloaker, sneaking into bases while enemies run right past you, placing quite a few boomers on a gen and blowing it. Perhaps you prefer the long range combat, and would rather watch over your friendlies shoulders with a sniper rifle, calling out enemy positions over TeamSpeak as you see them, thus enabling a safer route for your team-mates. Then again, maybe you prefer to be a pilot, whether that mean flying a heavily armored bomber over a crowded enemy courtyard and raining Hiroshima down on top of them, or using one of the more nimble aircrafts, dog-fighting, chasing after enemy tanks, etc. You have your standard grunt, which is the backbone of any assault. Rushing through enemy backdoors, either to be massively slaughtered by the enemy, or clear a path for a rush from fellow empire members. Perhaps "trying" to lead, than run squads and build up your command rank. These are just a few, I dont even get into the tanks, the assault buggies, the AMS, the GALAXY, etc etc. Gmeplay choices are endless. When you pick a cert you dont like, simply change it in 24 hours. You can mix and combine continously to make your guy the way you feel is appropriate.

Graphics
High End PC 10/10
Low End PC 8/10
It is very true that to experience the beauty that Planetside can be, you need a gig of RAM, and a 128-256 graphics card. I dont have that, but I have seen Planetside at it's finest, and the game itself can be beautiful. From the marshes of Hossin, to the snow covered mountains of Ceryshen, to the flat open plains of Cyssor. Graphics in this game isnt that big of a deal, unless you are a person who particulary cares about how lush a tree looks as you roll past it in a 20 ton tank. Chances are you are being shot at enough, the only time you really pay attention to a tree or such is when the enemy is trying to hide behind it. My graphics, even turned down as low as possible, still suffice to not make my game look like crap. I have no qualms with my graphics. If you have the PC to do it, and are really into eye-candy, then there is plenty here for you.

Sound
Music 8/10
Effects 10/10
I kept the music on for awhile, but before to long, it just became monotonous, and I shut it off. Alot of the music is exceptionally done, but you will find it just gets in the way after awhile. By all means, give each continent and sanctuary a listen to before you shut it off, as it really provides a nice tempo.
Now, to the sound effects. This is a particular part of the game that can help you greatly. After playing the game long enough, you will easily be able to identify the vehicle, the gun, the aircraft etc etc that is either shooting at you, or is close by. From the Vanguards 150mm shell, to the Liberators bombs, and the Prowlers dual cannons, and the lasher, and the MCG, and the Jackhammer, the pulsar, the gauss, the thumper blah blah etc etc. All each distinctive, and all very nicely done.

Controls 9/10
The only reason this didnt get a 10 is because of the lack of joystick support, which is currently being worked on. Other than that, the controls are completely configurable, so there isnt much more to say here. Don't like them? Change them.

Replay Value 10/10
Now, as of this review, I am a CR5. BR20 NC on Emerald, a CR4, BR20 VS on Markov, and something or other TR on Werner. In other words, I've been playing awhile. Except for a time when my PC broke down, I have played every single day since I have bought this game. What, you might ask, is the lasting factor of this game? Look up through the rest of the review, it just keeps going on and on. Though, even for me, at times it may seem repetive, you find something else to do. Build your own outfit, just talk to your outfit members on TeamSpeak, hell, run a ANT Destruction Derby, there is always something you can do. This game just does not appeal to some, I can understand that, there are many games on this site that have received 10 from many people, and I found it atrocious. Point of the matter is, right now you can download Planetside digitally for 10 bucks, and get a month free. Just visit www.planetside.com. 10 bucks really isnt going to break you, and if you are reading this, you are probably interested in the game anyways. Give it a try, if it doesnt work out, then you wasted ten bucks, and learned Planetside wasnt the thing for you.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/08/04