E3 2012: Planetside 2 Hands-on

I was a big fan of the original Planetside. Full disclosure, I even entertained the idea of getting a Terran Republic tattoo at one point. It was a fleeting thought, and I might have been drunk, but it was there and had the slim chance of standing as a towering monument to my dedication. At least that's what I like to think.

So when news broke several years ago that Sony Online Entertainment was creating the second installment to the franchise, my excitement was palpable, and having seen some behind closed doors footage of the game, and playing a good portion of it, I can tell you that I'm just as excited as ever.

I'll tell you right now, Planetside 2 is complete fan service through-and-through. The factions are back, the vehicles are back (Gal-drops are still in according to SOE), and the guns are back but all refined and expounded upon with a coat of paint that's not just fresh, but it practically gilded. For instance, SOE (Sony Online Entertainment) has added a wide range of both vehicle and weapon customization from attachments to skins. Want to ride a tank painted in zebra stripes? No problem. Do you think having a pink gun would be a better outward representation of your rage toward the Vanu Sovereignty? You can do that. This alone is a great addition that allows squads to have their own look, and stand out from the battlefield.

In what's becoming fairly standard for online shooters now, a large solider hub has also been developed that works similar to battlelog for Battlefield 3.  SOE has gone one step further, however, by allowing people using the program on iOS devices to communicate vocally with people who are currently playing, allowing squad leaders to get real time updates on the map when they aren't near their computers.

The solider hub will also keep track of your certifications which act as the games unlock system. And as far as unlocks go, there are a ton of them and they are used for just about everything. From gun attachments to solider abilities, the amount of certifications available is almost overwhelming, According to SOE, it will take the average player years to unlock all of them.

The world of Auraxis also looks fantastic.  SOE is using a proprietary engine called "Forge Light" for Planetside 2 and not only is it allowing for huge, highly detailed environments during the day, as you may have seen in videos, the nighttime environments are simply beautiful.  Vehicle and facility lights illuminate the world in a realistic fashion while still allowing for darkened areas to be utilized for the ever popular Planetside night raid.  No longer will players try to avoid nighttime engagements due to generally poor technical visibility. Now they are a thing to look forward to.

PS2 will also be featuring six classes. Sniper, light assault, heavy assault, engineer, combat medic and the ever popular MAX.  All the classes seem equally useful and, so far, people seem to be fitting into their roles fairly well. MAX's are still deadly at close range and take a good effort to take down by a group of people. I will say that it seems they can move a little fast at this point. It would be nice to see them slowed down slightly to compensate for their overwhelming power.

Playing the game feels  like old-school Planetside. Facilities are being defended as assault teams move in. Galaxy's fly in from overheard and rain down death where they can. Mosquitoes whip through the air, attempting to take down soft targets.   Soldiers still spawn from tubes and vehicle pads are still used.  In fact, playing the game almost becomes jarring as the gameplay similarity of the original crashes head-on with the contemporary advancements which have been fused on. It's a conjunction that feeds memories fertile ground, and awakens a bit of gaming history in the process.

The feeling  of riding in open terrain toward your target, as air support follows close behind and infantry watches your flank is something that has only been touched upon by other shooters who perhaps have delivered on the mechanics, but never were able to achieve the scale. Planetside 2, as an FPSMMO, take those larger than life moments we have loved in games like Battlefield 3 and has made them even larger.  If your an old fan, this is one not to be missed. If this is you're first introduction, be prepared to be amazed.