I'm looking for a FPS for online play, please advise

[Dusten Rust]

Hello Escapist members,

As the title suggests, I'm looking for a multiplayer FPS but since I'm not really a FPS person, I feel the need to ask around before making a purchase. Note that I'm only looking for PC games.

So without further ado, here's what I'm looking for (and not looking for):

- At least in FPS's, the graphics are important to me
- I'm not really fond of the old WWII theme, nor the Iraq conflict
- I'm not keen on arena based FPS's like Quake Live
- I'm looking for a more objective based FPS
- I'm looking for a FPS heavily focused on team play so I don't want to see everyone running around aimlessly trying to prove they're uber leet
- I'm not keen on vehicle based FPS's. I gave BF2 a try some time ago, and I found it painfully awful. Helicopters were hovering above spawn points etc...
- I don't like Counter Strike
- I prefer close (or "close-ish") combat rather than sniping.

To give you an idea of what I'm looking for, I watched some first impression videos of Brink and I know some FPS pro players might think it's bad, but from the looks of it Brink looked very close to what I'm looking for, mainly because from what I've seen people tend to work as a team. Besides, it feels as if you're not supposed to be all over the map, but in fact advance as a team one step at a time (mostly). I also liked the design.

However, the video was quite old so I couldn't find any information on the current state of the game in multiplayer, how the servers are, how many people are still playing it, whether or not they've added more maps etc.

Evidently, if there's something better out there that matches my description please share!

I'm waiting for suggestions. Thanks!

 

[Azure-Supernova]

I'll always suggest Tribes Ascend, as it's free. So you don't really lose much if you find out you don't like it.

There's also a referral system which rewards both players... Refer a Friend [https://account.hirezstudios.com/tribesascend/?referral=2081798&utm_campaign=email] /shameless

 

[Sassafrass]

Well, BF3 fits most of those points. The one's it doesn't fit are team play (Unless you're in a squad with a mate), vehicles (Chopper spawn rapes happen rarely but they still happen) and it's not really a close combat game. It sometimes is and sometimes isn't. It depends on who you're playing against. Team full of medics, supports and engineers, close combat. 3 or more snipers, long range.

Only other game I can think of suggesting is Team Fortress 2, really. Only FPS that appears to tick all your boxes, although I can't tell you how it is to play though as my laptop is a pile of garbage graphics wise. But it is free to play on Steam, so you don't really have anything to lose by trying it.

 

[Ratboy1337]

Team Fortress 2 is fun (and free) over Steam. The graphics are cartoonish, but still pretty good. There are a lot of people on the servers, and all the game modes are objective based. As for Brink, I played it a few times on the Xbox, so I don't know how it performs on the PC. However, if it's anything like the Xbox version, I wouldn't recommend it. The online play was VERY laggy, and I was constantly being disconnected from the servers. A friend of mine had similar issues with Brink. I hope this is helpful, and if I find anything else, I'll be sure to let you know

 

[Limecake]

I'd suggest TF2, not only is it free to play, it's heavily focused on teamwork (try taking out an engie nest by yourself! a good engie won't lose it to a single spy or demo), it's objective based (most of the time, Capture the flag is more about just killing) plus there are classes that fight up close (Demo-knight, Scout, pyro and spy are all in your face classes)

The setting isn't in WWII or Iraq, it's some alternate universe stuck in the 50's. The only problem with TF2 is you might not like the graphics, plus there are a ton of guns it might be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

I'm going to third (fourth?) TF2. It ticks all of your boxes, although the graphics and non-Arena FPS boxes are only partially ticked. The art design is good, but the graphics aren't technically very impressive, and while it's not exactly an Arena FPS, it plays more like one of those with a focus on objectives than like a "realistic" shooter.

If it weren't for the fact that you said you didn't like it and the no vehicles/no Iraq war stipulations, I'd also suggest Battlefield 2. I'm still going to suggest Battlefront 2, which is pretty much Battlefield 1942: Star Wars Edition. It does have vehicles, but they're a lot less important than they are in the battlefield games, with basic infantry units being hugely important.

Edit: Also, it doesn't have any helicopter equivalents, just tanks, speederbikes, and airspeeders/starfighters.

 

[Fractral]

I'll always suggest Tribes Ascend, as it's free. So you don't really lose much if you find out you don't like it.

There's also a referral system which rewards both players... Refer a Friend [https://account.hirezstudios.com/tribesascend/?referral=2081798&utm_campaign=email] /shameless

I'm going to third this game, although be warned that it takes forever to get the Exp to unlock new weapons. I mean, its 18000 for a new class, but 42000 for a spinfusor? WTF?

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

There is nothing better and more addictive than Team Fortress 2. In fact, I'm about to go play a couple of rounds now.

 

[chocolatekeith]

I recommend you stay away from TF2. The gratuitous amounts of updates that added unbalanced weapons have ruined the team/class oriented gameplay, and the hats and accessories have ruined the visuals.

I'll second Tribes Ascend, though. Capture the flag manages to be continuously fun. If you try it, you might find that you love the ski and jetpack mechanics.

 

[daveman247]

Team fortress 2 or left 4 dead 2.

Job done.

Stay away from brink, it doesn't play quite right and the servers are dead (i think).

 

[Windcaler]

Tribes Ascend is the first game that comes to mind. It has a few different objective based gameplay types and overall some pretty balanced classes and gear (although some stuff still needs some tweaking). It also has vehicles but you can do very well without them. The problem tends to be Tribes greatest asset though, and that is the there are only 2? weapons that are hit scan. Everything else works off of projectile speed and you really have to time your shots to be successful. Its not easy to kill someone in the game but for me there really isnt a game where getting a kill is more satisfying. Also its free to play so theres really no excuse not to try it

The other game I recommend is Battlefield 3. I know I know you dont like vehicle gameplay but theres a few maps where you can play pure (or mostly) infantry and should be getting even more of them in the near future. Still its rare that you're going to find a game with so many objective based game modes that requires squads to work together

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

I'm going to go with everyone else and say that TF2 fits everything you're looking for, and not only that but it's free, so you can try it out without any downsides.

 

[Neverhoodian]

I (along with many others in this thread) recommend Team Fortress 2. It's the most fun I've ever had with a multiplayer game:

It's an objective-based, team oriented FPS with a distinctive visual style and sense of humor. There are nine classes to choose from, each with their own distinctive play style (I suggest trying out the Soldier or Medic first). There are also numerous item unlocks that offer even more gameplay variety. With the exception of the Sniper, most combat takes place at mid/close range. There is no vehicle combat whatsoever. Best of all, it's free!

http://www.teamfortress.com/

Just try to stay away from hat-obsessed players. Those people are weird.

 

[ohnoitsabear]

I am going to give the super original recommendations of Tribes Ascend and Team Fortress 2. They are both excellent games, although it takes a while to become remotely good at Tribes Ascend, and the sheer amount of maps in TF2 can be kinda intimidating at first.

 

[Smooth Operator]

TF2 - F2P, classes, objectives, close quarters, heavy emphasis on team play, no mind blowing graphics, essentially Brink with 10+ years of polish

Tribes Ascend - F2P, classes, objectives, mostly open fields with crucial tight spots, team play is expected, very fast and very hard, extremely pretty

Monday Night Combat - tower defense / TPS mix, $10, classes, objectives, close quarters, heavy on team play, graphics push no limits here

 

[Dusten Rust]

Thanks for all your replies everyone!

I'll definitely give both TF2 and Tribes Ascend a try and since they're both free I suppose I have nothing to lose.

Too bad Brink isn't the best option as I really love what I've seen in the videos. Well, if there are any Brink players around I'd still like to know whether or not the servers are populated.

 

[w00tage]

or left 4 dead 2.

Job done.

Stay away from brink, it doesn't play quite right and the servers are dead (i think).

Seconded Left 4 Dead 2. It's exactly what you listed and a ton of fun with good teammates.

If you go there, be aware that Versus is not "just the other multiplayer", it's the advanced multiplayer. You should be able to roll through Campaign mode (which is also multiplayer) on Advanced difficulty before trying Versus, or you will get kicked very quickly for dragging down the team.