The Tribes series on has always been a big success on the PC, because of killer graphics, strategic team play, extensive features and overall fun game play. So, how does one of the PC online gaming pioneers stand up on a console?

    Well, without the keyboard and mouse capabilities, many veterans of the FPS genre will turn away from this game immediately. If this can be ignored, then you will see that the game has been simplified. It now has much less customization and there aren’t as many vehicles. If you can go even farther with the game, you will find a whole slew of problems, like stunted graphics, annoying character voices, touchy controls, practically no single player mode, no communication at all online and laggy online play.

    This makes the game sound horrible, but it really isn’t all that bad. Considering it is the only real PS2 online FPS game is a plus. Too bad that’s all it is, an online game. This kind of sucks for those who don’t have a network adapter, but you can train for online play on the eleven single player missions before you get a network adapter. These missions don’t really help, though, because once you are online, the game is a blast fest in which you run a flag back and forth without dying. This is not a bad thing at all, though, because many people want a quick, fun online game that they can just pick up and play. This is the perfect game for that, because of an EASY learning curve. Anyone has played a FPS on PS2; they will feel right at home.

    The graphics, like I have already said aren’t great. It shames the series to have such horrible graphics after looking at the highly detailed PC version. There are some high points, though, like character detail or level design, but nothing on the game really shouts, “Spectacular!” A lot of the levels are bland re-skinned versions of the other levels, but some do surprise with added hills with well-placed bases, or complex mazes inside the compounds.

    Who enjoys repetitive sound? NO ONE! And, this is one of the lowest points in the game. It seems like the only thing the characters can say is, “AAAAAAAH!”, “AAAAAARGH!” and “SHAZBOT!”. How would you like to hear these three things repeated over and over again every time someone dies? Buy the game and find out. I’m sure you won’t last long before you decide to mute the game… but, then you’ll miss out on the cool explosion sounds. Hmmmmm, quite the dilemma, how will you deal with it?

    Game play is always the most important part of a game. If it is not any fun, why would it be bought? Well, Tribes: AA wasn’t widely bought, but is definitely a fun game. It is fast paced, with vehicles everywhere and kamikazes running through your base on a mission to kill everyone, or people will go on a bombing run in my favorite vehicle, the bomber. You could ever get a Grav Cycle and drive over to the opposing team’s base, sit on a hill and snipe passer-byes. This game has great versatility: you can be aggressive and rush a base or be defensive and guard your quarters, or you could be the ultimate team player and do both. Too bad you can’t talk to your team and coordinate attacks like in Socom: US Navy SEALs. This game would have benefited greatly from the Socom headset, because all in all, Tribes is a team game. There is some more fun to be had in the two player online mode, where you and a friend can take others on, or you can have a LAN game with other PS2 in the same room. It is much more fun playing with friends, because you are actually able to communicate with them.

    Well, this game is good, bad, and even ugly. But, its game play is a great substitute for all that is lacking. Plus, this game is now in the bargain bins, selling at around twenty bucks. Why not give it a go? What’s twenty bucks for a game that you may or may not like, but will have at least a little fun with?