Tribes 2 download free

Tribes 2 is relatively easy to install and was made shareware upon release of Tribes Vengeance. Any new install will require the use of the Tribesnext patch which replaces the original master server with a new one.

New accounts can be created under this system. Capture the Flag is the original game mode. Teams have the work to fullfill objectives like going after the enemy flag, destroying enemy assets.

All the while, defending theirs. With a full range of vehicles and turrets, the team that works best together wins the match.

Lakrabbit is a game mode popular among the purists. The real excitement comes through all the different roles you can play during battle. Before you take on a role, you have to think about your weapons loadout. Press the numeric pad Enter key at any time and a default loadout screen appears. Here, you can select whether you want to be a sniper, a defender, a quick attacker, or one of several other roles, by choosing from three armor types and a variety of weapons and service packs.

For example, you could decide to maintain the base camp and repair the generators with heavy armor and a repair pack. Inventory Stations are spread around the map and allow you to instantly restock with your current configuration. Tribes 1 had Inventory Stations, but newbies would often sit idly at the station and add weapons manually. Now, the station dispenses your already chosen loadout and then kicks you out. Once you find your role, the challenge comes with learning how to perform that role better than the next guy.

If you're a sniper, you can spend your time learning where the best sniper locations are on the map. Those who want a quick rush can attack the enemy base repeatedly for the flag and learn how to best use jumpjets for the quickest attack. Another great role to play is as a mine-deployment expert, especially if you figure out where extra mine packs are located on the maps and more importantly the best places to lay them. So far, these descriptions of the game generally apply to both the original and sequel.

Tribes 2 offers some interesting improvements, starting with some new vehicles that really do change the basic gameplay. On most maps, a vehicle station can be used to create everything from a single-unit Grav Cycle to a huge bomber. These new vehicles are different from the ones included in the original in that they have more firepower and variation. For example, the Strike-Fighter is a much more versatile aircraft that packs a heavier punch than some of the lesser ground vehicles.

The Jericho Forward Base is the coolest new vehicle it can be used as a transport and then becomes a remote base with an inventory station and sensors. The only complaint with all the vehicles is that they are very difficult to control, but they're useful if you use them for their intended purpose e.

Deployable objects change the gameplay as well. Turrets can now be set up anywhere on the map, which can seriously affect the battle. Some turrets can only be deployed on terrain, others require a metallic surface like a remote base.

You can also deploy health stations, sensors used for tracking other players, and a detonation satchel. These are all significant additions to the game that increase the excitement of the battle and add another whole layer of strategy. New armor packs add greatly to the game.

A cloaking armor is useful for sneaking up on the enemy base. The shield pack reminded me of the armor from Counterstrike in that, if you use it effectively, you can really get an edge in face-to-face battle. Most of the armor add-ons didn't last long enough, which might have been by design in order to retain good game balance. It was almost better to avoid them altogether, which sort of defeats the purpose of them being available! Weapons haven't changed much from the original, although they are better looking and cause a bit more damage.

The new Shocklance was pretty worthless for the most part because you can rarely get close enough to another player to zap them. A new flare grenade that temporarily blinds nearby attackers is useful, although it's borrowed right from the weapons arsenal in Counterstrike. One huge improvement for advanced players is that the commander screen can be activated anywhere on the map the Command Stations are now history.

In some ways, this commander screen is similar to the command function in Microsoft's Allegiance in that only a few select players will even try to assign orders to other players. However, tight knit clans will almost always have someone running the show and directing the troops. It also gives you a great overhead view of the battle scene and your units, and allows you to control turrets without having to be anywhere near them.

Okay this might not be all that realistic unless you figure the future warriors have some sort of biogenetic ability they borrowed from the Borg, but it's still cool. For newbies who want to be productive, jumping on a turret is the least they can do. In an ideal situation ie. You can always find something to do other than just running around shooting people. Counterstrike has an edge on realism, but it doesn't even come close to the other-worldliness of Tribes 2 , and the game's team aspects make CS seem limiting.

As ever, the overall experience isn't perfect. One of the most frustrating aspects to the game is just learning the rules of the road. Online players are not a forgiving, patient group of people.

If you happen to jump into a vehicle when there was another player waiting to drive, expect to get a string of obscenities or outright removal from the game. And if all you do is run around and shoot at other players, you might get berated for your lack of cooperation.

Graphics in Tribes 2 are generally excellent, if you have the system for it. Some of the buildings in this sequel are flat-out amazing, although the terrain still leaves a lot to be desired. Some maps do have an assortment of vegetation to spice things up, but mostly it's just rolling hills and buildings. You'll also need a high-end system to see everything at high-resolution.

Fog is a bit of an annoying problem with the game. There's just too much of it, and it makes sniping very difficult although that might have been intentional. Desktop Enhancements.

Networking Software. Trending from CNET. Download Now. Tribes 2 is among the most popular online action games in the world, featuring team combat on an epic scale. There are more than 50 additional maps in the full version.

Full Specifications. What's new in version 1. Release November 8, Date Added October 9, Version 1. Operating Systems. Total Downloads , Downloads Last Week 1. Report Software. Related Software.