Yep, it’s definitely up and active:
PlanetSide: Reserves
It’s a 2GB download, so plan accordingly, and existing (or past) players, like me, will need to create an entirely new Station login to be able to use it, but the whole thing is nicely integrated into the launcher, and does not need to see credit card details – just an email address.
I’ve been in already, and numbers don’t seem to be up noticeably so far, but it is early and a big download – a more real measure of success will be what the populations are like in a fortnight or so.
So, to begin…
Pick a Server: There are three servers to choose from; Emerald, Markov and Werner, and the main difference between them is RL geography. Unlike most MMOs, ping time is actually quite critical. The selection screen shows the ping, and although you can pick any of them, you really do want the one with the lowest ping. Werner is in Europe, Emerald is US East Coast, and Markov is US West Coast.
Even with the Reserves thing, you can have eight characters per server according to the FAQ. These can be from all three teams, although there is a ‘swapping sides’ cooldown timer, of a few hours, meaning that you can have soldiers on all three teams, but can’t change sides from moment to moment.
The various Empires aren’t just about different colour schemes, and actually have quite a number of different features too:
Terran Republic: The red/black team, this empire is the one the other two broke away from. They’re a brutal totalitarian regime hell-bent of quelling the uprising and regaining control. TR design focuses on Speed; TR weapons tend to be higher ROF, lower per shot damage, such as the Mini Chain Gun. The MAX suits are best suited for defensive work, the vehicles typically need more crew to use well, and although zee goggles, zey do nothing, they're still damned cool.
The TR have something of a reputation as being a footzerg army, often eschewing vehicles due to the added crewing requirement, and powerful handheld AV weapon they get. They also tend to be quite strong on base defence, and sheer bloody-minded attrition, throwing themselves at bases over and over, until the enemy lose momentum. I’m mostly TR when I play. A.k.a: ‘Elmos’
New Conglomerate: The blue/yellow team, this empire is the classic ‘rebel’ alliance. Stated ambitions include fighting oppression, and building spaceships to explore the galaxy. NC design focuses on Power; NC weapons tend to be the opposite of TR – low ROF, high per shot damage, such as their 'Jackhammer' shotgun. Their vehicles and MAXes share this design ethos, and their main tank looks a lot like the ones from Tron.
NC equipment lends itself to close range fighting, making the NC a nightmare to shift from towers and bases. Because of the ambush nature of their short ranged, but very powerful shotguns, they tend to have a reputation for being farmers, particularly in towers. In fact, this is merely good trap work, and it can take a disproportionate number of enemy troops to clear them form any indoor locations. A.k.a: ‘Smurfs’
Vanu Sovereignty: The purple/green team. Another rebel faction, intent on embracing the abandoned technology of the alien ‘Vanu’ found across the worlds of Auraxis, and indeed, becoming as like these aliens as possible. VS design focuses on Versatility; VS weapons are all energy-based, and have AP modes built in. Their MAX suits have jump-jets making them extremely mobile, and their vehicles are all amphibious hovercraft. They’re easily the most ‘sci-fi’ empire, and their Infantry AV option is quite literally a Frickin Huge Laser.
VS equipment lends itself to the most options, and the VS hovertank gives them the only ‘navy’ in game. The MAX units in particular are a lot more survivable than those from the other empires, and their weapons are ALL AV to some extent. They seem to use their tanks the most, and in greatest numbers. A.k.a: ‘Barneys’ or ‘Fishheads’
Having said all that, laws of averages tend to mean that all three teams have their fair share of idiots, and good people. I’d suggest that initially, just go with the team you like the sound of. Plenty of time to explore the other two later on. It’s worth noting that a great deal of the weapons and vehicles on offer come in the ‘Common Pool’ category, which means that all three teams get them anyway.
Once you’ve picked one of those, I really would recommend following the pop-up instructions and Training Missions it offers you. The whole set only takes about ten minutes, and grants much needed initial BEP – experience points. Next, head for the Virtual Training Area and try out one of everything. The VR zones let you try out all the equipment, without needing the appropriate certifications first. As well as helping you decide what you want to actually cert, you get more BEP for just trying the stuff out.
I ran around these last night, and if you equip/get in one of everything, you can squeeze enough BEP out of it to get to BR4 before you ever leave the Sanctuary Island and enter actual combat. This gives you 9 cert points right off the bat. BR5 then comes very quickly in the field, and I’ve read that BR6, the Reserves cap, is achievable in about four to six hours of play, depending on skill.
How to spend these Certs? Stay tuned for more tomorrow, as we analyse the certifications and find a play style that will fit you!
(...assuming I can put Oblivion down for more than five minutes, that is. Outstanding game!)