PlanetSide 2

PlanetSide 2 is a massively multiplayer first-person shooter that offers an unparalleled scale of warfare, featuring battles with hundreds to thousands of players fighting simultaneously across vast continents. Players choose from three distinct factions, each with unique weapons and playstyles, and engage in a persistent conflict over territories. The game emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and combined arms combat involving infantry, vehicles, and aircraft. Its free-to-play model is considered fair, with most gameplay-affecting items unlockable through grinding, though some players note a grind-heavy progression and optional paid boosts.

Despite its ambition and depth, PlanetSide 2 has a steep learning curve and can be overwhelming for newcomers, especially due to limited in-game tutorials and complex mechanics. Performance can be demanding on hardware, and some players report lag, occasional bugs, and issues with server population on PC. However, the community is generally positive, and the game continues to receive updates and maintain a dedicated player base. Overall, it is praised for its unique scale, tactical gameplay, and enduring appeal as a free MMOFPS.

Highlights

Players praise PlanetSide 2 for its massive open-world battles involving hundreds of players, creating a true sense of large-scale warfare. The combined arms gameplay integrating infantry, vehicles, and air combat adds depth and variety. The three distinct factions with unique weapons and playstyles offer strategic diversity. The game's teamwork and tactical elements are highly valued, with squad and platoon coordination being key to success. Graphics, while somewhat dated, are appreciated for their scale and lighting effects. The persistent, never-ending conflict and huge maps provide an immersive and addictive experience. Many players consider it the best free-to-play MMOFPS available, with a strong community and continuous developer support.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the game's steep learning curve and lack of effective tutorials, making it difficult for new players to get started. The progression system is often described as grindy, requiring significant time investment or optional paid boosts to unlock desired gear. Performance issues such as lag, frame rate drops, and demanding hardware requirements affect the experience, especially during large battles. Some players note imbalance between factions and occasional spawn camping or overpowered tactics. The PC version is reported to have a declining player base on certain servers, impacting matchmaking and battle intensity. Additionally, some users mention pay-to-win concerns due to purchasable upgrades, though these are generally sidegrades rather than outright advantages.