The quality of the graphics are among the strongest points of Planetside, and Verant have custom designed and built a brand new engine to power it; after all, a game of Planetside’s ambitions is certain to need some quite unique technology. Planetside will have many areas for players to explore, not only vast open plains but cities, underground facilities, bases and various other internal and external environments. The avatars themselves look spectacular too, with each player design standing out as a piece of art (even inside their huge armour suits). It does remind one a little of Halo, but so would any that looks this good. Verant obviously do not want their game to be ruined by a slack graphics engine. I do wonder though, if perhaps this could be a little power hungry? I certainly do not have an uber-PC by any means. Can I still play the game? Verant seem to think so, their engine, spectacular as it is, should allow almost anyone currently playing Everquest to join in. Seems a mammoth task to me, lets hope they can pull it off. Or at least implement an engine that can scale appropriately to the players system.

Verant have commented on how difficult it is to have a story in a MMOFPS, after all some people just want to be able to pick up and play, however Verant have made a sterling effort here. There is just enough story line for enthusiasts to follow and just enough to be ignored by all the trigger happy TFC players who will be sure to join in and don’t want their to be dulled by a heavy plot line. The story is a simple affair of a world that is at war. The major land-masses are split between three ‘empires’ who are at a constant struggle for domination. You, as a player must choose your allegiance before you start the game. You can of course switch sides later on, but there are penalties for such actions (described later). The Empires are as follows:

The Terran Republic:
The Humans of this planet have always lusted after complete control, now they have their aim within their grasp. Utilising their technology, skills and weaponry the humans will have to work fast if they are to attain their ultimate prize; domination.

The New Conglomerate:
This highly aggressive, technologically advanced race have no qualms about killing and murdering in the name of warfare. They show little compassion and no mercy, they will stop at nothing to reach their goal of annihilating all others, until entire rule of the planet is theirs.