Starsiege: Tribes (1998)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 8 minutes read

Summary

Starsiege: Tribes (1998)

Starsiege: Tribes is a squad and class-based multiplayer first-person shooter developed by Dynamix and published by Sierra Studios. It was released for Microsoft Windows in 1998 and was a critical and commercial success, spawning several sequels and spin-offs.

Tribes is set in the distant future on the planet of Terra. The game’s backstory is complex and involves a war between two factions: the Starsiege Coalition and the Diamond Sword Mercenaries. Players can choose to play as either faction, and each faction has its own unique set of weapons, vehicles, and abilities.

One of the most innovative aspects of Tribes is its emphasis on teamwork. Players must work together to achieve objectives, such as capturing flags, destroying enemy bases, or escorting VIPs. The game also features a unique class-based system, which allows players to choose from a variety of different classes, each with its own unique abilities.

Tribes was a groundbreaking game in many ways. It was one of the first FPS games to feature large-scale battles with up to 32 players on each team. It also introduced several new gameplay mechanics, such as the ability to ski and the use of jetpacks. Tribes was also one of the first games to feature a dedicated server system, which allowed players to host their own games and create their own custom maps.

Tribes was a critical and commercial success, and it quickly became one of the most popular multiplayer FPS games of its time. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, its emphasis on teamwork, and its large-scale battles. Tribes also had a strong modding community, which created a wealth of new maps, weapons, and vehicles for the game.

Tribes has been ported to several other platforms, including the Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, and Xbox. The game has also been re-released on Steam and GOG.com.

Gameplay

Tribes is a squad and class-based multiplayer FPS. Players can choose to play as one of four different classes: light, medium, heavy, and sniper. Each class has its own unique set of weapons, vehicles, and abilities.

Light classes are the fastest and most agile class in the game. They are equipped with assault rifles and SMGs, and they can deploy personal cloaking devices.

Medium classes are the all-around class in the game. They are equipped with assault rifles and shotguns, and they can deploy jump jets to reach higher ground.

Heavy classes are the slowest and most heavily armored class in the game. They are equipped with miniguns and rocket launchers, and they can deploy deployable turrets.

Sniper classes are the long-range support class in the game. They are equipped with sniper rifles and railguns, and they can deploy motion sensors to detect enemy movement.

Players can also choose to play as one of two different factions: the Starsiege Coalition or the Diamond Sword Mercenaries. Each faction has its own unique set of weapons, vehicles, and abilities.

The Starsiege Coalition is the more traditional faction in the game. They are equipped with a variety of standard military weapons and vehicles.

The Diamond Sword Mercenaries are the more mercenary faction in the game. They are equipped with a variety of experimental weapons and vehicles.

Objectives

There are a variety of different objectives in Tribes, including:

  • Capture the Flag: In this objective, players must capture the enemy team’s flag and return it to their own base.
  • Destroy the Enemy Base: In this objective, players must destroy the enemy team’s base.
  • Escort the VIP: In this objective, players must escort a VIP to a designated location.
  • Deathmatch: In this objective, players must kill as many enemy players as possible.

Maps

Tribes features a variety of different maps, each with its own unique terrain and objectives. Some of the most popular maps in the game include:

  • Blood Eagle: This map is set in a峽谷 with a river running through the middle. The map is known for its long sightlines and its opportunities for ambushes.
  • Dustbowl: This map is set in a desert with a variety of different terrain types. The map is known for its open spaces and its opportunities for vehicular combat.
  • Outpost: This map is set in a frozen wasteland with a variety of different buildings and structures. The map is known for its close-quarters combat and its opportunities for vertical gameplay.

Vehicles

Tribes features a variety of different vehicles, including:

  • Buggy: The buggy is a light and fast vehicle that can be used to transport troops and equipment.
  • Hovercraft: The hovercraft is a medium-sized vehicle that can be used to transport troops and equipment across water.
  • Tank: The tank is a heavily armored vehicle that can be used to destroy enemy vehicles and structures.
  • Aircraft: The aircraft is a flying vehicle that can be used to transport troops and equipment, as well as to attack enemy targets.

Weapons

Tribes features a variety of different weapons, including:

  • Assault rifles: Assault rifles are the most common type of weapon in the game. They are accurate and powerful, and they can be used at a variety of ranges.
  • SMGs:SMGs are a type of close-quarters weapon that is ideal for fighting in tight spaces. They are fast-firing and have a high rate of fire, but they are not as accurate as assault rifles.
  • Shotguns: Shotguns are a type of close-quarters weapon that is ideal for fighting in close quarters. They are powerful and can kill an enemy with a single shot, but they are not as accurate as assault rifles or SMGs.
  • Sniper rifles: Sniper rifles are a type of long-range weapon that is ideal for taking down enemy targets from a distance. They are accurate and powerful, but they have a slow rate of fire.
  • Railguns: Railguns are a type of long-range weapon that is even more powerful than sniper rifles. They can kill an enemy with a single shot, but they have a very slow rate of fire and are difficult to use.
  • Rocket launchers: Rocket launchers are a type of explosive weapon that is ideal for destroying enemy vehicles and structures. They are powerful and can cause a lot of damage, but they are slow to reload.

Legacy

Tribes is considered to be one of the most influential FPS games of all time. It pioneered many of the gameplay mechanics that are now standard in the genre, such as the use of jetpacks and the ability to ski. Tribes also had a strong modding community, which created a wealth of new maps, weapons, and vehicles for the game.

Tribes has been ported to several other platforms, including the Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, and Xbox. The game has also been re-released on Steam and GOG.com.

Tribes has spawned several sequels and spin-offs, including:

  • Tribes 2 (2001)
  • Tribes: Vengeance (2004)
  • Tribes: Ascend (2012)

Tribes is a classic FPS game that is still enjoyed by many players today. Its innovative gameplay, its emphasis on teamwork, and its large-scale battles make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Review Score

9/10

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Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.

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