Summer break is a great time to get some awesome first person shooter action in online. Forget the pay-to-play games, try out these free summer shooters today!
Combat Arms: combatarms.nexon.net
I really got into Combat Arms when it was first released in November of 2007. It has been out a while but it is still very popular, when loads of eager FPS players battling it out on the Nexon servers. Combat Arms has a modern setting, similar to the popular Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series. Players can download the game client for free from the Nexon website (listed above), register an account with Nexon (also free), and choose a character. A simple set of equipment is provided at first, but as players advance their way through game matches, they earn in-game currency to spend in the in-game store, thus equipping their character with nicer gear, better weapons, and other accessories. Of course, like most online free-to-play games, Combat Arms has a microtransaction model where players can spend real cash on in-game items. I did not spend any money on such things, and still felt that the game was fairly balanced. My kill to death ratios on Combat Arms were usually quite good, even without the items requiring real cash payments. The graphics are decent (for a free FPS), but don’t expect any Crysis-style beauty here. Instead, enjoy the frantic and fun, fast-paced matches this game offers for free.
America’s Army: www.americasarmy.com
American’s Army, or AA or short, has received loads of attention from the media. Some have even referred to it as a dreaded “propaganda” piece. Despite this negative feedback, AA is a blast to play. Unlike many other free FPS Games, AA requires players to complete several offline “training courses”, styled after boot camp, to receive different “medals.” Online play is unlocked after players have accumulated enough medals. Some matches and maps require advanced medals and awards to even enter, keeping the game competitive and helping make matches more interesting. Total newbs can’t just jump in and start killing enemy (or TKing) right away, instead the trainging system helps screen out some of the internet low-lifes who enjoy trolling and TKing. The missions, or different maps online are each fairly challenging and set in a variety of locales. The Army has gone all out in making AA a fantastic game to play, especially if you have a group of friends to blast with. The AA website has a section reserved for honoring “Real Heroes”, real life soldiers who have been honored for heroism and other actions during their service. It has even spawned a graphic novel series, available for free online (check the main AA website for links). Of course, AA is out there to help serve as a PRl for the military and to encourage young people to look into the opportunities offered by the Army, so bear this in mind when playing the game.
Battlefield Heroes: www.battlefieldheroes.com
Battlefield Heroes is a blast. That’s all there it to say about it. Go download it today and jump in on the action. All kidding aside, Heroes was developed by the same group behind Battlefield 1942, Battlefield Vietnam and so on, and continues the tradition of fun, objective-based online shooter action. However, BH is an exception to the series and uses a 3rd person view, and, is available for free online. It has a cell-shaded art style, reminiscent of the popular Team Fortress 2 game by Valve (creators of the awesome Half-Life series). I have played loads of enjoyable rounds on the Battlefield Heroes servers and had a fantastic time driving tanks, flying planes, crashing jeeps and jumping off of buildings into firefights with my friends online. BH does use a microtransaction system, allowing players to pay real money for in-game customization if they desire it. Still, I played BH for a long time without spending any money on it, and still felt quite competitive. There are some really skilled players on the EA servers, sure to keep you practicing to stay on top of the leaderboards. Try it out today, and have some fun with these awesome summer shooters!
