Tribes ascend is now available to play for free. You can download it from the developers site HERE. As with most of these games, the basic game is free, but you can purchase in game items to enhance your character.
The Game:
Tribes: Ascend is a free-to-play multiplayer-only first-person shooter; and is part of the Tribes franchise. It is currently being developed by Hi-Rez Studios.
Tribes: Ascend features a class-based loadout system. Each loadout specifies what type of armor the player has, along with what weapons and items they carry. Loadouts will only support three weapons at a time; two in-hand weapons and one melee object, along with either grenades or mines and a pack. There are three possible sizes of armor to choose: light, medium and heavy. Players can select which loadout to use when either when first joining a game, respawning or at an inventory station. Hi-Rez Studios has yet to reveal how many loadouts will be available at launch, though they did state that there will be at least 15 available during the closed and open beta,
There are nine currently available Loadouts. They may be acquired either through an upfront payment, or through playing the game and earning experience, which can be used to purchase classes, weapons and upgrades.
Paid-for loadouts will be available to the user instantly, while those who choose to unlock them through playing will have a much longer wait. Upgrades to armor and weapons can only be purchased by experience points. Players will be given 3 free loadouts: the Pathfinder, Soldier, and Juggernaut, when they first start playing the game, each wearing light, medium and heavy armor respectively.
Hi-Rez will also sell cosmetic items such as player skins, along with boosters that allow players to gain experience points at a faster rate. Players earn in-match credits during matches for killing enemies, repairing structures or capturing objectives. Credits are then used to buy vehicles, supply drops, Tactical and Orbital strikes and base upgrades.
Game modes and maps:
Hi-Rez Studios is currently testing Capture the Flag, Team Deathmatch and Arena game modes.[7] While some maps have retained the classic nature of the Tribes franchise with large open areas and base structures, others have a more urban feel to them, featuring buildings and streets. Katabatic, which originally appeared in Tribes 2, has been remade in Tribes: Ascend,[7] along with a revamped version of Broadside called Crossfire.
Reference accessed HERE