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	PlanetSide: Core Combat
	Developer: Verant Publisher: Sony Online Entertainment Genre: Online First-Person Shooter / Role-Playing Game Players: 1-N/A Similar To: BattleField 1942 Rating: Teen Published: 02 :17 : 04 Reviewed By: Ryan Newman Overall: 3 = Poor

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Intro
The world of PlanetSide has undergone quite a change recently. In an effort to increase the action and end those moments of wondering boredom, several of the servers have merged together to form massive battlegrounds. Core Combat, PlanetSide's first expansion pack, was released some time ago, and after waiting for the servers to settle down, I took this extremely disappointing release through its paces.

Gameplay: 4/10
PlanetSide is an enjoyable game. It has a ways to go, but it definitely gets points for having such interactive combat - a trait only JumpGate can share, which is sad since I also said this years ago. Even though there were initial problems, the developers have actually done a good job at keeping up consistent updates to maximize its enjoyment. So it's a little surprising they released Core Combat, as there is still some more tweaking left to be done. Not to mention that, when it comes down to it, Core Combat is almost useless. I say almost because the developers were clever enough to introduce specific items that benefit the factions as a whole and, as a result, become important in one-upping the competition.

When an expansion comes out, I want it to actually … well … expand the universe. Unfortunately, so many of them these days do so little and with such a lack of enthusiasm that they end up being little more than $30-40 distractions. And that is the case with Core Combat. When I say that it adds new vehicles and weapons, along with six underground caverns to fight in, more alien architecture, and technological items that can enhance a faction's attributes, I wouldn't be surprised if one would think that it's a pretty solid deal. Well, it turns out that it isn't nearly as good as it sounds.

The new weapons and vehicles can be used by all factions, and there is three of each out-the-box. The weapons consist of two rifles and a pistol: the Maelstrom is a Heavy Assault rifle that does heavy damage at medium range with a standard rate of fire, and it shoots energy streams and energy grenades; the Radiator is a Special Assault rifle that does medium damage at medium range with a medium rate of fire; and the Spiker is a Medium Assault pistol that does medium damage at a long range with a medium rate of fire and shoots charged beams that explode on impact. The new vehicles are also diverse: the Flail is a Mobile Artillery unit that has poor handling, handles one unit, and uses a dispersion cannon for a heavy, defense-oriented attack, but it can also be coupled with a unit using a laser to light targets for it; the Switchblade is a quick ATV that handles one unit, but it can be deployed to use as a turret, which increases its rate of fire; then there is the Tactical Support Router, which has a telepad that can be dropped and used to bring people back and forth. Interesting additions, but the lack of quantity and faction-specific weapons hurts.

Probably the most enjoyable and useful aspect of the expansion is the addition of modules. Ranging from equipment, vehicle, pain, health, speed, and shield, these upgrades affect all units whose factions have control over them. The modules allow the new weapons to be spawned above ground, as well as speeding up the timer to get a new MAX suit; the new vehicles to be spawned above ground, as well as a quicker charge timer; damage done to enemies when they enter certain areas, like barracks; max health is greater and health regenerates within a sphere; respawn timer is shortened in areas with it installed, and units travel faster on foot; and, a force field forms inside the entrances to bases. These actually take high precedence in PlanetSide, with factions displaying impressive protection techniques whenever escorting the player that is racing a module towards safety.

The new weapons, vehicles, and the modules are all nice additions. In fact, they are fun to use and should be greeted warmly by most fans of the game. The problem is that there really is no reason why this couldn't have been included in a free download - or if the core didn't suck so much.

While the cover shows units having a firefight in subterranean buildings, with all sorts of exotic crystals and structures around them, the reality is that the core is boring. It isn't just boring, it is insanely boring. The most people I've ever seen in the core at one time, including myself, were three. Not only that, but players tend to ignore each other because they are focused on getting the modules. They are also focused on trying to find out where in the hell to go. Another problem with the core(s) is how they are put together. They all feel like the level designers simply plopped down rocks in the middle of the sky and on top the ground, called the structures, and then connected them with ziplines. Ziplines are energy beams that the player steps onto and is carried to the other end of - and they are also an incredibly convenient way to try to hide the horrible core designs. The lines are everywhere, as are the various rocks-made-structures where items can be retrieved; the structures themselves are also increadibly desolate, with almost nothing in any of them. The notion of fighting in the center of Auraxis seems like a good premise, and it very well could have been, but instead gamers are given a half-hearted, shoddy release that, not only feels like a way to siphon $30 out of pockets, but isn't even needed because those without the expansion can reap the benefits of the modules and still use the older weapons.

To get to the core, players have to travel through geowarps. These are only open at certain times, with only a few on each map. The time that they are open has gotten longer, which I guess is a plus. The geowarps function just like the jumpgates, so there is no difficulty getting to the caverns.

PlanetSide is still a fun game, and I do enjoy it. But, I don't enjoy Core Combat. It feels like someone just took a healthy update and burned it onto a disc. PlanetSide itself, while being updated constantly still hasn't had some issues addressed - things like the ability to peak around corners or there actually being a worthwhile purpose to spending hours locking down continents haven't been addressed. The new additions, except the core, are fun, but nowhere near worth the asking price.

Graphics: 7/10
The game still looks pretty good. I'm not sure much was really changed here, though. The new vehicles and weapons have a smooth look to them that share the Vanu Sovereignty's alien-styled items- because of them being ancient alien technology and whatnot. Except the foliage's nasty tendency to pop up, the game has aged well.

Sound: 6.5/10
I like the dramatic music in the menus and when entering the game world. The standard tunes aren't bad either; the same can also be said of the vocals and weapon effects. Battles sound like battles, hovercraft sound like they hover, and buggies sound like they're straining to climb hills. I would like some more music that emphasis the hectic feeling of a firefight, though.

Control: 7/10
In terms of being a first-person shooter, PlanetSide is starting to feel a little old; titles like Call of Duty, and even Soldier of Fortune II, just have a better feel to it than the infantry-based portions in PlanetSide. That isn't to say that it's bad to play as a foot soldier, I actually prefer it over using vehicles, but there is certainly room for improvement. Aside from a few of the vehicles, I am horrible at controlling them, likewise with the new additions, so it's nice to see some things haven't changed.

Overall: 3/10
Core Combat isn't worth it. If the core wasn't a ghost town that consisted of absolutely horrible designs and lacked any hint of imagination, then I might reconsider. The changes made to PlanetSide itself are minimal and, despite the the new weapons and vehicles being fun to use, they aren't such great and unique additions that they simply must be used. It seems as though many of the players have opted to skip out on this expansion, which is for the best, because there are a whole lot more better ways to spend $30.

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