No, it's not Tribes or Tribes 2. It's not even Tribes Vengeance *thank god*. What it is however, is the first good FPS+Z produced by an industry plagued with mediocrity. Section 8 offers several innovative ideas, coupled with some old familiar mechanics that make this industry spin. The only negative thing I can say about this game is that so few seem to play online. Since this game's primary function is fulfilled online, that's a bit of a problem. However, I have never been unable to play, there's always a few populated servers up. If you were a fan of the Tribes franchise then I would recommend this. For the people that want a quick kill game, I suggest looking elsewhere, Section 8 will be attractive to the hardcores only

Storywise, Not much. The game is fun for Halo fans, but multiplayer is nearing dead, and the game won't last far after that. That said, I enjoyed it quite a bit. It's really fun to play while it lasts, and afterwards, it's still fun to play with friends every once in a while.

One star given for misleading system requirements.

Game might run on reqs listed but still does not recognize SSE processors and will require the No SSE 2 fix (floating around the webs) to even start.

Once started Windows Live will insist that you update twice before you can play. This requires rebooting twice. Failed during second update because Uber high Bink-compressed intro FMV chokes and blue screens my system during mid update.

I'm used to staggering bik FMVs but in all other games I can just ESC past them. Unfortunately Windows Live insists that they run in the background during the whole update process.

This game was awesome when it came out but I think the developers out this out as an experiment for Section 8: Prejudice. Wish I waited a bit more and gotten the sequel instead. I mean, Section 8 is still good, its just that the sequel is better. When I got the sequel, i didnt even bother playing Section 8 the first anymore. Besides, everyone on multiplayer plays the sequel.

GREAT, GREAT GAME! That pretty much sunms up what I think about Section 8.

Set in the distant future the game pits Section 8, a branch of the United States' Imperial Army against the Arm of Orion, a section of a Renegade Faction bent on defeating the Empire. Dropping from the sky as a meteor, you are Death from above, a soldier capable of spawning virtually anywhere in the map ala airborne. With each kill you rack up money to buy turrets, radars and even tanks that will assist you in your way to victory. You can play a short Campaign named after its protagonist, Corde, and then you can battle it out on offline maps against bots or against humans on the internet.

Now, here's where the game sorely lacks, not because of bad mechanics or something game-related but because of the community (or lack thereof)... there's just too few people playing online to get the possibility to play against a human being ever!

That aside, the game is superb! Good graphics, great sound, and TONS of funs... look no further, this game is worth it.

Section 8 is in essence a mash-up of the Tribes, Halo and Battlefield series; that is to say, an utterly brilliant and highly addictive multiplayer game coupled with a rudimentary single-player campaign that really just serves as a tutorial. TimeGate seems to have picked all the best elements from the aforementioned series and refined them, resulting in a highly polished title that stands out remarkably well on its own despite being supremely derivative.

You already know what the gameplay is like. Two teams battle for control of various capture points and objectives spread across a huge map. You pick a class, select the weapons and gear you want to take into the field, and then go be all you can be. This is where you find the game's first hook. Rather than looking at a lifeless map and picking the position at which you want to magically appear, you begin your life rocketing into the battle from a mile in the air, adjusting your trajectory as you plummet to land literally anywhere you want. Yes, that includes on top of enemy units, an instant-kill maneuver which, though difficult, is endlessly satisfying. This unique approach (no pun intended) not only looks exceptionally cool, but also cleverly and completely negates the age-old problem of spawncamping.

Once on the ground, you'll probably be looking for a quick way to get around. That's where the game's other hook comes in. Holding sprint for a few moments will automatically (configurable) kick you into "overdrive" mode, in which you will run at incredible speed across the terrain. You can cover even more ground if you exit this mode by blasting off with your jetpack, a maneuver which can easily catapult you over walls, past outside defenses, right into enemy bases. It should be said that overdrive mode and the jetpack will probably be your main methods of travel because, although there are a few vehicles in the game, they aren't very agile and are much better suited for defense.

Like I said though, you get how the gameplay goes. So now, I must make special mention of the graphics. Although the graphics are a far cry from other modern games, they're nowhere near mediocre either. Character and level design are fairly generic to be sure, but the models and textures are sharp and very clean. The terrain doesn't look particularly superb, but it's more than fine for this kind of game, and your attention is best paid to helping your team rather than taking in the scenery anyway. However, any shortcomings of the game's visuals are more than overshadowed by the absolutely fantastic use of color. Everything is boldly illuminated with gorgeous hues and stunning contrast, giving the game a highly unique and attractive style that's reminiscent, dare I say, of the Shiny Entertainment titles of yore. It may not be technologically marvelous, but the game does look truly outstanding.

Air-dropping into combat, "overdrive" mode, jetpack maneuvers and dazzling use of color are all standout features of Section 8 that, while not elevating it to the phenomenon status of other multiplayer shooters, make it a unique and incredibly enjoyable game in its own right. The core gameplay mechanics - emphasis on teamwork, capturing enemy resources, customizing your arsenal, deploying turrets and radar stations, repairing your team's infrastructure, etc. - have all been done before, and indeed Section 8 feels largely plagiarized, but the combination of all these elements is so well-balanced, so expertly tuned, it's hard to notice or care about its derivative nature or a few missed opportunities. To put it simply, this game is good stuff through and through.

It's a multiplayer focused shooter which actually manages to make some nice innovations alongside solid core gameplay. Single player isn't neglected either, with not only a generous campaign but competent AI bots to make for fun matches.

The game is an arena style battle similar to Enemy Territory. Each map has two or more objectives which you must take and hold, and prevent your enemy doing the same. Similar to Quake Wars there is a dynamic mission system alongside this, although unlike QW missions are arbitrary and random rather than generated according to gameplay; instead of getting an objective to heal another player as a medic you're protecting VIP's or outpost landings which seem to spawn automatically at certain points in the match. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, adding a little variety to the gameplay, but it's a shame they couldn't include something similar to QW's more reactive missions.

Where it shines though is where it deviates from the established format. The ability to drop into combat is more than just a gimmick; when you (re)spawn you are shown the map of the current level and can pick anywhere to drop into, thus cutting down the infamous "trudge to the front". At the same time there are AA turrets which project defensive zones across the map, trying to drop on top of one of these is suicide, which since they inevitably end up protecting objectives gives you a nice gamble on how close you can drop without being torn apart in the air.

The classless system works well too. Inherent suit functions like stealth, anti-stealth or armour and shield strength can be adjusted on a points based system. Equipment can be chosen freely, with two weapon slots and two auxilliary slots. So you can create an engineer style template with heavy armour, a rocket launcher and a sniper rifle, or an assault style trooper who's virtually invisible to radar but with paper thin armour and almost no shield. Some default templates are given named after traditional classes - engineer, infantry, demolitions etc, but these can be modified and renamed. You can even tweak your loadout on the fly in game at a supply station, so if that engineer build you wanted to test out is not working you can switch out during a match quite easily.

It's almost like they streamlined the traditional setup to remove anything which prevented fun. Your suit can be configured completely to suit your own playstyle, every character can drive vehicles or deploy turrets and the orbital insertion ensures you can drop right into the thick of the action, minimising the downtime normally associated with this type of game without removing any of the strategy or fun elements either.

A very good and unique game, with an awesome combat system and intuitive gameplay. The single player campaign, although very short (around 4 hours), is quite enjoyable.

It is a Games for Windows LIVE title which is a big plus, since it has achievements that add to your gamerscore and is completely compatible with the Xbox 360 Controller for those that don't like using mouse + keyboard. A definite must get for online gaming fans, if you aren't going to play much online, you should wait for a deal to buy it.

The game itself is very good. It has refreshing new features for multiplayer play, like burning-in and Dynamic Combat Missions.

Problem is... Windows Live. If your country is not supported by that service, or your connection is somehow unsupported by it... You can play online. Simply as that. You will spend about 3 hours in the singleplayer campaiign, and thats it.

So, I recommend you to, before purchasing this game, check if you will be able to use Games for Windows live at your home PC.

Otherwise...