“We feel very good about the fast and fluid combat we’ve been playing and refining with the community over the past few months,” explains Todd Harris, Hi-Rez Studios Chief Operating Officer.  “We are now excited to announce new features that have been among those most requested by our Beta group.”

The next update will include additional class customization and a much more polished user interface that really showcases the sci-fi, high resolution graphics of Tribes: Ascend. Hi-Rez will be collapsing the total number of playable classes from 12 to 9, but adding the ability for players to unlock new weapons for each class and further customize their loadout. Three of the nine classes will be available right away so a new player will have access to a Light, Medium, and Heavy class in his or her first match.

“We believe this system preserves class-based combat while also offering additional flexibility for players to customize classes around individual play style.  It continues to provide a balanced and level playing field for all players.”

Tribes: Ascend is a free-to-play shooter for PC with servers currently located across North America, Europe, and Australia. In addition to unlockable classes, weapons, skills and perks, the Beta version includes 3 drivable vehicles, 3 game modes, and 9 playable maps.  Hi-Rez Studios is also planning to support Ranked Servers and Custom Servers.

Players interested in joining the Tribes: Ascend Closed Beta can register for an invitation at http://www.tribesascend.com.

Those wishing to guarantee a Closed Beta spot may purchase the Tribes: Ascend VIP Starter Bundle at the game’s official website. The bundle includes automatic admission into Beta, permanent VIP status in the game, a 30-day Booster and 3000 Tribes Gold. The VIP Starter Bundle is priced at a 33% discount to list price, as a reward to the game’s Beta testers.

Watch the Tribes: Ascend Focus videofor a gameplay taster. Additional information about Tribes: Ascend can be found in the online FAQ, and regular updates are posted to the game’s Facebookpage.

Video:

Subscribe to YouTube Channel HERE

Audio(Direct Download HERE

Subscribe in iTunes HERE

BUY THE APP!!!! BUY THE APP!!!!

And here is the PRIDE FC portion of the demo with Rampage Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva:

Hex Vision Metal watchband for iPod Nano, Logitech wireless Speaker, Jailbreaking your iOS device, Display Recorder, iVI Pro, Sony PS3 3D Display.

I was super impressed with the “feel” and speed of the game.  It feels like you’re playing a real old school pinball game where the flippers have some snap to them and the ball moves with appropriate speed.  Half the battle is getting down the speed of the game and the fact that you have 8 different camera angles helps as well.  The other half is the table design… with the 4 tables included in this down loadable game are brilliant.  All 4 have unique layout and all offer skill shots and plenty of bling to keep you plenty busy and always wanting just one more try.  Online leader boards are a nice touch as well as a “hot seat” multiplayer.   The 3D effects actually work very well in this title but for the most part they are just a nice to have than something that you would use all of the time.

If you have any interest and I fun casual experience on your 3DS then Zen Pinball should be right up your alley. Even if you’re not a big pinball fan or even know what pinball is… trust me, you’ll still have plenty of fun with this game.

Zen Pinball- (eShop $6.99)

Please feel free to post your thoughts in the comments section, email t4show@gmail.com or tweet me@wickedpissa.

Brett

1. Skyrim… really, are you surprised at all? The game is everything that I’ve ever wanted from my Elder Scroll games (I actually finished Morrowind) and then some. The amount of pure joy you receive while playing this game is staggering. When talking to people about this game one question always comes up “what makes the game so great?”… it’s pure exploration at its best. I love searching the open world and constantly finding new landmarks, new NPC’s, and of course fighting random dragons. Not only is this game my pick of 2011 but it’s the single best game that I’ve EVER played! That’s coming from a guy with a Zelda tattoo.

2. Saints Row 3… wow, what a game that straight up punches you in the face and then kicks you in the ass! All in a good way of course. When it comes to “just having fun” Saints Row 3 has that covered and everything is executed with such style. The gameplay is all about being way over the top (go big or go home!) and it’s a game that knows it’s going to the extreme and that’s what makes it so addictive. The story and all of the extra modes in this game leave you wanting more and it’s always delivery with such flare. Definitely a must have game if you’re a fan of having fun while you game.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword… This game might have been my number 2 (or even number 1) if it had traditional controls. A great Zelda game with all of the things that you know and love when it comes to the series… great story, great boss battles, improved graphics and my personal favorite, adult Link. The controls are really the only major issue with the game. They are serviceable but I don’t appreciate struggling while trying to perform a sideways slash. Other than that complainant the game is stunning and it goes to show that Nintendo still has it.

4. Batman: Arkham City… I love the Bat, he’s the one super hero that I actually can appreciate because he doesn’t have any super powers. This game is dark, gritty and gorgeous all in one swoop. The best part about this game is actually feeling like you are Batman… somewhat vulnerable but yet you can still drop the hammer when needed. Another open world game that does it right (are you starting to see a pattern here?) and the story in this game is right out of your favorite Batman comic. This game is everything that a good super hero game should be and they have Harley Quinn and Catwoman… you can’t beat that.

5. Portal 2… damn this game was an absolute pleasure to play but man, it can hurt your brain after a few hours of game play. I don’t want to take anything away from the joy of playing this game; it was super clever and some of the best writing in a videogame. The voice acting was topnotch and the game chock full of charm. For me though, the puzzles after a while started to feel like more like work than fun. Still, fantastic piece of gaming and well worth the price of admission.

Please feel free to post your Top 5 of 2011 in the comments section, email t4show@gmail.com or tweet me @wickedpissa.

Brett