NeoTokyo

NeoTokyo is a full mod for Half-Life 2. The full game is available as an absolutely free download from its site.

Check it out at http://www.neotokyohq.com/about.html for more info. :]

I'm really digging the game so far. I was totally sold after a few friends mentioned in and I checked out the trailer. It really captures a Ghost in the Shell-like futuristic feeling, with some sweet-looking character skins, excellent weapons and a beautiful soundtrack. The gameplay is fast, and you don't have a lot of life, so good communication and team play are vital. The game supports up to 32 players per server, and you can break your team down into up to 5 squads. The maps aren't huge, but they more than adequately hold the maximum amount of players, not to mention that they look AWESOME (the lack of functioning doors is a downer, however. It seems that the Japanese of the future have lost the ability to turn handles).

Gameplay is pretty simple for anyone familiar with a standard PC-based FPS layout. WASD movement, mouse to turn, aim and shoot. Add to this the ability to lean to the left or right in order to peek around a corner while minimizing your size as a target, and you've got an excellent layout for the style of gameplay. In addition to this, there are three playable classes; Recon, Assault and Support. The Recon class plays fast, but unfortunately goes down quickly. A couple shots and you're dead. However, you have unlimited sprinting, the ability to jump long distances, and a recharging 12-second thermoptic camouflage. Think Predator-style, only even less visible, especially while standing still next to something textured. The Assault class is also pretty sweet. It can take a few more shots than Recon, focuses on mid-range, mid-damage combat, has a motion-sensing visor option, and a recharging 8-second thermop camo. Not as fast, but better for firefights in long hallways. Finally, there's the Support class, the lumbering tank of the trio. Support can't run at all, has no thermop, and can't jump. However, it soaks up bullets like nobody's business, dishes it back out, and has a heat sensor visor. Thermoptic camo is useless against this beast.

If you have a Steam account already, along with Half-Life 2, I strongly recommend downloading this game. If you don't have one, Steam is free, and you can get the Orange Box bundle (Half-Life 2, Episode 1 and 2, Team Fortress 2 and Portal) for $20 or so right now. Throw in an excellent free game building off of that, and you've got an amazing deal. If you're ever looking for a game, my username is a_presence. Add me!