They finally got the jetpack strength and skiing velocity inheritance right per my tastes. I've only ever played Tribes: Ascend so apologies to the older games fans as I'm not sure if this will suit your liking.
Game still needs some work, but the core seems to be there now and 12v12 feels like a good size for the maps that currently exist in-game.
To answer questions people who played previous tribes may immediately have:
- game visually is like an updated Ascend
- bases have generators now
- base turrets still aren't as opressive as I wish they were
- competitive mode is 7v7 in this test (up from 5v5- I still play casual 12v12 because I think it's more fun)
- confirmed 32v32 private servers
- still only testing CTF
- vehicles are not in the game yet
Anyone can request access to the play test on steam (Tribes 3: Rivals) so if you have a passing interest give it a shot.
It's significantly less twitchy than similar era games like UT/Q3/Counterstrike/TFC. There's a lot more focus on positioning and momentum and waiting until you find the right firing solution on your target. It feels fast, but most of that's movement not shooting.
What would you compare it to that is still played today?
Almost nothing...Uhh, Halo? Battlefield? Titanfall? None of them get the feel of Tribes. Titanfall comes closest, but it doesn't have the immense maps needed. It's a very, very movement based game, very focused on the jetpack and optimal engagement ranges, way more about evasion than aiming. You can spec a short-range character and play it as a twitch shooter, but you don't have to. Honestly I'd recommend torrenting Tribes vengeance and playing the singleplayer (Which if you've played earthsiege/cyberstorm will be a nice story to play through)
Genuinely I don't think there's a even a good modern comparison.
Maybe some odd combination like saying the movement is similar to CS Surf maps and the combat is like TF2 soldier air shots? There are more weapon types beyond that (with the most popular others being a longer range demoman grenade launcher type weapons of varying ranges). I don't think that combination even holds up great as a comparison point because it's so unique but that's the best I can do.