XMP's gameplay is based around the increasingly popular class-based teamwork model. However, unlike UT2004's Team Deathmatch and CTF modes, XMP shows a much more strategic level simple combat tactics.
The main objective of XMP is artifact control. In order to win, teams must capture and store all four artifacts in their "artifact node". Capturing an artifact from a node is the same as capturing a flag in UT's CTF, but the artifacts have a few little tricks to counter their kidnapping. Strong team strategy is essential, as artifacts leave a colored trail when held. They also hinder your speed slightly.
A successful team must control not only their battle tactics but also manage their resources, namely energy, defensive turrets, and vehicles, in order to gain victory. As your energy levels increase, so does your capability, as energy will give you access to defensive turrets, energy walls, vehicles, mines, and many other tools. Energy is gained by claiming and holding generators, and as such introducing an 'Onslaught' aspect to XMP. Specific player actions also use their personal energy reserve which needs recharging when depleted, meaning that no one can do the job on their own.
One of the most integral strategies is the capturing of objects. Switches, generators, spawn points and tactical positions need to be captured and fortified. This control element adds a requirement for forward planning, as you don't want to have to stop and clear a path when you're being tailed.
Managing your offensive and defensive capabilities well is the key to success in XMP. Can you handle the pressure?
4. Classes
XMP's class system follows the same model set by Tribes. Three classes exist, Light, Medium and Heavy.
Light
The Light class is known as the "Ranger". Rangers come bearing many gifts for their team - they double up as a sniper and medic, for long-range cover and field operations. The sniper aspect has received a bit of a rebalance from singleplayer Unreal 2, in that they are now less omnipotent. The Widowmaker rifle now only carries three rounds per clip, 15 rounds total, and has a slower firing rate. Sniper shots also leave colored trails, giving enemies a rough idea of what's going on.
Other gear for the Ranger includes Aida's famed pistol, "Grace", a grenade launcher capable of firing two not-very-tasty types of "fruit" - frag and smoke. The Shocklance is included as an anti-vehicle countermeasure, and the Ranger's final ability is to drop medpacks and heal allies. Although lightly armored, the Ranger's speed is a great asset.
Medium
For those who can't decide between the swift operative and the brute gunner, the medium class comes as something of a compromise. Often called "tech operatives", Techs come with medium armor and walking speed, and an talent for all things technical.
Playing as a Tech, your main strength is in your ability to handle vehicles, turrets, equipment and hacking. You'll be the first choice to hack any environmental objects to your team, and you'll also excel in mid-range combat. Standard armament includes the shotgun and assault rifle, both very reliable weapons which never let you down.
Naturally, the Tech's defensive capabilities are somethng to be reckoned with. Whether it's planting mines, creating energy fences, or setting up some nice little friends for opponents to play with, the Tech is without a doubt the most balanced and versatile class.
Heavy
And finally, we reach the Gunner. The Gunner can honestly say "I'm the Juggernaut, bitch!" - slow but powerful, if you see a Gunner coming, either focus fire or get behind cover.
Standard equipment includes the Rocket Launcher, a tweaked flamethrower, a GL carrying incendiary and whiteout rounds, frag mines and laser mines.
There's nothing else to say for the Gunner. Self-explanatory is the word.
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5. Equipment
The most important aspect of XMP is, without a doubt, the arsenal available to players.
You'll use a selection of weapons, vehicles, and traps to take down your enemies.
{ Editor's Note: I had planned on adding thumbnails to this section, but it turns out I deleted the renders. I'll replace them later. Sorry for any inconvenience. }
Weapons
- "Grace"
A powerful pistol used by Aida. Packs a punch at medium-close range, but loses effectiveness when used from longer distances.
- Assault Rifle
Exactly what it says on the tin. It's Dalton's preferred weapon, and a solid rock that you can always rely on.
- Shotgun
This weapon packs a powerful punch when used against Rangers and Techs, but due to the spread of ammunition, it is recommended for use at close range for maximum impact.
- Grenade Launcher
The ever-powerful GL makes a comeback, still sporting four types of ammo.
Frag Grenades: They do just what you'd expect - go boom.
Smoke Grenades: Again, useful, although often neglected - they're still good for a quick distraction.
Whiteout Grenades: A powerful tool for distracting enemy pursuers - just.... make sure that your fellow players don't have their brightness set too high, m'kay? =]
Incendiary Grenades: These grenades burst into flames on impact, causing heavy damage. A nice way to relight someone's fire...
- Widowmaker
Ah, yes, the queen of long-range weaponry. The sniper rifle still remains a powerful weapon, but now snipers need to be as cunning as they are accurate, since counter-measures have been brought in to prevent them from being unstoppable killing machines.
- Rocket Launcher
Again, the name explains itself pretty well. Why let tivial little things such as
walls get in your way, when you can use a handy little toy like this to get through?
- Shocklance
The shocklance fires electrical discharge in two varieties. This weapon is rather ineffective against humans, but works very well on vehicles and turrets.
Vehicles
- Raptor
The Raptor is the basic ground-based buggy in XMP. It's armor is very thin, and without a team-mate manning the turret it's useless as an offensive force. It is, however, very fast and agile, so a skilled driver can outmaneuver most heavy weapons. In addition to being a good "pancake maker", the Raptor is equipped with front-mounted grinders. Hit an opponent fast enough and you'll be treated to an especially gory lesson in human anatomy (provided you have gore enabled, that is).
- Juggernaut
The tank of XMP. It's slow, durable, and carries some heavy damage material. The driver has control over a flamethrower weapon, whereas a teammate acting as gunner controls the main cannons. Great for midfield play and point defense.
- Harbinger
The only plausible description of this vehicle is "hybrid". It's a jack of all trades but master of none, with moderate speed, armor and firepower aspects. Again, the driver is unarmed, but two teammates have access to a rapd-fire rocket launcher and tail-mounted EMP gun respectively. Perfect as a swift assault vehicle.
Boys' Toys
Don't think the weapons and vehicles are the only things to have fun with. Oh, no, they're not...
- Landmines
I think it's obvious what these do. Plant them in clusters in a 16 player server and watch the fun begin. Just make sure you're nowhere to be seen.
- Lasermines
It just wouldn't be an FPS without tripmines. Like above, only they explode when the beam is broken.
- Medpacks
Dispensed by Rangers and found in the game by default, these are nice little fix-me-up's for dealing with injuries.
- Turrets
These little babies can be used by players of either team, providing enough energy is available. They come in several flavours, but they all operate just the same. Bear in mind that turret usage requires you to be in the control pod, and while the weapon itself can take a beating, the pod can't.
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6. XMP Server List
{ Editor's Note: Will add list later - currently checking server status. }
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