TRIBES 3: Rivals

67%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,087 reviews
  • gameplay
  • monetization
  • graphics
TRIBES 3: Rivals Game Cover
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TRIBES 3: Rivals is a team-based first-person shooter focused on jetpack-enhanced jetpacks, skiing, and class-based warfare. Players compete in capturing the enemy's flag while defending their own in stunning, diverse environments. Customizable classes, perks, and weapons add strategic depth to the fast-paced, high-speed combat.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

67%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,087 reviews
gameplay71 positive mentions
monetization42 negative mentions
  • The game captures the classic Tribes gameplay with fast-paced skiing and shooting mechanics, providing a nostalgic experience for long-time fans.
  • The core gameplay loop is solid, allowing for exhilarating moments of skill expression, especially when landing mid-air shots.
  • The developers have shown responsiveness to community feedback, making improvements and updates since the early access launch.
  • The game has been criticized for its monetization model, with expensive cosmetic DLCs and a daily win requirement to unlock skins, leading to perceptions of it being a cash grab.
  • There is a lack of content at launch, with only one game mode (CTF) and no vehicles or significant base gameplay, making it feel shallow compared to previous titles.
  • Many matches are filled with bots, leading to a lack of genuine player interaction and diminishing the overall experience.
  • gameplay199 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has been described as fast-paced and engaging, with solid mechanics reminiscent of the classic Tribes series, particularly in terms of skiing and projectile-based combat. However, many players feel that the game is lacking in content and variety, with limited game modes and a stripped-down experience that fails to capture the depth of its predecessors. While the core gameplay loop is enjoyable and has potential, concerns about monetization and the absence of traditional gameplay elements like base mechanics and vehicles have left some players feeling disappointed.

    • “The gameplay loop is simple capture the flag, but the core of tribes is mastering the projectiles and movement, and is one of the most fun and entertaining casual and competitive multiplayer experiences you can have.”
    • “The gameplay itself is absolutely phenomenal, and I'm having more fun than I've had in an online FPS in years.”
    • “Core gameplay is fast, unique, and fun.”
    • “There's no base-oriented gameplay, which is something a huge amount of players from previous games really enjoyed.”
    • “The game is a massively stripped down iteration of the original, clearly designed to be a lazy cash-grab through overpriced DLCs and absurd gameplay requirements to attain cosmetics.”
    • “The highly increased ease of hitting opponents diminishes the depth of combat, shifting the focus away from mechanical skill.”
  • monetization64 mentions

    The monetization model of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many users expressing disappointment over high-priced DLCs, excessive microtransactions, and a lack of meaningful content updates. Players feel that the monetization practices are predatory, often requiring significant financial investment for cosmetic items while offering little in return, leading to a perception of abandonment by the developers. Overall, the sentiment is that the game's monetization strategy undermines its potential and alienates the community.

    • “I've put 350 hours into Helldivers in the last couple of months, and that game has a universally acclaimed, new-player-friendly monetization system.”
    • “Monetization is for cosmetics only, which is great.”
    • “Monetization is leagues better than with Tribes: Ascend -- i.e., not pay to win.”
    • “Thought we were getting another Tribes game, instead more of a desperate cash grab disguised in Tribes clothing that got the carpet ripped out from underneath, abandoning the game shortly after arrival.”
    • “I was hoping for a faithful sequel to the originals and got a soulless cash grab instead.”
    • “The early access release is clearly a cash grab.”
  • graphics30 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the updated visuals that enhance the nostalgic feel of the classic Tribes series, while others criticize subpar performance and recycled assets. Some players appreciate the stunning visuals and clean design that complement the fast-paced gameplay, but there are concerns about framerate issues and the overall aesthetic quality. Overall, while the graphics are generally well-received, there are calls for further improvements and optimizations.

    • “Love this game, runs like a dream. Graphics are top notch and bring back great memories of Tribes 1 and Tribes 2.”
    • “The stunning visuals complement the fast-paced gameplay, making every moment feel like a cinematic adventure.”
    • “Beautiful graphics, cleanly designed interface, drum and bass music in-game, extremely satisfying physics that allow you to generate insane speed to traverse massive, intelligently crafted maps with adequate variety and differences between them.”
    • “Visually, Tribes 3 fails to impress, with subpar framerate performance and lackluster artwork, including recycled assets from other games.”
    • “Graphics worse than in Ascend and performs worse than Ascend.”
    • “Trash aesthetics.”
  • story12 mentions

    The reviews highlight a significant absence of a cohesive story mode in the game, with many users expressing a desire for a campaign that leverages the rich lore of the Tribes universe, reminiscent of earlier titles. Critics note that the current gameplay feels chaotic and lacks the strategic depth of previous iterations, suggesting that larger maps and a more structured narrative could enhance the experience. Overall, the community reflects on the legacy of the Tribes series while hoping for future updates that could restore its storytelling potential.

    • “My personal opinion of what they could add later down the line is a campaign/story mode because the world of Tribes is already rich and vibrant, and the last one we had was about 20 years ago.”
    • “Well, sometimes after traumatic events in one’s life, we need a mission to pull us through—and when Tribes 3 early access launched, I began to live again.”
    • “The story of Tribes 3 rivals starts on a single premise: it would have been 'easy' for them to just make Tribes Ascend 2 instead.”
    • “Story is part of the map design and it is missing.”
    • “My personal opinion of what they could add later down the line: a campaign/story mode because the world of Tribes is already rich and vibrant, and the last one we had was about 20 years ago.”
    • “Tribes is a story about a dev team catching lightning in a bottle in 1998, and then a collection of stories of people who feel the need to change every parameter until the game is made in their own image, by which point it's become a can of shit that gives you a static shock when you try to open it.”
  • optimization11 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game is mixed; while some users report solid performance on typical gaming setups, others experience subpar framerates and instability, particularly with server performance and visual quality. Issues such as the need to adjust settings for better performance and concerns over Denuvo anti-cheat's potential impact on gameplay further highlight the game's optimization challenges.

    • “Performance is solid and, unlike launch, a lot of my games have been fairly even in skill.”
    • “My gaming computer is very typical according to Steam: Ryzen 3600, RTX 3060, etc. and the game runs smoothly in most situations.”
    • “It runs alright on the Steam Deck (playtest had better performance for me).”
    • “Visually, Tribes 3 fails to impress, with subpar framerate performance and lackluster artwork, including recycled assets from other games.”
    • “Compounding these issues is the subpar server performance, evident in glitchy enemy animations and overall instability, further detracting from the gameplay experience.”
    • “Denuvo anti-cheat required to activate the game, which has a history of causing performance issues as well as being consumer unfriendly by acting as DRM in addition to Steam.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as both unintentional and absurd, with players finding amusement in the chaotic gameplay and quirky features, such as the bizarre seasonal cosmetics that evoke a sense of ridiculousness. Users enjoy the comedic moments that arise from gameplay mishaps, like players suiciding on proximity mines, and the overall lighthearted tone of the game, despite some frustrations with server issues. The humor is a significant aspect that adds to the enjoyment, even if it stems from unexpected or nonsensical elements.

    • “Skiing is essentially the heart of any Tribes game; funny enough, in the original, it wasn't even a planned feature.”
    • “The only time I've had much fun in this game is either camping the generator or laughing at speed demons diving for the flag only to suicide onto my proximity mines.”
    • “It turns you into bargain bin Sonic the Hedgehog, straps a jetpack onto your back for no reason other than 'gotta go fast', hands you an explosive frisbee gun, and slaps you on the booty, telling you to go shoot the funny little flying dudes that are obsessed with stealing the communal stripper pole.”
  • music5 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the great soundtrack and fitting drum and bass tracks that enhance the fast-paced gameplay, others criticize the overall quality and atmosphere, feeling it lacks the charm of the original game. Despite the divided opinions, many agree that the music complements the game's satisfying physics and visually appealing graphics.

    • “Beautiful graphics, cleanly designed interface, drum and bass music in-game, extremely satisfying physics that allow you to generate insane speed to traverse massive, intelligently crafted maps with adequate variety and differences between them.”
    • “Great soundtrack and the gameplay is good, excited to see more features in the future.”
    • “Pros: fast-paced, high skill ceiling, graphics are great for this genre, really good soundtrack, roadmap for future updates laid out for at least a year.”
    • “The music lacks the atmosphere of the old game, making it feel completely out of place.”
    • “The soundtrack is absolutely terrible and does not fit the game's vibe at all.”
    • “Overall, the music is disappointing and detracts from the overall experience.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, feeling engaged and invested in their choices and strategies. However, there is a notable tension between positive experiences and frustrations stemming from gameplay mechanics, leading to mixed emotional responses among the community. Overall, while many appreciate the game's potential and community engagement, concerns about gameplay balance and mechanics contribute to a sense of emotional conflict.

    • “It made me feel like I was making choices, enacting strategies, really engaging with the battlefield and adjusting tactics to match the situation.”
    • “The fact that they were addressing these important community concerns made me feel like I could give them money.”
    • “Rating positively to offset the mostly emotionally fueled negative reviews, the game feels great to play, but needs a lot of work.”
  • stability5 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many users report a smooth and enjoyable experience with minimal bugs, others have encountered significant issues, including conflicts with Steam and a lack of polish due to reused assets. Early access players appreciate the potential for improvement, but some find the game to be a buggy mess.

    • “The game runs great and is a lot of fun to play.”
    • “The game is basically bug-free in early access, so you can get it now and improve.”
    • “Buggy, conflicts with Steam.”
    • “All these reused assets are slapped together without care, leading to a buggy mess of a game.”
    • “It wasn't a particularly buggy game mode or super unbalanced.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game suffers from a lack of content and depth, leading to a monotonous experience where matches feel repetitive and uninspired. Many players feel it lacks the core features that previously contributed to replayability in the franchise, resulting in a game that may entertain briefly but ultimately lacks long-term engagement.

    • “Feels like a great, minified game that condenses the tribes experience into a nice, replayable, but ultimately bite-sized chunk.”
    • “There is no content at all... every match is the same, with no interactions or special features that could enhance replayability. You might fall asleep after three games.”
    • “The lack of variety makes it feel like a chore to play again. Once you've experienced it once, there's little incentive to return.”
    • “After a few rounds, it becomes painfully repetitive. The game offers no new challenges or experiences to keep players engaged.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the new game is widely criticized for lacking the chaotic and fun essence of its predecessors, with users noting poor music, imbalanced gameplay, and a general feeling that it fails to capture the spirit of the original series. Many feel that the changes, such as the introduction of healing items and the absence of classic game modes, detract from the overall experience.

    • “The atmosphere in this game is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its world with stunning visuals and haunting sound design.”
    • “Every corner of the game is filled with detail, creating a rich and vibrant atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
    • “The combination of music, environmental sounds, and visual aesthetics creates a unique atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
    • “The atmosphere is completely lacking compared to the old game; the music is absolute crap and the overall feel just doesn't resemble what made the original great.”
    • “There is no sense of immersion; the new elements like healing items feel out of place in a fast-paced game, and it detracts from the overall atmosphere.”
    • “The game fails to capture the essence of its predecessor, leaving the atmosphere feeling flat and uninspired.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be uneven, as the only mode available is Capture the Flag (CTF) against bots, leading to a frustrating experience with a significant skill gap. While there are cosmetics to unlock through grinding, all gameplay options are accessible from the start, which is a positive feature.

    • “There's only one game mode, Capture the Flag, where you go against bots and it doesn't tell you. The skill gap between the bots and the worst players is wild; you'll go from being bored out of your mind against the dumbest AI possible to being utterly destroyed by the few dozen people still grinding the game out.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Play time

28hMedian play time
440hAverage play time
20-60hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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