AI

Dumb as dirt, as per usual. I've stood behind AI players and shot 5 of them in the backs of the heads and they never turn around once. They also seem to get stuck on corners and door ways quite a bit. Sometimes they'll stand at a wall and shoot the wall. Check around the other side, there's an enemy there. I guess they all have X-ray vision. On some maps the AI is pretty decent, collecting hostages and completing objectives. On others they're complete idiots and no help at all. I've not been able to find a way to specify or effect your AI teammates. It'd be handy to be able to specify what roles you'd like them to take and give them orders they obey.

Roles

Each team has 6 positions to be filled (7 in multiplayer). Each character has a unique role, and in multiplayer you'll need someone in each of those roles to accomplish all your goals, along with good teamwork. All of the roles can carry a pistol, knife and other standard gear, as well as having items, and weapons unique to their class. Your armor type also depends on your character type.

• The Demo guy is an explosives expert. Need something blown up, he's your man. He packs a 'nade launcher, shotguns and a pistol. He's the only one capable of running around with explosives as well, so you really will need this fellow if your goal is to bomb a target. He also gets to carry more hand grenades than any other class, with the exception of the Heavy Gunner and can defuse bombs more quickly than the other characters.

• The Commando is an excellent midrange fighters. He packs an assault rifle, a submachine gun, a pistol and a knife. He can also purchase the insanely expensive rocket launcher, and lay some serious beat down.

• The Sniper is of course your long range class. He's got a handy dandy sniper rifle, (One of four increasingly nasty types, including a big .50.) a pistol and a knife.

• The Medic is one of the most valuable members of your team. He can heal injured players, and revive the critically wounded, restoring part of their health. He's armed with an assault rifle, pistol and a knife.

• The Recon class is a fast but lightly armored and armed character. He carries a submachine gun as well as a knife and pistol. He has the unique ability to carry a Life Signs Detector, which allows him to pick up enemies within a certain range. Teammates close by also get this data.

• The Heavy Gunner. My personal favorite for those close in maps. This guy runs around with a machine gun, shotty, pistol and knife. He packs one hell of a punch.

• The Intelligence Officer is an interesting role. Available only in multiplayer, he has a map of the battlefield, and can see through the cameras that each member of your team carries. He can also use security cameras, if you team captures the control point, and has the ability to place waypoints on teammate's compasses to guide them. I can't see this guy being used much in pub games, since just like the Tribes 1 commander everyone will Lone Gunman and ignore him... but in an actual organized match he'd be a handy fellow to have on your team!

Weapons

Holy crap, there's a pile of guns to be had in Global Ops. According to the manual there's over 30, and I believe it. Shotguns, handguns, assault rifles of all sorts, pistols, grenade launchers, multiple types of hand grenades (Flash bangs and tear gas grenades are the most amusing. Players actually start "tearing" and having vision problems :) and rocket launchers... *gasp* I've never seen so many weapons in a game in my life, and as I mentioned before they've obviously done one hell of a lot of research into them judging by the models, and the animations for select fire. Speaking of which, all of the assault rifles and submachine guns are select fire, something which I bitched about in CS. You have semi auto and full auto. The best ones also have a three round burst option, which makes for uber accuracy and cutting down of enemies in their tracks.

You can also customize the hell out of your guns. Many of the guns have options such as scopes, laser sights, tactical flashlights, supressors and extended magazines. Yes, for just a small amount more you can upgrade your toys to your hearts content. And believe me, it's pretty scary when you see a red beam go across the door way you're crouching in.

Manual

Might want to read this one, and save yourself some headaches. There's some info in here that's never mentioned in the training, like how to buy pistols, secondary weapons, and how money is handed out etc. Good manual, tons of detail.