Friday Freeloader: DUST 514

DUST_Header

DUST 514 has hit open beta, allowing anyone with a PS3 to join in with one of the most interesting games of the year. 

DUST 514 is a free-to-play shooter for PlayStation 3 and stands out from many other games in that it shares its online server, Tranquility  with the space-based PC MMO EVE Online. While you and your fellow PS3 gamers are firing bullets at each other and claiming bases on the ground, high above you EVE Online players will be flying about in their ships shooting each other, and you, in the ever ongoing conflicts between corporations

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF4diq-KlXI

Just watch the above video, PC game EVE Online on the left and PS3 game DUST 514 on the right, and tell me that doesn’t seem cool and you want in on some of that action.

As far as the game goes on a purely individual basis it’s not changing the formula of FPS titles up too much. You take and hold parts of the map, you level up, upgrade weapons, drive a few vehicles around.  The upgrading part was my main interest when playing as it’s exceedingly similar to EVE Online’s fitting system. And just like EVE Online when you die so goes your currently fitted parts, so don’t get too attached to the things attached to you.

DUST_Fitting

There can be some issues with the f2p side of things in being a bit too pay2win, but with the games move over to Tranquility and rubbing shoulders with EVE Online you should see an influx of ISK, the in-game currency, into the game and DUST 514 players coffers. As with EVE Online enterprising players are likely to succeed over even the more skilled players.

If you’re wanting to join the open beta just load up PS Store and grab it from there, probably best to “Create Your Character” on the site while downloading.

 

DUST 514

 

By Dean Bowes

Founder of the site. Based in Britian I'm primarily a PC gamer, looking to spread my wings to the best the games industry has to offer.