Combat Arms...

1. Plays like Counterstrike

2. Respawns players the same time as Unreal Tournament

3. Let you customize gameplay, RPG style

4. Is FREE

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Combat Arms piggybacks on the popularity of online shooters and places an emphasis on the customization of your avatar. Weapons, outfits, and additional equipment such as gas masks are available for your avatar’s usage. Best of all, it's FREE. No dimes or nickels involved. Combat Arms is relatively new; out for a mere five or six weeks. But for that brief period, users worldwide have already snatched high scores and they’ve even established gamer clans. In order to keep the excitement going, Nexon (developers) releases monthly editions of weapons and maps. Just last week, they've added a 7th server, thus increasing the number of spots available for play. Gameplay is quite straightforward and pretty standard for a First Person Shooter. Four game modes are available.

1. Elimination - Team Deathmatch

2. One Man Army - Classic Deathmatch

3. Search & Destroy - Bomb Defusion/Detonation

4. Capture The Flag - Hightailing an important package from Point A to B

Experience points are rewarded after each match. Combat Arms looks at how well you play the game and not at the ‘number kills you’ve achieved’ versus ‘the lives you’ve lost.’ And so, even relatively stronger gamers won’t reap all the goods. The points system recognizes genuine skill. It won’t hand out points freely when you're unstoppable with the combat shotgun -- a weapon that is traditionally favoured because of its extreme stopping power. And besides, if you're a man, you wouldn't need a gun.

As for the points. Points allow modifications on your avatar's appearance and weapons of choice. My avatar is weaponed with a scope-fitted M4A1. I've dropped the silencer because it reduces damage and adds on unnecessary weight. I really don't care if an un-silenced M4 attracts attention. I WANT EVERYONE TO HEAR. A faithful USP sidearm rests on my right. I've also opted for the heavy-duty combat vest, sacrificing speed for resilience against the billions of AK rounds flying about. An extra large backpack stores more firepower, but inhibits motion. I've ignored headshot defence and dropped the helmet. Instead, I've got an ear piece and Matrix-reminiscent specs. I lean toward badassery, because I'm Dr. Cool. Remember that all that fancy gear doesn't last long. Every points payment rents the product for 24 hours. After that, you’ll have to make additional payments to keep your weapons of choice.

I don't recommend taking up sniper positions nor would I recommend sniper rifles themselves. That is unless you're a surgeon with a gun. My experience tells me that flashbangs and smoke grenades are more then enough to overcome a sniper rifle’s immense range. RPG launchers are often used as follow-up attacks after you’re blinded. Because of the RPGs steadiness at medium range and immeasurable blast radius, it’s unlikely that you’ll survive. So don’t use sniper rifles.

Real money will only be used for upgrading your avatar aesthetically. Combat Arms has surprisingly low requirements. It runs on Pentium 3 and needs 256 RAM for acceptable play. When you join as a guest, you'll be automatically assigned to server read:NOOB. Because of the name, and implied inhospitality, I'd register quickly if I were you.