Best if you want massive 100+ player battles where your squad's tactical coordination actually shapes continental warfare—this is combined-arms MMOFPS at a scale no other free shooter attempts.
PlanetSide 2 delivers something genuinely rare: true massive multiplayer FPS warfare where hundreds of players fight simultaneously across open continents in persistent territorial battles. You'll spawn into rolling front lines where infantry pushes coordinate with armor columns and air support, capturing bases that shift the map in real time. The experience hinges on scale and emergence—join a public platoon, and you're suddenly part of coordinated galaxy drops, MAX crashes through chokepoints, or desperate last-second base saves that feel like actual military operations. The gameplay loop centers on territory control. You pick one of three factions with distinct weapon feels and visual identities, then join continent-wide alerts where lattice connections dictate which bases you can attack. Sessions naturally break into 20–30 minute chunks around base captures, but prime-time alerts can pull you into multi-hour campaigns. Combat itself is skill-driven FPS with class loadouts—medic, heavy assault, engineer, infiltrator, light assault, and MAX suits—each vital to combined-arms play. You'll earn certification points to unlock attachments, vehicles, and abilities, creating a meaningful progression curve without pay-to-win pressure. The learning curve is steep. You'll die often at first, unsure where threats come from in chaotic 96v96 fights. The VR training room and tutorials help, but real fluency comes from joining an outfit (clan) that teaches you lattice flow, spawn logistics, and force multipliers. Once it clicks, the depth is staggering: vehicle gameplay spans ESFs, liberators, sunderers, MBTs, and harassers; base design encourages three-dimensional infantry flow; and outfit coordination unlocks tactical assets like orbital strikes. Performance can dip in the heaviest fights, and the 2012 tech shows. The Steam community is smaller than peak years, though prime time still delivers the signature massive battles. Replayability is endless—the sandbox nature means every alert plays out differently based on player decisions, and mastering multiple classes, vehicles, or faction playstyles offers hundreds of hours of depth. This isn't a quick-match shooter; it's a persistent war simulator where your squad's positioning and timing genuinely matter across continent-scale operations.
2000 online
PlanetSide 2 does not support crossplay, supports up to 2000 players online.
Multiplayer • Co-op • PvP • Online Multiplayer • MMO
Online-only large-scale MMOFPS. Steam lists online PvP and online co-op. No split-screen/couch play. No LAN mode. Battles are described as supporting up to 2000 players. Cross-play is not supported between PC and PlayStation versions.
Important details about which version to buy and where to play.
PC-only on Steam. Performance scales with hardware; crowded 96v96 fights can stress mid-range systems. Active population peaks during evening prime time in NA/EU regions.
Full key rebinding, extensive HUD customization, mouse and vehicle sensitivity adjustments. Audio cues for incoming fire. VR training room and tutorial missions support onboarding, though battlefield chaos remains intense. Colorblind-friendly faction markers available.
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If you enjoyed PlanetSide 2, you'll love these similar games. We've handpicked titles based on gameplay style, difficulty, atmosphere, and what players like you are enjoying. Whether you're looking for something with a similar vibe, more challenge, or the same multiplayer features, these recommendations have you covered.
Games with deeper mechanical complexity than PlanetSide 2, rewarding players who enjoy mastering intricate systems and advanced strategies.
Persistent online shooter with deep buildcraft, raids, and loot progression; mastery comes from tuning subclasses, mods, and team roles over time.
Objective-focused large-scale FPS with comms-heavy teamwork, roles, and logistics; higher payoff if you learn map flow, coordination, and vehicle play.
MMO-scale war where logistics, building, and frontline tactics intertwine; long campaigns reward players who learn supply chains and coordination.
If you love persistent faction warfare and huge player-driven battles, EVE adds deeper economy, industry, and fleet meta that rewards long-term mastery.
Head-to-head competitive games for players who enjoy the competitive elements found in PlanetSide 2.
Fast, high-skill gunplay with movement and team comps; competitive ladder and tight time-to-kill scratch the PvP itch without massive-map downtime.
Pure competitive FPS fundamentals—economy rounds, tight recoil control, and team tactics; delivers the PvP intensity of PS2 in focused matches.
Role-based team fights emphasize coordination and ult economy; frequent objectives and clear team comps offer a different but highly competitive PvP loop.
Cooperative multiplayer games that emphasize teamwork and shared objectives, building on the social aspects of PlanetSide 2.
Squad-based sci‑fi war fantasy with frantic objectives, stratagems, and friendly-fire tension; scratches the faction-war vibe via tight co-op missions.
Co-op sci‑fi shooter with mission-based sessions and tons to chase; squad play feels smooth, and progression is shared without PvP pressure.
Four-player co-op FPS that nails teamwork and class roles; missions are bite-sized, objective-driven, and great for friends who want coordinated chaos.
Games that capture the essence of PlanetSide 2 with a gentler learning curve and more forgiving difficulty, perfect for newcomers to the genre.
Large-team FPS feel with cleaner matchmaking and quick mode hops; easy to learn guns and vehicles without MMO-style logistics or long grinds.
Big combined-arms battles but with straightforward squad control and clear objectives; jump in for action fast without needing outfit-level coordination.
We've included this game in 2 articles.
PlanetSide 2 ranks high for delivering true open-world freedom in a persistent war zone—drive, fly, or fight anywhere across massive continents where front lines shift in real time. Unlike traditional open-world games, every base capture and territory push matters, creating emergent moments that only a living battlefield can produce. The entire experience is free, making it exceptional value for large-scale PvP fans.
PlanetSide 2 earns its spot as the only true MMOFPS on Steam—hundreds of players wage persistent territorial warfare across vast continents with combined-arms combat. While the learning curve is steep and visuals show their age, no other free shooter delivers this scale of coordinated warfare, vehicle-infantry synergy, and emergent battlefield stories during prime-time alerts.
Common questions about this game answered by our team.
Hard. Chaotic battles and map complexity create a steep curve. VR training and tutorials help basics, but joining an outfit that teaches lattice flow and spawn logistics is essential to fluency. Expect many early deaths before it clicks.
No. Starting weapons are competitive; unlocks are sidegrades or situational. You earn certification points through play to unlock everything meaningful. Real money buys cosmetics and convenience, not power.
20–30 minutes per base capture cycle, but prime-time alerts and outfit ops can pull you into multi-hour campaigns. The sandbox structure lets you drop in and out between bases fairly easily.
Strongly recommended. You can join public platoons solo, but outfit coordination unlocks the true tactical depth and makes the learning curve manageable. Most memorable moments come from voice-coordinated pushes.
Yes, especially during prime time (evenings NA/EU). Populations are smaller than peak years, but you'll still find large-scale battles on main continents during alerts. Off-peak hours can feel quieter.
