In Space... No One Can Hear Your Guns Scream

Last night before going to bed, I booted up Steam and noticed that Shattered Horizon was going to be free to play this weekend, in addition to being sold for half price. I decided that this was an opportunity not to pass up, so I signed up for the free weekend (read: downloaded it). After thirty minutes of play, I would highly recommend that you give this game a try should you have the PC hardware to run it.   
 
Shattered Horizon is fairly simple in terms of its aggregate concept. It is a multi-player only shooter with 8 maps and three game modes, and one gun. When compared to other games, these stats might make it seem like a stripped down and hollow final product. In practice, I have found this game to be extremely interesting, fast, and addictive. I only played it for 30 minutes last night, but I've been thinking about it all morning (it's safe to say that I'm going to be making the purchase when I get home).  
 
When you're actually in a game, it feels like a mix between Counterstrike, and the old Descent games. The environments are all very intricate zero gravity zones that are densely packed with rocks, corridors, and debris. You can spin the view to any angle as there really is no "right-side-up" in this game, and Futuremark has implemented a few different systems that makes navigating these densely packed debris fields fun and fast.  
 
When you're out in the open, your main method of propulsion is with a Jetpack. Using the pack allows you to move quickly, but also makes you very easy to spot. The pack itself lets of a large glow when in use, but if you use just enough thrust to give you momentum, you can cut your visibility by just drifting. Just remember, any movement requires thrust, so any turns to make shots will light you up like a christmas tree. Your standard gun works very well in the free-form Jetpack mode, but using the sniper rifle attachment is very difficult while floating in space. Not only is your aim inaccurate, but firing it causes you to spin violently around due to the kickback. 
 
Thankfully you also have the option of landing on almost any flat surface in the game (asteroids, bases, debris). Landing makes you much more difficult to spot, makes sniping possible, and also provides you with a little bit of cover. Even better, you can actually power your suit down into "silent running" mode which makes you extremely difficult to spot. The catch to silent mode is that you lose your targeting system, a lot of maneuverability, and all sound (see... there is no sound in space. All of the gunfire you hear is explained as being simulated by your suit as it detects weapons fire in the vicinity).   
 
There are more details I could go into regarding the game, but really, you're better off just loading up your Steam client and playing it for FREE this weekend. Personally I feel like this game is well worth $10, but I've always been partial to a good PC multi-player game.