Plane Surfing and Rocket Jumps? Sounds like Battlefield Heroes!

Battlefield Heroes, from mega gaming corporation Electronic Arts (EA) is the first free game in the popular Battlefield series. Supported by the micro-transaction model used in so many "free" online game, Heroes offers fun and action packed first person shooting gameplay with a cell-shaded, cartoony graphics style.

Most serious PC and console gamers remember the original Battlefield 1942 first person shooter. It combined huge battles with a myriad of awesome WWII-era vehicles, planes and ships, plus the solo infantrymen with the replayability of multiplayer, online or offline action. My friends and I were hooked instantly; we played hours and hours of 1942, relishing every game as much as we enjoyed the constant competition it sparked. The Battlefield series from Electronic Arts has continued to grow, with versions and upgrades visiting Vietnam, "modern combat," a sci-fi version and even a new version of the original 1942 game that sparked it all. A legion of awesome modifications for the different games in the series has also been released, including the wonderful Project Reality mod for Battlefield 2. However, all of these are based on a game model that must be purchased, either online or at retail outlets. The only exception to this is seen in Battlefield Heroes, the only "free" Battlefield game from EA.

Users can download and start playing Battlefield Heroes from 100% free immediately, available at battlefieldheroes.com. Many players end up spending a few dollars on the various upgrades and costumes available in the Battlefield Heroes online shop, as these can help add to the gaming experience in-game. I have not spent any money on the game, and have still had a very good experience playing it. Sure, my character does not look as cool or as unique as some of the other player models available for purchase, but I've gotten all of my entertainment out of Battlefield Heroes for free!

Graphics are very cell-shaded, a far cry from the realistic approach taken with other Battlefield games (see Modern Combat for example). There are obvious parallels with the popular Team Fortress 2 game graphics and Heroes, but they aren't so closely similar as to detract from the game. In fact, the graphics add to the casual feel of the game, boiling it down to the mainstay of the Battlefield series gameplay-fun, kill counts, and spectacular action. I've seen players pulling plenty of the old stunts common in the original 1942 game-plane surfing, diving, vehicle bombing, and so on. It's all good-natured fun and Battlefield Heroes captures that original gameplay feel quite nicely.
Check out Battlefield Heroes today if you are looking for a fun, fast-paced first person shooter with a cartoony graphics style, you'll be glad you did!