This is about as close as you can get to an MMOFPS--so far--without it actually being an MMO. MAG is amazing for what it accomplishes, and it accomplishes it well. That isn't to say that it is without flaws, but the game is far above what you'll find fishing in that free-2-play pond. By the by, being a PS3-exclusive and coming from Zipper, it is well-backed by Sony and the PS3. That's reason enough to care.

Now, if you've abandoned yourself to free-2-play Online FPS games for the past year or so, then you'll probably think the world of the graphics, but if you've been entranced by Uncharted 2's beautiful graphics, then you'll probably be a bit turned off by it all. In the end though, for 256 players per battle, it looks exquisite. The sound is just as amazing too.

Every character is persistent; you create your first character, choose your faction, face, and voice, then load in to your PMC's faction menu. The game features three types of armor for you to use in your loadouts, each costing a set number of total loadout points. Heavy has the best armor, while Light has the best speed. They each have their own added options to slightly customize looks as well.

There are a number of weapons (only 16 or so per faction in the closed beta, but about twice as many for the full game) to choose from, but you are allowed access to only the basic weapons of three categories--rifles, sniper rifles, and light machine guns--with a fourth sub-machine gun unlockable. As you fight you gain experience, and experience gains you levels, and levels gain you a point to spend towards unlocking perks and weapons. In my opinion, this is a bit of a downside, but it works well enough for me to forgive.

Matches are found and played via matchmaking. This is unfortunate, but coordinating the larger matches may be better off this way. These matches range from 32-player battles, 64-player battles, 128-player battles, and 256-player battles. There is also a tutorial mode so that you can learn the ropes and a training match-type so that you may sharpen your skills against players from your own faction. In my experience, the game has had little to no server-sided hiccups while in matches as far as latency goes, and the framerate has always been smooth.

The game is flawed, however, with the war between the factions feeling less than obvious and matchmaking can take ages to get going (though player count was limited in Closed Beta). I would like to see how they've improved this in Open Beta and the final product, but can't yet say whether or not it actually has. Suffice it to say, you'll have a good deal of fun once you get the hang of the game. With so many players on the field at once, and with the way the maps are layed out, one player usually doesn't make very much difference at all, but one good squad can change the tide of battle completely.

If you like a slightly slower-paced FPS as well as team play, then you'll probably find some enjoyment out of MAG. If you love the idea of playing with 255 other players in a single match, then you'll wet your pants the second you find yourself in battle.

If you have a PS3 then hopefully you're on the up and up, and have already downloaded the open beta client and are currently waiting for it to open up before releasing later this month. If not, then get you're PS3 fired up and go grab it. At the very least, you'll help them test out server integrity before they ship the game. If you don't have a PS3 then shame on you.