Brink - Class In Session
Brink has the goods when it comes to frantic, team-based gameplay. While you are running around and vaulting your way across the environment, you’ll be facing off against four different classes. So why not get in early and decide which class you are going to play as?
The Operative
Overview
The Operative is your special forces meets spy kind of fellow, equipped with a portable hacking device and a disguise kit. The Operative can move freely behind enemy lines disguised as he hacks his way to victory.
Hacking
Hacking objectives will appear as you get deep into enemy lines. Hacking can be done short or long ranged, however the closer you are to the terminal, the faster the objective is hacked. The Operative must connect to a terminal to begin the hack and then they will be able to move within a designated hacking space.
While you are hacking you will emit a beeping sound that will alert your enemies. You can move away for the hacking zone, and then return once the area is safe to continue the hack. Engineers will be your rival as they are the only ones who can repair hacked objectives.
Disguises
Operatives are able to disguise themselves as any downed opponent by interacting with their body. If an enemy spots you in the process however, your disguise will fail instantly. The key to success is blending in, which is a difficult task considering friendly fire is enabled by default.
Your disguise will fail if The Operative fires or interacts with an objective, or if they are struck by an enemy homing beacon.
Engineer
Overview
Need a hand fighting on the front lines? Look no further than the smiling face of your local Engineer. The support class of Brink has a handy Repair Tool that allows them to complete build or repaid objectives, as well as construct machine gun nests and turrets. Cunning tactics allow the engine to deploy Pyro Mines to stop opposing forces, and they can even buff teammates’ weapon damage for short periods of time. It’s worth noting they are the only class who can defuse high-explosive bombs and remove hacking devices. They play a crucial role to the success of any mission.
Construction
It’s time to build some defences. Simply approaching an object or area and interact for a short period while your creation is built. Many hands make light work, so if a group of engineers work together on one objective it will be build or repaired quicker.
Soliders can destroy some secondary objectives with their high-explosive charges, so it’s important to build up a solid defence to keep your objective secured for as long as possible.
Pyro Mines
Give the enemy a nice little surprise. The engineer can deploy Pyro Mines by selecting the mine and finding a suitable area to plant it. Not all surfaces are suitable, and the outline of the mine will turn red if you cannot deploy it there.
Enemy operatives can spot mines for their teammates’ and enemy engineers can defuse them using their repair tool, so be sure to place them in areas that aren’t completely obvious to maximise effect.
Weapon Buffs
The Engineer has the ability to temporarily buff teammates’ weapons with the upgrade tool. Simply look at the desired teammate and interact with them. The Engineer will then throw them an upgrade tool that will deal some real damage to the enemy.
The Soldier
He’s first on the battlefield, leading the pack in the face of danger. The Soldier is armed with high-explosive charges to take out objectives, Molotov Cocktails to vanquish enemies and ammo boxes to resupply comrades while away from home. An essential part of any good forward offence.
HE Charge
The high-explosive charge can only be used to destroy primary and secondary objectives. A soldier will approach and objective and interact with it to place a charge. From there you will need to defend the charge until the countdown timer reaches zero.
The countdown lasts for 40 seconds, and in that time enemy operatives can hack into the charge to slow the countdown, and enemy engineers can simply defuse it. Be vigilant and make sure you get the job done.
Molotov Cocktail
Soldiers will need to actively select the Molotov Cocktail and assign it to the grenade slot to use them. Simply select, aim, throw and enjoy the fireworks.
Unlike grenades, Molotov cocktails require a section of the supply meter to throw, however they don’t have a cooldown period which means you can really set the roof on fire.
Ammo Boxes
Soldiers need to make sure they are fully armed if they are to stand a chance on the battlefield. Each soldier is equipped with an ammo box so they can replenish a falling comrade with plenty of bullets.
Simply look at a teammate in need and interact with them to throw your ammo box and help them out. Two fully armed soldiers stand a better chance than one.
The Medic
He may not be known for his shooting expertise, but the medic is the best friend you’ll ever have when you have a bullet in your ass. Armed with a variety of syringes that will heal you or revive you, and their ability to buff the health of teammates` and special VIP escort objectives make them an integral support member for any mission.
Reviving
Every good medic knows how to revive a fallen comrade, and that revival could sway the battle from a loss to a win. It’s important to always be on the lookout for downed teammates` who need a little help.
A medic simply approaches an incapacitated target and interacts with them, throwing them a revival syringe to get them back on their feet. Escort targets will revive themselves immediately and continue along their path, which could be essential to completing an objective.
Healing
Medics can heal the wounded and get them back on their feet quick smart at full capacity. Simply interact with a wounded soldier to heal them, however there will be a cooldown period after the fact. Medics also have the ability to heal themselves.
Life Buff
Medics can also give teammates’ a little health boost to give them maximum advantage. The medic simply needs to look at a soldier, interact with them and they’ll throw a healing syringe which will give the recipient all the energy they could ever need.
School's Out
Each of the four classes offer a unique experience and will change you gameplay tactics for every map. Each class has their own role, strengths and weaknesses and it looks like Brink will be a well balanced, mayhem inducing experience. The only question left now is what class will you pick?
By Stephen Heller
Are you pumped up for Brink? What class are you going to be? Discuss in the comments below.