There's plenty to look forward to in EA's upcoming Battlefield Heroes, discovered Ars Technica, who were provided with a beta key. Did I mention the game's free?

The jeeps are fast, as expected, but the tanks are also more sprightly than one would expect. Cranking around in one, firing at infantry... it's a zippy feeling. The planes allow you to really cover ground, and if you want a dizzying experience, jump onto the wing while your friend flies and shoot at those below you. The vehicles are simple to use, easy to understand, and fit into the casual nature of play. That isn't to say the game doesn't have depth: grabbing turrets to take down planes, making sure you have enough of each class to defend against all attacks, and clever use of team-tactics with your special powers are much more important than simple skill. The game does a good job of keeping you with people at your own skill level on random games, although the final version will also have extensive social networking features if you want to set up games with your friends.

The beta only has two maps: Seaside Skirmish for larger battles with tanks and planes, and Victory Village for a more man-to-man style of fighting, and you can learn everything there is to know about the game in an hour. Mastering it, and leveling up your favorite powers, will take some time. I do have some complaints about the way the game is set up, however. The lack of female character models is a little off-putting, and the pause that occurs when a new player joins a server and their customizations load is annoying.