Brink , a multiplayer shooter set in a future where almost all of earth is flooded by water, takes place on the Ark, one of the last inhabitable places left. The conflict between security guards and the resistance has reached open war, with each side trying to gain the upper hand. The game features two single-player campaigns, but they are similar to the multiplayer mode, just with bots and cutscenes. Every map has several areas, each with its own goals that must be achieved by different classes. For example, security guards need to blast gates while the resistance tries to foil their plans and pursue their own objectives.
The four classes – soldier, medic, engineer, and agent – have specific roles: soldiers deal damage, medics heal allies, engineers use gadgets, and agents hack computers. The game uses an automatic mission system, where players receive a mission and others are alerted to assist. Completing missions rewards experience points that can be used to upgrade characters and unlock new abilities.
The focus of Brink is on teamwork, with classes able to help each other out in different ways. Players can switch classes using an in-game terminal if needed. Character creation allows for customization options, but only affects appearance. Body type also plays a role: heavier characters are better at handling heavy guns, while lighter characters are faster.
Players can access special abilities like the SMART system, which enables climbing or sliding through obstacles by holding a button.