other space explorer/trader/fighter games

[Ursus]

I played a couple of other games in this genre back in the old days, and got an itch to try them again which is why I'm here now.

The first game(s) I played in the space-exploration genre that were moderately open-ended were the Space Quest games from Sierra Online. These were puzzle/adventure games mostly, but you didn't have to follow an exact script. Also very bad 8-bit pixel graphics, but it was fun until they went from mystery commands to a pick-list format; once they gave you a pick-list it wasn't a puzzle anymore, more like a retard entrance exam.



I also played some of the Wing Commander games, maybe all of them I can't remember. IIRC once the story was finished you could still run around and do missions and stuff. In privateer you were not required to be in the military, and it was possible to pirate a Kilrathi battleship, at which point you basically had unlimited power to do anything you wanted. Incidentally, there is a clone of Wing Commander Privateer called Gemini, if you haven't seen it already [http://privateer.sourceforge.net/].



In the late 90s I had a mac and played a game called Escape Velocity. Very similar to Freelancer except it was 2D top-down view with 3D sprites, instead of FPS. The game was remade and ported to PC, called it EV NOVA, which I believe is still available for sale. Here's a good review [http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/escapev...locity.htm]

http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/escapev...y/ev-5.jpg
http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/escapev.../ev-10.jpg
http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/escapev.../ev-12.jpg

I played Freelancer when it came out, played it again a couple of years ago, then got the itch to check out the multiplayer options. FL is basically a conclusion of WC and EV, with some improvements and some weak spots. Biggest weakness is Microsoft has no soul for gaming. Disco is an interesting expansion but there are flaws in the core engine that cannot be modded around.

I am interested in some other games in this genre and am interested in hearing other people's thoughts. I know a little about EVE but haven't ever played it, but don't know much about anything else.

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Discovery 24/7 Negotiating Tactics:

[sean24]

I know a few games you might want to look into:

-EVE Online: (http://www.eveonline.com/)
Crucible expansion just released. I don't have an active account but I can tell you that the game is very in-depth and fun but does take a while to get the hang of (and you can't directly control your ship).
-Black Prophecy: (http://blackprophecy.com/)
I can't play it from my region but it does look very nice.
-X Series: (http://www.egosoft.com/games/x_rebirth/info_en.php) I would recommend any of the X games but X3:Terran Conflict is the newest one. X rebirth is in development. In X3 you can fight and control fleets of ships, trade in a dynamic economy, explore and build your own space stations. The downside is the learning curve- it is steep. There are lots of mods which is a great bonus though.
-DarkStar One - Honestly this game isn't that great, it's non linear but it lacks in areas. Bargain bin game so won't be losing too much...
-Freespace 2 - Can't say I've played it but I have heard great things. (I should buy from good old games..)
-Nexus: The Jupiter Incident - Again havn't played but seems like a more tactical/combat space game
-Pioneer - (http://pioneerspacesim.net/)
This game is currently in Alpha stage so there is no combat/gameplay apart from exploring.
-Infinity Universe (http://www.infinity-universe.com/Infinity/index.php) This game looks amazing but sadly is in development and will be for a few more years I guess.

Other Freelancer Mods you might be interested in:

Freeworlds: Tides of War-(in development release 15 dec) http://www.moddb.com/mods/fwtow
Crossfire mod- http://www.moddb.com/mods/crossfire/
Shattered worlds mod- http://www.moddb.com/mods/shattered-worlds

Other space games (Strategy/RPG)

Sins of a Solar Empire
Star Ruler - indie game does have demo on steam.
Mass Effect series - RPG set in sci fi universe
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - RPG set in star wars universe

[Ursus]

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - RPG set in star wars universe

Funny you mention that. I have the SWG:Empire Divded collector's edition in an unopened box here. My little brother gave it to me for xmas a few years ago, I downloaded the game and deleted it. The box is still unopened. Anyway I don't think I want to put any time into online RPGs when the publisher just yanks the cord like they did with SWG. I know it's complicated but my thought process is simple.

Thanks for the list of games I will check those out

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Discovery 24/7 Negotiating Tactics:

[Tenacity]

ESCAPE VELOCITY!

That was one of my favorite games as a kid, ran it on my dad's mac. Pretty much the only reason I bought freelancer to begin with is because someone said "it's like escape velocity, but 3d", and I was instantly sold.

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[The Mole Miner]

on black prophecy

it is GOING to be a great game once they get the crap load of glitches out of it last time i played it you couldent even finish the tutorial becasue there was a glitch and you could not goto the place you needed to.

but anyways once they get all the bigs fixed (or atleast most of them) i would definatly take a second look at it.

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[Veygaar]

Tachyon: The Fringe

God I miss that game

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Veygaar for Admin Moderator 2013!!!

[sean24]

Funny you mention that. I have the SWG:Empire Divded collector's edition in an unopened box here. My little brother gave it to me for xmas a few years ago, I downloaded the game and deleted it. The box is still unopened. Anyway I don't think I want to put any time into online RPGs when the publisher just yanks the cord like they did with SWG. I know it's complicated but my thought process is simple.

Thanks for the list of games I will check those out

Maybe your confusing KOTOR with the MMO coming out. Knights of the Old Republic is a single-player RPG :laugh:

Also Evochron Mercenery is another game: http://www.starwraith.com/evochronmercenary/index.htm

[Silmathien]

Nobody mentioned Star Control 2 Ur-Quan Masters? Shame. It's free to download. Search, find and enjoy.:)

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[Ursus]

ESCAPE VELOCITY!

That was one of my favorite games as a kid, ran it on my dad's mac. Pretty much the only reason I bought freelancer to begin with is because someone said "it's like escape velocity, but 3d", and I was instantly sold.

Well except EV had jump drives, dockable fighters, complex ship modifications, dynamic commodity pricing, and a few other things that people are still trying to figure out for FL, yeah pretty much

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Discovery 24/7 Negotiating Tactics:

[Reid]

I have Starlancer, and it's a really fun space-dogfighting game. I haven't gotten very far in the story though.

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