Space Sim Suggestions

[exar333]

So, just to give a little background, I grew up with space sims on the computer. There was no better game than TIE Fighter, and I played every Lucasarts Space Sim through X-Wing Alliance (circa 1999?). Another one of my favorites was the WC series as well, with WC III and Prophesy being my favorites. Playing Prophesy with a 3DFX card was AMZING back in the day! I got away from playing space sims when I went to college, and it seems that a scant few have been released lately.

Anyway, after reading up online, it seems that lots of people recommend Freespace 2, so I picked that up from Ebay yesturday (in the mail right now) and also grabbed a new joystick.

What other Space Sims would anyone here recommend? I am looking for something "relatively" new, so anything released since 2000 would fit the bill.

Needless to say, I am excited to dust off the space sim skills and give 'er a go!

Thanks for anyone's suggestions!

Edit: Freespace I is on the way as well, only cost $2.00 plus a few dollars shipping off Amazon. I will run through that first (according to the advice below) and then move on to FS2.

Thanks everyone who provided the links below to the add-on sites. New textures and add-ons sounds great. I would assume the game is good if the community has stayed so active in supporting it.

 

[ggnl]

I have no idea, but I'd like to see what other people think, so...tag.

 

[exar333]

One thing to add...I am not too excited about MMOs (like EVE). Not that they are not good games, but I just don't have the time to commit to these games, and honestly, I get too addicted.

 

[ayabe]

Well X3 would be the biggest to come out in the last 5 years or so.

They re-released it not too long ago with a lot of extra stuff.

 

[43st]

X3 is pretty much the only thing modern that I know of. So slim pickins I'm afraid, but some stuff to keep an eye on.

Beyond the Red Line = A BSG based sim, I think using BSG style physics. (screenshot I took of the demo.)

Infinity = in development

 

[ZzZGuy]

X3 (patch it for the love of god), be warned that it has a steep learning curve and plays like a single player MMO. And the AI sucks when there is a large number of ships (if your PC can handle it in the first place).
Freelancer, old buy I enjoyed it.
Off of the Playstation (1) you have Colony Wars (3 of them), very dated though but at the time it was my favorite game by far.
Then there is the upcoming Jumpgate Evolution MMO, and unlike EvE you pilot the ship with a joystick rather then point and click.

 

[AstroManLuca]

I know it's not space combat (in fact, it's not even that similar to it), but Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. is out for PC. It's really just an arcade flight sim, but it's fun (I have the 360 version). The easy learning curve makes it a lot more accessible and game-like than most flight sims. Not sure how well the PC port held up, though. It'll probably require more hardware than ought to be necessary. Just a thought.

I too lament the lack of recent space sims.

 

[Qbah]

I'd say give FreeSpace 1 a spin first, once you get to the FS2 part you will be amazed by the whole setup and story There's FS1/2 for cheap on gog.com, think it was 5$ each. Pay and download, prepped and ready for Vista etc, with support and stuff. Good deal imo (bought it myself there, lost my CDs... 10$ is nothing ).

Freelancer is a nice game, quite more arcade'y though. Enjoyed it anyway

However, it's like this:

FreeSpace 1/2 .................. (light years) ................... rest of the space sims

Yes, it's that good Nothing comes even remotely close, even after so many years...

 

[exar333]

Thanks to the link for FS1, maybe I will try that first. I really miss the freedom and the adjustable nature of a good space sim.

 

[ZzZGuy]

Forgot to mention Star Trek: Legacy.

It accurately captures the "flying brick in space" feel of the ships in Star Trek. It's fun but get it on sale, campaign is short and skirmish/MP side of it is lack luster.

-edit- damn spell check not reading my mind.

 

[Newbian]

Try independence war 2.

I find myself stopping with the storyline about half in it and just looting all the cargo I can get my hands on.

Don't forget to get a few mods to make this easier such as a larger ship to carry them to your base.

 

[JPS35]

Freespace 2 has been available online for free as the source code was released some time ago. It also boasts some newer graphic enhancements that continue to make it one of the best games ever. No need to buy it!

 

[ZzZGuy]

Originally posted by: JPS35
Freespace 2 has been available online for free as the source code was released some time ago. It also boasts some newer graphic enhancements that continue to make it one of the best games ever. No need to buy it!

Where would you download F2 source?

 

[GaryJohnson]

From Wikipedia:

because the source code is under a noncommercial license, it does not qualify as free software

 

[Via]

I liked Freelancer.

 

[GaryJohnson]

I'd also recommend Tachyon: The Fringe.

 

[Elcs]

Starlancer...

It was the predecessor to Freelancer. They arent linked game-wise perse (think it was the same company) but it was a good game too, arguably better than Freelancer.

 

[zerogear]

Originally posted by: ExarKun333
So, just to give a little background, I grew up with space sims on the computer. There was no better game than TIE Fighter, and I played every Lucasarts Space Sim through X-Wing Alliance (circa 1999?). Another one of my favorites was the WC series as well, with WC III and Prophesy being my favorites. Playing Prophesy with a 3DFX card was AMZING back in the day! I got away from playing space sims when I went to college, and it seems that a scant few have been released lately.

Anyway, after reading up online, it seems that lots of people recommend Freespace 2, so I picked that up from Ebay yesturday (in the mail right now) and also grabbed a new joystick.

What other Space Sims would anyone here recommend? I am looking for something "relatively" new, so anything released since 2000 would fit the bill.

Needless to say, I am excited to dust off the space sim skills and give 'er a go!

Thanks for anyone's suggestions!

Aww.. should've grabbed it from www.gog.com

And Independence War II.

 

[exar333]

I only paid $5 for it, and I kind of like having the product anyway. I can't wait to try the FS series out though, it looks really good.

I do remember the Starlancer and Freelancer games, but I didn't play them at all.

 

[CP5670]

I only paid $5 for it, and I kind of like having the product anyway. I can't wait to try the FS series out though, it looks really good.

Be sure to check out the source/graphical enhancements and fanmade campaigns for it here.

 

[trelin]

Freespace 1 and 2 are definitely not abandonware/free. Only the sourcecode was made available, the game data (graphics, movies, etc) were not. To play you still need to purchase a copy of the originals. Freespace 1 is also not abandonware, but the missions themselves have been ported to use the FS2 engine and data (similar to a mod) which kind of sidesteps that issue.


Once you have a working Freespace 2 install, the easiest enhancement is through the "Freespace Open Installer". Essentially it simplifies tracking down a host of improvements and addons to the base FS2 engine. Just install FS2, update if necessary and run the exe at fsoinstaller.com. That includes the improved engine with updated maps/models to utilize the new features. It also provides "Freespace Port", which is the Freespace 1 mission ported to the updated fsopen engine, and "Silent Threat: Reborn", an updated (many would say improved) version of the original "Silent Threat" FS1 addon.

WARNING: the fsoinstaller downloads ~3.5GB


To play the mods like "Freespace Port" use the fsopen "Launcher.exe" installed in the base directory. Do "Select Mod", then select the "fsport" folder in the base install directory. That will even change the startup movie so you'll get the complete storyline.


Freespace Installer: http://www.fsoinstaller.com/
Freespace Open Project: http://scp.indiegames.us/
Freespace Open Forums: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/?cat=37
Freespace Port: http://fsport.hard-light.net/website/

(Disclaimer: I'm quite literally just going through the fsoinstaller process for the first time as I write this, I apologize if I've left anything out.)

 

[ibex333]

I suggest EVE Online.. It's not really a space sim, but much, much, better than any space sim you can play out there IMO.

Oh, and I also suggest Nexus: The Jupiter Incident.

 

[Gunbuster]

I would say Project Sylpheed but it's for XB360

 

[exar333]

Originally posted by: Gunbuster
I would say Project Sylpheed but it's for XB360

I played this on the 360, but it ended up feeling very generic and was too easy. It looked very promising, but just failed to "impress" me.

 

[EvilComputer92]

Make sure you play Freespace 1 before Freespace 2. FS1 with the FSPort graphics enhancement looks great and the story in FS2 will be even better afterwards.