Wanted: FreeSpace-like modern game

[JackSpadesSI]

I played FreeSpace 2 back in 1999/2000 and loved it. Since then I haven’t played a single space combat simulator (with the exception of the I-liked-it-only-because-I’m-a-Trekker Star Trek: Legacy).

I have great memories of FreeSpace 2 and I’m wondering if there is something out there that I can play for either PC or Xbox 360 that would give me the same enjoyment, but with newer and shinier graphics. Please recommend something!

Note: I’m not looking for any multiplayer of any kind.

 

[crownjules]

A couple of suggestions:

X3: Terran Conflict - Massive game with a bit of a learning curve. It has a storyline which you can follow until you get the gist of the game. That's when it gets really good because the strength of the game lies in it's sandbox play. Become a pirate, build a vast trade conglomerate, or become the leader of a huge battle fleet. Such are the options you can explore. There's a sizable mod community that offer customizations to better the experience.

Darkstar - I describe this as a cross between Freespace and X3. You don't follow a structured, linear storyline like you do in Freespace. There's a certain degree of roaming freedom but there's not the ability to build a trade empire like in X3. Generally, you roam around getting missions to get funds to upgrade your ship and complete the main storyline as you go.

 

[Elcs]

As mentioned, Darkstar One is a cheap and cheerful game that is also available on Steam.

Very similar to Freelancer, probably slightly less polish on DS:One than on Freelancer but both are very good games with solid stories and a decent amount of playability.

Both look reasonably good and are about 4-5 years old, maybe a bit older.

Crownjules explains X3 better than I could but could be right up your street.

Unfortunately, the market in which Freespace dominated and ended up being by far the best in has died and only had an extremely small, mini revival with the onset of Freelancer.

At least 95% of people who have played Freespace 2 from these boards will sigh at your topic title and wish there was a Freespace 3 or similar.

Finally, look for Freeport I think it is called. Very good graphical remake of Freespace 2 with the Freespace 1 campaign updated in the Freespace 2 engine.

 

[brblx]

pretty sure freespace 2, x3, freelancer, and darkstar one are pretty much all by their lonesome. these threads pop up all the time, and those are the only space games from the past ten years that ever get mentioned.

 

[Malak]

Have you checked out any of the Freespace total conversions out there? There's some good indie games coming soon on the Freespace engine. X3 is my only suggestion otherwise, fun game with great visuals still.

 

[Via]

I always have to put in my 2 cents in threads like this:

Don't count out X2. Many people (including me) try X3 but can't get off of ground with it.

X2 has a good tutorial that helps you get started. I'm still enjoying it months after starting my game, and not having played X3 I don't miss what I don't know.

"We're being attacked by Khaak. There's Khaak everywhere!"

 

[Gunbuster]

project sylpheed

 

[Nyati13]

pretty sure freespace 2, x3, freelancer, and darkstar one are pretty much all by their lonesome. these threads pop up all the time, and those are the only space games from the past ten years that ever get mentioned.

Starlancer was pretty good, if very linear.

 

[aigomorla]

theres also a star trek sim, if your a trekie.

Some of them werent so bad. The recient one wasnt that bad.

 

[Occ]

Unfortunately the genre is pretty much dead. However, there is a FS2 open source project that breathes new life into the game through enhanced graphics and additional campaigns. Decent sized community. Check it out (it takes some work to get the game all blinged out though):

http://scp.indiegames.us/
http://www.hard-light.net/

Some examples of the beefed up graphics:

 

[mrblotto]

There's some game called Black Prophecy coming out sometime.....I have no idea when tho.....lol. It reminds me a lot of FS, but it also looks to have some MMO features as well. I'm not completely sold on it yet.

www.blackprophecy.com

That's all I got

 

[shortylickens]

By an amazing coincidence, I just got done playing the demo for Darkstar One. STEAM has the game for 10 bucks, but you have to dig up the demo yourself. Google will find plenty of places to download it. The demo Zip is 971 megs.

Game is fun but reminds me a lot more of Freelancer than anything else. There is a solid campaign but you can ignore it whenever you want and just play in the giant sandbox of space. Controls arent the best but far from the worst, and you can choose between joystick or mouse flight.
The UI is not super easy but its usable. I like that instead of buying ships you have to find artifacts to upgrade your one & only ship. This allows pretty advanced customization to suit your needs.
Buying and installing equipment is a pain, but once you get used to it you will be OK. There are a good variety of side missions available, but like Freelancer they feel pretty generic after a while.
Graphics are more than acceptable considering we havent seen many space shooters lately.

Overall I give it 7/10. They tried to copy Freelancer but didnt get everything right. Game is fun anyway and if you are hungry for this sort of thing it will keep you occupied until something better comes along (which could be years from now). Price is excellent too, and its made by Strategy First which automatically makes me want to buy it.

 

[Malak]

There's some game called Black Prophecy coming out sometime.....I have no idea when tho.....lol. It reminds me a lot of FS, but it also looks to have some MMO features as well. I'm not completely sold on it yet.

www.blackprophecy.com

That's all I got

Black Prophecy and Jumpgate Evolution are both attempting to launch. BP has no publisher last I checked and therefore is stalled.

 

[CP5670]

FS2 is probably still your best bet. As mentioned earlier, there are many graphical content updates and a lot of very good fanmade campaigns available for it now.

The last good space game was probably Freelancer, and even that had its fair share of issues.

 

[JPS35]

My second favorite to Freespace is Independence War 2. Uses Newtonian physics, great combat and weapons, good story, great graphics even for today, and open ended for exploration, trading, etc., but no where near as difficult as the X series. In fact, even though it came out years before Freelancer, it is a better game than that one. Lots of fun.

 

[manimal]

im still holding out for a babylon 5 sandbox game......

 

[Acanthus]

Eve just needs freespace-like controls imo.

If it required any skill at all, I would enjoy it infinitely more.

 

[shiner]

Good luck with that. I'm still looking for something along the lines of Starflight and Starflight II.

Yeah....I'm that old.

 

[Borealis7]

i really enjoyed Tarr Chronicles. its by Paradox Interactive which i generally like games they make.