Good Space Sims?

I recently played the demo/trial version of Freelancer and i thought it was FANTASTIC, and was just wondering if there are any more games like it?

 

Descent Freespace series
Wing Commander Privateer 2 (Clive Owen!)

EVE Online. Not really a sim per se but a good hardcore sci-fi mmo.

 

Never played it but someone here reviewed the game and gave it high marks (someone who used to have Brian from FG as avatar, sorry!)

The game is called Sins of Solar Empire.

 

Homeworld 1 and 2.

 

Sins of a Solar Empire and the Homeworld games are RTSs, which I believe the OP was talking space flight sims. I would extremely highly recommend the x series games, the latest being X3 Terran Conflict. Massive open ended game play, sandbox style game, but it does have a learning curve. Also there is a game called Evochron which I thought pretty fun. But definitely look into the X games, X2, X3, or X3 TC.

 

Yes, X-series definitely. Steep learning curve though, with little documentation.

Freespace 1 and Freespace 2 as already suggested. Both at gog.com. Best space combat games ever. Be sure to get the Freespace 2 Open Installer too. There's plenty of additions, including improved graphics and widescreen support.

Darkstar One is decent too. Kind of like a simplified X-series (at gog.com)

But also try Starwraith games. Great Indie company dedicated primarily to space combat sims and games. The Evochron and Arvoch series are pretty good.

If you're into space RTS's too, look for Nexus the Jupiter Incident (on Steam) and Haegemonia (at Gog.com).

 

What he said.

 

The full version of Freelancer. There is a mod which, its name escapes me, more or less completes the game as far as the developers original intentions by adding pilot-able Freighters and such.

 

Darkstar One looks nice,(thanks for the suggestion WingNut) what are your guy's(and gals) thoughts on this?

 

+1 Freespace series. Awesome space sims. Also defintely give the X series a go. As mentioned above, not the easiest to get into, but the open world gameplay is excellent if you give it enough time.

One other thing to note, the next Jumpgate Online should be coming sometime this year from what I remember. Looks to be good, fast paced space action set in a MMOG. I'll be keeping my eyes open for this one.

 

^^^
Thanks for reminding me about jumpgate! I first started reading about that game a year or so ago, completely forgot. I am pretty excited about that game as well, I did try EVE and really didn't like it due to the lack of direct control over your ship and the battles last a REAL long time.

 

There is Orbiter which is a true space sim. It's not mission based. It like Flight Simulator, you just select what spacecraft you want to use, from the Space Shuttle to the Babylon 5 White Star( the addons library is pretty extensive) and of you go to explore the solar system. You can even dock with ISS. It's pretty fun to play with but the learning curve is steep. And it's FREE.

 

No probs! It was due to be released this month, but unfortunately has now been delayed. Very annoying, was really pumped for this one, been waiting a while now.

I also tried EVE. I loved the graphics, sound track, styling of the game, but never made it past the 2 week trial. I don't know what it was, maybe it was the boredom of constant mining? I did like the fact that you could have the game running in a window, and play with one eye on the game, and the other on surfing the web.

Jumpgate on the other hand, is going to be a hectic, twitch based space dogfight sim. Looks awesome, I can't wait. The worlds been needing a game like this for a while now. Hopefully it will do well!

 

I personally think the upcoming Star Trek Online game could take the Sci-fi MMO crown.

 

I too am looking for a good space game, but maybe not a flight sim. I was thinking along the lines of RTS/RPG/Sim City/Sandbox single player type of game. Basically where I can start at one planets, and build that up and go around conquering other planets or forging alliances and waging wars and pretty much doing whatever I wanted. Something that's seamless from beginning to end, and doesn't technically have "stages".

 

GamingACU, that pretty much sounds like Sins of a Solar Empire.

 

I was looking at that, but wikipedia made it sound like supcom in space, which would give me the idea that it had campaign levels, or am I wrong and it's more sandbox like?

 

Well in that case i suggest you play Galactic Civilizations II, if you haven't already

 

Like you said, it's more of like Supcom than a typical 4X(eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate) game.

 

There is no campaign in Sins of a Solar Empire as such. Just skirmish mode. Play a small map with a couple of AI for a quickish game. Or the massive maps with multiple galaxies and tons of planets. No games the same. Plus the expansion adds heaps of new features, like star bases and new units that change the way the game goes.

But it isn't like Civilization in space. It is more focused on the space combat part. You can do stuff to planets, but the system is pretty basic. If you're after that sort of thing, you might want to check out something like Masters of Orion, Imperium galactica 2, or Galactic Civilizations 2, as mentioned above.

 

Yes, Sins is definitely RTS in a sandbox. There's no RPG "character" so to speak, but your capital ships are as close as you can get because they're expensive to build and only can have a limited number of them, so while they can deliver a heavy blow, you also want to keep them healthy.

As far as Freelancer, you said you played the Demo. Why not get the full game? There's few to choose from these days.

But nobody commented on my link to Starwraith Games. They're a small company but dedicated to space combat and 4x type games. Small size games and graphics aren't 100% recent, but still decent nevertheless.

 

I'd love too, but the thing is i searched everywhere for it, GOG.com, Gamersgate.com, and Steam but couldn't find a digital copy anywhere

 

Why not purchase the retail version? It's worth it since Freelancer does have some replay value.

And even tho' MS have abandoned the game you still can dl the official patch.

 

Hmmm, didn't see anything about an expansion on Amazon (for Sins...)maybe I'll have to look closer. When I was talking rpg, I didn't mean that you had to have characters, but do the ships level up and stuff as they gain combat experience (that's more what I'm interested in the rpg part).

And civilization games arent really my bag. I love the complexity that they bring, but I also love combat. I wish they'd come up with a game that requires both intelligence, micro/macro management, and skill... but I might be asking too much.

 

The Sins expansion is called 'Entrenchment' and can be exclusively DL'd via Impulse.

 

I loved Freespace2 and have just ordered Freespace1 a bit back to front i know.

 

Yes, in Sins, ships level up and gain experience. You can choose what upgrades they get too. It's a very large scale strategy experience. That is why I mentioned it.

To suit your request:

RTS - Yes 100% it is!

RPG - Ships level up, and command ships gain the most experience and are your "main characters" so to speak.

Sim City - Not so much. There is planet level development on a rudimentary scale. But given the scope, you wouldn't want much more. You can also install space based platforms for building ships, defense, or you can mine asteroids in the area for resources.

Sandbox - Yes, absolutely. While there are "missions", they are really just pre-built map scenarios that you can configure to your liking.

This is a great single player game, as I have only played it that way. Apparently multiplayer is fun too, but the time commitment is large, and is more difficult to get allies or opponents to finish a session.

The pace is relatively slow, but you will appreciate it later in the game when you have many planets and systems to manage in addition to your fleets. The interface is really quite good, and makes the large number of planets, solar systems, fleets, and units manageable.

 

Awesome, I just ordered this from Amazon...so should get here in about 1-2 weeks. Unfortunately I doubt I'll have internet at that time, so I'll probably miss out on the expansion until I go on R&R. Is the expansion free or do I have to buy it via impulse(I'm assuming that's what Sins is using).

I've also heard they're planning 2x more expansions for this, any word on their development. I know Stardock has been working on a few other titles (and fixing Demigod), so I'm assuming these might have gotten pushed to the backburner.

The reason why I brought up the planet development part, is that I used to play an online text/script game called Astro Empires. Where you'd travel around the galaxy taking over planets, having to balance the planets perfectly and then building a well balanced fleet, joining clans, fighting wars and what not. It was pretty complicated and took a lot of time. I'm assuming galatic civilization is the same thing, but to me the civ games might as well still be text, because the "battles" are insanely weak.

 

If you can, cancel from Amazon and buy it directly from Impulsedriven.com. No need to wait! Expansions do cost extra.

 

I played that a while back, and even created a thread about it! It is a fun game, especially when you use unlimited fuel.

 

htwingnut speaks the truth in this regard.

And Entrenchment costs a mere $10. Chump change for a jam-packed expansion!

 

Oh i nearly forgot! there's always SPORE!!!!

 

You probably are referring to that in jest but I found the space portion of Spore to be quite entertaining.

 

In this regard? Bof! I think I deserve a little more credit than that!

 

Wow NerdyBoy,

That's a pretty old game. Didn't know anybody would still remember it.

I'm gonna have to dig out my disk and explore it again. My kids got into it about a year ago and they liked it too.

 

The only problem is that it would take me a week to dl 3gb, and I only have a matter of days left that I'm guaranteed internet.

 

Oh crap. Are you in the military (I see Iraq)? Can I mail you a DVD with the installer on it (you need to provide key).

If you are in US military I should be able to mail at same rate as anywhere else in US.

 

Yes, I'm military. If I buy through impulse will they immediately email me a key (so I can just save that until you send me the installer)? And also will it be cheaper that way, it's like $35 through amazon.

Edit: It's already being prepped to ship (so I can't cancel it), but would it be possible to send an installer for the expo, or is that something that must strictly be downloaded from impulse?

P.S. 1 more game till Victory (Go Wings!)...I know I'm a little late, but our newspapers report stuff like 1-2 days old.

 

Thanks Stars and Stripes!

 

6 years isn't that old, heck there are some people still playing Ultima online

 

Yes you get a key as soon as you buy it. I can send the "archive" of the program and you just have to load Impulse and install it that way. I am assuming you will be using Vista? I only ask because for some dumb reason you have to archive from the same OS (Vista or XP) that it is being used on. I found this out the hard way. Backed up from Vista, but wouldn't install in XP.

For Wings and NHL Stanley Cup Finals, if you can still get on the boards, I am running an update in the Off-Topic forum.

 

Yes I'm using Vista, 64 bit.

 

If you could get your hands on it, Star Trek: Bridge Commander is pretty decent......isn't much of a sim and doesn't have near as much depth as some of the games mentioned so far, but the mod community is dedicated and pretty extensive (see BCFiles)

 

Definitely try out the Freespace series. It is without doubt the best space simulation like games ever released and, although old, have aged really well.

Otherwise, look up X3 The Reuinion or X3 Terran Conflict. They have a HUGE open world where you can do almost anything. Most games literally take hundreds of hours. The only downside is that the X series, in particular, have horrendous interfaces that lead to some of the biggest learning curves. Once you get through the first 10 hours or so, though, its smooth sailing and you'll be addicted to the game.

 

te.......ten?

 

Yep.....the game is THAT complicated.

 

I think i'll have to pass on that one, but thanks anyway Tev.

 

Ten hours is a problem? Sheesh. Kids these days! LOL. Heck in my 20's I spent dozens if not hundreds mastering a game, well, mainly combat simulations like Jane's Longbow (1 & 2), F-15, Falcon 4, and even some games like Descent 2 and Freespace.

 

I actually looked at 3x terran conflict, but it got mixed reviews, and an overall of only ~80% rating. If the problems are just with the complexity, that doesn't bother me, but there were other people posting about lots of bugs, and having to be connected to the internet to play. Also amazon was sold out of it.

 

Did you try Steam or Gamersgate.Com?