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[tuxfool]

Back in the olden days I seemed to manage ok with a sidewinder joystick - twist rudder gave me roll control which was important. That was before dual stick controllers were a thing though, but I don't know if I could adapt to that.

Ask yourself. What are you going to do with a throttle in descent?

You need 6DOF to best be able to navigate the environment, you're not flying in straight directions in wide open spaces. You're pitching,Yawing,Rolling and Strafing.

Now, the throttle has more use in wide open spaceflight but even there it you might like 6DOF using full analog control instead of a digital hat switch.

 

[mrklaw]

Ask yourself. What are you going to do with a throttle in descent?

You need 6DOF to best be able to navigate the environment, you're not flying in straight directions in wide open spaces. You're pitching,Yawing,Rolling and Strafing.

Now, the throttle has more use in wide open spaceflight but even there it you might like 6DOF using full analog control instead of a digital hat switch.

Well the Hotas wouldn't just be for descent - that'd just be the thing that tips me over the edge. True, wouldn't need the throttle as much for that game (although still useful for forward/back)

And I have one eye on VR so something with lots of buttons at hand would be useful

 

[xHiryu]

I've been looking into playing some space sims since I've never actually played one. What do you guys recommend for a newbie?

Also, No Man's Sky, Star Citizen and Everspace look real good.

 

[EGM1966]

Freespace 3 on top f what's out/coming and a brand new Tie Fighter and I'd be in space heaven.

 

[Jackpot]

See, this is what I want. Every time I get excited for a space game, it's multiplayer, or a genre I'm not that interested in (RTS).

Same. A bulk listed in the OP are MP, rogue-like or trade focused with no SP campaign.

 

[Felix Lighter]

Note to Disney:

WHERE IS A NEW X-WING VS TIE FIGHTER, DANG IT?

Thanks.

It would be incredible but anything Disney produces for Star Wars will be as mass market as possible. A Rogue Squadron style game would be much more likely than a sim style game.

 

[robotrock]

God bless.

 

[Octavianus]

I've a feeling that Stellaris will be the best space game since Homeworld (and I mean the original 1999 release date, not the remaster release)... Perhaps I'm setting myself up for disappointment with expectations like that, but Paradox are just so good at supporting their games that I'm not too concerned at all.

Ay, seriously my most anticipated game in decades. Everything we've seen and heard about it is perfect.
It's also making MOO's revival feel really lackluster by comparison.

 

[Purkake4]

Ay, seriously my most anticipated game in decades. Everything we've seen and heard about it is perfect.

From the development diaries it looks to me like it needs a bucketful of Paradox DLC to get the really deep grand strategy mechanics going. The diplomancy felt especially weak compared to say EU4.

 

[Trouble]

I'm surprised Strike Suit: Zero hasn't been mentioned yet.

Arcadey space dogfighting in a mech-thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGRl9iNYVDc

 

[5taquitos]

Mind sharing the playlist?

It's not ready to be revealed, once it's finished I'll try to remember to link it here.

 

[Llyranor]

If you haven't already, you should definitely check out StarCrawlers (it's also available on GOG). It's like Firefly, Shadowrun, Wizardry and Legend of Grimrock had a baby. It is still in Early Access though, but it's coming together nicely and the developers usually update the game at least every two weeks with a meaty content patch.

StarCrawlers Early Access Trailer

Wait, a scifi dungeon crawler? Oooh, putting this on my wishlist.

 

[Mindlog]

It's not ready to be revealed, once it's finished I'll try to remember to link it here.

Related.

Also related.

 

[Octavianus]

From the development diaries it looks to me like it needs a bucketful of Paradox DLC to get the really deep grand strategy mechanics going. The diplomancy felt especially weak compared to say EU4.

I'm not seeing it. diplomancy is pretty much the same.
The only thing I'm kinda irked by is the lack of espionage and federation presidency beig rotation only, at least for the initial release.
Lack of espionage is something I can understand as being one of those things that didn't make the cut because they have a lot of other things to work on first, but the way that federations work just seems lazy to me because you'd think that adding elections would be a really easy thing to do.
At least they've commented on both of those things saying they're things they would like to add.

Still, the way new technologies are acquired, pops, primitive civilizations and the ability to observe / enslave / uplift them, late-game catastrophes, traits, ethic's and goverment types, etc are all things that make me want to play this game as soon as possible.

 

[5taquitos]

Related.

Also related.

THANK YOU!

I was actually trying to remember that GAF thread but couldn't find it.

 

[Onemic]

Has anyone played Everspace and if so, how is it?

 

[More_Badass]

Has anyone played Everspace and if so, how is it?

Not out yet. Coming to PC/XB1 this year

 

[dalin80]

First page insta-crashes my browser so I'm just going to presume its full of shiny gifs.

 

[IbizaPocholo]

http://www.galaxyheistgame.com/

I want to play this game it's a shame the kickstarter failed.

 

[Grief.exe]

First page insta-crashes my browser so I'm just going to presume its full of shiny gifs.

If you are having those kind of problems, you can always turn off gifs in the GAF settings.

The gifs won't load until you select them from the page.

 

[Purkake4]

I'm not seeing it. diplomancy is pretty much the same.
The only thing I'm kinda irked by is the lack of espionage and federation presidency beig rotation only, at least for the initial release.
Lack of espionage is something I can understand as being one of those things that didn't make the cut because they have a lot of other things to work on first, but the way that federations work just seems lazy to me because you'd think that adding elections would be a really easy thing to do.
At least they've commented on both of those things saying they're things they would like to add.

Still, the way new technologies are acquired, pops, primitive civilizations and the ability to observe / enslave / uplift them, late-game catastrophes, traits, ethic's and goverment types, etc are all things that make me want to play this game as soon as possible.

I mean we'll see for sure when it comes out. The federation presidency thing is the only interesting thing out of the diplomancy they've shown, the rest is pretty much one to one CIV diplomancy and trade. I have a feeling that the new ideas will be cool, but it'll lack the strong grand strategy base that they've built in EU4 (and CK2) through the very multi-faced relations system with rivals, trade conflicts, espionage, etc.

I don't really have a problem with waiting for the DLCs either. I mean EU4 was trash when it came out and has become amazing since around the 5th DLC.

 

[Grief.exe]

Not out yet. Coming to PC/XB1 this year

That's a fast turnaround for Everspace.

 

[Ebris]

Fractured Space rather beat Dreadnought to the punch.



It plays very well.

IIRC, Dreadnought was announced before FS, but FS came out in early access much more quickly.

Anyway, having played both, I don't feel FS stacks up to Dreadnought nearly as well. For one, Dreadnought's combination of planetary and orbital + terrain maps make for great tactical situations. Despite being smaller, the ships felt a lot more impressive - playing a medium or heavy Dreadnought felt like a true capital ship, whereas the Flagship felt like a barge, no oomph to it. Regardless, it's good to have competition, though FS's playerbase is a bit anemic right now, it looks like.

 

[AngmarsKing701]

I think Freespace 2 is one of my favorite games of all time. I've loved space sims since Starmaster on the Atari 2600.

I'm extremely interested in Everspace.

Dreadnought looks awesome.

Which of those listed in the OP plays the most like FS2? I need to pick up Rebel Galaxy.

 

[JawzPause]

I love me some space games but so few games actually fill the void for me. The type of space game I'd enjoy is a free to roam one with rpg elements and a well developed combat system.

A dark souls / mass effect / dead space hybrid if you will

 

[Purkake4]

I love me some space games but so few games actually fill the void for me. The type of space game I'd enjoy is a free to roam one with rpg elements and a well developed combat system.

A dark souls / mass effect / dead space hybrid if you will

Where does the space part come in?

 

[tuxfool]

I think Freespace 2 is one of my favorite games of all time. I've loved space sims since Starmaster on the Atari 2600.

I'm extremely interested in Everspace.

Dreadnought looks awesome.

Which of those listed in the OP plays the most like FS2? I need to pick up Rebel Galaxy.

Depends on what you want. Single player story?

 

[JawzPause]

Where does the space part come in?

It would be set in space.
Dark souls for the combat
Mass effect for the rpg elements and space exploration
Dead space for the cinematic space horror feel

 

[Purkake4]

It would be set in space.
Dark souls for the combat
Mass effect for the rpg elements and space exploration
Dead space for the cinematic space horror feel

It's true that we don't really have to many sci-fi RPGs. I wouldn't bring Mass Effect up for exploration though, you were either doing hilarious Mako backflips in an empy sandbox or dragging your cursor over a billion planets for worthless space points.

 

[More_Badass]

It would be set in space.
Dark souls for the combat
Mass effect for the rpg elements and space exploration
Dead space for the cinematic space horror feel

I'd kill for a Giger-inspired Bloodborne/Dark Souls-style sci-fi game. Think of the body horror

 

[AngmarsKing701]

Depends on what you want. Single player story?

Yes, more interested in single player story. Not enough time to master MP games and so I'll get annihilated online.

 

[ShadowOwl]

So many space games.

And not a single one of them is focusing on a story driven, well presented campaign (yes one could name Squadron 42 but we all know what Star Citizen will truly be about).

Played Elite for a while but couldn't stand finishing that purely computer generated content over and over again. Shoot X of this faceless faction, bring me Y of that. It's sad when these games do things so much worse than most 15 years old space combat sims...

 

[Grief.exe]

It would be set in space.
Dark souls for the combat
Mass effect for the rpg elements and space exploration
Dead space for the cinematic space horror feel

Mass Effect is extremely shallow from both a RPG and exploration perspective.

The exploration aspect has already been discussed, but the RPG mechanics for character development are so streamlined they may as well not exist, where as from a character interaction/story perspective the RPG elements are merely smoke and mirrors.

Terrible choice.

 

[Mindlog]

I love me some space games but so few games actually fill the void for me. The type of space game I'd enjoy is a free to roam one with rpg elements and a well developed combat system.

A dark souls / mass effect / dead space hybrid if you will

We all want a new Independence War.

 

[tuxfool]

Yes, more interested in single player story. Not enough time to master MP games and so I'll get annihilated online.

Somebody pointed out that Wings of St. Nazaire will be single player story, but it you're looking more AAA that would be Squadron 42.

Neither of those is out yet.

And not a single one of them is focusing on a story driven, well presented campaign (yes one could name Squadron 42 but we all know what Star Citizen will truly be about).

Who is "we"? And what do "we" know?

 

[Cameron122]

I harbor negative feelings towards Saints Row for not being Freespace 3

 

[tuxfool]

I harbor negative feelings towards Saints Row for not being Freespace 3

Maybe you should focus those negative feelings against everyone that didn't buy FS2.

 

[Memento]

Do not forget Savage Starlight from Naughty Dog, coming 2019 after TLOU2! (PS4/PS5 Cross Gen)

Spoiler

Please, God?

 

[ShadowOwl]

Who is "we"? And what do "we" know?

Nvm.

I am looking forward to Squadron 42 which is the first story driven space combat sim since, hmmm, Freelancer (2003)? Still, I'm a bit sad that no other space combat sim dares to move away from the too common open world approach without putting any effort on their missions/quests.

 

[More_Badass]

Nvm.

I am looking forward to Squadron 42 which is the first story driven space combat sim since, hmmm, Freelancer (2003)? Still, I'm a bit sad that no other space combat sim dares to move away from the too common open world approach without putting any effort on their missions/quests.

Enemy Starfighter sounds like it will be more focused narrative-wise

After a bloody insurrection, traitor fleets retreated to their home systems and destroyed the gates leading back to the Empire. They hid, they regrouped, but they did not expect to be found again.

The Harbinger Fleet is the Emperor's royal guard. Your mission is to hunt down the traitor lords and offer their home world as an example to those who would sow further rebellion.

 

[tuxfool]

Nvm.

I am looking forward to Squadron 42 which is the first story driven space combat sim since, hmmm, Freelancer (2003)? Still, I'm a bit sad that no other space combat sim dares to move away from the too common open world approach without putting any effort on their missions/quests.

Technically Freelancer shares has a lot in common with those systemic sims.

The reason very few bother is because they don't have to budget to do so. The last great game in that vein was in fact Freelancer. As is often the case there is no demand for such things until somebody comes along and shows that the demand exists.

 

[flyinpiranha]

Great thread. Elite has been my main focus but I grew tired of the issues and broken missions. I own Star Citizen but haven't played it yet.

I just want something like Elite with a good story to it. Squadron 42 hopefully delivers.

 

[dofry]

Not out yet. Coming to PC/XB1 this year

According to their kickstarter page it's PC only and stretch goals not reached for PS4/X1 versions. Has this changed?

 

[ShadowOwl]

Enemy Starfighter sounds like it will be more focused narrative-wise

Thanks, I'll keep that one on radar.

Technically Freelancer shares has a lot in common with those systemic sims.

The reason very few bother is because they don't have to budget to do so. The last great game in that vein was in fact Freelancer. As is often the case there is no demand for such things until somebody comes along and shows that the demand exists.

Of all those games up to 2003 I have enjoyed Freelancer the least. To me it was the genre's nail in the coffin. And while Freelancer had many great aspects back in the day
mission design wasn't one of them.

Still, I'd still love some developer go for a story driven game, even with a smaller budget. Or does everybody think such a game most be the modern day equivalent of Wing Commander 3?

 

[More_Badass]

According to their kickstarter page it's PC only and stretch goals not reached for PS4/X1 versions. Has this changed?

Yeah, Microsoft snatched it up last year
https://news.xbox.com/2015/10/21/games-everspace-brings-roguelike-action-to-the-space-shooter-genre

 

[Octavianus]

I mean we'll see for sure when it comes out. The federation presidency thing is the only interesting thing out of the diplomancy they've shown, the rest is pretty much one to one CIV diplomancy and trade. I have a feeling that the new ideas will be cool, but it'll lack the strong grand strategy base that they've built in EU4 (and CK2) through the very multi-faced relations system with rivals, trade conflicts, espionage, etc.

I don't really have a problem with waiting for the DLCs either. I mean EU4 was trash when it came out and has become amazing since around the 5th DLC.

But... but it's actually largly EU4 in space, diplomacy wise, with some differences here and there. Granted I wish they'd find a way to make trade lanes work for this as well, but I can overlook the lack of some things due to other additions.
There's quite a bit of CK II and Victoria in there as well

What other space game do you know where you can run into situations like this:

and

I"m one of those people who liked EU4 at release.

 

[More_Badass]

Talking space games, has anyone played Universe Sandbox 2? Any impressions of that? The roadmap for 2016 sounds awesome; they're working on a megastructure system that would let you design stuff like space elevators, Dyson spheres, and ring worlds.

 

[Purkake4]

But... but it's actually largly EU4 in space, diplomacy wise, with some differences here and there. Granted I wish they'd find a way to make trade lanes work for this as well, but I can overlook the lack of some things due to other additions.
There's quite a bit of CK II and Victoria in there as well

What other space game do you know where you can run into situations like this:

I"m one of those people who liked EU4 at release.

It's EU4 in space without the 1+ year of refinement and additions from what it looks like to me. There's no doubt it'll create cool situations, just as EU4 did, but try looking at some EU4 vanilla gameplay. It was boring and at many places broken, and that's with actual countries and history to lean on.

 

[Octavianus]

It's EU4 in space without the 1+ year of refinement and additions from what it looks like to me. There's no doubt it'll create cool situations, just as EU4 did, but try looking at some EU4 vanilla gameplay. It was boring and at many places broken, and that's with actual countries and history to lean on.

Yeah sorry but I simply don't agree with you, at all.
EUIV was fun.

 

[dofry]

Yeah, Microsoft snatched it up last year
https://news.xbox.com/2015/10/21/games-everspace-brings-roguelike-action-to-the-space-shooter-genre

Well shit. I hope it still has Vive and Rift support?