Space combat: An endangered genre?

[Player Two]

I know ZP has touched on this before, but I wondered if there was anything worthy in a discussion for it. There are countless sci-fi titles out there on the market today, but not a single one I can think of seems to actually involve space ships, and the flying thereof, in their gameplay in any significant way. Which seems odd, because from what I recall of titles gone by, it actually had a lot of potential. Am I the only one who liked the space-based Assault maps from UT2k4?

Anyway, post your thoughts, and if there HAS been a recently released space combat came, please enlighten me, because I sure as hell can't think of one. I am aware that this is my first topic, so if I've broken some unwritten rule then I'm deeply sorry (in advance)

 

[Palademon]

Well, I enjoyed Star Wars games that involved space combat. So I'd like to see more of it.
Can't think of a recent game.

 

[Scars Unseen]

*cough*Evochron Mercenary*cough*

 

[Fawful]

The space combat in Reach was pretty cool. short and simple sure but rather effective.

Also. Where's Freespace 3? If anything can revive space combat games it's that.

 

[The Madman]

What's the point? The genre has been won, no other space sim will ever be able to top the amazingness that is Freespace 2. The End!

 

[Player Two]

--Learn to use Google and Wikipedia [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_space_flight_simulator_games] please
--Long as you have 20+ posts before making your own thread, go nuts.
--I highly HIGHLY recommend Allegiance [http://www.freeallegiance.org], plus its free!
--If you need something a bit more newbie-friendly and easier to control, I know I *loved* this game:FreeLancer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freelancer_%28video_game%29]
--After you beat the single-player mode, I'd recommend this mod [http://www.memes.no/88flak/] for multiplayer. The community is pretty close-knit, still small but really awesome.

There's a few more, if RTS is more your thing you can try the HomeWorld series.

Thank-ee. I'll be sure to take a look

 

[Cowabungaa]

There's still the X3 series [http://www.egosoft.com/games/x3/info_en.php] you can play, the latest one in that is rather recent.

There's also the upcoming MMO Jumpgate: Evolution [http://www.jumpgateevolution.com] which is apparently the sequel on one of the most successful space-combat MMO's ever. There was another which was a bit more arcade, but I can't remember the title. Something with 'dark' I think.

Edit: Found the other, it's called Black Prophecy [http://blackprophecy.gamigo.com/]. Here are some vids of all 3 games:

 

[SomeLameStuff]

The space combat in Reach was pretty cool. short and simple sure but rather effective.

Also. Where's Freespace 3? If anything can revive space combat games it's that.

After Interplay went bankupt in 2005, the Freespace licence is hanging free with noone showing interest in it yet. Pity, loved that game to bits.

 

[Terminal Blue]

Also.. the X series (although deeply flawed I know).

Personally though, I'd like to see a Space combat game with Newtonian physics. As far as I'm aware that's never been done well, but if you could simplify it while preserving the basic mechanics it would be a big break from the usual 'flight sim in space' approach. Imagine, a space combat game where it actually made sense to do it in space.

Also.. space combat too often just isn't that brutal and dangerous, and just becomes a case of wearing down enemy shields with anti-shield weapons then blowing them up with anti-hull weapons. Maybe a game where shields are non existent or pathetically flimsy (a la TIE fighter) and components get damaged when you get hit, forcing you to try and balance flying and fighting with running damage control.

Sigh.. need to stop fantasizing about games which don't exist.

 

[octafish]

What's the point? The genre has been won, no other space sim will ever be able to top the amazingness that is Freespace 2. The End!

Pretty much. Or Evochron.

 

[Scars Unseen]

Personally though, I'd like to see a Space combat game with Newtonian physics. As far as I'm aware that's never been done well, but if you could simplify it while preserving the basic mechanics it would be a big break from the usual 'flight sim in space' approach. Imagine, a space combat game where it actually made sense to do it in space.

*COUGH*Evochron Mercenary*COUGH*

 

[Player Two]

Also.. the X series (although deeply flawed I know).

Personally though, I'd like to see a Space combat game with Newtonian physics. As far as I'm aware that's never been done well, but if you could simplify it while preserving the basic mechanics it would be a big break from the usual 'flight sim in space' approach. Imagine, a space combat game where it actually made sense to do it in space.

Also.. space combat too often just isn't that brutal and dangerous, and just becomes a case of wearing down enemy shields with anti-shield weapons then blowing them up with anti-hull weapons. Maybe a game where shields are non existent or pathetically flimsy (a la TIE fighter) and components get damaged when you get hit, forcing you to try and balance flying and fighting with running damage control.

Sigh.. need to stop fantasizing about games which don't exist.

The funny thing is, I had never considered that approach to space combat... which is odd, because that would be totally freaking awesome

Also - Vega Strike is more of an 'Elite' clone than a combat sim, but it does have plenty of combat and I'm pretty sure it tries to use realistic physics. You drift an awful lot if you don't counteract your directional force.

 

[TheDarklite]

You could always try a game from the "X" series. "X3: Reunion" was quite fun.
They are space sim games that include a lot of dog-fighting and they have rather deep economies

Whilst X3 was released in 2005 it's graphics have aged VERY well, and it still looks top notch today.

The games only downside is it's complexity - Most players give up in their first few hours as they simply get lost.

If you are interested, you can read the gamespot review here:
http://au.gamespot.com/pc/sim/x3reunion/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary%3Bread-review

There has also been a newer release called "X3: Terran Conflict" but I haven't played it so I don't have an opinion.

TL;DR: If you are after a deep space sim game that covers more than just combat.... and you are willing to be patient with it - Then X3: Reunion may be just what you are looking for

 

[Psymon138]

What's the point? The genre has been won, no other space sim will ever be able to top the amazingness that is Freespace 2. The End!

Pretty much. Or Evochron.

I don't believe this really. Freespace 2 was excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed it back in the 20th century. It was a fantastic game, but I doubt the idea that nothing could top it is the reason the genre died.
I think the main problem space games ran into was that they tended to either be massively complicated, with individual components, damage control, energy levels and such, or rather dumbed down and just a flight sim in space. That and the incredible popularity of FPS games in recent years means even a mediocre FPS could make money, whereas a space game would have to really stand out to attract much interest.

 

[Billska]

I want a space combat game with most of the features of Eve-online such as building ships, alliances, mining and the epic space battles. If only they allowed players to fully control and maneuver the ships, as well as firing the weapons on command instead of waiting for a cool-down. It would be a really good space sim.

 

[L4Y Duke]

Also.. space combat too often just isn't that brutal and dangerous, and just becomes a case of wearing down enemy shields with anti-shield weapons then blowing them up with anti-hull weapons. Maybe a game where shields are non existent or pathetically flimsy (a la TIE fighter) and components get damaged when you get hit, forcing you to try and balance flying and fighting with running damage control

It would really be cool if you could do that in a space game. Like, say, Star Trek: Bridge Commander? Oh wait, you can!

I'd also recommend the X series. I recently got the X Superbox, and it's a good series. It's hard to get into the earlier instalments, but X3: Terran Conflict's easier.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

*ahem*

Freelancer rules.

 

[Continuity]

Also.. the X series (although deeply flawed I know).

One man's deeply flawed game is another's masterpiece.

The X series is pretty much the only space combat sim still going, XvTie, Iwar, Freespace, Freelancer etc. etc. all dead and gone. X is still going.