Space sci-fi games

[Norfleet]

The genre of on-foot explorable space games just seems really limited. We have almost a combined $1.5 BILLION into Starfield and Star Citizen and literally thousands of gamedevs and they still can't make the game. Sometimes I fantasize that maybe Mass Effect Andromeda really isn't as bad as I was lead to believe and that it might be worth playing.

That's because an on-foot-explorable space game is trying to merge the two most disparate scales possible. On one hand, you have the smallest scale possible for a human actor, namely, "the area you can cover on foot", but at the same time, you want the world to contain the LARGEST scale conceivable for a human actor, SPAAAAAAAAACE, and you want this to fit within the compressed temporal scale of a Generation ADHD Vidya Gamer, who would almost certainly lose interest if he had to physically walk to the other end of his cool spaceship in real time.

This inevitably means your game is a very silly place in which something is getting shortchanged.

[Atlantico]

Sundog: the Frozen Legacy (1984) on the Atari ST.

It is amazing this game fit on a single sided 360k floppy disk. But then again, no women coders so fewer mistakes and less dialogue. This is a game so ahead of its time and it is what Todd Howard wanted Starfield to be (but failed completely)

[Nessa]

• No Man's Sky: Boring, rewardless treadmill. Normie's idea of what a space game is. Incredibly shallow.

THIS. There is no bloody point to the whole thing. Also all the aliens are genderless and look stupid. I won't even mention the "plot".

[rusty_shackleford]

Should I use the 1.25 unofficial patch for Freelancer?

[Bertram_Tung]

I would just use the HD Patch I linked I think it comes with any sort of necessary patches IIRC. It has a modular installation where you can decide some things. going off memory it's been a while

link : https://github.com/FLHDE/freelancer-hd-edition

[DDC]

• No Man's Sky: Boring, rewardless treadmill. Normie's idea of what a space game is. Incredibly shallow.

THIS. There is no bloody point to the whole thing. Also all the aliens are genderless and look stupid. I won't even mention the "plot".

I think it's a good game. Relaxing on all of the various alien worlds and building bases is the point. Would be nice if it had more to it, but the graphics are pretty good for what it is and it has VR. Ironically, the massive amount of procedurally generated worlds in NMS are way better than the non-handcrafted parts of Starfield even though Starfield was hyped a lot more and has a smaller universe by orders of magnitude and came out later in time.

I think Starfield had the best idea though--grafting a handcrafted RPG onto a procedurally generated universe. The problem is just that the underlying RPG was bad on its own merits. But that same approach might eventually yield a good game at some point in the somewhat distant future, especially as AI allows the parts of the universe that the designers don't make themselves to become a lot livelier and more interesting.

[gerey]

I think Starfield had the best idea though--grafting a handcrafted RPG onto a procedurally generated universe. The problem is just that the underlying RPG was bad on its own merits. But that same approach might eventually yield a good game at some point in the somewhat distant future, especially as AI allows the parts of the universe that the designers don't make themselves to become a lot livelier and more interesting.

True. The other issue Starfield suffered from was bad tech - you had to sit through countless loading screens to get anywhere, nothing even remotely close to the smooth, seamless experience NMS offers.

If someone were to take the technology behind NMS and build a proper game out of it, maybe one with a smaller number of planets that are all more diverse, add a robust quantity of handcrafted content on top, plus improve and finetune the procedural generation, it could actually be the first proper Big Space Game.

[Nessa]

I think it's a good game. Relaxing on all of the various alien worlds and building bases is the point. Would be nice if it had more to it, but the graphics are pretty good for what it is and it has VR.

If we had at bare minimum more aliens to make homes for or something, then ok. Dare I say it, HOOMAN settlers would be an improvement. A base full of genderless ***** aliens is not for me. For me the game really falls apart as soon it's no longer survival. Also space flight is driving your car in 3D. Although I'm at a loss to suggest a game where this isn't the case. (Is Elite Dangerous like that too?)

Ironically, the massive amount of procedurally generated worlds in NMS are way better than the non-handcrafted parts of Starfield even though Starfield was hyped a lot more and has a smaller universe by orders of magnitude and came out later in time.

The procedural planets are my other biggest gripe. After maybe 20 jumps they all look alike. (And can I take a second and mention the, worst in class, abjectly stupid galaxy map in this game? Worst one I've seen in any game ever! Definitely designed by a deranged lunatic. ) That said, yes, even a dumb procedural planet is better than anything Todd & company can come up with. That's right Todd, even a machine is better than you.

I did like the floating islands they added. I briefly went back for that, but same issues as always. Why am I here building a base for ugly ***** aliens?

I think Starfield had the best idea though--grafting a handcrafted RPG onto a procedurally generated universe. The problem is just that the underlying RPG was bad on its own merits. But that same approach might eventually yield a good game at some point in the somewhat distant future, especially as AI allows the parts of the universe that the designers don't make themselves to become a lot livelier and more interesting.

If it had a Sim Settlements (minus the crap 3rd chapter anyway) style setup for bases/colonies maybe. As it is, there wasn't one thing that ever enticed me to even play Starfield and still isn't. Barren planets. Awful looking NPCs. Diversity where it makes no sense at all. And a black Russian.



Worse that I know too many modders that started modding it and then ran the hell away. A studio NOT run by Todd is the best one to try this particular idea. I'm convinced the concept would work. Just, don't copy NMS's already brain dead plot for starters. Secondly toss that moron Emil Pagliarulo out the nearest airlock. That idiot isn't even fit to flip burgers.

I think a studio NOT run by Todd is best for this idea.

[Norfleet]

If it had a Sim Settlements (minus the crap 3rd chapter anyway) style setup for bases/colonies maybe. As it is, there wasn't one thing that ever enticed me to even play Starfield and still isn't. Barren planets. Awful looking NPCs. Diversity where it makes no sense at all. And a black Russian.

Black Russian checks out, actually. Russia has a good relationship with African countries and just killed off most of its men. So they're having to import them now.

[Nessa]

Black Russian checks out, actually. Russia has a good relationship with African countries and just killed off most of its men. So they're having to import them now.

No, they'll just import from Belarus. Or nab all the Ukranians that fled so they didn't have to fight in that dumb war. You know imagine that for a recruiting technique? Fight for Russia. Pay, free food, free wife.

[Rand]

Avorion if you like to build your own ships.
Both Starcom games (again with shipbuilding, but ultralite with these).
Endless Sky (in constant development adding more things).

[Rienen]

Sometimes I fantasize that maybe Mass Effect Andromeda really isn't as bad as I was lead to believe and that it might be worth playing.

"My face is tired" animation quality meme aside... The story is forgettable despite the concept/setup being decent. The overall writing is often cringeworthy, off-putting, and full of plot holes and/or conveniences. The characters are beyond bland with few redeemable qualities. The questing often felt both hollow and like a waste of time...

Similar to BW's other game, at the time, Anthem, the only thing that the game had going for it was the combat/player movement.

I wouldn't go so far as to ever recommend it, but you may enjoy that part of the game.

[rusty_shackleford]

Playing Starcom: Unknown Space

Your first lieutenant looks like this:

STARCOM_FIRST_OFFICER (copy 1).png

I replaced it with this:

STARCOM_FIRST_OFFICER.png

You can drop it in under Starcom Unknown Space/Starcom Unknown Space_Data/StreamingAssets/Content/Kepler/Stories/DEFAULT/Sprites/Portraits/

Thumbnail too:

STARCOM_FIRST_OFFICER_THUMB.png

[rusty_shackleford]

Playing Starcom: Unknown Space

Pretty fun.
Basically like the first game except better, the interesting part is just all the various planet scenarios. Sorta a bit like a modern Star Control 2, but not silly.

[Rand]

Playing Starcom: Unknown Space

Your first lieutenant looks like this:


I replaced it with this:


You can drop it in under Starcom Unknown Space/Starcom Unknown Space_Data/StreamingAssets/Content/Kepler/Stories/DEFAULT/Sprites/Portraits/

Thumbnail too:

Where'd you get the portraits, Rusty?

Also, that second one has a background. Is that a problem?

[rusty_shackleford]

Playing Starcom: Unknown Space

Your first lieutenant looks like this:


I replaced it with this:


You can drop it in under Starcom Unknown Space/Starcom Unknown Space_Data/StreamingAssets/Content/Kepler/Stories/DEFAULT/Sprites/Portraits/

Thumbnail too:

Where'd you get the portraits, Rusty?

Also, that second one has a background. Is that a problem?

AI, second one has a background in the original

[Rand]

Where'd you get the portraits, Rusty?

Also, that second one has a background. Is that a problem?

AI, second one has a background in the original

Good. Both are a distinct improvement.
Which AI did you use?

[rusty_shackleford]

Which AI did you use?

ChatJeePT.

Still have at least one more portrait I want to fix up

[rusty_shackleford]

Not a fan of space games where your ship is the size of a fighter jet. There should be significant room even on a small craft, definitely enough for one person to live in long-term.

[anvi]

Space games such a letdown. The only ones I liked are Space Rangers 2 just because trading is boring but at least in that game you can do it quickly and easily. And I like how there is a serious progression. Newbie, early mid, mid, high end, super high end. You can fight pirates but the Dominators need to be avoided until you are much stronger. I loved that.

I also liked Starpoint Gemini Warlords but it was a bit shallow. I wished they had a sequel but instead they made a stupid actiony one instead.

There's also an old star trek game I liked, I think Klingon Academy or something like that. It was alright.

[anvi]

Not a fan of space games where your ship is the size of a fighter jet. There should be significant room even on a small craft, definitely enough for one person to live in long-term.

I hate the combat. Ever since Wing Commander they have had us turning in loops over and over chasing a crosshair. It's tedious as hell. Like the gaming equivalent of threading a needle. I really hate most devs.

[J1M]

I want a space combat game where the combat is about issuing bridge commands and detonating nebulas.

Maybe some exaggerated gravity effects that curve shots as if someone turned Worms 2 into more than a minigame.

[rusty_shackleford]

Not a fan of space games where your ship is the size of a fighter jet. There should be significant room even on a small craft, definitely enough for one person to live in long-term.

I hate the combat. Ever since Wing Commander they have had us turning in loops over and over chasing a crosshair. It's tedious as hell. Like the gaming equivalent of threading a needle. I really hate most devs.

In terms of actual media that has depicted what I'm looking for, surprisingly the nu-battlestar galactica series did it well.

I don't want to fly one of the little dinky fighters, but I'm fine with them being part of my team. I want to control the big battlestar. I want my character to be living on the ship.

[anvi]

Yeah I want to be Cap'n of a huge ship with decent combat, like Sins of a Solar Empire. But not an RTS.

[Norfleet]

Yeah I want to be Cap'n of a huge ship with decent combat, like Sins of a Solar Empire. But not an RTS.

So, what, like Starfreak Command?

[anvi]

Yeah I want to be Cap'n of a huge ship with decent combat, like Sins of a Solar Empire. But not an RTS.

So, what, like Starfreak Command?

Yeah I would love more games like that. I really liked Starpoint Gemini Warlords but it needed a bit more depth.

better vid:

[gerey]

Yeah I want to be Cap'n of a huge ship with decent combat, like Sins of a Solar Empire. But not an RTS.

Battlefleet Gothic 1 and 2 are not RTS, they're RTT - you don't build factories and other structures on the map, and the fleet you have is usually small, consisting of up to half a dozen ships. Not sure if they'd count?

There's also Battlestar Galactica: Deadlock, in a similar vein. Also, Nexus: The Jupiter Incident - you control a small fleet of up to three ships.

Other than that you have Independence War 1 and 2, where you control ships bigger than the usual fighters you see in most space sims. There's also Starfleet Academy and Klingon Academy (the later is better), where you are in command of Star Trek capital ships. Ditto for Star Trek: Bridge Commander.

The X series of games are autistic spreadsheet simulators with dry as **** storytelling and worldbuilding, but you can work your way up to controlling capital ships.

There's also Rebel Galaxy, you start out in a bigger ship. Has pretty good music.

Battlecruiser Millennium from the one and only mulatto Derek Smart if you're truly desperate.

[rusty_shackleford]

opinions on empyrion?

[rusty_shackleford]

Yeah I want to be Cap'n of a huge ship with decent combat, like Sins of a Solar Empire. But not an RTS.

So, what, like Starfreak Command?

Yeah I would love more games like that. I really liked Starpoint Gemini Warlords but it needed a bit more depth.

better vid:

I recall liking what I played of Starpoint Gemini Warlords and was disappointed to find out the main Starpoint games are much different

[rusty_shackleford]

In terms of actual media that has depicted what I'm looking for, surprisingly the nu-battlestar galactica series did it well.

It's a shame the series has so much hamfisted social commentary ********, because all the combat stuff(and general sci-fi aesthetic) was excellent.
Only game I think gets somewhat close to this are Homeworld & its expansion. When watching BSG I was convinced the series itself was heavily inspired by Homeworld, presumably in a circular fashion: original series → Homeworld → BSG