[Recommend] me some space combat sims

mr-razzcocks

Since I've quickly moved on from killing der turrists, now i want to fly around in space and blow shit up.

Basically, looking for things in the hardcore sim area (Freespace), arcade-y sort of things (Starfox, Rogue Squadron) and stuff in the middle ground (Colony Wars). My one condition is that somebody who enjoyed all of the afforementioned games enjoys what's recommended. GO GO

EDIT: Oh, it doesn't really matter what console they're on, but it'd be easier for me to get current gen console games.

Shadowfire

If you can grab them, of course Wing Commander 3, 4, and Prophecy. Just because they're Wing Commander.

X3 is also great as it allows for considerable roaming around and doing other things than just following the story. Freelancer is also excellent in this regard, though the combat is a bit weird. You do everything with the mouse, which makes it feel like a 3d space-shooter Diablo. Still, awesome game.

Or you could just play Freespace 2 again. That's always great.


I hear there are some excellent TCs for Freespace 2, as well, but I've never tried any.

Edit: Independence War 2 is also a great space shooter that I highly recommend, and it is one of those "critically acclaimed, but not commercially successful" titles. The same is true for Starlancer, which is also one of the only Dreamcast titles that I believe still runs online.

Stilts

Shadowfire wrote: »

I hear there are some excellent TCs for Freespace 2, as well, but I've never tried any.

The "Babylon 5: I've Found Her" stuff is supposed to be pretty good. There's also The Babylon Project, but I haven't heard much about it until now. Then there's Shadows of Lylat, which is still a work in progress (no public version out yet) but looks pretty cool.

Also, I'd like to second the Freelancer recommendation. It's quite fun. And if you want a new recommendation, Tachyon: The Fringe is on sale via Steam until January 3rd.

*sigh*

This thread is making me wish professional developers still made space flight sims...

Lucascraft

We had a huge thread a while back about Space Sims, but I haven't been able to locate it with searches. The OP had a ton of good info about lots of games. Maybe someone else can do a better job of finding it than me.

wonderpug

If you want something on a console you should take a look at Project Sylpheed. They did an awesome job adapting space sim controls to the 360 controller, and it's pretty fun. It wasn't really for me personally, but it might work for you. Should be dirt cheap by now, too.

For the PC I'll second Shadowfire's recommendations for Starlancer and Freelancer.

Oh, and if you never played Wing Commander: Privateer, it would be in your best interests to either play the original or look into one of the fanmade graphics upgrade projects.

mr-razzcocks

I'd already spotted Tachyon: The Fringe on the Steam sale, it's what got me suddenly interested in playing this stuff again. I swear i had it on disc at some point. will certainly grab that, I think.

Keep 'em coming, people

Sokpuppet

Project Sylpheed (Silpheed?) for the 360 is pretty good.

It's sort've an arcade-y Japanese take on Freespace 2, or something.

Skull2185

I don't know how is stacks up today, but Tie Fighter is an awesome game.

At least I remember it that way