Like, Dude... huh... you're in space, man!
So, when I am not at work toiling away, reviewing games, and cleaning-up after animals, I like to take a few moments and play games of my own choosing. There are so many game choices from the Indie Community to... well, uh... to choose from, but choose I do. Fact is, I have not bought a game from Commercial developers in quite some time! Nevertheless, like many gamers, I've a favorite niche that I stick to in the game world and it is difficult to choose sometimes when a great many game titles are so good. Now, from time-to-time I stray from my niche, but not too often. Oh yeah, the niche. Space games- I adore open-ended freeform space games. So, along with game previews, gaming news, and the annual "Ernie" awards (my choices for 2006 will be up soon!), I think this blog is a great place to occasionally provide favorable mention to some of the Indie Game Communities' tastier offerings in the above-mentioned niche.
First up, a very busy Independent developer- Starwraith 3D Games. This indie developer has made several first-person space-games ranging from mission-specific military-based games (currently Starwraith 3 and Starwraith 4 are available) to more open-ended with missions available, mercenary/trader games (currently Riftspace and Evochron Alliance represent this category). Folk that know me well know that the open-ended with mission category is my favorite, but I've had a great time with Starwraith 3 as well. With so many game choices about in this genera, allow me get a bit more focused and further describe what sets these Indie space games apart from the pack.
Riftspace is a game wherein you play a mercenary. You have the ability to travel from star-system to star-system picking and choosing missions as you please- and there are many systems to travel to. You start alone, but can buy ships as you earn cash and hire pilots to fly with you- manage them well, for you will then step into the world of being a consummate businessman/mercenary- and there are many ways to have your pilots make money for you. There are of course several ships to choose from as well as a good selection of outfits for them as well. There is an ultimate goal to the game of hunting for alien artifacts, but I will not tell more- go check out the game for yourselves. The game is fun, and fun is everything in a game.
Next up, Evochron Alliance. In a nutshell, Evochron Alliance is seat-of-your-pants starship piloting like Riftspace. Offering the player multi-player and single-player campaign/free-form options, you'll be kept plenty busy for a long time. As with Riftspace, you have many star-systems to travel to and buy/sell commodities, explore, battle, and take on many different mission-types. Feeling the need to explore even more? Wel,l this game allows the player to create his/her own star-systems or you can download fan-made systems. As a player, I could ramble on-and-on about the depth and complexity of this title but instead I'll just point you in the appropriate direction and let you explore the rich gameplay of these titles yourself.
'Nuff said. Go have some fun!
First up, a very busy Independent developer- Starwraith 3D Games. This indie developer has made several first-person space-games ranging from mission-specific military-based games (currently Starwraith 3 and Starwraith 4 are available) to more open-ended with missions available, mercenary/trader games (currently Riftspace and Evochron Alliance represent this category). Folk that know me well know that the open-ended with mission category is my favorite, but I've had a great time with Starwraith 3 as well. With so many game choices about in this genera, allow me get a bit more focused and further describe what sets these Indie space games apart from the pack.
Riftspace is a game wherein you play a mercenary. You have the ability to travel from star-system to star-system picking and choosing missions as you please- and there are many systems to travel to. You start alone, but can buy ships as you earn cash and hire pilots to fly with you- manage them well, for you will then step into the world of being a consummate businessman/mercenary- and there are many ways to have your pilots make money for you. There are of course several ships to choose from as well as a good selection of outfits for them as well. There is an ultimate goal to the game of hunting for alien artifacts, but I will not tell more- go check out the game for yourselves. The game is fun, and fun is everything in a game.
Next up, Evochron Alliance. In a nutshell, Evochron Alliance is seat-of-your-pants starship piloting like Riftspace. Offering the player multi-player and single-player campaign/free-form options, you'll be kept plenty busy for a long time. As with Riftspace, you have many star-systems to travel to and buy/sell commodities, explore, battle, and take on many different mission-types. Feeling the need to explore even more? Wel,l this game allows the player to create his/her own star-systems or you can download fan-made systems. As a player, I could ramble on-and-on about the depth and complexity of this title but instead I'll just point you in the appropriate direction and let you explore the rich gameplay of these titles yourself.'Nuff said. Go have some fun!
posted by David at 8:53 PM
<< Home