Is it even possible to NOT like this game? ;)

[ouch]

Just started playing again after about a year off.

I mean even just sitting in a taxi being flown places is awsome. You see flares from distant dogfights, the classic pew, pew, pew, of a laser turrets, the whail of missiles... and a scavenger AI bumping into a tower trying to get away with his new possessions in one piece... Which of course he doesn't...

It's just an awsome game.

It is if your one of those graphics sux type of people. ~ Pilot

[Pilot]

One word. Enhanced... Pirates that make you run for it. Umm... If any tries my temp online game I would advise against not having flares, I just remember Pirates might equip Devs in that version of Enhanced...

[Captain Zedo]

I think the game's charm is that it has something for everyone. I seem to find something new about the game almost every time I play. It was really well thought out and way ahead of its time.

[flap]

Well thought out, that's for sure.
Ahead of its time, I don't know : it would suggest that what is modern is always better... I would rather say that it took the best of its time : instead of a huge MMO, the world is small enough so we have a real impact on it, and can know every pirate by their surname. Technological limits, such as fog, are used for atmosphere...
No, it is a real game from the 20 century, and that's why it is good.

[Pilot]

You have a point flap, everything in the game was limited, but they used those limits brilliantly. What is before its time? The Economics.

Over all I doubt we could list ten games that have such an advanced economic system. Freelancer? No, one single player let alone one group of players can not monopolize the whole economy, let alone does it have the depth level of X+Y=Z, A+B=C, etc. each planet makes X or Y and not trading will change that.

Can you think of another game that you the player can control what will be made and when by trade runs, or piracy to prevent it as well?

[ouch]

well to a limited extent the X-BTF series by egosoft. in the newer ones there is this Script called "God". God removes stations that are not turning a profit. and tries to build stations that fill holes in the economy.

The player can use this though. You can overstock an item driving down prices. The AI stations can't make a profit and get destroyed leaving only the players stations, and a monopoly of the entire area.

if you are within 3 sectors of a station you can stop it from getting supplies by deploying mines, or shooting the trade ships yourself. if you go past 3 sectors the game just gives the station random stocks though. (thier is no trade ship flight simulation)

and of course you can supply items to make items. (you kinda have to to get some rarer stuff)

[Pilot]

The X3 series? I like the game, but haven't played it much, it seems so MASSIVE. I miss small game worlds. If a Hardwar esque game was to be made I don't think it could have space travel and if it did, it would need to keep the player trapped in one solar system. Might even be able to tie that story line into Freespace...