Elite Dangerous

[h1]Short summary[/h1] I only just ported it onto Steam to write this review. For the average gamer who wants to spend time learning, travel about whilst consulting online resources, I'd probably recommend this as its at least v. good value for the price. When you start out, you have allot of freedom. As you progress over time though you may find things repetitive. Multiplayer can make it more interesting (esp with friends). Theyve introduced an update "Operations" which focuses on this. You you can play solo and flip between the two which is good. If you like what you first see, I'd recommend the Odyssey pack which allows you to walk about (inc on planets) and interact at more of a FPS level. Its a game that has allot of breadth but Id caution it still lacks depth. Over the recent years the developer focus has been on introducing new kitted out ships (cost apx £7-£25 via Frontiers ARX) which can also help you start with less grind. If you do chose to get this game you need the online guides, forums / youtube etc and consulting 3rd party online databases which will save you allot of time grinding using the wrong ship, place, activity, stategy etc. [h2]Reviewer background[/h2] Ive had the full version of the "Dangerous" game for apx 8 years. Ive been playing Elite off and on since the 80s and through to later versions in the 90s. This game is obviously allot different to those now! [h2]The positives[/h2] [b]Scale[/b] - you can go across the galaxy with a 1:1 scale which is pretty awesome. The planets also move in orbits, but dont collide properly. Yet. [b]Graphics[/b] - Overall good and v. good in VR (but you'll need a v. high end PC for this). It can be really immersive flying about. Note VR isn't properly integrated on foot but there are workarounds for basic headgear. Note also driving over craters etc in VR aint fun if you remotely suffer from motion sickness. [b]Exploration variety[/b] - You can land on a planet (still only non atmospheric permitting atm), walk about, drive about and find new stuff. Really nice. [b]Task / role variety[/b] - You can be an explorer, bounty hunter, trader, transporter, contractor, thief, miner, do special ops etc. [b]Scope[/b] - Although there is no real goal (in the old game it was to attain "Elite" status) you can go about doing almost whatever you want. [b]Cost[/b] - Overall as a modern game I'd say its pretty cheap considering. [b]Multiplayer[/b] - Theres obviously some tradeoffs to all this but its pretty good if youre into it and the developers are continuing making this aspect better. [h2]The negatives[/h2] [b]Grind[/b] - It can be a grind at times long hauling whatever, building your way up. If you want to build settlements / space stations later on you'll also need to enjoy some basic aspects of project management. Note you cant properly outsource / contract (atm, but there are some NPC nuances). If you have a team to multiplay with though its fine and can be more fun. [b]Griefers[/b] - In Open (online) play when you have your ship kitted out for doing job x, others just tuned for taking you out can find it allot more fun. Sometimes its part of the game (as PvP), other times the rules just make it v. unfair. Frontier have made some steps to kerb some of this but its just to flag. Play Solo if its a real issue. You can jump between the two. [b]The politics / game rules[/b] - Theres lots of different factions etc, but strangely the overall rules for visiting each faction feel much the same (imo) accept for maybe Anarchy. Also getting and paying fines, death penalty reasons and some of the notoriety rules can still be really stupid (imo) and strangely still v. similar across factions. [b]The rank treadmill[/b] - You start off in a novice rank, and that reflects the NPC environment that you start out in. i.e. they are low in numbers and not that capable (if they were to defend / attack you). As you increase your promotion levels etc, you'll find the NPCs just get armed up more etc. So the game is always somewhat relative / linear. You just advance in your ship etc. The only benefit in escalating your rank is being able to take on missions that can be more lucrative etc. [b]Not so much depth[/b] - Unlike other reviews - I think its a bit gamey and simplistic. Smaller ships turn quicker and are faster than the bigger ones in space (a bit strange). Yet the ships also all "feel" the same. The engine "boost" on every ship has the same time span, their energy management is all the same. The sound effects are all the same on every ship. Landing on planets is the same (irrespective of gravity). When they fly in slight atmospheres, they all still fly the same and can all enter the planet at the same safe angle window. The cockpit layout on every ship is pretty much the same. I get the Cobra should be the layout it is (its the same from the 80s which I think is brill!) but not every other ship today should be copying that too. [i]If you play DCS and fly different planes / helis you'll know what I mean about having perceived realism through variety[/i]. Even when you go to different stations owned by different factions across the corners of the galaxy, they too are all still much the same inside. Along with the similar faction laws / penalties across the galaxy and "dumb" NPCs, it just feels like Frontier have gone for scale (breadth) and not that unique, yet more dynamic detail (depth). Its a trade off, where the planetary scale is what saves this game. [h2]Other[/h2] [b]New ships[/b] - I get that Frontier need revenue by putting ships on sale only through ARX, at least to begin with. However everyone knows there will be another even better ship around the corner in prob another 6 months or so! [b]Exploring the solar systems[/b] - The ship features (scanner, probes) here are a bit numpty but its really good that they have at least introduced them. Coupled with the planetary scale that this game already has, these features make for allot of potential. [b]Comparing some aspects to the older Elite games[/b]: Theres no energy bomb (boo!). The proper use / invoking of escape capsule has gone unfortunately, but escape capsules are available for "capture" but not in the same way. Interdiction / breaking out of hyperspace is now upgraded but this current version is still a bit gamey. Silent Running (invoking stealth but losing shields and overheating) and Flight Assist are new good ideas, but are not applied well in their concept of play and use. Ok its a space fantasy game - but (imo) there are missed opportunities here in not just making the game more immersive / potentially real but also [u]fun[/u]. Thargoids are not as much fun and Frontier have ruined witch space (imo). If you dont know the old game - dont worry, it is what it is now. However - The introduction of the Guardians and basic life forms is good and shows promise. So overall I'd still say its good (despite the drawbacks). Personally Ive played it allot over the years but I dont play it much now. If they make some changes that would suit more my preferences (some touched on here) I would still come back, but thats not the point of this review. I'd also check out X4, Starfiled and poss Star Citizen too. I havent got those games so I cant compare, but they appear to have a similar genre and may also be worth a look. Oh some have mentioned how difficult landing is. Its not really unless you use silent running, or you happen to have the mother in law around to visit at the same time.. If you are still struggling to land you can always buy a docking computer when you've earnt a few credits so its really no big deal (imo). I'd say the game is actually easier than some make it out to be, but you need patience.

good game i love it!

good gameplay.

The space game everyone wishes they could be.

nuclear sidewinder vs coughing thargoid titan

it's pretty ok :3 tbh it's also a bit niche. I have a soft spot for old flight sims thanks to a family member and this game definitely shares it's DNA with flight sims but with some more space oriented things added in. I spend most of my time mining but the entire galaxy is this big procedural scale model of ours with quite a lot of goings on in the back ground. I'm usually laser or core mining, some times dog fighting pirates in mining sites when I find them. and tbh, it feels way more rewarding than I'd have expected. mining as a loop (especially seismic/core mining) has a few more moving pieces than I was originally prepared for, making finding and cashing in materials quite the emotional pay off. and dog fights in this game are rather intense, even as a novice the constant fight for positioning, balancing weapons, shields and even taking damage make the whole experience feel extremely tense but also extremely rewarding. I once heard someone say that this game has a rather diverse player base and honestly fair. a lot of the reviews listed are by older fellas, some of whom remember the original 1984 game and the BBC micro, there's plenty of VR enthusiasts and I myself am just some Trans lady out here in Texas who just really likes space. this game isn't going to be everyone's jam, but if it's yours, you'll know it :3

The best space simulator. Period. Since the game is based on a real map of the galaxy it gives you the feeling of being totally in the future. My recommendation is - make your own button mappings as you get to know what is your play style. Also - try it with the VR headset - awesome experience of cruising through the solar systems or exploring the abandoned moons.

i dont know what im doing