Rebel Galaxy

Pros: The eye candy and fx still hold up for an older game. More importantly, the story and semi open-world feel is quite good. And the music definitely sets the tone for a Firefly feel. Wait for a sale as it happens quite often. Oh and it is not 3D space combat rather 2D. But I don't think that detracts from the game. Cons: It's not 3D space. For some space simmers this is a no-go. I do find frequently the combat has an insane scaling. Pirates are EVERYWHERE. Basic tips when starting out: 1. Don't leave systems early. 2.Get upgrades: Engines to run away, Cargo expanders to carry more stuff, secondaries to intercept missiles. 3.Do missions that avoid combat (pick up, cargo delivery) 4.Run away. A lot. The better engines for this are the ones that have a long boosting time. 5.You can steer and avoid red dots (hostiles) also in warp Anyway I still play this now and then. And there is also a semi-sequel (Rebel Galaxy Outlaw) that is a more rpg-style and many changes/enhancements if that is up your alley.

Had it a long time ago, and to this day I still enjoy it. Now my kids will get to play it too!

As my review is titled I found this game to be almost a clone or Dark Star One but better in every way. Lets begin the comparison and review. First the game is based on static space stations. In these stations you have text places you can go to. First is your Equipment, these are rated by level and specific to each group. The items to your ship can be upgraded. (assume like DS1 unless stated otherwise.) Hint. Turrets are key and broad sides are fun but stink in comparison. Upgrades in stations from a faction will be the same in a system. Thus all civilian (pirate or neutral) bases sell the same space ship stuff. To go to them you must be neutral. Each faction has different stuff and ships. The next tab. You will accidentally click this. You can buy ships here and you get credit from your current vessel on your next. Thus you can go up or down in size and lose nothing. So play around (this is different from (DS1). Then you have a bar you get news and bounties from and mercenaries. Then you have missions and market. The trick in the game is to know trading makes money but buy about 50% below market as you will not sell over the system average much. So the key is items with huge discrepancies and hoping at first. The missions are you you build support and friendship. Choose who you like. Diablo gives you pirate ships and lots of ports. Space cops give you big guns. You can also join mercenaries and traders guilds (do this fast). This is the backbone of the game. Are you a cop or a robber. Then get your mystery alien tech and it helps you to battle the giant evil. Space battle is great. your kitted out ship vs and armada. As stated previously turrets are best because they auto target and hurt more. Recall money from trading is great. Missions money is sad. Mining is time intensive. If you want better stuff go to the next system and buy it.

Overall: 7/10 Fun game, keeps you busy for a bit, but definitely needs improving mid to late game. The game is just "deep enough" to keep you interested to see the story's end. Pros: Great game start, great music, good graphics, good little story, always something to do. Who knew space could be so busy?! :) Ships and equipment variety is nice, and do alter a bit the gameplay. Mission options vary enough so that you can easily switch as soon as you become bored of their individual type repetitive nature. Cons: Trade becomes mid-game an inefficient way to make money and you will have to join the trader's guild to get high value trade runs and make any money out of it. Visiting space bases quickly becomes irrelevant other than to shop or repair or mission related. Combat also becomes simple mid-game, and half of the weapons seem inefficient. Pulse laser turrets are much better overall than the dedicated turrets, even with setting the AI to only shoot at specific targets. You can't really tell if the flak secondaries do anything, and the dumb missiles do to little DPS even after armor is down. (would be nice to have them lunch as torpedoes and be devastating as the description says). Secondary weapons emplacements are always lateral, which is just like the broadsides, this makes it hard to target since they are not manually targeted. Enemy encounters become simple, either you farmed missions and have good defenses so that you can stay there and pound anything, or you'll get overrun and shot down in a few salvos. There a few little bugs but nothing critical, like: escort missions are really annoying, the other ships keep missing the track and sometime even double back to regain their proper initial path.

Unlike most of the recent space sim/shooty games out there which seem to be very complex and practically require a master's degree to get in to, this game is just good, simple fun. It is not hugely deep, you do the same sorts of thing over and over (fly to point A, kill enemy B, grab object C, etc) but you have a lot of fun doing it. The controls are great and the barrier for entry is really low. You can just start playing with little to no trouble. This is also aided by the naval style broadside combat and the restriction of the game to a 2D plane. It doesn't require the reflexes or timing of many more traditional shooter based games. Navigation is simple, combat is pretty simple, etc. I highly recommend getting this, I don't think you'll be sorry. It is extremely satisfying to play.