Rebel Galaxy Outlaw

i have played this, just not here on GOG yet... this game is better and worse than the first one (rebel galaxy) as a prequel they have actually done a really good job at taking the in-game technology backwards a bit so that it fits better overall with the rebel galaxy universe (game series) making things look a little more dated... this attention to detail helps maintain a proper sense of balance for this being a prequel (basically) to rebel galaxy... pros: - updated interactivity of videos for movements through the stations and conversations for a more realistic sense of being in those areas - space combat for a fighter style game making full use of 3D space - updated graphics while still keeping some of the stylized look - same map setup - attention to detail in being a prequel cons: - auto-tracking is annoying at best and impossible at worse since it makes the mouse jump around making it impossible to properly aim most of the time - textures have lost almost too much of the original stylization - controls can be wonky (for lack of a better term) or redundant with use of keyboard and mouse - still have the unneeded unity start box before running program - map needs to be updated to reflect a space environment (3D map space to show proper orbits etc.) - start menu is clunky since it takes up too much space that you cannot see all of the options - keeps too many of the old controls/setup alongside the new, while they kind of work together they can be at odds when navigating, and reduction in use of mouse controls or too much relying on keyboard only for many commands and navigation of menus in-game - most stations are devoid of life, most obvious in the casino - limit of fighter ships or ships in general

Steam reviews are inundated with people complaining about how this isn't a space sim. It's not, it was never marketed as such and was intentionally designed not to be. Where Elite Dangerous spends more time sitting in sub space focusing more on shooting rocks at a sluggish pace and checking menus, this is more DOOM meets Burnout or Twisted Metal. Even the starting garbage ship in RGO is twice as nimble as the top end fighters in ED, and along the yaw axis it's literally 100x more nimble. This game was designed for dog fights in space, using ludicrous speed, high power weapons, and obscene amounts of enemies. I haven't played Privateer or Freelancer, but it has more in common with Freespace than ED or SC. I think the only reason it has mining/trading is because they already had a system set up from the first game. It's far more focused on getting jobs, leave station, jump straight to fight, move on. This game doesn't waste your time. It does have issues though. Primarily, it desperately needs more keybinds. You can only target the nearest enemy, or cycle through everything within range. You can pick up cargo, but you don't have any way to lock on to it. There's starting missions where you have to clear out minefields, but you can't lock on to them. In larger battles, good luck trying to lock on to something shooting you. There's a targeting mode pulled from the first game, but it's very clunky to constantly have to use it, and I'm using a joystick. It doesn't work well. There's only 4 stages of forward thrust in 25% increments. This sucks. This leads to an over reliance for me on using auto-tracking simply because it matches the targets speed. Throttle up is also assigned to warp jumping and tractor beam, which means mid combat you can pick up illegal cargo the cops will immediately scan for after battle and open fire.

To say Rebel Galaxy Outlaw is inspired by Privateer is an understatement. If anything, it feels like a more modern, highly polished version of the classic from yore. It's got slicker controls, more ships you can fly, more varied missions, a motley crew of wingmen you can unlock, each with their own ship and banter, a chunky assortment of guns, turrets, missiles and upgrades you can cram into your ride, a nifty storyline, great voice action (particularly if you considere it's basically just 2 people doing those), the twangiest dark country soundtrack this side of the New Dallas Sector, and an incredibly nifty paint tool to customize your ride. As far as those rides go, it's Privateer all the way down - you fly what can best be described as oversized fighters and small cargo haulers, and dogfighting is the name of the game. No, it's totally unlike the original Rebel Galaxy. No broadsides, no deflectors, and far less auto-aiming turrets, instead you get to twiddle with energy management, gun firing patterns, various types of missile locks, shield and armor facings - yep, it's bloody Privateer. A happy middle ground between Elite Dangerous and No Man's Sky in terms of dogfighting (and yes, the inertia dampeners can be disabled). You read it here, you heard it from Travis, the Dev, you can check the reviews from back 2019: IT'S TOTALLY UNLIKE THE ORIGINAL REBEL GALAXY. At the same time, it's also more fun than a barrel of Greel Whiskey. For the faint of hear and the folks in my age group, there's the nifty auto pursuit button, which helps a lot with motion sickness and shaky old gamer hands. For you young whippersnappers, there's 2 extra hard modes. And for shit and giggles, there's also a lovely pool billard game, dice poker and asteroids arcade machines which you can play for fun, money, the occasional ship upgrade, a secret quest and a slightly psychotic wingman. Definitely worth the asking price. Totally worth double that if you liked Privateer. Get it!

It doesn't have the absolute best story, but it isn't horrible. This is a game for those who just want to go back to having something like what Privateer was long ago. Something that is rare. Now... admittedly you do need to do a little old style side mission grinding or trading in order to get a ship worthy to take on some of the main story you get to. But isn't that the point of this type of game? Just play the game for running missions and making money and then go through the main story. So yes you need to do some grinding to get to where you can take on tougher things. And yes the main loop of gameplay is a simple mission run or trading style. The missions are nothing special... but it's pretty fun gameplay. Be sure to make use of the side characters you get who you can call to fly with you. It makes missions doable and Richter is my hero. Also half the reason to play a Rebel Galaxy game is the music... and this one is no exception. And seriously... I'm in love with Richter.