See topic subject.

I tried X-2 and X-3 back then, the latter also with the addons, but I couldn't get into these game. Too tidious, as everything takes a serious amount of time; too overloaded, as in controls and interface. When I think about Privateer 2 or Freespace, those games were fun, but X games weren't particual enjoyable for me. But I don't blame them and I don't say that they are bad games, just not my type, as it seems.

However, as it seems that X Rebirth got a lot of backlash, especially from prior X games fans, it might be something for me then? Is X Rebirth more accessible and simpler than its predecessors? Is there a storyline you can follow and complete, or is it just 'do your thing' (until you lose joy and stop playing)?

I doubt it was moved enough in the direction you are looking for.

Rebirth got a lot of backlash for a number of reasons—most notably it really wasn't done when it as first released. The changes that came with 4.0 made the game much more playable, and some people really took to it... but you're right, most X2/X3 fans still didn't care for it.

While the UI was certainly streamlined (some would say dumbed down), that tedium was replaced with a new crew system that I found even more tedious to manage. And, in my opinion, the addition of the in-sector highways just complicated the travel mechanics. Then, of course, there are the station walks... which really feel like a walking simulator where you attempt to communicate with lifeless mannequins.

But, if you can get past that stuff, there actually is a decent space game under all that. While I think everyone missed being able to manually pilot every ship in the game, the single ship does make it easier to focus on learning to fly well and, if you so choose, to follow the plot line. Rebirth certainly starts you off with a lot more hand-holding than previous games did, and your flight companion tells you where to go to get the story rolling. So yeah, there is a bit more of a story if that's what you're looking for.

Battle-wise, the changes kinda remind me of playing Wing Commander 3, where you need to focus more on taking out individual parts of enemy craft—shield generators, turrets, etc.—instead of just focusing on bypassing shields and causing hull damage. So if you're into dog-fighting and hammering away at cap ships you might have that going for you.

But it doesn't really have that Privateer feeling to me. Most space docks are effectively the same, and most of the people you "meet" in them have no dialog to speak of, and it's still definitely an X game at heart. It's about being out in space. If you like manually building factories and trade empires or you like playing the pirate role and hijacking every craft you come across to build your own war fleet then the X games will appeal to you. If not, well Rebirth isn't significantly different in that regard.

That doesn't sound like it's my type of game. I think I'll skip it then for now. Thanks for the responses!