Simple bottom line, I found it kinda boring. It's repetitive. The quests are kinda ho hum. I didn't see a whole lot of items to collect or things to do. So I feel as though if you're like me you'll find less of a reason to play this as the time goes by.
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.
If you ever wanted to play something like E.V.E or Elite: Dangerous, but too turned off by their complexion, you have Rebel Galaxy to turn to. This single player sci-fi space adventure brings together some of the things that made E.V.E and Elite great, such as the life of a trader, smuggler, bounty hunter, mercenary, miner, AND pirate! All of that, albeit in a much more simplified form in a much smaller universe.
First off, i need to say this a rather polished looking game, FPS stayed at 60 at max settings 95% of the time on a 7870, with the explosions, ships, characters, and canon fire looking sharp and beautiful. The sound is amazing as well, the voice acting is very convincing, especially the alien languages. The ship sounds and canon fire punch are very satisfying while you're rocking out to some southern rock.
As mentioned earlier, a lot of what made up Elite Dangerous and E.V.E can be found in here. Though you'll be hard pressed to find any real depth to the various paths you choose to complete this game with. But that's OK, because Rebel Galaxy feels like it was made for those who can't spend hours with spreadsheets and grinding missions or minerals. Did i mention theirs no need for online connectivity!?
The real downsides to this game however, is the 2 dimensional flying and combat mechanics, and the outrageously tedious missions. The Combat is solid, if you ever played Assassins creed 3 or black flag, take that exact ship combat and you get this game! However that took place on the sea, you're in space here, locked on the x axis, taking laser fire and bumping into other ships and asteroids... The amount of grinding here, was a little more than i would have liked for a single player game, after 5 hours of doing the same quests over and over, finally got my first ship upgrade. Very, VERY, little variety in missions, it's always save this trader, retrieve this cargo, kill this person. Bleh.
Overall, could be better, but still, $20 well spent,
My 1st review here on GoG, but I've posted around 100 on Steam already...
I haven't played the game for very long (yet), but let me start by saying that this game is a cheap rip-off of Elite: Dangerous. You own a ship *cough* derelict piece of junk *cough* that your aunt has given to you because she needs your help and you start just outside a spacestation. Some weird looking alien contacts you and invites you to come on board because he has information on the whereabouts of your aunt...
This alien gives you a couple of missions to upgrade your ship (even a paint job is an upgrade for that thing...) and (from the looks of it) you're let loose to explore the (pretty small) galaxy on your own.
Sooo, the parts of Elite: Dangerous that are familiar in this game..? Almost EVERYTHING! On the station you have the same options as in Elite: Dangerous - bulletinboard to get side missions, but & sell goods, upgrade your ship's gear or even buy a new one. Okay, it's a space game so these should be here, right..? Perhaps, but the moment I looked through the options on the space station I immediately had that Elite: Dangerous feeling....
Still, I think this game deserves a 4-star rating... It's been developed by a 2-man indie team, while you wouldn't tell it was. Okay, they've hired a lot of artists for graphics, music and voice-overs, but the coding, art/music selection and game's plot come from the developers. And I gotta say that they did a good job on it!
The game is looking stunning, the sound tack immediately reminded me on FireFly (think that's on purpose) and the freedom I had on my first few missions on how to handle them was just awesome!
There is one big point I have to mention though... Space is 3D and not 2D as this game shows it. You basically fly your ship on a 2D map, which I think is the only real let down of this game...
Pros:
- Voices are very great
- Nice graphics
- Nice optimisation (60fps on 2k res with my macbook pro 13")
- I like the battle system
Cons:
- You can't move on the vertical axis. We're in space :/
- Missions are repetitive