Other space games? Anything like "The Expanse"?

[Bandy]

Just curious what others may have played, and whether they stumbled on any games like the series "The Expanse"? Something near-future rather than a far-flung galaxy with abundant aliens... Don't get me wrong, love NMS.

I've seen the BGS leaks of Starfield screenshots, and sure, waaay too much hype for so little, but might be near-future based on the look of the tech. Thoughts?

If you are not familiar, The Expanse is a fabulous production and you've missed an epic experience. Season 5 due in Dec 2020 https://www.ign.com/articles/the-expanse-season-5-official-trailer-and-release-date-announcement

[Citronvand]

Yes, a very old RPG based on Dungeons & Dragons called Buck Rogers Countdown to Doomsday. It takes place in the Buck Rogers XXVC setting. Like the Expanse it is in the near future and only takes place in our solar system. I don't think there are aliens, but there are humans that have been genetically engineered to suit different habitats (Venus, Mars e.t.c.) which in turn changed their appearence to be more alien-like.

But like I said it is very old, the original PC (DOS) version didn't even have music and sound consisted of computer noise. Best bet is to play the Megadrive / Genesis version which added sound, music and improved the graphics. That said, the music and graphics isn't great. The lore and gameplay however is top notch. It is in fact my all time favorite Sci-Fi RPG. You will eventually gain a ship on your own which you can fly around in (in our solar system) and can partake in ship-to-ship battles, even board enemy ships with your party which is essentially a 6 man Sci-Fi D&D party.

Here's the setting and lore:

The setting of XXVC is a possible future of the real universe that we live in. In the year 1999, the Soviet Union and the United States are involved in the "Last Gasp War." This is the world's first nuclear war.

This war causes many governments of Earth to abandon conventional warfare and embrace large alliances. Three of these alliances that grow to be superpowers are the Russo-American Mercantile ("RAM"), the Indo-Asian Consortium ("IAC"), and the Euro-Bloc Faction ("EBF"). In the latter half of the 21st century, these three alliances jointly form the System States Alliance ("SSA") for the purposes of exploring and colonizing the solar system. Slowly, the SSA begins to terraform the inner planets. Mars is colonized by RAM, Luna is colonized by EBF, and Venus is controlled by IAC.

The main method of interplanetary travel from this time onward is the rocket ship. These vessels use fusion reactions to power the ship throughout its entire voyage. Rocket ships usually can range from 5 to 500 tons.

In the year 2275, RAM revolts against Earth and gains independence. Furthermore, because of Earth's dependence on the other planets for resources, RAM begins to dominate Earth. In 2310, refugees from Earth begin to colonize Mercury. In the next century, the asteroid belt and Jupiter begin to be settled. Human DNA is modified with genes from various animals, resulting in genetically modified humans commonly known as "gennies." These play a role in the settlement of Venus, Mars, Jupiter and also of many asteroids and moons.

In the first half of the 25th century, certain Terrans (inhabitants of Earth) form the New Earth Organization ("NEO"). This society plans to rebel against the rule of RAM and restore Earth to its former glory. After the revival of Buck Rogers, NEO is strengthened by alliances with other governments and space pirates. NEO is able to repel the occupation by RAM and fend off the ensuing large-scale attack by RAM.

Most of the XXVC material takes place in the time from 2430 until 2460.

Mercury was colonized by refugees from Earth after the revolt of RAM. There are three main groups of people on Mercury. The "Sun Kings" build giant mariposas to harvest light from the Sun. They then resell this energy to other planets and deliver the energy by RF beams. Miners occupy underground warrens where they excavate metals from the planet. Others occupy "track cities," large vehicles that travel the surface of the planet and stay precisely on the terminator to keep the temperature bearable.

Venus was settled early on by the IAC. There are a few factions of Venusians on the planet. Its dominant faction, the Ishtarians, is of Asian descent and formed a religious society. The people of Aphrodite are organised in merchant clans. Both live on major plateaus rising above the planet's surface, where regular human life is impossible due to environmental extremes and acid rains. This is where the Lowlanders dwell, humanoids with reptilian features. For a major portion of its history, Venus had a peace treaty with Mars. This was a major reason that RAM was able to conquer Earth.

Earth is populated by the Terrans, or natives of Earth. The condition of Earth is very bad compared to the other inner planets. Due to centuries of exploitation by RAM, many natural resources are spent, cities are demolished, and hopes are crushed. Advanced technology is confined to independent arcologies, but also several communities try to reestablish a more civilized order as well - the so-called "orgs" like Los Angelorg, Chicagorg, etc. In orbit around Earth are many satellites, especially at the Lagrange points of Luna's orbit; these L-5 colonies are teeming slums.

Luna, or Earth's moon, was settled by the EBF. They deal extensively with interplanetary banking and trade. The Lunarians are staunchly neutral. They defend this position with large mass drivers mounted on the surface of the moon.

Mars was settled by RAM as the first colonization of another planet by humans. Mars is a center of trade and industry for the entire solar system. RAM has such tight control over the workings of the planet that the names "RAM" and "Mars" are used almost interchangeably. RAM wields power throughout the whole solar system, as demonstrated by their financial investments, military presence, and political clout on almost all the other planets and bodies.
The Asteroid Belt is a loosely organized collection of settlements. Their inhabitants are commonly known as "Belters." The belt contains space ports and cities that deal in mining, trade, and certain illegal business. The asteroid belt is the home of the Black Brotherhood.

Jupiter is already a remote location in the outer solar system. Since it is a gas giant, it is unable to be terraformed by existing methods. A race of extremely genetically modified humanoids, the Stormriders, inhabit its outer atmosphere in floating cities. The large number of Jovian moons make it a good site for industry, crime, and secret bases of all sorts.
Saturn is similar to Jupiter in all respects, except that its outer atmosphere is uninhabited. All activity in the Saturnian system is focused on its moons, and also somewhat on the rings.

Uranus hosts a remote outpost.

Pluto and Charon are uninhabited in the conventional sense. Existing there, however, is a colony of nanotechnical organisms evolved from an early Earth-based experiment. These organisms eventually invade the inner planets but are stopped through cooperation of the normally opposed forces of the inner planets.

The Russo-American Mercantile, or "RAM", occupies Mars, and is the largest superpower in the solar system. In the 25th century, RAM is headed by Simund Holzerhein, a very wealthy Martian who was rich enough to afford the process of downloading his consciousness into a computer, turning him into a "digital personality." From within the central computers of RAM, Holzerhein can rule with the benefits of the information around him. Those within RAM are either born into a high position or have worked up from the bottom to no higher than middle management. Though most RAM employees consider themselves to be good, much of the solar system considers the organization to be corrupt and evil. Notable members of RAM are the above-mentioned Simund Holzerhein, his niece Ardala Valmar, and 'Killer' Kane.

The New Earth Organization, or "NEO", seeks to rebuild Earth and return order and prosperity to it. Until it was conquered by RAM, Earth was the dominant planet in the solar system. It is this former glory that drives NEO. Most NEO members use nicknames recalling the former glory of Earth, such as Beowulf or Washington. NEO uses as its headquarters a secret base, Salvation III Station. Salvation is hidden inside a junkyard satellite in a Lagrange point in orbit around Earth. Some notable members of NEO are Buck Rogers, Beowulf (the leader of NEO), Wilma Deering, Elias Huer, now an AI called HuerDOS (cf. McCoy Pauley from Neuromancer), and Carlton Turabian (who runs Salvation Station).

The Black Brotherhood is a band of space pirates that raids vessels throughout the solar system. They call the asteroid belt their home. During the 25th century, Black Barney is the Brotherhood's leader.

[Daigoji Gai]

Terminus by Vicarious Visions. You can find a copy on Amazon. I just purchased a new copy myself.

It is literally The Expanse before The Expanse was even conceived. Earth vs. Mars. Newtonian physics. Epic space battles ala Battlestar Galactica/Expanse at it's finest.

Highly recommended. If you get into it, add me. I just reinstalled it and it has multiplayer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4MLwgcgjfg


You're welcome.

[Daigoji Gai]

I would also recommend the Independence War games. You're controlling a small capital ship but it is amazing. Newtonian physics, great storyline. Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos is far superior, but recommend playing I-War 1 because the sequel's story really benefits from going through the events of the first game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVCNKEY8ojw

[Bandy]

Great replies! Much to follow up, S!
Hopefully the next theatrical release of Dune will bring something RPG-like, but that would be years away I guess, unless somebody is keeping a good secret.

[Eekhoorn]

To me the best space game "ever" is Kerbal Space Program. Don't think anything will top that anytime soon.

[Bandy]

I see the interest, fun, and challenge in KSP but not so much RPG and story, unless I missed something...

[Zloth]

The only near future, space RPG I can think of is the last parts of Ultima 2 where you fly off to various planets of the solar system, but I don't think you want to get that old school.

To get a little away and include games with stories (but not quite RPGs)...

https://store.steampowered.com/app/12330/Darkstar_One/
MUCH more shooter than any other game here. I'm pretty sure it has a story but it's clearly forgettable - because I've forgotten it completely.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/753640/Outer_Wilds/
Fun little game. You'll be unearthing the story as you figure out what is going on in this crazy little solar system and trying to figure out how to keep it from blowing itself up.


https://store.steampowered.com/app/2820/X3_Terran_Conflict/
This X game actually has quite a bit of story but it's spread out over a HUGE game about building a galactic empire. The next game in the series, X:Rebirth, puts its story together more but you *need* to mod the game to make it fun. The latest game is X4:Foundations but it's story elements (as I understand it) are only starting to get in. I would still point at X3:TC as the game to get but I do expect that to change over the next year to X4.

The king of stories in space right now is, of course, the Mass Effect series. There's Anachronox, too, for some old school gaming.

[Mr. Bufferlow]

Mars: War Logs has a similar feel...but it get insane hard (IMO) after your do the tutorial. Worth it if you pick up on sale.

[Minnie]

This is the game you are looking for, absolute blast both gamepley and story highly recomand :
https://store.steampowered.com/app/6420/Nexus__The_Jupiter_Incident/

[Jalore]

I'm a bit fan of star point gemini. was replaying origins, 2 and warlords. because star point gemini 3 is about to exit early access.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/977720/Starpoint_Gemini_3/

[Bandy]

Thank you all for replies. Some of those games are already on my wishlist (Mars War Logs, Outer Wilds) and others never heard of till now. In reply to one comment, I am not afraid of old school, I enjoy modding old games to 'refresh' their appearance and make them my own.

Speaking of old school, have been lurking on the The Percursors forum (best get it on GOG apparently) but now we are well away from a near-future game in the Sol system... :)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/547930/Precursors/

[Eekhoorn]

Originally posted by Bandy:

I see the interest, fun, and challenge in KSP but not so much RPG and story, unless I missed something...

There is a 'story' though... you can find bits and pieces by reading science reports. And you can level up your pilots...

But nah, it's not a story driven RPG space game. Far from it.

But if you love (like?) space, it's worth a try... it really is.

[-shhfiftyfive]

it saddens me to say that i believe The Expanse has taken the soap opera route,

after hooking people with the amazing spaceship battles and awesome action packed episodes... it had early in season 1-2.

since then its all about the characters talking, being places and talking. more talking, some new and old characters doing some new talking, and doing nothing for most of a season,

not fulfilling. not much sci fi, not much action, and almost zero ship fights.

basically The Walking Dead formula.

[Bandy]

Originally posted by -shhfiftyfive:

it saddens me to say that i believe The Expanse has taken the soap opera route...

My son and I have been watching Expanse right from the beginning. Sadly I have not read the books, yet, but the 8 book series arrives Friday. If the show is following the books, then that is where the author took the story line, and would not necessarily jump to some conclusions RE: a formula being followed. But others who have read the books can correct me.

Besides, nothing wrong with character development, it's really what made the show in the first place besides some really, really cool sci-fi.

[BladeofSharpness]

You want a near future game, somehow realistic? here is my contribution:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1176470/Terra_Invicta/