Any other games come close to the 'combat feel' of this game?

[Fastidieux.]

I thought this game was amazing and played it relentlessly. Finding it quite the task to find games in the genre that aren't total ass, this is like the first space combat game since star wars on n64 i've thoroughly enjoyed.

Elite Dangerous seems to slow paced, Star Citizen seems...awful atm?

Everspace was just ok, and barely passable.

X3 was pretty meh, not my cup o tea, the continuations have only gotten worse (it seems)

I tried Rebel Galaxy Outlaw and didn't enjoy it at all, which was a huge disappointment. Haven't tried the first one, and probably wont now. Admittedly i was inebriated and the same VO actor for basically everything was throwing me for a loop and so offputting i had to quit, horrible design choice.

Currently looking into Starpoint 2, played it for a tiny bit, but not much, has my interest piqued.


I haven't tried many games in the genre, and i've been disappointed all but once when i have, with House of the Dying Sun.

Can this short-ass game really be the best space combat game out there? Please let me know if you think anything comes close.

[PlutonArioch]

You could try the pretty old but still good Freespace 2, as well as some mods for that game.

Then there is Diaspora: Shattered Armistice (Battlestar Galactica themed) which is based on Freespace 2 but completely standalone and free: http://diaspora.hard-light.net/downloads.html

I would also recommend looking into the Starwraith 3d games ( https://starwraith.com/ ) which you can try as shareware. The newest, and in my opinion best of those games is Evochron Legacy, but if Elite is too slow paced for you then Arvoch Alliance might be more up your alley.

X3TC is still the best X game. X4 got better than Rebirth, but has lost a lot of things from X3TC. It might actually be more your cup of tea, since its faster paced, but I would not recommend buying it without a lot of research beforehand.

Unfortunately the Space sim genre is still very much a niche, and there are just not many options to choose from.

[constantcompile]

I'm surprised to hear you say Everspace was barely passable, I actually feel it's significantly superior to HotDS.

There are four different ships to use, far more variety in sectors, and the enemy AI is no slouch.

How far did you get in it? It takes a while for the rhythm of the game to really "click," especially when you don't yet know which resources can be ignored.

[Fastidieux.]

Originally posted by constantcompile:

I'm surprised to hear you say Everspace was barely passable, I actually feel it's significantly superior to HotDS.

There are four different ships to use, far more variety in sectors, and the enemy AI is no slouch.

How far did you get in it? It takes a while for the rhythm of the game to really "click," especially when you don't yet know which resources can be ignored.

It is superior in a bunch of ways, however combat was not one of them, i often just found myself strafing around a lot and i kindof felt like i was on rails. Usually the best course of action in many situations was to strafe, and i had also messed around with the controls extensively.

I beat the first run after a few tries (after spending awhile with controls), and ill come back to it eventually. The rogue-like stuff and the upgrades make it more of a 'complete' game than HotDS, and all that stuff is pretty great.

HotDS feels great to play imo, Everspace is like a set above a mobile game, every other space combat game i've played is basically unplayable when it comes to space combat.

[constantcompile]

"i kindof felt like i was on rails."

As opposed to HotDS, which is totally open-ended...?

It sounds like your main complaint about Everspace is that strafing is a thing. In which case, your question should be rephrased as "Which other space combat games don't have strafing."

Everspace controls like a dream for me on M+KB, which IMO is the intended way to play the game.

[Fastidieux.]

on rails with the flight system, strafing was usually the best option. There isn't any speed variance worth a damn besides full or none, you fly to a thing, strafe in a circle, win.

Could be a control thing, and that HotDS was just way better with a controller.

[centaurianmudpig]

Some other space combat action games that I'd recommend as worth playing:
Hypergate
Tachyon The Fringe
Eterium

There is also the Wing Commander series.

[constantcompile]

Oh hey, I forgot about this thread.

Centaurian, could you give your thoughts on each of those games? I'm interested to hear your opinions on them.

[GregSolidus]

Other than FreeSpace 2, I can't think of anything comparable or as polished.

[TDATL]

Strike Suit Zero or Strike Suit Infinity might be something to look into if you want a more fast paced space shoot em up. The movement is a little more lose but there just aren't very many space games around and even fewer that keep a high pace.

[DasBootyWarrior]

Let yee prayers be answered https://store.steampowered.com/app/1079620/Infinity_Battlescape/

[DasBootyWarrior]

Fighter combat in that feels very similar, to this if you turn off the flight assist in I:B then you will be right at home

[constantcompile]

Wishlisted, thanks!

[TehJumpingJawa]

No mention of the I-War, or X-Wing franchises?! :o

[Henry]

Have a look at Freelancer (Microsoft 2003). You can get it legally for free from the Discovery Mod Website. It may be a bit tricky to get it running these days. But it's the best space sim for me. Especially with the mods.
Starpoint Gemini 3 will also be more of a fighter sim (than capital ship combat like before). It's in Early Access now but I haven't tried it yet.

[centaurianmudpig]

Originally posted by constantcompile:

Centaurian, could you give your thoughts on each of those games? I'm interested to hear your opinions on them.

@constantcompile you need to play them all!

Adding to that, from what I can recall....

Mission based:

• 1-2 (if you can get past the 2d sprites in a 3d world). Games from my youth that I still are found of today.
  
• WC Armada - sort of open world fleet management in turn based, then space combat fighter action, but a bit too jousty. Not my favourite, but it also has multiplayer.
  
• WC Academy - design your own simple missions with a level editor.
  
• WC3 - finish the fight against an evil foe. First intro of 3D models.
  
• WC4 - good story but the missiles are punishing.
  
• WC Prophecy - the last entry to the series.
  
• Starlancer - same creator of WC series.
  
• FreeSpace Open - lots of mods that build open FreeSpace 2 engine. Lots of mods to try if you have the patience to sift through them.
  
• Eterium has procedurally generated missions mixed into the hand made campaign.
  
• Hypergate has a skirmish mode with editor.
  
• Absolute Territory - create your own missions with a level editor. this is my ind evelopment title, so forgive me for the blatant shilling, go wishlist! ;)

Open world:

• WC Privateer same graphics as 1-2.
  
• Privateer 2 - the Darkening, WC Privateer in just name alone.
  
• Freeelancer - fly with your mouse (sort of a sequel to Starlancer as from the same lore).
  
• Tachyon the Fringe has an open-world area (sort of like your Privateer/Elite), though you'll just run missions from the mission board. It has effectively two campaigns (for the two major factions that fight it out).
  
• I-War 2 Edge of Chaos - physics simulated meaning you'll feel the drag. Punishing missions where when you die you start from the beginning (like launch from your base and fly to the mission start beginning).
  
• Allegiance - team based multiplayer with multiple sectors to fight over