This or Universe Sandbox 2?

[Isiforo.s]

I always wanted to get US2 but this game appeared from nowhere now and I'm unsure. It looks pretty nice but I don't use VR. Which one would you recommend?

[Lily]

Universe Sandbox 2 doesn't simulate the whole universe to explore like SpaceEngine does.

[DENZ]

Use VR is optional.

[Myrkr]

They aren't the same kind of game...

Space engine is a universe-sized planetarium with incredible levels of detail
Universe Sandbox is a physics sandbox to create systems and collisions

Both are awesome in their own way, but it depends on what you're after.

[morph113]

I recommend both, but both are entirely different type of programs and what they do.

Universe Sandbox 2 is a physics sandbox of celestial objects. It also includes stellar evolution if you speed up the time.

SpaceEngine is like a planetarium where you can visit the entire Universe. Every single galaxy, star, planet or moon. It's mostly about exploration and visuals. However all planets etc. are "on rails" as there is no proper physics calculation between the individual objects.

I suggest you watch some "gameplay" on youtube for both programs to check what suits your needs more. You want to play around with physics, crash some moons into a planet and see the result? Speed up time to see the Sun engulf the Earth as it reaches it's red giant phase? Want to see what effects 10 moons would have on Earth? Then It's Universe Sandbox.

If you would rather explore the depths of space and get breathtaking views of what distant planets and star systems might look like, then get SpaceEngine.

[Isiforo.s]

Thanks guys. I'll try both of them.

[DanTheMan]

Originally posted by LFB Myrkr:

They aren't the same kind of game...

Space engine is a universe-sized planetarium with incredible levels of detail
Universe Sandbox is a physics sandbox to create systems and collisions

Both are awesome in their own way, but it depends on what you're after.

This

[Manbird]

Think of US2 as a an empty infinite void with a storage chest full of asteroids, planets, stars etc, that you can place anywhere you want, modify their properties and watch them interact. There's also predefined model sets you can place, manipulate and observe.

SE has an equally impressive void, but it's chocked full of galaxies and everything within them from nebula, stars to planets, asteroids and rocks on the ground. It functions according to known laws, but it does not dynamically calculate the physical interactions in real time. Something US2 can only do in bite sized chunks. So in that respect, it's on rails.

Two totally different simulators in function and scope.

[Lagrange]

Universe Sandbox if you want to simulate and see see physical forces work between two or more heavenly objects subject to your will.

[Klapaucius]

Universe Sandbox is gorgeous and would be great introductory teaching tool. Personally, I find that it did not sustain my interest past a certain point, though the first few hours were a blast. While on a smaller scale, I find my Kerbal Space Program, with its actual physics based-construction, more satisfying as a simulator, though it is not nearly as pretty.

I have not played SpaceEngine in a while (though I have had it on my PC for years), but came back here when the Steam announcement showed up in my inbox. I'm keen to see what has been done with it, and I will happily spend money this time around to support this developer.

It was an amazing exploratory tool, though on the free version, the interface was a bit clunky. I'm assuming that has been worked on.

If you can afford it, buy both. US2 is amazing, but just bear in mind what I said above.

[Isiforo.s]

Originally posted by Klapaucius:

Universe Sandbox is gorgeous and would be great introductory teaching tool. Personally, I find that it did not sustain my interest past a certain point, though the first few hours were a blast. While on a smaller scale, I find my Kerbal Space Program, with its actual physics based-construction, more satisfying as a simulator, though it is not nearly as pretty.

I do like kerbal space program as well, even though it's a completely different game / setting. What was in US2 which made you stop playing it? I'm just curious. But yeah, I'll definitively give both games a try.

Originally posted by Manbird:

Think of US2 as a an empty infinite void with a storage chest full of asteroids, planets, stars etc, that you can place anywhere you want, modify their properties and watch them interact. There's also predefined model sets you can place, manipulate and observe.

SE has an equally impressive void, but it's chocked full of galaxies and everything within them from nebula, stars to planets, asteroids and rocks on the ground. It functions according to known laws, but it does not dynamically calculate the physical interactions in real time. Something US2 can only do in bite sized chunks. So in that respect, it's on rails.

Two totally different simulators in function and scope.

Both games are great and to be honest, aside from using those tools / games for my enjoyment (big fan of space), I mainly thought using it to make some scenes and pictures for a game I'm currently developing. However, I'm unsure whether this is allowed or not.

Ps: Thanks for all the comparisons and opinions by the way.

[Klapaucius]

Originally posted by ZackGee:

I do like kerbal space program as well, even though it's a completely different game / setting. What was in US2 which made you stop playing it? I'm just curious. But yeah, I'll definitively give both games a try.

There is a just a certain point where you have rearranged the solar system in X number of ways and you think. "Cool, okay, now what?" KSP has a creative aspect to it, in that you are building new things so it never gets old. Universe Sandbox whets your appetite and wonder, but at a certain point (and this is not necessarily a bad thing) I was much more interested in finding articles in science magazines or browsing the NASA, JPL and ESA websites. There is not a lot of depth.

You may have a different experience, and again, I would still get it. I got my money's worth for the first few hours I played because it is so well done, but I have now moved on. I've tried going back occasionally, but usually wind up doing something else soon after.

[xevious]

Yes.

[RAYtracer]

One is Physics based, the other is the universe.. Like a somewhat more correctly scaled elite dangerous, without the enforced boredom.

[Isiforo.s]

Originally posted by O0o DAD o0O:

Like a somewhat more correctly scaled elite dangerous, without the enforced boredom.

lol