Is this a good beginner space sim?

[Destroy]

I play MS Flight Sim X (FSX) very regularily but am starting to see interest in space sims however know pretty much nothing about them.

I see this game and Star Citizen as pretty and impressive but have some basic questions...

Which has the best single player experience? Variety? Depth? Holds your attention? Shock and awe?

Which is the best actual sim or at least seems to have best attempted realistic physics, animations and handling?

Anything else one should particularily know?

Thanks for any feedback.

[First5trike]

Originally posted by pl-destroy:

I play MS Flight Sim X (FSX) very regularily but am starting to see interest in space sims however know pretty much nothing about them.

I see this game and Star Citizen as pretty and impressive but have some basic questions...

Which has the best single player experience? Variety? Depth? Holds your attention? Shock and awe?

Which is the best actual sim or at least seems to have best attempted realistic physics, animations and handling?

Anything else one should particularily know?

Thanks for any feedback.

This game is roughly in the ball park of MS Flight Sim complex if you really dig into it.

The main point of playing this game right now is to accumulate wealth, period. There is a lot of grinding to do to get to the bigger ships. You can explore and engage in combat as well if you wish.

I'm a sci-fi, space sim junky so this was totaly worth the money for me but it depends on your tastes.

I haven't tried Star Citizen so I can't comment on that one.

[Dread Lord]

Star citizen is still a long way off! Elite fits your bill and has the better flight model currently by far!

Also if you want the most out of Elite in terms of realism and simulation than GET the Oculus Rift!

Elite in VR is absolutely mindblowing!

[Destroy]

Is there actual challenge to learning and piloting all the different vehicles in this game?
Do the vehicles handle and feel very different?
Do the vehicles have very different contols and cockpit layouts?

I'm sure VR is amazing but I'm waiting for VR hardware and performance to improve before trying it. My 4k monitor is impressive enough at the moment.

Which reminds me, this game playable at 4k with a med-high system (gtx970, i5 oc 4.5Ghz, 8gig mem)?

[First5trike]

Originally posted by pl-destroy:

Is there actual challenge to learning and piloting all the different vehicles in this game?
Do the vehicles handle and feel very different?
Do the vehicles have very different contols and cockpit layouts?

I'm sure VR is amazing but I'm waiting for VR hardware and performance to improve before trying it. My 4k monitor is impressive enough at the moment.

Which reminds me, this game playable at 4k with a med-high system (gtx970, i5 oc 4.5Ghz, 8gig mem)?

1. Yes, the vehicles all handle very differently.
2. No, control scheme is usually configured the same for most people (lots of people playing with a HOTAS.

[Snow]

Originally posted by Dread Lord:

Star citizen is still a long way off! Elite fits your bill and has the better flight model currently by far!

Also if you want the most out of Elite in terms of realism and simulation than GET the Oculus Rift!

Elite in VR is absolutely mindblowing!

Yeah it is... unless your in an SRV on a low gravity planet... hehe... youll be throwing up within 30 minuites :3

[telfinator]

Well ive been playing fo 76 hours. It is still holding my attention. You need to be able to make your own goals really. I for example have set up home in Kadu Mist. I am working on my Federation rank purely so I can get a Sol pass and visit earth, the moon ,mars etc. I only take fed missions and have worked exclusively for faction until i reached ally. I own 3 ships- a sidewinder, coba Mk3 and vulture. I mainly run missions, trade a little and patrol my home system when i feel like fighting.

I often form a wing with a fe friends and have a chat whilst killing various wanted criminals.

When I have the rank to visit earth and the Sol system I will then my focus may shift a little.
When i meet other commanders I try and have a chat although most run away.
The game is a little shallow at the moment but at 76 hours im not complaining, i think it will get better over time.
Star citizen i may well play when its ready, no mans sky - no thank you!!

[JAck Beam]

Originally posted by Diamondback Regulus:

Originally posted by Dread Lord:

Star citizen is still a long way off! Elite fits your bill and has the better flight model currently by far!

Also if you want the most out of Elite in terms of realism and simulation than GET the Oculus Rift!

Elite in VR is absolutely mindblowing!

Yeah it is... unless your in an SRV on a low gravity planet... hehe... youll be throwing up within 30 minuites :3

actuallyu I love speeding on low gravity planets and bouncing around like mad in VR! I never get motion sickness! I am a speed junky :D

My wife on the other hand gets motion sickness with a lot of things... just rolling the ship basically does it for her!

Motion sickness in VR is very different for every person! I never experienced it myself but I also never got car sick or sea sick on a baot......

[==]FF[== Syncmaster17GL]

I think this is a fair game to start off into the space sim genre. Flight dynamics are fun, as you can always turn flight assist off and use the physics for your advantage in a fight. The larger ships are pretty bulky to fly compared to the smaller ones and improving thrusters or your power distribution can have a great impact on control response.

As was said before, you need to set your own goals and the options of trading/fighting/exploration gives you the freedom to do what you prefer most. And the possibility to freely choose (and switch) between single player, closed group and open play is just awesome.

And no one can buy their way through with real money - you really have to EARN your ranks and ships, even if it get tedious sometimes. But I find it pretty rewarding buying a bigger ship class or achieving a higher rank.

[raymazoida]

It was my first flight/space flight sim in like.... 20 years + (Star Trek online does not count lol)

And I got the hang of it pretty quick

So I'd say it is a good beginner space sim.

There are some with more complex controls etc, but for me the flight model in this game is great.

I feel like I'm flying a space ship. (A HOTAS helps there lol)

And thats what it's about isn't it?

[✯CMDR Geotwin✯]

Originally posted by pl-destroy:

Is there actual challenge to learning and piloting all the different vehicles in this game?
Do the vehicles handle and feel very different?
Do the vehicles have very different contols and cockpit layouts?

I'm sure VR is amazing but I'm waiting for VR hardware and performance to improve before trying it. My 4k monitor is impressive enough at the moment.

Which reminds me, this game playable at 4k with a med-high system (gtx970, i5 oc 4.5Ghz, 8gig mem)?

The game should run good in 4k for you. im using i74970 with gtx 970 and runs great

[Spireguy]

The vr experience is great! I like trying it every once in a while, but find its hard for extended play times.

If you do get elite, which I highly recommend, get the tracking IR 5. It may not be VR but let's you get more out of that monitor you like with elite dangerous. And it's pretty cheap in comparison to a VR head set.

[Swift]

SC is far from finished, so Elite if you want a game that is live.
http://www.starcitizenstatus.com/

I also have a HOTAS setup (x52 Pro) and it feels great to fly a spaceship in elite. It has some weight too it and isn't floaty or arcady. The flight model is actually quite enjoyable. 170+ hours since summer sale, so I do recommend this game.

[tetsu_maru]

On a scale from 1 to Orbiter as far as simulations go, this is a 4. Totally start here.