Just got X4, is Timelines really the best place to start?

[Absolute Disgrace]

Some quick background, I've played previous X games and have played other space trading games. Jumping into X4, Timelines seems to be pushed heavily as the new player experience. After doing the first Graph, i felt a bit underwhelmed as the combat isn't particularly great.

Should I stick with Timelines because it gets better or am I better off going Open Universe?

[Venerable_Sin]

It does get better overall, but you will still find some turds mixed in with the gems.

[Bercik]

Finish Timelines and go Open Universe (new plot, new ships and new sectors from Timelines).

[aY227]

It doesn't get better - more of the same.
Start universe asap and play a real game.
You can go back to those scenarios anytime you want.

[Jmac]

Do tutorials first, then advanced, then timelines
I just did it myself
itll take you 3 days but its so worth it

[Xautos]

You don't have to do timelines right off, you can do the tutorial and then open universe. Timelines is like a set of arcade games and some things will not make sense unless you played previous X games because there are storyline segments involved that might confuse you. It's not entirely new player friendly.

You can always return to timelines at another point when you are more ready for the challenge it presents.

[Orange Reaper]

People recommend "Terran Cadet" as a good starting point, you need "Cradle of Humanity" DLC for this. I started with this and it worked for OK for me.

[Absolute Disgrace]

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I've played enough Timelines and now and have decided that i really don't enjoy it. I'm going to just play the open universe and go from there. I've done all the tutorials and really looking forward to getting into the game proper.

[Jmac]

Originally posted by Absolute Disgrace:

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I've played enough Timelines and now and have decided that i really don't enjoy it. I'm going to just play the open universe and go from there. I've done all the tutorials and really looking forward to getting into the game proper.

Keep in mind some of the missions in timelines give you great experience at things you wouldn’t otherwise get exposure to early on and it’s a safe environment to learn and grow

I spent 3 days doing timelines and just got into the sandbox and I’m glad I did

Have fun

[Absolute Disgrace]

Originally posted by Jmac:

Originally posted by Absolute Disgrace:

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I've played enough Timelines and now and have decided that i really don't enjoy it. I'm going to just play the open universe and go from there. I've done all the tutorials and really looking forward to getting into the game proper.

Keep in mind some of the missions in timelines give you great experience at things you wouldn’t otherwise get exposure to early on and it’s a safe environment to learn and grow

I spent 3 days doing timelines and just got into the sandbox and I’m glad I did

Have fun

The problem i have is that I find the racing frustrating and the combat dull. I just can't sit through that waiting for it to "get fun". I'd rather just go play the game i was expecting.

[Despiser]

If you want to skip the tedious tutorials and unlock all ships to play open universe find Wraith's userdata files in this forum.