X3FL vs X3AP?

[Stevie Lee]

I find I like most of the changes, but I had modded my version of AP myself a bit (ship balance among races, stronger TMs, stronger Xenon, etc) so I liked that too. I am almost through the plot mission and the thing I really dislike is the constrained start. In other X games (even rebirth), you ALWAYS had the freedom to go off and explore and upgrade your ship. It might be tough to get to that shipyard or equipment dock that had good stuff, but it was out there if you took the risk. In this closed loop start, it's bad enough there is no way to access the greater universe, but even worse-- there are no factories making weapons and no shipyards, so there are no weapons available, and no access to ships except by capture or boarding. Capturing or boarding is actually quite useless as well, since I've captured four fighters with no weapons or shields and no way to get them. Being gifted a corvette was over the top too, I want to earn that. I could afford one right now if there was a place to buy one, but of course I'm stuck with my starter ship and weapons I don't really care for.

So what do others think who have played through the opening plot? Does it get better? Is it more fun than AP? I am ready to drop it and just go back to X4 or AP, but I thought I'd give it a chance if it gets better after the story.

[trooperrob]

I think when you get to know the plot you can get out of the starting sector much more quickly if you try, but I hate the starting sectors not having jump beacons at least, and once I do open up the sectors, I have a problem with start area factories vanishing, (and pirate, hostiles attacking etc troubles). Haven't played for a while though so some things may change.
edit - also there are other starts.

[aiwendilh]

I don't really see the initial "plot" as anything else than a tutorial. It just puts you through pretty much every new aspect FL offers over AP: Low Frequency Locator, Headquarters, diplomacy, setting up a station and seeing it can be upgraded, building a transorbital accelerator...

As far as I know the moment you built the transorbital accelerator the other game starts are unlocked and you could just start the usual sandbox game...only new thing in the plot after this is the cargobay hacker I think and maybe the sector claiming with the Hub..but that is not explicitly mentioned in the plot.

For the game in general...so far I like it. The additions are pretty nice, fixes are okay too (no more endless money from stock exchanges). Map is about the same size as AP but lost some systems (gate shutdown) and instead added multi-sector systems with transorbital accelerators. A few new ships as well...the armored transports are pretty useful. I didn't get into automatized complex building yet but look forward to try that out.

Things that got lost in FL as far as I can see: unfocused jumpdrive, some buy-able ships (no more fleets of Springblossems, you have to built it yourself now and can only built a very limited number)

So if the question is between AP and FL I would recommend FL now. For X4 and FL...well, too different in my view and both have their strength and weaknesses...so depends if you prefer X4 or the X3 series.

[Stevie Lee]

Thanks for the comments, I think I will bear with it a little longer. Agree that X3 and X4 are very different. X4 is the future and it shines as a new game engine that is the basis for an immersive space simulation, with a dynamic economy and so much potential for future expansion. But I do have a sentimental affinity for X3 which was one of the first games I every played that I really loved, and so many hours over the years, and learned how to create mods. So for me there will always be something magical there.

[Xpain]

by CBJ » Wed, 21. Jul 21, 17:13
There are no plans for any further updates specifically to fix gameplay problems. If we have a technical reason to release another update (e.g. to add a new language based on translations provided by the community, or a compatibility update for a new OS version) then we may include a fix for something else, if such a fix exists. However the volunteers who developed the game are not actively looking for such fixes, so there is absolutely no guarantee that a particular issue will be fixed even if it is "well known". Similarly, there is no guarantee that a particular fix will be included even if it has been developed, if testing and including it in a build would extend the work involved significantly. Short answer: no promises!

This is a post from CEO I will say that FL is mostly dead.

[Xautos]

Originally posted by Xpain:

by CBJ » Wed, 21. Jul 21, 17:13
There are no plans for any further updates specifically to fix gameplay problems. If we have a technical reason to release another update (e.g. to add a new language based on translations provided by the community, or a compatibility update for a new OS version) then we may include a fix for something else, if such a fix exists. However the volunteers who developed the game are not actively looking for such fixes, so there is absolutely no guarantee that a particular issue will be fixed even if it is "well known". Similarly, there is no guarantee that a particular fix will be included even if it has been developed, if testing and including it in a build would extend the work involved significantly. Short answer: no promises!

This is a post from CEO I will say that FL is mostly dead.

His way of saying any further support for X3FL is unlikely to happen and the game is considered as complete. WYSIWYG.

[Big Papa]

I like FL. I think anyone that spent lots of time on X3 AP will like the additional content and changes that FL brings to X3. I also have X4 and all the addons. FL is just a refreshing break and then I will return to X4.

[Stevie Lee]

Originally posted by vanhelsing:

I like FL. I think anyone that spent lots of time on X3 AP will like the additional content and changes that FL brings to X3. I also have X4 and all the addons. FL is just a refreshing break and then I will return to X4.

Agree, I am now really enjoying it... like X3 AP with some good changes.