With which to start?

Sabre Runner · Post by **Sabre Runner** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 8:28 am

Just got wind of the Evochron universe a little while back and thought this might the space-sim I've been waiting for since Tachyon and Freelancer. But then I saw there are a ton of these games.

So I'm wondering where to start?
Are the new games just extension of the old or do they provide a whole new story?
Is there even a story in the Evochron side of the brand?
Should I start with the first Evochron game or is it ok to skip to the newer ones?
Should I play Riftspace first?
And since the older games aren't listed as purchasable on the site, how do I get keys for them?

Post by **DaveK** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 1:02 pm

Hi Sabre Runner

Welcome to the forum and the game.

You can download any of the games and play for a while in trial mode.

If you want a sandbox game where you have ther freedom to choose what you want to do, get Mercenary. The older games are earlier steps in the development of the Evochron Universe. Some are combat simulators, some have a storyline. The creator (Vice) added elements of a sandbox and has extended and developed them through Legends and Mercenary. Mercenary is the top of the class.

If you want a combat simulator with bells and whistles then Arvoch Alliance is the thing you need. It's a very recent release and has a few developments lots of EM players hope will be added to EM at some point!

I think that some of the oldest games are now available as free downloads.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 3:52 pm

Hi Saber Runner, welcome to the game and forum!.....Hope to see you out there some time!.....

I started playing these games when I found Renegades when looking for a Space simulator similar to Elite and Freelancer!
and was hooked ever since and played Legends and got Mercenary and Arvoch Aliance!.
Even though Arvoch Aliance plays out in a time pre dating Renegades it is the latest of the combat mission based Games!
So there is a historic story line connection thru these 4 Games and from what I understand even back to earlier games then Renegades.
All these games you can play as stand allone games and you can read up on the history of the Evochron Universe through the story line of the intro duction of the demos of each individual Game and from the History thread of the Evochron Universe!.....

http://evochron.junholt.se/sysinfo/evoc ... estory.htm

[Edited on 2-6-2012 by Maarschalk]

Sabre Runner · Post by **Sabre Runner** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 7:07 am

So there is a continuing storyline or, when you say sandbox, you mean that the Evochrons have no direction, just a space and contracts and action?

I just don't want to jump into the story in the middle so I'm wondering where it starts.

Shouldn't I play Arvoch Conflict before Arvoch Alliance?

I found Riftspace full and free (gamershell.com) and I've tried it but they keep kicking my ass. I can't even get the first mission done. Has it really been so long since I played or does it simply require different tactics than what I was used to? Help?

Post by **Marvin** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 3:50 pm

From post: 129444, Topic: tid=8832, author=Sabre Runner wrote:So there is a continuing storyline or, when you say sandbox, you mean that the Evochrons have no direction, just a space and contracts and action?

There is a story line (and a Wiki where you can read up on it). One story carries over from Renegades to Legends ... and both stories can be played in Legends. Mercenary has a quest ... not exactly related to the earlier story line. As for the sand box, it refers to the seamless Evochron universe where you can either use jumpgates to get from one place to another quickly ... or you can cruise via autopilot from one end of the galaxy to the other. All the while, stopping off at different star systems to refuel, reload, trade and/or do contracts.

Sabre Runner · Post by **Sabre Runner** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 4:44 pm

So, if I just start with Legends, I won't miss anything?

Plus, the AI is wicked good compared to me, even back in Riftspace (I hate to think of what it does in the more modern games) and I can't take out a cruiser's turrets before they blast me to bits. Can I get some tips?

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 4:51 pm

There are a lot of tutorials for beginning players and these tutorials for Mercenary pretty much apply to Renegades and Legends aswell.

http://www.starwraith.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8676

Sabre Runner · Post by **Sabre Runner** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 6:41 pm

Thanks. I thought they were Evochron Mercenary oriented (and I was right) but they do offer helpful tips.

However, many of the tactics depend on things that are only recently available and I'm trying to start with Riftspace. And as far as I can see, there is no beam/particle distinction, there is no slide, no missile targeting.

I mean, from the videos, Mercenary looks like a wicked awesome realistic space sim but I'm trying to start with the basics first. How did you guys manage in Riftspace?

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 7:21 pm

I never played the Game Riftspace, so I can not help you there. Is there a readme.txt file in the Riftspace installation folder? If there is then check that out and that may answer some of your additional questions!....

[Edited on 2-7-2012 by Maarschalk]