Spoiler Alert

derpkhan · Post by **derpkhan** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 4:15 am

Well for a start, hello. I am relatively new to the space sim genre and I was wondering what good games there are besides the Evochron games? I have only tried the demo but will definitely buy.

I have played eve online but did not enjoy the lack of direct control. I really like having direct control over the craft.

I'm also interested in games that allow you to control large craft, which there seems to be an unfortunate lack of.

Finally while I'm asking for game recommendations I mayswell ask, is the game worth playing with a HOTAS and if so why?

sundalo · Post by **sundalo** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 7:46 am

From post: 151240, Topic: tid=10117, author=sundalo wrote:
From post: 151232, Topic: tid=10117, author=derpkhan wrote:Well for a start, hello. I am relatively new to the space sim genre and I was wondering what good games there are besides the Evochron games? I have only tried the demo but will definitely buy.

I have played eve online but did not enjoy the lack of direct control. I really like having direct control over the craft.

I'm also interested in games that allow you to control large craft, which there seems to be an unfortunate lack of.

Finally while I'm asking for game recommendations I mayswell ask, is the game worth playing with a HOTAS and if so why?
Let me be the first to say welcome to the game and the community. I heartily recommend playing OOlite which is a modern version Elite and is closely similar to evochron mercenary in terms of game play minus the inertial physics. HOTAS controllers work great with this game because there are configurations for almost all types of joysticks and axis. I personally use a CH HOTAS with the combatstick, pro throttle, and pro pedals. You get the best quality, durability, and control options with the included control manager software. There are other options out there, it all depends on your budget. I can tell you that a hotas works great with oolite as well. That game also has lots of mods, great community and best of all its free! links to this game are here http://www.oolite.org/

[Edited on 12-11-2012 by sundalo]

[Edited on 12-11-2012 by sundalo]

sundalo · Post by **sundalo** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 8:00 am

Only large ship games I really enjoyed were the original independence war and its sequel you can buy and download them at GOG for cheap. Those are my top picks.

-splosives- · Post by **-splosives-** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 11:53 am

I played X3 for a while. While I didn't stick with it, it is a pretty fun game where you can fly a fighter, a freighter or even a battleship! it's also an open world game where you can do pretty much anything you want. It has very nice graphics, a lot of really cool campaigns and a good economy system. You can control an entire fleet and send them to conquest, turning the game more into a strategy game.
What made me quit playing, however, were following facts:
- No inertial flight mechanics.
- No seamless space (what I call the "fishtank syndrome") .
- Being a fighter or a pirate is fun for a while, but soon you'll realize you're not making any money, so you'll have to start a trading company or something. I didn't like this as much, because it was just managing my traders, and staring at numbers.
- To increase speed, there's this device that makes time go faster, so basically, everyone will go faster. I did not like this.
- No multiplayer.
But a lot of people don't care about these things, and they love the game, so it's definitely worth a try.

Post by **DaveK** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:28 pm

From post: 151232, Topic: tid=10117, author=derpkhan wrote: Finally while I'm asking for game recommendations I may as well ask, is the game worth playing with a HOTAS and if so why?

Hi derpkhan and welcome to the community and the game

I use a Saitek X52 Pro and have managed to get everything I need mapped the buttons, HATs, knobs etc just using the key mapping provided by the game

Combat requires a lot more than flying at your opponent and opening fire - you need to be in and out of inertial flight mode, use a mix of cannon - particle or beam or both, alter the energy balance between shields and weapons, be able to target different ships at different times, launch missiles and counter measures, flick stealth mode on without taking your hands of the control or eyes of the screen . . . . you get the idea! HOTAS means you can do all this and more without looking away from the screen or taking your hands off the wheel!

And just as important, for me the feeling of immersion is much much greater - I just don't see waving a mouse and typing = flying a spaceship!

Others will no doubt express their different opinions!

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:06 pm

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

sapperhedge · Post by **sapperhedge** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:09 pm

Hi Derpkhan,

I use the Saitek X52 (just the lower grade of DaveKs') and its a blast to control your ship with a HOTAS, I also feel the blue and silver match the new cockpits quite well.

The only other space games I have played are Freelancer and Independence war 2. Both I still find fun to play.

derpkhan · Post by **derpkhan** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:52 pm

Ah thanks for telling my people use HOTAS and thankyou for the few game recommendations. It seems so hard to find space sims. I also want to know if there's a trick to trading, I've always been terrible at it.

Post by **Marvin** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 9:32 pm

Somewhere on this forum is an entire thread about trading. Other than that, find a good location where things are sold/bought cheap and another location where things are bought and sold at a high price. Close together ... like Cerulean and Atlas. Then get the most expensive stuff you can afford to buy for trading. Usually high-end missiles and cannons.

[Edited on 2-2-2013 by Marvin]

sapperhedge · Post by **sapperhedge** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:04 pm

I suggest checking out Vipers listing post. It has lots of useful links and information that has been compiled by many of the great EM players here.

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

Busch · Post by **Busch** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 2:54 pm

Hey derpkhan! Welcome aboard! Lots of good advice here! Also, check out DaveK's/Incomings Hints and Tips, and the Merc's Manual. Both are a veritable cornucopia of info and are really helpful for new pilots.

See yaz out there sometime !

derpkhan · Post by **derpkhan** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 12:56 am

Thanks for all being so helpful guys, can't wait to play as soon as I get my new PC. I'm also buying a Saitek X52 based on what I've read for both space sims and flight sims.

One more question though, is Vice finished with Evochron now or what?

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 9:35 pm

He is never finished, always working on improvements. But the New Expansion for EM with the Terrain Walker is out!.....

oni14128 · Post by **oni14128** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 6:27 pm

Even a saitek x45 works great for hotas. Mine is 10yrs old and still works great. Wing Commander Saga and Diaspora and two free space Sims based off of wing commander and battle star galactica respectively. No big ships but good fighter combat

Julius · Post by **Julius** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 6:56 pm

HOTAS is the way to go for sure if you can afford it. Not so much that you will not be good in battle without it, but it gives you so many more options instead of the limited mouse and keyboard. With just mouse and keyboard I am very much a one trick pony in battle.

Some other space games that do not get mentioned much:

FTL:Faster than Light

Less a shooter game, and more of a captain of your ship game.

http://www.ftlgame.com/

Trancendence

A polished and professional looking free game that has an asteroids like 2D overhead view. Many mods of all kinds are available.

http://neurohack.com/transcendence/

derpkhan · Post by **derpkhan** » Sun Dec 16, 2012 8:23 pm

Nice answers, I purchased the x52 pro as I also play a lot of flight sims. I look forwards to playing this properly and I'll definitely try the other recommendations.