Where has this place been hiding?!

[Glacialis]

I thought space sims were dead. Like, I-had-them-for-dinner-last-year-when-relatives-came-over-and-ate-everything-in-the-house-and-I-knew,-just-knew-it-wasn't-going-to-come-out-the-other-end-very-nicely kind of dead.

So, assuming I don't want to buy Star Commander or Raven, where should I jump in to get the best storyline and background info on the universe currently fronted by Evochron: Legends?

The best thing about the IWAR series was the feeling of same-universe-ness from one to the other. It looks like Vice's got that nailed down, but I want to know which games are in what universe.

Given what I've seen in the last hour since I discovered Vice's labor(s) of love, it's entirely possible all of the games are in the same universe. I'm okay with that. However, if that's the case, where do I start?

Assume I want the maximum space pilot-y goodness.

[49rTbird]

"it's entirely possible all of the games are in the same universe." Yes but the new things are always being found as the Known Universe seems to GROW.

[verbosity]

In answer to the thread title " we've been down the back of the sofa, hiding from the chickens"

it all takes place in the same continuity, each game happening chronologically after the last ( difference is usually betweem 20 and 100 years)

though as the game has evolved so has the in-game universe, there is usually an answer one of the game continuity freaks come up with as an explaination for any continuity issue ( and they are very very few and far between).

in order:
riftspace,
Evochron
Evochron alliance
Arvoch conflict
Evochron alliance 2.0
Evochron renegades
Evochron Legends
evochron, EA and EA 2.0 all had very similar universes, with the universe developing for each version, the same is true for Renegades and legends, the basic structure of the universe is the same, but there is more than enough new stuff to keep anyone occupied.

What game would be best to start with?
well that really depends on what you want, if you want to go through and get as much of the 'stories' then go
riftspace, Arvoch, renegades, legends

If it depends on what type of game you want:
missions based : arvoch conflict
freeform: renegades, legends

Which is better renegades or Legends?
silly question, both are fab! I'm still playing ER!
but one good point to note is that Legends has higher requirements, so if your machine is closer to the 'basic spec' of legends you may want to consider Renegades.

But why listen to me?
don't I'm a total fanby
riftspace is available as a free download,
arvoch, renegades and legends are all available as 'demo' downloads, and are only restricted in time and the amount of game you can reach ( no playability is affected)!

so what excuse do you have?
none try them out now!

/end fanboy rant!

Assume I want the maximum space pilot-y goodness.

oh well in that case get all of them!

[Edited on 2-8-2009 by verbosity]

[tha_rami]

For the full story, you can check the Evoclopedia I wrote in the Community Art & Fiction section of the forum. As far as I know, its considered official by Vice.

All games take place in the same universe, although if you look very, very closely, there are some minor inconsistensies.

The chronology is Starwraith 2, Starwraith: Shadows of Orion, Starwraith IV: Reviction & Riftspace, Evochron, Evochron Alliance, [ the hundred year gap ], Arvoch Conflict & Evochron Renegades, Evochron Legends.

While SW2, Evochron and Evochron Alliance are no longer available, the others are available for sale or as freeware.

[Edited on 8-2-2009 by tha_rami]

[Glacialis]

Freeware? I'm downloading Riftspace (EDIT: and SoO and Reviction) now. By some of the others being "no longer available", is it due to author's choice or what?

[Edited on 2-8-2009 by Glacialis]