EL impressions.

OneoftheLost · Post by **OneoftheLost** » Wed Jun 09, 2010 8:07 pm

Well, I thought before I head to work, I'd give some of my impressions about the game.

First and foremost, I believe I downloaded, and paid for the game about a year ago. Since then, I havn't really touched it. There are numerous reasons for this, and I'll go over those in a bit.

Inbetween that year, I have been hunting for a space game. To describe the perfect space sim, I would have to look at a mix between Elite 3, and Privateer. Both where very immersive, althought Elite's awful combat system makes it unplayable for me. I liked Privateer for its immersion, awesome combat model, and rediculous amount of features. Now, I was ... rather young when either of these came out, and have only found them recently. In my search for a good sim, I've played both of those as well as X2-X3TC, Freelancer, Tachyon the Fringe, Freespace 1-2, Ev Nova, Vendetta Online, Eve, Space Rangers 2, Terminus, Oolite, Wing Commander (Not sure which one.), Noctis, Ad Astra, Darkstar One, Space Pirates after Tomarrow, Privateer Ascii Sector, Privateer Gemini gold, Star Trek Online, Vega Strike, and several others which I can't remember at this time.

Now, what originally turned me off of EL after downloading it, was the features. I am spoiled by other space sim's features at a glance. The ability to check my own cargo-bay mid-flight, and choose what I want to eject. The ability to talk to other pilots at any time. The immersion of going to the bar and checking the news. The thrill of being attacked by that first pirate.

Being apart of another well-known space simmer's forum, I kept hearing about this game, and originally wrote it off after my impressions of the demo. (I did one solar panel mission, and got bored.) However, I decided to search for my old serial and re-download the game. As it still touted dozens of features that I really love in space games, and... AND it was such a small download.

Again, I tried it out, playing in Sapphire, and sort of chumming along. I gave up, and returned to my search for a space game, but not before talking to a fellow by the name of Babylon 5. The admin of the game's sole dedicated server (In my eyes anyway.) We talked a bit, he gave me some advice on mining and other activities, but it STILL didn't catch on. Without easily accessible combat, stations that felt like stations, I just wasn't hooked.

Trying a few more space games, I couldn't stand the combat model, or some other aspect of gameplay really turned me off. Yet again, I thought back to EL, and wondered what exactly it was that I was missing.

To these fine forums I went, and I really opened my eyes. Finding the Official EL strategy guide, and perusing the EL Manual, I started to piece things together. Now, Ive been playing for about three days. As I play, I realize why the game didn't catch me originally. The original system is 'safe' and a bit boring to a combat heavy simmer like myself. Since I take everything at face value, I didn't really explore. Which, I think, is what this game is all about.

As I play, I realize that Vice has included all of my favorite features, I just couldn't find them originally. (Wingmen, Crews, Military Career.) Then, you throw in all his own ideas and style (Open ended, Ship-building, Combat model.) It really comes together and creates something that is REALLY appealing to the experienced space simmer.

I cannot begin to describe how many awesome features I enjoy as part of this game. If you read the list earlier, you know that I love me some space sims. It took some experience, and patience, but I am really getting hooked. A huge thanks to Babylon 5 for putting up with me.

I know this is all kind of jarbled, but it just kind of hit me. This may be one of the most enjoyable space sims I have ever played. So huge, massive props to Vice. I'm not sure if you have been the only guy over the last 10 (!?) years of StarWraith's games, but this I believe EL is your finest.

Having played, the only thing I would like for maybe the next patch would be the ability to pull up the docking 'screen' at any time after docking. For instance, if an NPC asks for a trade while I'm docked, I have to exit the screen, and re-dock. Pressing the INV after exiting just gives me a little text warning. This also comes up when I dock at a weird angle, and miss the initial 'grab' by the gravity well and am inside without a screen. Would be cool if I could pull it up again so I can get down to business.

My only other quirk would be to see what's in my cargo bay while flying, and being able to dump the stuff I don't want.

None of this is neccasarry, the game as a style all its own.

Again, huge props to Vice, and I hope to see you guys on MP (I'm under the name IronHound.)

[Edited on 6-14-2010 by OneoftheLost]

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Wed Jun 09, 2010 8:41 pm

"My only other quirk would be to see what's in my cargo bay while flying, and being able to dump the stuff I don't want."

You can check what is in your cargo bay while flying, just like when you'r mining you ccan see what gets mined in to your cargo, and you can dump what you do not wan't to mine...

Yes, you have to explore and read the strategy guide to apreciate the game, when you start oout for the first time or at least read and listen to the intro of the game...LOL

[Edited on 6-9-2010 by Maarschalk]

Post by **Vice** » Wed Jun 09, 2010 9:26 pm

Thank you for taking the time to post those details and comments on your experience with the game. I really appreciate it.

Your post confirms an important point that I began to realize shortly after the game was released and it echos what I have heard from others as well. That is, I don't think I did a very good job of explaining/detailing what the game is capable of and guiding new players to/through those options. It was discouraging for me to hear from so many players who asked about features/options they thought were missing, but were actually in the game... others who thought the first few hours they played the game was all there was (a big universe far beyond the 2 solar systems they start in)... etc. I realized there were significant gaps in introducing new players to the game.

I've been working on exactly that issue (ground up rewrites of various things, core functional changes, more accessible strategy guide details, training videos, better walk-through/training, etc), so hopefully in the future, Evochron will be much more accessible and engaging.

Having played, the only thing I would like for maybe the next patch would be the ability to pull up the docking 'screen' at any time after docking. For instance, if an NPC asks for a trade while I'm docked, I have to exit the screen, and re-dock. Pressing the INV after exiting just gives me a little text warning. This also comes up when I dock at a weird angle, and miss the initial 'grab' by the gravity well and am inside without a screen. Would be cool if I could pull it up again so I can get down to business.

Perhaps the INV click you tried was on the trade icon instead? Do you recall what the error message said?

My only other quirk would be to see what's in my cargo bay while flying, and being able to dump the stuff I don't want.

You can open the inventory console in open space by pressing the F3 key (or clicking on the inventory HUD button), your cargo is listed on the right side of the display. Left click on the slot you want to discard to get rid of it.

verbosity · Post by **verbosity** » Wed Jun 09, 2010 9:39 pm

hi, Welcome to the game ( At last)

It seems like you're having control issues, if you're away from a station or docking bay hitting f3 will call up your inventory, it's functions are limited but thats intentional. you can discard a single bay by right clicking on it while your not docked, though this will destroy rather than discard. hitting f3 in a docking ring will open /close the INV screen.

hitting ALT+f3 will set the docking default on or off ( ie you can fly through a station without the screen coming up or the docking bay coming on )
F4 handles your trade, it shows up what you have in your cargo bays, fuel and cash, that pretty much all you need there, since you can only swap equipment in or out while docked.

I suspect though that what I'm saying isn't what your issue is ( are you clicking on the screen with the mouse or using the keyboard? ), but if its not please reply ( maybe for pics for stoopid folkes like me ). to explain and we can offer suggestions.

ellF · Post by **ellF** » Wed Jun 09, 2010 10:48 pm

Not much to add, but I'll echo OneoftheLost -- I'm a long-time space sim fan, and was looking to replace First Encounters/Privateer when I came across EL. I also played it briefly, thought the initial few hours were very boring, and quit for almost a year. Now, I'm playing again, this time with a better understanding of the overall community (I think!) and the pacing of the game, and am enjoying it far more.

Glad to hear that there's some understanding of the weaknesses in Sapphire's start; in some sense, I think it's that nothing "awesome" happens to grab the player in the first 15-30 minutes, and that's a pretty critical period of time for any game. Thinking back to the first X game, for example, you're thrown into the plot after running through what's essentially a tutorial; for Frontier/First Encounters, you get that rush of taking off from a planet-side station and seeing just how -big- everything is.

Really excited to see what's coming; the core game is amazingly well done. I find myself tweeting and talking about it quite a bit lately, and even have a few friends who are going to buy copies and start playing this weekend -- but I'll be there to help them through those first few minutes.

BraveHart · Post by **BraveHart** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 12:11 am

"Welcome Aboard IronHound"...I look forward to seeing you in MP. Since you like Space combat check out the missions in the War Zones....you'll have a blast fighting the Vonari

OneoftheLost · Post by **OneoftheLost** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 3:47 am

Automatically open INV when Docked Enabled
Automatically Open INV when Docked disabled.

I feel a little bit daft. I was using the Alt + Mouse, and clicking the icon with INV under it. Never occured to me to use the F3 key.

You all just made my day! Thank you!

Also Vice, that sounds awesome! I'm not sure if you are working on another patch, or an entirely new game, but either way I'd be all over it.

Thanks for all the welcomes guys!

ellF · Post by **ellF** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 3:48 am

Hope to see you out there! Nothing to feel daft about -- the controls take some getting used to.

warsign · Post by **warsign** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 11:35 am

Welcome aboard...

OneoftheLost · Post by **OneoftheLost** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 2:55 pm

Oh, very cool. Thanks again.

*EDIT*

Just bought a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick. Never really used a joystick before, but I tried it with EL. A bit sensitive, which I'm sure I can fix with a bit of tweaking, and the roll could be mapped somewhere else, but I must say, playing some IL2 Sturmovick, and that diving into EL is just awesome.

[Edited on 6-11-2010 by OneoftheLost]

warsign · Post by **warsign** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 5:59 am

Did you play IL2 w/o joystick?
It is an awesome sim game but it is so difficult(I like it, it is a real sim). I have 1946 latest version, still playing, still there are many things to learn, I think

You need trackir,rudder pedals and a good joystick for IL2...Otherwise, you have no chance!

[Edited on 6-11-2010 by warsign]

OneoftheLost · Post by **OneoftheLost** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 6:18 am

Oh! No. Actually I bought the 1946 version off of GOG about... six months ago? Didn't have a joystick then, so I just sort of put it off. Now that I'm playing EL, and a WWII MMO, I decided I wanted to try a hardcore sim. I remember the rants and raves about IL2, so I downloaded the demo, and am re-downloading the full thing again. I must say, I remember being just livid when I tried it with a mouse.

I also picked up Microsoft Flight Simulator X, as well, just to round out my joystick required collection. Been putting EL through the paces. I remapped some of the controls, but left the axis stuff alone after flubbing it.

Unfortunately, I just mapped Pitch and Turn, just like the default, but at all times, my ship turns to the left, and a bit downwards. I didn't even touch the joystick during the re-mapping. O_o

Other then this, I am throughly enjoying myself in EL with my new toy. I realized that my mining was effecting Sapphire's economy. Totally bummed that was once 43K a pop, dropped to 18.

Luckily, Ive done my research, and jumped to the Olympous system.

Upon jumping to the first station, I saw a group of navy guys slaughter one of the rebels. It was awesome. Plus, my goods sold for quite a bit more. Babylon 5 gave me some good advice. "The farther you get away from Sapphire, the more Sapphire's goods will be worth."

So yeah, having a freaking blast. Can't wait for IL2 to finish up. I've only futzed with the demo, but I can see what you mean about the pedals and yoke. I have this sinking feeling that FSX is going to be just as intense. Ah well, goes with the Sim territory.

warsign · Post by **warsign** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 6:28 am

If you participate in MP, I wonder your time zone to meet out there in space sometime...

May be our leaders Verbosity and Shewter join us, would be good to fly with "Legends" in "Evochron Legends" for you!

Good flying...

[Edited on 6-11-2010 by warsign]

verbosity · Post by **verbosity** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 8:34 am

Originally posted by warsign
If you participate in MP, I wonder your time zone to meet out there in space sometime...

May be our leaders Verbosity and Shewter join us, would be good to fly with "Legends" in "Evochron Legends" for you!

Yup! as soon as I get over the explosive effects of the dodgy Gorfburger I had a couple of days ago.........

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 5:03 pm

Ah, the joy of those spiking potentiometers especialy in the heat of combat.....LOL.....

:P:P:P:P

[Edited on 6-11-2010 by Maarschalk]

GORF · Post by **GORF** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 5:47 pm

Originally posted by verbosity
Originally posted by warsign
If you participate in MP, I wonder your time zone to meet out there in space sometime...

May be our leaders Verbosity and Shewter join us, would be good to fly with "Legends" in "Evochron Legends" for you!
Yup! as soon as I get over the explosive effects of the dodgy Gorfburger I had a couple of days ago.........

LMAO well at least you still can type ....usually a bad gorfburger is deadly

OneoftheLost · Post by **OneoftheLost** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 4:14 am

Oh wow! The deadspace thing worked like a dream! Now my ship controls as it should.

I don't really have a regular schedule for playing the game. I usually pop in weekday nights. If I'm not at school or playing something else. I'll try to log in regularly and see whats up.

Would be fun to play with the lot of you.

(Oh, and my Timezone is ...er... GMT-5 or 6. I can't remember lol.)

[Edited on 6-12-2010 by OneoftheLost]

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 9:40 pm

LOL, Hope to see you out there....some time....