Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Slow but Steady, March 15, 2007
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
For those of you who have been looking for that space simulation that's actually a simulation, you've probably found what you've been looking for.
Let me start with an explanation, X3 is storyline optional. There are several different options to start off with, giving you the choice of just about any time of job, with the storyline turned on or off, creating a massive sandbox. Massive is right too, with about 120 sectors, each with an infinite navigable space, although most people will probably go about 30km on each axis. Each sector is connected to other sectors adjoining it via HUGE gates, at least 500m in diameter.
Another thing about X3 is the simulation. This will turn most people away, as the game takes place in real-time, with time compression to simply speed up time. The game literally seems to take forever. There are numerous ways to make money in the beginning of the game, and none of them are by any means quick. Money is treated realistically, with ships and weapons outrageously expensive. Prices are calculated on a supply and demand, so unlike games like Freelancer, you MUST keep an eye out for good deals, as the prices will almost never be the same at the same factory.
For example: If you buy 5000 units of argnu beef for 40cr for 200,000cr, the prices will probably be about 60cr after you buy. Then take them to another factory, and say they buy argnu beef for 50cr, once you sell they will buy for maybe 30cr, and from that trade run you make a profit of 50,000cr. The game isn't this rounded, but that's about how trading works.
Fighting is also always present. Pirates have bases in certain sectors, and will attack you sometimes, depending on how vulnerable you are, and what you're carrying. If you're empty and well-armed, they'll probably avoid you. You can, however, capture ships, pirate or otherwise. Captured ships will NOT be in the best of condition, but they will still sell for a pretty penny at certain stations.
Later in the game, you can save up and buy factories which produce products or resources. You will of course need to rent a ship to transport them, unless you already own a certain type of ship, as well as buy ships to transport goods to and from your factories. The scripting for the ship AI is pretty decent for a universe that virtually runs itself.
At first you will probably feel constrained by your equipment. There's always that freighter that makes 100x more than you, or that fighter that's faster and more maneuverable than you, or that ship that has better weapons or shields than you. Although after a few days of nursing your hoard, you'll find that you can afford some really big ships and better equipment.
The complexity in X3 is absolutely astonishing and I honestly can't do it all justice. It can be completely overwhelming for most people, but if any of the above sounds like fun to you and you have a fair amount of patience, I suggest you buy this game. For $20 you can't go wrong!
If you do buy this game, I suggest you check the Egosoft forums for some helpful scripts and bonuses, both fan-made and official.
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Be prepared to quit your job to be a space pilot..., October 3, 2007
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
X3 is the ultimate space game. Period.
Most space games just focus on either the combat or trade. Certain titles doesn't allow you to have fun unless you're following the storyline. *cough, cough* Star Fleet Command *cough* but in X3, you can do WHATEVER YOU WANT!!!
Now, what does that mean? You can fly through space and just enjoy the view. Watch a military campaign from your cockpit and don't have to worry about following a storyline. The game world is running in real-time in each sector simultaneously.
Want to pick a fight with anyone? Go ahead. There are dozens of ships flying in one sector at a time. Attack pirates, military, merchant or civilian freely. For a fighter class the battle system handles like a console flight-combat game. Grab the goods that were left in the debris and sell it. If you're lucky (EXTREMELY LUCKY) the pilot will jump ship and you'll gain a new addition.
Perhaps you like to trade? Find good markets within sectors own by five races. Depending on your ship's speed one sector can take a half an hour to pass through (or buy a jump drive). But don't fret, cause auto pilot can do the navigating for you! Do your chores, homework or business report as the ship flies itself. I actually take two hour walks. But, make sure your plot doesn't involve pirate infested space and don't carry illegal cargo (Like liqour, slaves and yes, weed). There are actually police and customs that scan your ships.
Don't think weapons, repairs, upgrades and new ships come cheap though. Just to give you an idea you start off with 5000 credits and it costs 4,000 to fix 1% of hull damage. Make sure you trade, give taxi rides, do errand runs, steal cargo or destroy enemies of the state. Maybe refurnish your freight into a cruise ship?
This game is for the hardcore gamer who has patience to sit for hours. Live like Han Solo before all that rebellion nonsense. Boldly go where no man has gone before, you know?
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not for the faint of business sense, July 27, 2007
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
First and foremost, this game is a business simulation; that it's in space with a storied plotline sometimes seems like an afterthought of development. If you can keep that in mind and are okay with it, it's actually a great game.
The persistent galaxy dynamics of the game are as elaborate as anything I've ever seen...space stations and factories all have energy and resource needs, thousands of other ships populate the spaceways (some making money resupplying those stations), and pirates prowl those same lanes looking stragglers or weaker ships to prey on.
As an independent pilot starting out with a decent fighting ship, you can spend your time destroying pirate ships for bounty, buying and selling goods to those needy factories, or even (gasp) following the main plotline of the game, which is rather anemic and not entirely believable. The game really shines, however, when you have saved up enough money to acquire any of a large number of other ships available for purchase. Everything from large transports to bulky and menacing carrier ships can be had, given that you have the trust of the alien race you'd like to buy it from. What makes the game truly a large scale business sim is the fact that you can own an unlimited amount of ships, all with their own pilots whose actions you can dictate or even allow to trade/operate on their own, with the profits going to you.
The level of depth in involving yourself in your own corporate startup, coupled with better than average graphics even on an older system (the game runs great with a 3 year old computer using a 9800 Pro video card) amount to a satisfying experience for any money-maker out there with an itchy trigger finger.
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