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Hey everyone, I just read about Starshatter for the first time the other day. I was so excited about it that I was about to buy it only to find out that there is a sequel almost out. I quickly told all my friends even remotely interested in Space combat and strat... stressing the dynamic campaigns as that is a HUGE deal to me. This is great news, I can't wait. I still am wondering if I should buy the direct DL of the first one.

However, I do have a question. Everything about the game sounds great so far. Yet, with all the reviews and Screenshots I have seen, I can't tell how epic the battles are. Sounds like some of the skirmish ones can get big. But I long for a game where you are a single fighter mixing it up with dozens of other fighters.. friendly and enemy. weaving in and out of cap ships.. just like the movies of course.. Now I am not unrealistic.. I know games can't always meet my crazy high expectations. I'd just like to know how close this actually comes to my idea of the perfect game.. That being a realistic (in sci fi terms), dynamic campaign.. EPIC space battles. So.. what are the average numbers of fighters mixing it up on battles? Also.. do cap ships accompany fighters on starbase assaults and stuff? Or is the average starfighter pilot fairly alone in his battles? Thanks.. I look forward to joining in on this one

Starshatter 4.5 (newest version available) comes close to your expectations. Indeed sometimes things are pretty hectic and there are lots of stuff going around. Demo should give you some idea about game, though not full picture (unless you blast off all mines on 1st mission).

Game areas are sectors which are usually relatively small areas in orbit around planets. Star system may have several sectors. Starships can make jump to other sector within solar system by its own and it can be compared to JumpShips of BattleTech universe: jump drive is charged, when full, jump can be made and transition is near instantaneous. Fighters and other small vessels can hitch along by being close of jumping ship or they can go through stargates. As far as I know, player can't order jump between star systems.

Campaigns are dynamic with some scripted elements. For example number of fighters are limited. When enemy carriers run out of fighters, there are significantly less fighter activity around. However there are usually some enemy fighters around even though they have no operational base! Scripted parts include some events like move to other star system and destruction of Titan carrier battlegroup in campaign Shining Fortress and player can't do anything about it. I would like to have put fight, even desperate one, to defend Titan and her starship escorts. But apparently player was elsewhere enjoying day off or something. Someone should create scenario about that fight [;)]

Game has realistic elements and it can be called simulation, though not as difficult and complex as Warhead. Newton's laws are in use with one significant exception: when speed increases, acceleration decreases. According Relative Theory of Einstein it should happen no sooner than in 10 % speed of light, but in Starshatter it happens well before 1 km/s. In addition fighters and missiles are significantly oversized. These are meant to make dog fighting bit more easier though I would have preferred more realistic approach like in I've Found Her. Nevertheless Starshatter is fun game to play.

What comes to missions themselves, 1st of dynamic campaigns starts with clearing of mine fields. There are some enemy fighters and frigates around and it isn't bad idea to avoid starships while shooting mines. If you happen to see frigate, RUN! Becouse frigates will come after fighters and their missiles are lethal against anything but Thunderbolt class bombers and other starships. When two carrier groups meet in same sector, things can get very ugly very fast. When two opposing side patrols meet each others somewhere between carriers, they fight against each others and both sides may send reinforcements to back up their comrades. This starts snowball effect and before long there are tens of fighters fighting against each others and maybe some starships too if fighters stray close to them.

What comes to joint operations of fighters and starships, it don't happen often unless player makes it happen. Player may chase off bombers attacking friendly starship if (s)he wants and happens to be close enough. Player commanding starship may command other ships and maybe fighters, though I'm not sure about that later part since my starship missions have been located in different sectors than friendly carriers. So if there are two enemy destroyers approaching player's starship, (s)he can command friendly starships in sector to lend hand. When player is commanding carrier, then (s)he has supreme control over all friendly units. Not sure though how other carriers are ordered around.

sounds great, thanks a lot. Far more complex than I am used to from space games. For the campaigns though, basically you have one main objective, and then anything can happen in between your side completing that objective or your side losing? Honestly, dynamic campaigns are a dream come true to me. the IL2 series.. the Falcon 4 game. Those are the best examples. I can't imagine SS being as random because it looks like it has more of a story. But then again these smaller indie developers seem to always accomplish what I thought would never happen. Do ships start in random sectors at the beginning of a campaign? That is the only I could see how this works.. bahh I can't wait

I guess my final question (for now) is: can we assume that the sequel will be everything the first one was and more? I don't see a lot of info on it yet. Except that it is quite beautiful. I see that they still have the campaigns and stuff. Meh all I really am wondering is if you would suggest waiting for the sequel or getting them both in the meantime. If the sequel is really being released in Sept than it can't be that far away. We know that the first one rocked.. and the second one has to as well I assume. Money is kind of an issue, but I certainly wouldn't mind supporting a developer who makes games that I feel were made just for me. ha

ORIGINAL: Kenny85

For the campaigns though, basically you have one main objective, and then anything can happen in between your side completing that objective or your side losing?
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Do ships start in random sectors at the beginning of a campaign?

Not much random stuff. Sectors, where player's side forces are located, are given objectives. When those objectives have been completed, forces move to other sectors as scripted. In 1st of the dynamic campaigns, Operation Highlands, first sector has mines and small starships on it. When all of them have been destroyed, player's side moves to other sector.

What comes to missions within sector, it is mostly stuff like patrols, shuttle escorts and assaults against enemy starships. That's with fighters. For starships it's assaults against enemy starships, and when enemies run out, then only patrols without anything to shoot at. When that happens, it is best to request transfer to other sector where are enemies. Note that player is transferred, not his/her ships.

At least in S1 the campaign was fairly linear (did it have any branches?). However the execution was always up to you. You could choose to fly fighters for the length or as you were promoted to take command of a destroyer, frigate, carrier, whatnot. Losses must be kept to a minium and your deployment of forces is pretty crucial to success.



 

IL2 campaign system was awfull. That game really lacks in the single player mode.

ORIGINAL: wodin

IL2 campaign system was awfull. That game really lacks in the single player mode.

Tell me [8|] Hopefully it'll be remedied in BoB.

Yes, I can't agree more... looking forward to BoB though. (getting OT though )