Matrix Games Forums

I'm new here but not new to space sims. As I sit here downloading the movie, some of the screenshote of the larger vessels look a lot like those of FreeSpace 2, a really great sim, as was Tie Fighter. Can anyone relate Starshatter to these at all? TIA

Well I played FS 1 and 2. Before I came to SS my favorite was FS2.
They both have (dis)advantages. FS performs a little better story and atmosphere wise and has more ships at all. But SS has a much better flight model (if you like to learn how to fly), aditional atmospheric fightsand the RTS capability.
So SS is much more realistic (from our actual terms) and if you like to improve your flight skills, have always a eye on your hull (nono- no shields for fighters), really think about how to attack (not just shoot em up like fs) than SS is nice for you. But beware, if you are seeking arcade action you are probably wrong here.

Essentially, covergent evolution is probably the best answer - they both inherit a great deal from modern and nearly modern naval warfare with a healthy dose of SF/"Space Opera" fiction. From the point of view of gameplay, Starshatter is the only one that really allows you to play a capital ship, as well as fight against one. I do seem to recall there being a project to mod starshatter to recreate the Freespace universe, but I dunno what happened to it. There was (is?) certainly a Starwars mod, though both of those would need some updating to truely benefit from the improvements in "Gathering Storm"

freespace2 and iwar2 are the best space combat sims i have ever played.  still hoping that something new will measure up to these.

ORIGINAL: smaff

Starshatter is the only one that really allows you to play a capital ship

No it's not. There are plenty of Star Trek games where players can control starships (synonym for capital ship) both inside and outside the ship. Starfleet Command, Starfleet Academy, Klingon Academy and Bridge Commander comes to mind + over 10 year old adventure games (25th Anniversary or something). And of course I-War and Space Combat. I think I missed something...

Now having dl'd and played the demo, I'm afraid Starshatter seems a notch or two below FS2. Iwar 1+2 I found much too difficult. I think I will pass on Starshatter; hope I have not offended anyone. Thanks for all the responses.

ORIGINAL: peppergomez

freespace2 and iwar2 are the best space combat sims i have ever played. still hoping that something new will measure up to these.

FS2 is pure arcade, nothing sim. Story and atmosphere wise it kicks, thats right