Matrix Games Forums

Hi. I am new to this forum. Over Christmas I got Starshatter: The Gathering Storm. Really impressive space game. Very realistic and excellent graphics. [8D]

Welcome!  I haven't tried that one. 

Welcome to one of the friendliest online communities around...well, mostly. Don't read the "What were they thinking?" thread....it's nasty and horrible and full of right wing, left wing left of right, right of left and liberal antagonists!! None of them know when to shut up.

Still, welcome here. Matrix have an axcellent array of games, good staff and generally keep a good community happy.

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd

Matrix have an axcellent array of games

I haven't seen any first person shooters or BattleMech sims yet...

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd

Welcome to one of the friendliest online communities around...well, mostly. Don't read the "What were they thinking?" thread....it's nasty and horrible and full of right wing, left wing left of right, right of left and liberal antagonists!! None of them know when to shut up.

Still, welcome here. Matrix have an axcellent array of games, good staff and generally keep a good community happy.

This is a gaming forum, so I won't discuss politics. I like it here. [8D] It's too bad Starshatter does not get a wide distribution. Lot of crappy games out there.

So, Ptarmigan, what is this Starshatter like? I guess you like it, so skip that. I'm thinking about how it works/plays? What are the missions? Is it freeform?

I'm not sure I have space in my games cabinet for another "fantasy" game...I already have X3:Reunion which has all the eye candy and freeform/mission gaming I need.....but it doesn't hurt to have something "different" in the cabinet...

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd

So, Ptarmigan, what is this Starshatter like? I guess you like it, so skip that. I'm thinking about how it works/plays? What are the missions? Is it freeform?

Since I was with the game before I found to Matrix forums, I consider myself qualified to answer. As you may have guessed, it's space combat sim. Simulation is steak, but there are other elements too, including strategy and role play. Player starts as lowest ranked fighter pilot, and with experience earns medals and promotions. Higher ranks open way to command starship groups (think about Starfleet Command).

Campaigns are dynamic. That means when on mission your side loses fighter or starship, it's out of campaign. There are some scripts though, like advance to other sector (usually planet's orbit) and reinforcements. Flight model is Newtonian with some exceptions: when velocity increases, acceleration decreases big time. In addition fighters and missiles are way too big. Meaning of these is to highlight dog fighting and make hitting to nimble fighters little bit easier (not frustrating). Atmosphere combat is there too where usual targets are AA weapons, factories and fighter bases.

Difference between fighter and starship shows and feels. It's much easier to turn fighter around and hit afterburner than it is with massive cruiser or carrier. That's right, carrier: only ship capable carrying fighters but is likely lose fight against destroyer. However when player is commanding carrier, he may command whole fleet on starsystem (not sure about multiple starsystems). But forget Homeworld type RTS becouse it's much closer to Starfleet Command and Great Naval Battles.

If you would like to know more, go to Starshatter site and download demo. Note: demo (version 3.9.4) is for older commercial release (Starshatter 4 Ultimate Space Combat) and there isn't new demo available yet.

ORIGINAL: Ptarmigan

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd

This is a gaming forum, so I won't discuss politics. I like it here. [8D] It's too bad Starshatter does not get a wide distribution. Lot of crappy games out there.

..me neither, but historical fact is another thing..

..can i make an addy for t3 at this point ? we need more points of view..

ORIGINAL: Matti Kuokkanen

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd

Matrix have an axcellent array of games

I haven't seen any first person shooters or BattleMech sims yet...

That's why it is an excellent array of games. [;)]