Greetings (future) sailors.

Having played this 'game' for 882 hours according to steam (add to that my horizons gameplay when it was a stand-alone game = 148 hours) that's for 1 year of space faring. I felt somewhat obliged to write a review.

First off, quit steam and go to https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/ because every thumbs up review gets downvoted making steam reviews pretty worthless. It's not even a way to say "hey, i like your review, here, have an upvote!" no, it's more like: "oh you like the game? well screw you then!" that just depresses me.

If you're still here, (seriously, go to reddit) I'll tell some things why i spend at least 1.5 hours a day in this 'game'.

You get a starter ship, the sidewinder. and 1.000 credits (heard some other things on the starter kit, but I'll discuss how things went when i started.) and then... whatever your heart desires. (would advise you to go away from the starter area, some folks seem to like it killing people in about 2-3 shots and brag about it, don't ask why, that's beyond me. Fortunately there's a player group called Adle's Armada to defend new players.) Is someone going to hold my hand? No. you're on your own. (or ask someone in local chat, mostly you get helped out)

I spend some good 5 hours to have a control configuration that pleases me mostly. (still not all too happy about some functions) after that you'll spend quite some time getting a better ship (missions, bounty hunting, trading... to name a few most people do early on) JUST DON'T MAKE IT A RACE TO THE BIGGEST, BADDEST looking ship (anaconda, imperial cutter, federal corvette) after all that time i don't even have those. and tell you what, the people who have a 'conda in the first 3 weeks they own the game, can be found easily: click on "show negative reviews only". Really, play for fun, not for credits.

There still are things that need work (like combat logging, reducing instancing problems, ...) overall it's a great game, very complex. A real challenge to master well.

Grindy? I don't really seem to have a problem with it. make up achievable goals in your near future, like: "right, 80k credits for an adder, then I'll ENJOY some trading, with the money that comes WITH it I'll save up to buy a decent looking bounty hunter and get out of imperial space to work on utopia.

Lack of content. euhm... sure... I guess. But i make my own content so that's again no issue for me.

One of the biggest gems about this game is the community, a mature one. I meet more people married and/or have kids than I find 12 year olds whining about whatever negative comes to mind... A portion of those people's kids have kids! A community that helps others out, one that inspires others through role-play.

If you have questions for me, please do ask.

Safe travels sailors!

Cmdr 0PPR3550R

Edit 1: Grammar corrections, cmdr name
Edit 2: Changed "I seem don't really have..." to "I don't really seem to have..."

PS: for those doubting 'mature community': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbTAPDM38lc

I nominated Elite Dangerous for VR game of the year 2018, for the one and only true immersive cockpit experience any Sci-Fi fan should have experienced!