Easily the best complete space combat "sim" out there at the moment. Despite being relatively simplistic, the game design is cohesive; flight physics, controls and input are tight, atmosphere, sound design and music are on point, the premise and plot are effective, and it strikes a good balance between challenging and power-fantasy - without wasting any of the player's time.

Unfortunately with the base 13(?) missions plus a gauntlet survival mode, it lacks the replayability and freedom of some games, and the longevity of others - especially if you're playing through the hardest difficulties. There are plenty of different combinations of weapons and ship systems you can use, but the missions stay the same - and I just stick to the ones that work best for me which are all unlocked at the start or can be after the first mission.

Nevertheless, outside of the long-dead Freespace 2 mod Disapora, I've yet to come across a space game that feels quite as plain fun, intense and rewarding in their combat gameplay. That includes Star Citizen (Praise be unto Mr. Roberts), Elite: Dangerous, the X series and the likes.

Easily the best complete space combat "sim" out there at the moment. Despite being relatively simplistic, the game design is cohesive; flight physics, controls and input are tight, atmosphere, sound design and music are on point, the premise and plot are effective, and it strikes a good balance between challenging and power-fantasy - without wasting any of the player's time. Unfortunately with the base 13(?) missions plus a gauntlet survival mode, it lacks the replayability and freedom of some games, and the longevity of others - especially if you're playing through the hardest difficulties. There are plenty of different combinations of weapons and ship systems you can use, but the missions stay the same - and I just stick to the ones that work best for me which are all unlocked at the start or can be after the first mission. Nevertheless, outside of the long-dead Freespace 2 mod Disapora, I've yet to come across a space game that feels quite as plain fun, intense and rewarding in their combat gameplay. That includes Star Citizen (Praise be unto Mr. Roberts), Elite: Dangerous, the X series and the likes.