Elite: Dangerous PvE - Mobius

"Galaxy on Fire" and it's imaginatively titled successor "Galaxy on Fire 2 HD" kept me going for many of the long dark Elite free years.
Now the next version with it's mold breaking title "Galaxy on Fire 3 - Manticore" is looking to be getting near a closed beta and will hopefully be available soon.

https://www.facebook.com/gof3manticore

Details are few at the moment but this will hopefully be heading to Android as well as IOS devices and allow for a space combat fix when on the train (I suggest not when driving).

GoF2 is a nice game to use as a quick space fix - yes, but after only a few hours it stars repeating the same missions over and over. I liked it however because it was a very simplified version of X that I even play today. The updated graphics look nice but they remind me very much of Everspace - which honestly I can't wait to actually get released.

If you want a real singleplayer awesome space sim - you need to try X3 - Terran conflict, or if you want a bit watered down version of it - go for the latest one X: Rebirth (you really need a very good PC to run in fluently though)

Skipp wrote:GoF2 is a nice game to use as a quick space fix - yes, but after only a few hours it stars repeating the same missions over and over. I liked it however because it was a very simplified version of X that I even play today. The updated graphics look nice but they remind me very much of Everspace - which honestly I can't wait to actually get released.

If you want a real singleplayer awesome space sim - you need to try X3 - Terran conflict, or if you want a bit watered down version of it - go for the latest one X: Rebirth (you really need a very good PC to run in fluently though)

I looked at Everquest by RockFish. Very similar - and then, reading the blurb I found why - they say they are proud to have delivered the Galaxy on Fire series, which of course is also claimed by Fishlabs. So it looks like a splinter company that took some of the developers!

I never got into the X series. Must have a look.

I'm pretty sure (not counting elite), X series are the longest ongoing space sim games. You can skip the first games because they're very old, and they have very confusing naming.

X3: Terran Conflict is still considered one of the best space sim games ever made (even though it was a pile of mess on release, but that seems to be a "thing" for Egosoft). X3: Albian Prelude is the expansion, but it's the same universe, same graphics, same engine, just a total different setting.

There are TONS of mods for the game, one of which is X3 - X-tended that adds a few gigabytes of addons, insane graphics improvements and tons of new systems. Everything free and fan made.

The newest one (X: rebirth) had a big flop on release and it was totally broken and unplayable. Luckaly, Egosoft did a great job of patching the game and releasing an extra DLC. The game at this point is bug free (except a few silly NPC movement now and then) and very enjoyable. However, all X games have a steep learning curve - but they really feel cousy and look amazing.

If you're interested, take a peak of my X3 screenshots here and here, and some from X:Rebirth

Just like Elite - they are really slow to get into, and the story pretty much never holds your hand nor tells you exactly what to do. You need to figure stuff on your own.

back on topic - now when I looked at it, you're right. Both games are pretty much made by the "same" people. No wonder they look alike

I found the X series managed to do something really special.

They made flying through space feel like being trapped in a box or an old text adventure.

"There is a North, south, east, and a west exit.
It is pitch black, and you are likely to be eaten by a Grue"

This and the fact that you would have to practically wait for the third community made patch and mods for the game to approach playable, seriously I think Egosoft never had an internal beta test pre release. Ever..

X pitch black? What? It's full of shiny backgrounds. Compared to Elite, It's a treat for the eye. I remember maybe a few sectors that were actually black - like 99% of space you fly through in elite. Just look at the screenshots.

About the exits - yea, that's a bit ridiculous. "West" in space

And yes - Egosoft has very lousy releases but they patched every single game they released and, they still keep working and adding stuff to the game even years after the release. I've noticed people either love or hate X games. I'm in the first group ^^

Also, X flight mechanics are a bit more like Star citizen's. You aim/shoot with your mouse. Nothing like Elite