Topic: New Space Combat Game (Read 11351 times)

Lt. RoyDanvers · « **on:** June 30, 2004, 01:14:17 am »

Check out this link: http://www.starshatter.com/index.htm This game looks totally cool.
It could be the best space simulator ever,...if they can support it.

kiloton · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2004, 08:10:41 am »

I bought the full version of this game at Origins after following its development on the net for the last 5 years. The attention to detail of the developer (one guy!) is pretty amazing.

I only just started the campaign but am liking it so far.

Ken

FPF-DieHard · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2004, 11:03:54 am »

This looks cool!

Merlinfmct87 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2004, 12:21:21 pm »

Once I upgrade my comp this will be one of the first games I look at

.

Merlin

MarianoDT · « **Reply #4 on:** June 30, 2004, 01:37:56 pm »

Wow, read the SDK link. It looks you can add new weapons, missions, ships, etc.....
It looks very moddable.!!!!!!!
I smell a Trek mod. (I only wish I had a PC that can handle this game....

)

Mariano

Lepton · « **Reply #5 on:** June 30, 2004, 05:10:00 pm »

This game is F-ing awful. Don't even bother unless you like staring at a screen for 5 to 10 minutes while it autonavs to waypoints at sublight speeds. Fighter controls are terrible. X-axis is yaw, not roll, and can't be changed eventhough it says so. Landing on carriers impossible. Graphics are terrible.

This game looks as if it is based on the Independence War series from Infogrames. If you want a real starship sim, go buy one of those. This game is a total bodge-podge where fleet controls are trying to look like Homeworld 2 without any of the functionality. Don't waste your time.

Dash Jones · « **Reply #6 on:** June 30, 2004, 06:35:43 pm »

Quote from: Lepton on June 30, 2004, 05:10:00 pm

This game is F-ing awful. Don't even bother unless you like staring at a screen for 5 to 10 minutes while it autonavs to waypoints at sublight speeds. Fighter controls are terrible. X-axis is yaw, not roll, and can't be changed eventhough it says so. Landing on carriers impossible. Graphics are terrible.

This game looks as if it is based on the Independence War series from Infogrames. If you want a real starship sim, go buy one of those. This game is a total bodge-podge where fleet controls are trying to look like Homeworld 2 without any of the functionality. Don't waste your time.

I've only started on the first tutorial...but I could roll on the X-axis...

Still trying to do the landing...

SkyFlyer · « **Reply #7 on:** June 30, 2004, 06:55:27 pm »

Lepton... always positive.... maybe its your system that has the problems?

FPF-Jem · « **Reply #8 on:** June 30, 2004, 10:13:00 pm »

Yep, landed on my second try. Would of done it on my first if I still had a working joystick, keyboard and mouse does not suit me.

I've rather liked it so far, just playing the demo.

SSCF-LeRoy · « **Reply #9 on:** June 30, 2004, 11:02:54 pm »

Looks great. Call me when there's a Star Trek/SFC/SFB mod of it

Lepton · « **Reply #10 on:** June 30, 2004, 11:23:29 pm »

The game bites. Get Independence War or Independence War II if you are looking for a "Newtonian physics" space sim. The armaments on the starships are exactly or nearly exactly the same as in this crappy knockoff. Nearly as I can tell it's either an intentional rip-off of IDW or the company that made it got bought out and they are releasing it the same old tired engine as the graphics are terrible. And it is a definite wholesale imitation of Homeworld in its graphics appeal in fleet movement without any of the functionality.

You can pick up IDW for less that 20 bucks. Oh, did I mention IDW came out in 1998 and it is a better game than this??

FPF-Jem · « **Reply #11 on:** July 01, 2004, 01:09:50 am »

I disagree, while the I-war games are fun, they mostly focus on the small ships (Corvettes and fighters are about all you get to fly while the AI gets to swank around in nice big DD's CA's and CV's) and only in space. It's Fleet command is also rather primitive, you can tell your wing to attack or defend but thats about it.

This game offers you the option to command something a bit larger and you can fly fighters in ground attack missions as well as pure space combat. Yes the Fleet command still isn't that great but I think it's better than IW. As for graphics, well I do agree that IW2 at least has better graphics but it's not that bad. I really would rather have average graghics over great graphics if it meant that there was more meat to the game.

J. Carney · « **Reply #12 on:** July 01, 2004, 01:26:16 am »

Quote from: Lepton on June 30, 2004, 11:23:29 pm

The game bites. Get Independence War or Independence War II if you are looking for a "Newtonian physics" space sim. The armaments on the starships are exactly or nearly exactly the same as in this crappy knockoff. Nearly as I can tell it's either an intentional rip-off of IDW or the company that made it got bought out and they are releasing it the same old tired engine as the graphics are terrible. And it is a definite wholesale imitation of Homeworld in its graphics appeal in fleet movement without any of the functionality.

You can pick up IDW for less that 20 bucks. Oh, did I mention IDW came out in 1998 and it is a better game than this??

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Sounds like someone here is just a little biased.

I was actually quite impressed by this little demo. You get to pilot a fighter and conn a warship for a lot less than some of the really crappy games that I've seen like this in the past. The fighter controls are a little different- I put them on spacecraft instead of aircraft, my rudder wasn't working on aircraft- but I would hardly say that they rated an aweful.

I liked the loadout options- you don't get an uber-fighter that can kill everything, you have to be careful and load out for something specific... just like with a real fighter aircraft. Hopefully the AI will be good enough to defend me when I'm loaded down with ati-ship missiles and he's gotta fly CAP for me (haven't done anything but the tutorials).

ANd graphics- no matter what people say- are secondary in makinga game good. A challenging AI and well-crafted missions are essential to replayability. Eyecandy is just that, candy- it's sweet, but in too large a quantity it fills the game up and leaves no room for meat and potatos... good mission scripting and AI.

KBF-Crim · « **Reply #13 on:** July 01, 2004, 01:46:44 am »

Well...the good news is....lepton has a new game to rag on....

J. Carney · « **Reply #14 on:** July 01, 2004, 02:06:04 am »

Quote from: KBF-Crim on July 01, 2004, 01:46:44 am

Well...the good news is....lepton has a new game to rag on....

LOL... yeah, let's find him another so that we can all discuss what's good about this one.

Lepton · « **Reply #15 on:** July 01, 2004, 11:50:04 am »

Quote from: FPF-Jem on July 01, 2004, 01:09:50 am

I disagree, while the I-war games are fun, they mostly focus on the small ships (Corvettes and fighters are about all you get to fly while the AI gets to swank around in nice big DD's CA's and CV's) and only in space. It's Fleet command is also rather primitive, you can tell your wing to attack or defend but thats about it.

This game offers you the option to command something a bit larger and you can fly fighters in ground attack missions as well as pure space combat. Yes the Fleet command still isn't that great but I think it's better than IW. As for graphics, well I do agree that IW2 at least has better graphics but it's not that bad. I really would rather have average graghics over great graphics if it meant that there was more meat to the game.

I think IW2 is at least 2 years old already. This game was released this year and looks awful. I don't give any credit to a company that is either recycling old content or producing substandard content.

kiloton · « **Reply #16 on:** July 01, 2004, 12:08:57 pm »

This game was/is made by a single developer independently over the last 7 years. Yes, the graphics are a little dated (using DirectX 7.0) but I still think they look fine.

I am enjoying the game. Ran several mission of Operation Highland last night. A few successful, a few not. Have not figured out how to survive a minefield clearing mission yet.

I was able to configure my joystick axes exactly how I wanted and have not had any problems landing.

Ken

GE-Raven · « **Reply #17 on:** July 01, 2004, 02:33:40 pm »

Damn... I came in hoping to hear that Space Navy Command was finally gonna get published. Overloaded Ferrets and the Wussie Cat People? Man I can't wait.

GE-Raven

J. Carney · « **Reply #18 on:** July 01, 2004, 02:59:21 pm »

Quote from: GE-Raven on July 01, 2004, 02:33:40 pm

Damn... I came in hoping to hear that Space Navy Command was finally gonna get published. Overloaded Ferrets and the Wussie Cat People? Man I can't wait.

GE-Raven

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

*Recoils in horror as he remembers the SCN2: Old People expansion that was proposed and suppresses a shudder at the thought of the deadly "Old People Smell" heavy weapon*

Brush Wolf · « **Reply #19 on:** July 01, 2004, 03:25:51 pm »

I have one question on this game and I haven't seen it in the demos tutorial yet. Are there Magic Photons?

J. Carney · « **Reply #20 on:** July 01, 2004, 03:54:29 pm »

Quote from: Brush Wolf on July 01, 2004, 03:25:51 pm

I have one question on this game and I haven't seen it in the demos tutorial yet. Are there Magic Photons?

He said M**** P******!!!!!

We have to ban him! You can't say that!

Brush Wolf · « **Reply #21 on:** July 01, 2004, 04:09:36 pm »

Quote from: J. Carney on July 01, 2004, 03:54:29 pm

Quote from: Brush Wolf on July 01, 2004, 03:25:51 pm
I have one question on this game and I haven't seen it in the demos tutorial yet. Are there Magic Photons?

He said M**** P******!!!!!

We have to ban him! You can't say that!

Hey, if Mentat can bring up DS than I can bring up MP's.

J. Carney · « **Reply #22 on:** July 01, 2004, 04:27:39 pm »

Dash Jones · « **Reply #23 on:** July 01, 2004, 07:06:30 pm »

You know, I have to agree with Lepton...IDW and IDW 2 are BOTH better games, as far as I can see. The ship movement, and weapons are better and more user friendly. I don't agree with it's physics in space, but they are definately more affable than in this game.

On the otherhand, I tried X-2 the threat...I don't know who was reviewing that game on Gamespot and other places...but that is the most unfriendly piece of HUD I've ever run across...no real tutorials of any use, not real anything...controls are jack (no offense to anyone called jack, but you know what I mean) crud, and anyways, I could go on about how bad I thought that game was.

This game...starshatter is heads and tails above that game...and is in fact, enjoyable to play...unlike X-2 which is just an exercise in tedium and how patient you must be (X-2...first response in trying to get bigger and better ships is...I have to get HOW MUCH!!!)...

Brush Wolf · « **Reply #24 on:** July 01, 2004, 09:18:37 pm »

Quote from: Dash Jones on July 01, 2004, 07:06:30 pm

You know, I have to agree with Lepton...IDW and IDW 2 are BOTH better games, as far as I can see. The ship movement, and weapons are better and more user friendly. I don't agree with it's physics in space, but they are definately more affable than in this game.

On the otherhand, I tried X-2 the threat...I don't know who was reviewing that game on Gamespot and other places...but that is the most unfriendly piece of HUD I've ever run across...no real tutorials of any use, not real anything...controls are jack (no offense to anyone called jack, but you know what I mean) crud, and anyways, I could go on about how bad I thought that game was.

This game...starshatter is heads and tails above that game...and is in fact, enjoyable to play...unlike X-2 which is just an exercise in tedium and how patient you must be (X-2...first response in trying to get bigger and better ships is...I have to get HOW MUCH!!!)...

If I could get my hands on a pound of whatever those X-2 reviewers were on I would be set for life, I would be either rich or in jail. The game claims that you can decide to go the business route or the combat route. What they don't tell you is that you have to go the business route to be able to afford going the combat route.

They also claim multiple monitor support and it is only in the extra fine print that you find out that it only works with the proprietary nVidia method and not with the non-propriety method used by everyone else.

Dash Jones · « **Reply #25 on:** July 01, 2004, 09:54:25 pm »

I've been giving StarShatter a good hard long look tonight and this morning. I've gone through it all...and I think it's rather user friendly overall. I think Homeworld has it better for fleet control, but nice enough game.

There is one thing that I think is cool, and that's the editor. Started playing with it, but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to make other ships enemies so that I can have massive battles between fleets if I so desire.

Does anyone know (and go step by step, pretend I'm stupid or something...not that I am...that's why I said pretend) on how to create enemy ships. And can create tons of friendly ships, and other things, just having a hard time making enemies in the custom mission design.

Whoo · « **Reply #26 on:** July 01, 2004, 10:35:23 pm »

I thought x2 the threat was done much better far as sims go.
havent tried this demo yet...
did they ever get a publisher?

Hyperion · « **Reply #27 on:** July 01, 2004, 11:07:24 pm »

Single Developer? Years in design? Somewhat older graphics?

Derek Smart in disguise?

Or is that still a taboo name?

Honestly it does look interesting even though im not one much for "fighter" combat games

Lt. RoyDanvers · « **Reply #28 on:** July 02, 2004, 12:43:23 am »

The Publisher is Matrix Games, here is there Forum for the game: http://www.matrixgames.com/

I've enjoyed playing the game, even my 6 year old likes it

Brush Wolf · « **Reply #29 on:** July 02, 2004, 02:09:12 am »

I have been messing with the demo since yesterday and I am generally impressed although I wish there was an auto land option for atmospheric flight. While I nailed the landing on the carrier on the first try I have had to call the FAA every time I have tried to land on the runway. There is no mistaking the frigate for a fighter either as once you start it swinging it can be a mother to stop the swing. I think I will be picking it up if I can ever master ground landings. although they may go better if I dig out my joystick.

Dash Jones · « **Reply #30 on:** July 02, 2004, 11:30:21 am »

The ground landing isn't too hard. Just slow down and angle the nose up. Fly through the ILS pattern, and after that, keep the nose up, but make sure that you are still descending (altimeter on the left of your center targetting reticle will show if you are descending or not).

I just have trouble engaging in fleet to fleet battles with controlling all the fighters, and figuring out where the enemy is...

Still want to know, when using the scenario creater, how to make enemies however...haven't figured that out.

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Topic: New Space Combat Game (Read 11351 times)