Forum Overview :: Article Submissions :: FS2

[quote name="Mischief Maker"]Freespace 2: The space sim genre is dead. Some say it's because of those confounded intimidating joysticks. Others say it's because they're too complex for the pants-wearing console crowd while too simple for the short-pants-wearing computer crowd. I have a new explanation: Freespace 2 tanked in sales. After that happened, every developer threw up their hands and said, "Well, shit! If they won't buy that, they won't buy any Space Sims." Freespace 2 is the greatest game ever made. Freespace 1 took the best parts of the X-Wing and Wing Commander franchises, scrapped the annoying crap like FMV cutscenes and constantly juggling power levels, and created the best Space Sim interface ever. Freespace 2 took that interface and an innovation six zillion times cooler I-War than cribbing "asteroids'" physics. They turned captial ships from slightly large space-scenery used in bomber turkey shoots into FUCKING GIGANTIC ENGINES OF DESTRUCTION. An end to the age of being the ultimate Uber ace swatting dozens of wings of enemy fighters before leisurely disabling and destroying their mothership while your wingmen's purpose for following you around is because it'd otherwise look pretty crass of your commanders to send you alone to destroy the enemy's entire fleet. Suddenly missions were desperate encounters where your wingmen are necessary and useful, success is not assured, and you can die from simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time when an enemy beam turret gunner looks for a new target. This game is so exhilerating to play, it's the one game that's caused me to break into a sweat just playing it. You are Space Yossarrian. And for some stupid reason, not only did it tank in sales, but now mega-ego-buggy-sprawling-crap-game-extraordinaire Derek Smart, PhD is looking to grab the license to make the sequel, assuring us all that a silly little shooter like this is well within his abilities. *Shudder*[/quote]