The first time I played Freespace 2 was in a demo which included 2 missions, one in each enviorment. I must have played the demo 20 times ove because the graphics were just amazing. Then I go out and try to find the game. No luck. I see Freespace 1, so I buy that. When I finally got my hands on FS2, I was able to dive right into it because the controls are EXACTLY like the original's, so Descent: Freespace veterans can just skip the training missions.
Freespace 2 starts you off fighting the NTF, a rogue fleet of the GTVA. You fight along side the Vasudans (whom you start off fighting in the first game.) Together, you fight off the NTF, when the Shivans come back for another piece. For those of you who have never played the original, the Shivans are these really high-tech dog things. During a battle with the Vasudans in the original game, the Shivans intervened and a new war began. In this game, the Shivans do the exact same thing.
The game has a vast array of ships and weapons that are used in the game. You can load up any weapon you want and any ship you want. There is no money system, you just point and click. The weapons range from fast firing purple (and really cool looking) lasers to big massive bombs that generate one humongous explosion. There is quite some strategy to what ship and weapons you choose depending on what you have to and what you'll have to fight (it's a bad idea to start a bombing run with an interceptor plane.)
Once you actually get into battle, you will be immersed in this huge enviorment (it's outer space, for one thing.) The backround has ususally either a number of nebulas scattered around or you'll be flying near a star or planet. Then the enemies come... A lot of your time is spent getting into intense dog fights, whether you're on the recieving end or the "giving" end. The explosions ae really cool when you take out a fighter, and each time you want to give yourself a little pat on the back, but you can't because there's a fighter shooting at you.
Not all of the game is getting into dog fights, though. Sometimes you'll have to hop into a bomber and start blowing huge ships. These ships are usually armed to the teeth with lasers, flak guns, missle banks, and the all new, original beam cannons that were left out in the original Freespace. These beam cannons are sweet and have cool graphics. The ships also have anti-fighter beams that will take you down before you feel the heat. All the fighting and stuff makes for some incredible screen shots. Also, you get to fly in nebulas which is like flying through a colorful cloud. It makes for interesting fights because you can't see anything.
From what you've read, the game might sound a bit arcadey. However, it's not called a "flight sim" for nothing. You have to know how to mangage your ship as well as how to command your wing if you want to come out alive. For instance, your ship runs on energy that is divided into 3 areas: Engine, Weapons, and Shields. Depending on how much energy you divert to one area effects it's performance. More energy on engines makes you go faster if you are chasing a fast target. More energy on weapons makes them recharge faster so you can fire more often with energy-chugging weapons, and more weapons on shields makes your shields charge faster incase you are bombing a capital ship and you are taking a pouding.
Throughout the course of the game you will go up in rank and be able to command wings. You are always leader of Alpha wing. You can also command other wings depending on rank. You can choose a variety of things to tell your teammates, and they will always obey. They also react intelligently. If you shoot them down you are going to have a rough ride home.
Another new addition to Freespace 2 is that is can branch off and give you a choice of doing special assignments that are really tough, but really cool. For instance, in one mission you get togo on a covert mission flying a Shivan fighter (once you start, you better hit your afterburners. You'll know what I mean.)
I've said it before and I'll say it again. The graphics are some of the best I have ever seen in my life. The lasers glow, the missles leave colorful stream trails, and the explosions! THE EXPLOSIONS!! The sound rocks too. It has a cool sci-fi feel to it. The weapon sounds and the shrieks of the deafining explosions of big ships is awesome. You have to play this game loud. Whem no one is home, I blast it.
Also, can't forget the plot. The plot is pretty good but it ends with a lot of questions being unanswered. The voice acting is good though, and the script is cool and funny at times.
If you are a big fan of space flight sims, or any games where you like seeing things blow up, then get this game. Don't let the "Sci-fi sim" thing discourage you. It's deep, but not too much.
Also, you can't forget about FRED, the Freespace 2 mission maker. It is unbelievably easy to use, so I urge you to learn to make missions from it. (Urge! Urge! I've got the urge to herbal!) I couldn't resist.
P.S. Get the "Sci-Fi Sim of The Year" edition. It includes 30 new missions in another capaign about finishing off the Hammer of Light, a rogue Vasudan fleet.
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