The X series is back! No, not Mega Man X or the Game Boy tank game X (that one did see a sequel last year, though), but the open-ended space simulation series that began with X: Beyond the Frontier in 1999. Developer Egosoft has announced a new sequel to the PC series, X Rebirth, to be published by Deep Silver in the fourth quarter of this year.
X Rebirth promises the same kind of Elite-style exploration and trading found in the previous games, but with "a whole new user experience." Trading, combat, and exploration ("with fast travel") are all part of the adventure. If that sounds good, you can see more in the trailer after the break.
@Nytemare457 I've liked all 3 of the X games that have been released in the US. Gameplay has been good as have the environments and space models. Character models are eh... They tried some horrible cutscreens in X2, but haven't repeated that and just left story stuff in the game space and voice overs in X3 like the original game. It's about the only space sim series around and it's definitely one of the most in depth ones ever made. You can build an industrial empire and fly capital ships and have your own fleet if you want. Very sandbox outside of the main story.
Looks awesome but X3 looked awesome too and that wasnt any fun because of how much of a simulator it tried to be. Hopefully this one adds less sim and more fun like in Freelancer.
@aughscreennames I agree. I own X3, and i can definitely appreciate the sandbox game and how much stuff is actually in it. However it was just way to difficult to get into when all I was looking for is a more "epic" freelancer experience with the capital ship fleets and all.
I hope they improve that in this one, open up the audience a little more. Though the hardcore fans will probably be a little upset. The older games were too much like a single player EVE for me.
@aughscreennames I'd say the biggest problem with it is that it became too complex. You were able to control multiple ships and factories--and because of the huge financial advantage doing so provided, you'd be crazy not to. But controlling that many assets became complex and tedious. If you could control no other ship (as in Elite), I think I would have enjoyed x3 more.
Still, I'm a sucker for a space sim, and I'll probably buy this new one, too.
Chalk me up as interested here. Been looking for a good Xploration space game since Sins, Galacatic Civ 2 and Masters of Orion 2 (lets pretend 3 didn't exist).
Been waiting for another good one of these, and it doesn't look like we're getting Elite 4 in this decade. Plus, I consistently forget how amazing the X games look.
I always wanted these games to have more streamlined interfaces. The deep menu system should be supplemented by a context sensitive button system. There should also be mission style gameplay and an overarching storyline..a campaign so to speak.
That's just me...what I would like. I guess at the end of the day I am more a Freelancer than a X3 type of player.
Despite the fact that I was interested in X3, and bought it...I just couldn't get engaged in it. It felt like work, sorting through several layers of menus , making notes on a notepad etc.
If they simplify everything, provide a context sensitive user interface, some structured storylines etc. then I can see myself buying it. But I kind of doubt the same team would do anything radically different from X3.
These games have always had a real soft spot for me. The game-play is incredibly deep and addictive. However the interface has always made the game a chore to do most mid to high lvl tasks. The choice in vehicles was amazing and the customization was out of this world as far as equipment went. It had hundreds of ships from the smallest scout fighter to the largest carriers and battlecrusers. EVEN the ability to make and combine your own space stations to make HUGE megastations. This series is AWESOME. Fighting could have been better is one of the other critiques I would have been overlooking that and the interface being unwieldy it was still simply amazing.
I'm all for making the game more playable by more people but if that means removing any of the features, abilities, or selection of ships and equipment that the game had in it then FORGET it. Not buying if it is a neutered version. We dont need any more of those, plenty of so called AAA crap out there thats watered down to nothing if you want it.
