Trade... Fight... Fly... Ooh, shiny! (X3 - Reunion (PC))

Member Name: Rocketeer007

Product:	X3 - Reunion (PC)
Date:	25/10/08 (75 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Immersive, complex game

Disadvantages: Sadly, no multiplayer

X3: Reunion continues the X series of games. The game is set in a futuristic universe where space-flight and space-trading are common. You play the part of a pilot looking for work to earn some cash...

At the start of the game, crisis has hit this region of space, and it is under attack from fairly unknown aliens called the Khaak. You can chose to follow the storyline and defend humanity against these invaders, or go off and do your own thing - trading, fighting, piracy - to earn cash. The choice is yours... or you can, of course, do both!

Gameplay: This game is one of the most open-ended games I know. Similar to the GTA series in that respect, you can choose your own missions from those available at space stations, or you can just go and trade goods across the galaxy. Cleverly though, the Egosoft team have created a truly dynamic economic model, so what may be a profitable route one hour may become totally a waste when a computer-controlled trader starts muscling in on your territory.

The first few missions are pretty much spoon-fed to you, but after that you're on your own. This can be a bit daunting, but there is plenty of help on the Egosoft forums for newbies to the game.

Graphics: Truly stunning - of course, this depends on the quality of your computer and graphics card. The capability is there though, with instantly recognisable space-scapes and amazingly detailed stations and ships.

Sound: The sound-track of this game is a bit oppressive at times; on the plus side it reacts to your current actions - sometimes, the first warning you get of a hostile enemy is the change to the music (and the sound of an approaching missile)...
Theoretically, in space no-one can hear you scream, but this fact of mere physics is ignored in favour of better gameplay, so you can hear your guns firing, and any impacts on your ship...

There are a few technical problems with the sound on this game - up to date drivers will usually solve them, but be warned that this can prove troublesome.

Summary: Fantastic game let down by a few technical flaws on the sound engine