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I'm hoping to get a decent PC soon, and one thing I've craved for a while is a decent space navy game. Alas, I've never had a decent, game-worth PC, so I'm hoping to get recommendations from the knowers of know.
So, what decent games are out there? I want 360 degree combat, I want to control cruisers, and frigates, and dreadnoughts. I want to engage vessels from 500,000KMs away and have to judge where my rail-gun volley will travel in the 12 minutes it takes to reach its target.
Anything like that out there?
I've heard about a Homeworld game, but I've only heard about it, though I think it's getting on it years now.
Also, is there anything decent on any other format? Console, handheld, maybe, though I doubt it.
Cheers, guys.
Tower
An Armour Save? No, never heard of it. Me? I play Imperial Guard.
The Homeworld series is the premier example of a space navy game done right.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2014/01/21 15:52:47
The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
Homeworld is the only game in my opinion to truly get full 3d space combat right. It really does have what you are looking for but it is getting on in years but it can still be played quite easily but you will mostly be relegated to skirmish games or lans with friends.
Other than that there isn't much. There are combat-ish simulators but then you are only controlling a single ship. There is sins of a solar empire but that is not 3d combat and adds in other elements as well and is mostly short-ranged fights (though there are most likely mods to add what you want). And most 4X games do not have a lot of depth in their space combat to satisfy what you are looking for.
I think the best bets would be Homeworld or Sins with a few good mods added in.
I don't believe other consoles will have what you are looking for. I really haven't heard of anything in this genre for quite some time unfortunatly. Good Hunting.
Forest hunter sept ~3500 guardians of the covenant 4th company ~ 6000
Warrior based hive fleet
The X Universe series can be played like that too, though you have to personally pilot one of them and the AI can be stupid at times (its intelligence limited by the processing speed of your computer). X: Rebirth and X3: Albion Prelude are the most recent of the series. It is NOT an RTS except in the strictest sense.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/01/21 15:54:16
The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
2014/01/21 15:58:15
Subject: Re:Can you recommend me a Space Navy game?
How about Flotilla? Not a very serious game, and not much in terms of fancy graphics, but it is rather relaxing to play (piano music + slow pace) and the battles certainly feel more tactical than in other games, especially as you have to plan ahead a lot. Battles are conducted in real time, but you can only give orders every couple seconds (at which point the game will stop, allowing you to change headings, speeds, targets, etc). Ships can have drastic differences in terms of armour plating depending on the side from which you are attacking, so clever positioning and outmaneuvering the opponent is key, as well as clever use of the different weapon systems.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/01/21 16:00:09
2014/01/21 17:48:30
Subject: Re:Can you recommend me a Space Navy game?
Getting seriously nostalgic for Homeworld now. I think that might just be the only video game that has actually made me tear up a little as a result of story elements.
Also, I've only played the first. Does the series get better, worse, or stay the same? I could do with some more spaceships.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/01/21 18:01:35
Like watching other people play video games (badly) while blathering about nothing in particular? Check out my Youtube channel: joemamaUSA!
BrianDavion wrote: Between the two of us... I think GW is assuming we the players are not complete idiots.
Rapidly on path to becoming the world's youngest bitter old man.
I'm hoping to get a decent PC soon, and one thing I've craved for a while is a decent space navy game. Alas, I've never had a decent, game-worth PC, so I'm hoping to get recommendations from the knowers of know.
So, what decent games are out there? I want 360 degree combat, I want to control cruisers, and frigates, and dreadnoughts. I want to engage vessels from 500,000KMs away and have to judge where my rail-gun volley will travel in the 12 minutes it takes to reach its target.
Anything like that out there?
I've heard about a Homeworld game, but I've only heard about it, though I think it's getting on it years now.
Also, is there anything decent on any other format? Console, handheld, maybe, though I doubt it.
Cheers, guys.
Tower
Homeworld 1 and 2 would be a good fit.
From other genres there is Freespace 2 (a very good flight sim but its comparatively ancient now).
Other other good option is EvE. Its an MMO but it has everything you list and it is nothing like WoW clones. Its a hard and unforgiving game though.
RegalPhantom wrote: If your fluff doesn't fit, change your fluff until it does
The prefect example of someone missing the point.
Do not underestimate the Squats. They survived for millenia cut off from the Imperium and assailed on all sides. Their determination and resilience is an example to us all.
-Leman Russ, Meditations on Imperial Command book XVI (AKA the RT era White Dwarf Commpendium).
Its just a shame that they couldn't fight off Andy Chambers.
Warzone Plog
I'm hoping to get a decent PC soon, and one thing I've craved for a while is a decent space navy game. Alas, I've never had a decent, game-worth PC, so I'm hoping to get recommendations from the knowers of know.
So, what decent games are out there? I want 360 degree combat, I want to control cruisers, and frigates, and dreadnoughts. I want to engage vessels from 500,000KMs away and have to judge where my rail-gun volley will travel in the 12 minutes it takes to reach its target.
Anything like that out there?
I've heard about a Homeworld game, but I've only heard about it, though I think it's getting on it years now.
Also, is there anything decent on any other format? Console, handheld, maybe, though I doubt it.
Cheers, guys.
Tower
Other other good option is EvE. Its an MMO but it has everything you list and it is nothing like WoW clones. Its a hard and unforgiving game though.
What version of eve are you playing!??! It definitely doesn't have 500,000 km engagement ranges, and you definitely don't calculate flighttimes, etc. (the game handles all the calculations for you).
CoALabaer wrote: Wargamers hate two things: the state of the game and change.
What version of eve are you playing!??! It definitely doesn't have 500,000 km engagement ranges, and you definitely don't calculate flighttimes, etc. (the game handles all the calculations for you).
No game does although you could argue that EvE does have 500k km+ engagement ranges, just not weapon ranges.
The only eaxmple where flight times play a role in a space game is in Sins and its Novalith/Kostura cannons and even then they are specialist weapons.
RegalPhantom wrote: If your fluff doesn't fit, change your fluff until it does
The prefect example of someone missing the point.
Do not underestimate the Squats. They survived for millenia cut off from the Imperium and assailed on all sides. Their determination and resilience is an example to us all.
-Leman Russ, Meditations on Imperial Command book XVI (AKA the RT era White Dwarf Commpendium).
Its just a shame that they couldn't fight off Andy Chambers.
Warzone Plog
JSF wrote:... this is really quite an audacious move by GW, throwing out any pretext that this is a game and that its customers exist to do anything other than buy their overpriced products for the sake of it. The naked arrogance, greed and contempt for their audience is shocking.
Well there is Shipbreakers which is sort of a Homeworld game.
Gearbox aqcuired the rights to Homeworld in the THQ auction so they are going to do something with it. Currently its just a HD remake but there is every possibility that there will be a full game eventually. If it iwould be any good is another matter entirely.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/01/22 07:21:18
RegalPhantom wrote: If your fluff doesn't fit, change your fluff until it does
The prefect example of someone missing the point.
Do not underestimate the Squats. They survived for millenia cut off from the Imperium and assailed on all sides. Their determination and resilience is an example to us all.
-Leman Russ, Meditations on Imperial Command book XVI (AKA the RT era White Dwarf Commpendium).
Its just a shame that they couldn't fight off Andy Chambers.
Warzone Plog
Cheers, guys. So, it sounds like it's Homelands, then. Just need a PC now.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Though, that Novus AEterno games look AMAZING! However, I'm sure you'll need a PC that doesn't exist to be able to actually play the thing.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/01/22 13:03:40
An Armour Save? No, never heard of it. Me? I play Imperial Guard.
But yeah. It's sad that the gaming industry has ignored this genre.
The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
2014/01/22 15:11:06
Subject: Re:Can you recommend me a Space Navy game?
Tower75 wrote: Cheers, guys. So, it sounds like it's Homelands, then. Just need a PC now.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Though, that Novus AEterno games look AMAZING! However, I'm sure you'll need a PC that doesn't exist to be able to actually play the thing.
I don't think so, it seems like most of the heavy lifting will be handled on the server side rather than the client side.
The mandate looks pretty cool too.
CoALabaer wrote: Wargamers hate two things: the state of the game and change.
2014/01/22 20:58:50
Subject: Re:Can you recommend me a Space Navy game?
Well there is Shipbreakers which is sort of a Homeworld game.
Gearbox aqcuired the rights to Homeworld in the THQ auction so they are going to do something with it. Currently its just a HD remake but there is every possibility that there will be a full game eventually. If it iwould be any good is another matter entirely.
JSF wrote:... this is really quite an audacious move by GW, throwing out any pretext that this is a game and that its customers exist to do anything other than buy their overpriced products for the sake of it. The naked arrogance, greed and contempt for their audience is shocking.
= Epic First Post.
2014/01/22 21:33:10
Subject: Re:Can you recommend me a Space Navy game?
Homeworlds 2 is relatively recent and has decent graphics content.
n'oublie jamais - It appears I now have to highlight this again.
It is by tea alone I set my mind in motion. By the juice of the brew my thoughts aquire speed, my mind becomes strained, the strain becomes a warning. It is by tea alone I set my mind in motion.
Orlanth wrote: Homeworlds 2 is relatively recent and has decent graphics content.
September 2003 is 'relatively recent'?
Mandorallen turned back toward the insolently sneering baron. 'My Lord,' The great knight said distantly, 'I find thy face apelike and thy form misshapen. Thy beard, moreover, is an offence against decency, resembling more closely the scabrous fur which doth decorate the hinder portion of a mongrel dog than a proper adornment for a human face. Is it possibly that thy mother, seized by some wild lechery, did dally at some time past with a randy goat?' - Mimbrate Knight Protector Mandorallen.
Excerpt from "Seeress of Kell", Book Five of The Malloreon series by David Eddings.
"You need not fear us, unless you are a dark heart, a vile one who preys on the innocent; I promise, you can’t hide forever in the empty darkness, for we will hunt you down like the animals you are, and pull you into the very bowels of hell." Iron - Within Temptation
Frankenberry wrote:Get excited about Star Citizen. Look it up, you'll sob tears of sci-fi spaceship awesomeness.
Personally, I'm much more excited about Elite: Dangerous, though I'm sure that is partially due to childhood memories. Did anyone read what they're planning here? The background simulation engine sounds particularly cool, and I dig the attention to miniscule detail in their design of ship systems or handling of crimes etc.
Spoiler:
That being said, both games seem to be sufficiently different that they won't come into direct competition, and I know lots of people that have backed both projects. Roberts and Braben also seem to be on rather friendly terms with each other, which is always cool.
From what I can see, Star Citizen has a smaller focus, but offers more pre-generated detail and player interactivity, whereas Elite is more massive (in terms of space to explore) and sandboxy.
That's a discussion that almost(?) warrants its own thread, though. I don't think both games really qualify for what Tower75 actually meant, much like some of the other suggestions mentioned in this thread.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/01/24 06:06:50
I would like to throw Sword of the Stars 2 in the mix. It has everything your looking for plus a grand campaign. I have seen it cheap on steam, check it out.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/01/24 06:43:40
Every Dakkanaught gets a 4+ Pinch of Salt save.
When you suffer a Falling Sky hit, roll a D6 - on a 4+ the hit is ignored as per the Pinch of Salt save. On a 1-3 panic insues - you automatically fail common sense tests for the next 2 weeks and get +7 to your negativity stat. -Praxiss
@Lynata: I complete forgot about that one! I've watched that capital fight like, thirty times since I found the video. The game itself is so daring, given the scope they're aiming for.
Shadowkeepers (4000 points)
3rd Company (3000 points)
This thread is full of win.
Elite was one of my first games back when I only had a Spectrum 64k to play, I forgot how many times I crashed trying to return to Lave.
Homeworld is another favorite. The pacing, the use of 3d tactics, the gorgeous backgrounds, the music and more important the story. It hit me so hard that Return to Kharak is one mission I've repeated to the point where only a perfect score rescuing the Cryo Trays is admisible.
M.
Jenkins: You don't have jurisdiction here!
Smith Jamison: We aren't here, which means when we open up on you and shred your bodies with automatic fire then this will never have happened.
About the Clans: "Those brief outbursts of sense can't hold back the wave of sibko bred, over hormoned sociopaths that they crank out though."
Elite?
Jesus, my mum played that when she was in Uni...
Dakka Bingo! By Ouze "You are the best at flying things"-Kanluwen
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"Purp.. Im pretty sure I have a gun than can reach you...."-Nicorex
"That's not really an apocalypse. That's just Europe."-Grakmar
"almost as good as winning free cake at the tea drinking contest for an Englishman." -Reds8n
Seal up your lips and give no words but mum.
Equip, Reload. Do violence.
Watch for Gerry.
Forest hunter sept ~3500 
guardians of the covenant 4th company ~ 6000
Warrior based hive fleet
Shadowkeepers (4000 points)
3rd Company (3000 points) 
