Freelancer: a great space sim with superb graphics, an engaging storyline, innovative features, and only a few problems.
User Rating: 9.4 | Freelancer PC
I bought Freelancer about a year and a half ago, and I have loved it. Gameplay: The innovative mouse and keyboard feature really makes flying a breeze, and it contributes to the game's friendly learning curve. The storyline kept me coming back to the singleplayer, and many times I just wanted to keep playing so that I could reveal the story. The other ships that populate space keep you from feeling like the only one out there. On occasion you'll even exit a trade lane or jump gate to discover a raging battle! Your reputation also affects where you can go and what you can do. Graphics: The graphics in the game are extremely nice to look at. There are particle effects, glares from the bright suns, atmospheres around planets, and beautiful but sometimes creepy nebulae. Each colony has its own distinct look to the ships, which are detailed and beautiful. The backgrounds in space are awe-inspiring. Sometimes its fun just to sit back and watch space! The cutscenes are rendered with the game engine, but it doesn't really matter because the game looks that good. Sound: The sounds in the game immerse you in the action (although it is a bit unrealistic - you wouldn't hear much in space. It's a good thing, though, because you wouldn't want to play a silent game). Each kind of nebula makes its own distinct sound, but this is realistic - flying through a nebula would be like flying through a free-standing atmosphere. The music adds a dimension to the gameplay. It can make your adrenaline flow before you even start fighting! Value: I bought Freelancer for $30 - a great price for such an awesome game! There are only a few drawbacks to this game. First, things can get repetitive. When you talk to bar patrons, they always say one of about 15 things. Your character's talk is also limited. Pilots all sound the same, even though they are from different colonies. It would be nice if they had included more voice clips and responses. Second, the multiplayer isn't very good. You have to come back to the same server if you want to keep your stats, and the huge game space means that you will experience extremely jerky gameplay. Other than those few problems, Freelancer is incredible! If you like action or flight games, you'll love this one. I guarantee you'll keep coming back for more. 
