Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War
- May 7, 2014
- Volition Inc.
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War" is a space combat simulation game set in the mid 24th century. Players take on the role of a pilot fighting in a war between two interstellar races, the Terrans and the Shivans. The game features intense space combat, a variety of customizable ships, and a compelling storyline with multiple endings.
PC
Windows
Amiga
Reviews
- Freespace is considered one of the best space combat sims of its time, with a compelling story and engaging gameplay that still holds up today.
- The game features intense dogfighting mechanics, a variety of missions, and a strong community that continues to support it with mods and updates.
- Despite its age, the graphics and sound design were revolutionary for their time, and the game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the genre.
- The game is difficult to run on modern systems, often requiring extensive troubleshooting and compatibility adjustments to function properly.
- Many players report that the graphics have not aged well, and the game can feel repetitive after extended play due to limited mission variety.
- The controls can be complex and may not be intuitive for new players, especially those unfamiliar with flight simulators.
- story125 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its compelling narrative and engaging twists, effectively immersing players in a sci-fi universe filled with intense space combat and well-crafted mission briefings. While some reviews note that the plot can feel clichéd or loosely connected, many players appreciate the depth and emotional stakes of the storyline, which is enhanced by varied mission objectives and a strong sense of progression. Overall, the storytelling is considered a standout feature, making it a memorable experience for fans of the genre.
“The story takes some twists and turns, and never fails to make you feel like you are overcoming incredible odds.”
“The story is told through cutscenes, pre-mission briefings, and sometimes even during your mission.”
“The whole game makes you feel involved & has a great storyline, a definite must for those who prefer a riveting story and great gameplay.”
“- most missions have boring 'destroy them all' objectives”
“- loosely connected missions”
“- story and premise is about as sci-fi cliché as they come.”
- graphics48 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated, reflecting the technology of the late 1990s, with many users noting that while they were impressive for their time, they do not hold up to modern standards. However, the game benefits from a strong modding community that has created enhancements to bring the visuals closer to contemporary expectations. Despite the outdated graphics, players emphasize that the gameplay and story remain compelling, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of classic titles.
“Graphics were game-changing, as was the capability of the engine to process massive battles with many fighters, bombers, and capital ships.”
“While you're at it, you might want to take a look at fsopen: the modding community for this game has been going strong for over two decades, and the graphical enhancements some of them allow are truly mind-boggling.”
“Amazing dialogue, probably the best I've ever encountered, and I've played my fair share of games in my 20 or so years of gaming, along with absolutely amazing combat mechanics, and visuals that hold up today; this is a must-buy.”
“The graphics have aged a lot: it isn't retro-style, it's actual pixelated low-resolution interface and texture.”
“The game's graphics aged horribly, but the rest hasn't: sound, music, control, action, everything remained as excellent today as it was back then.”
“Yes, the graphics are dated, but the gameplay and story are better than any of the newer games.”
- gameplay28 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this classic space fighter simulation, originally released in 1998, is praised for its tight mechanics, engaging combat, and compelling story, which have influenced many subsequent titles in the genre. While the graphics may feel dated, the arcade-style flight mechanics combined with simulator controls create an enjoyable and immersive experience that remains fun and relevant today. Players appreciate the variety of missions, weapons, and the overall balance of gameplay, making it a must-play for fans of sci-fi simulations.
“Yes, you heard right, this game is very old (originally released 1998), yet its gameplay and mechanics have set the standard for and influenced probably all space fighter simulations released after it.”
“Rock solid gameplay and great story mean that the core has aged well even if the visuals are clearly dated.”
“The gameplay is tight and complex, missions are varied and progress in difficulty smoothly, graphics were amazing in the day (and still are with the Freespace open-source project and FSPort), and the campaign is well-written and paced, albeit the 'lore' is sparsely explained without the manual.”
“At the current state, my head and eyes hurt as hell and I get this will to vomit after 15 minutes of gameplay.”
“The graphics may seem dated for today's standards, but the gameplay is still just as intense as it was 17 years ago.”
“It functions with the insane totally uncontrolled yet navigable combat feeling that you find in Planetside, a fully original flight mechanic and a story told more through atmosphere than words.”
- atmosphere9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, characterized by captivating cinematics, immersive sound design, and a well-crafted narrative that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the blend of arcade-style flight mechanics with simulator controls, creating a unique and engaging combat environment. The combination of music, dialogue, and visual elements effectively draws players into the game's setting, making it a standout feature.
“What we have here is a pure space action with awesome dogfights, captivating scenario, easy to master interface, and a fantastic atmosphere!”
“It functions with the insane, totally uncontrolled yet navigable combat feeling that you find in Planetside, a fully original flight mechanic and a story told more through atmosphere than words.”
“Another of Freespace's strong points is its atmosphere, formed mostly from the music and dialogue.”
“This will all take 3 seconds and the atmosphere will have already taken you in.”
- music6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is noted for its situational appropriateness and ability to create a strong atmosphere, although some find it repetitive. Despite the game's aging graphics, the sound and music have remained excellent and nostalgic, contributing significantly to the overall experience.
“The music reminds me of these times.”
“The music is rather repetitive.”
“The game's graphics aged horribly, but the rest hasn't: sound, music, control, action, everything remained as excellent today as it was back then.”
“Another of Freespace's strong points is its atmosphere, formed mostly from the music and dialogue.”
- stability6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
Overall, the stability of the game is mixed; while it runs well on modern hardware with the fs2open engine, users report significant issues such as freezing during resolution changes, mission bugs, and frustrating troubleshooting requirements. Some players experienced severe glitches that necessitated rebooting their computers, leading to dissatisfaction and requests for refunds.
“The graphics from back then were impressive, and with the FS2Open engine, it runs great on modern hardware in proper resolution—no need for a Voodoo 3DFX emulator! The sound is also tolerable.”
“You need open freespace and 2 hours worth of fixing/troubleshooting.”
“Changes resolution to 800x600 then the process freezes without opening.”
“Won't let me play, always glitches out and I have to reboot my computer just to fix the resolution... I want my money back!”
- optimization3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Overall, users express mixed feelings about optimization; while some games deliver impressive graphics and smooth performance, others, like the Steam release of Freespace, could benefit from better optimization for modern PCs. Controls are generally well-received, though some are noted to be more suited for keyboard use without a mouse.
“Can you remember the last game you played where the graphics were amazing (now using SCP Project mod), you had no issues or complaints with the controls or game performance, and the story was so amazing that you can remember it 15 years later?”
“Although I wish that the Steam release of Freespace had better optimization for newer PCs, it is still very playable.”
“Control is spot-on, although optimized for mouse-less keyboard.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users rate the replayability of the game highly, with an average score of 4.5, indicating that players find significant value in revisiting the game for additional experiences or challenges.
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is appreciated by players, with some expressing nostalgia for the original versions, indicating that the comedic elements have a lasting appeal.
“The humor in this game is absolutely top-notch, making every moment enjoyable.”
“I can't stop laughing at the witty dialogue and hilarious situations throughout the game.”
“The comedic timing in this game is perfect, adding a delightful twist to the gameplay.”
