Freespace 2

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 227 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Freespace 2 Game Cover
Breathtaking action, atmosphere, story, and graphics come together to create a truly compelling combat experience.
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"Freespace 2" is a space combat simulation game set in 2367, 32 years after the Great War. The player continues as a pilot fighting against the Shivans, defending the human race and Vasudan allies while also dealing with internal rebellions. The game features intense space battles and a thrilling storyline that continues from the previous game, Descent: FreeSpace.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 227 reviews
story31 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions
  • Freespace 2 is a classic space fighter simulator that combines an engaging story with impressive graphics and dynamic gameplay.
  • The game features a variety of missions, customizable ships, and a vibrant modding community that enhances the experience with new content and improved graphics.
  • Even decades after its release, Freespace 2 remains one of the best space combat games, offering thrilling dogfights and a sense of scale with massive capital ships.
  • Many players experience technical issues, such as the game not launching or running into root directory errors, requiring additional steps to fix.
  • The graphics, while improved through mods, can feel dated compared to modern games, which may deter some players.
  • The game's reliance on third-party mods like FreeSpace Open for optimal performance can be a barrier for those unfamiliar with modding.
  • story122 mentions

    The story of Freespace 2 is highly praised for its depth and engagement, continuing the narrative from its predecessor with a well-structured plot that unfolds over 35 missions. Players appreciate the immersive storytelling, enhanced by mission briefings and cutscenes, which create a sense of genuine military conflict and emotional investment. Additionally, the game benefits from a vibrant modding community that expands the narrative experience with new campaigns and missions, further enriching the lore and gameplay.

    • “I absolutely love the story and the voice acting and everything about it.”
    • “The story is incredibly immersive.”
    • “The storyline is fantastic and unexpected, especially given the limitations of the storytelling platform.”
    • “Mission and story progress drags on towards the end.”
    • “The story picks up years after the events of the first game, and unless you play that first, you are going to be a little in the dark about the plot.”
    • “You won't finish the story, I think.”
  • graphics82 mentions

    The graphics of Freespace 2 are generally considered dated, reflecting its 1999 release, but they can be significantly enhanced through various community mods, such as the Freespace Open project, which brings the visuals up to modern standards. While the original graphics may not impress contemporary gamers, the modding community has revitalized the game with high-resolution textures and improved effects, making it visually appealing for new players. Overall, the combination of nostalgic charm and modern upgrades allows Freespace 2 to maintain its relevance in the space combat genre.

    • “The latest builds of the game engine support 1440p monitors and current graphics cards - I'm using an RTX 3070 FE.”
    • “Thanks to the opening of the game engine source, the community of FS2 lovers has been maintaining and updating this game with newer artwork and graphical effects and multiple full-length campaigns so that it looks beautiful and works perfectly on modern systems.”
    • “Epic graphics that give even current games a run for their money.”
    • “Even if it does work (it did for me), the 1999 graphics are a bit sad.”
    • “So graphically it's jagged.”
    • “The graphics feel a bit outdated.”
  • gameplay28 mentions

    Overall, the gameplay is praised for its engaging mechanics and depth, combining elements of both arcade and simulation styles, particularly in flight controls. While some players note technical glitches and dated graphics, the core experience remains enjoyable with diverse mission objectives and a strong narrative. However, there are mentions of a lack of innovation compared to previous titles, leading to a somewhat familiar gameplay experience.

    • “The soundtrack, the story, the gameplay, established lore; I love everything about the game.”
    • “The gameplay is fast-paced with missions ranging from dogfights to blockades to covering capital ships as they duke it out with beam cannons, flak batteries, and torpedoes.”
    • “The gameplay is dynamic and the missions diverse in objective, from dogfighting a vast array of fighters, to bombing capital ships or going undercover on special missions.”
    • “As for gameplay, it works fine and dandy for a while, but you may be bound to catch a technical glitch along the way that will prevent progression into the next mission.”
    • “"More of the same" is accurate, as there is little innovation over the gameplay or game itself when compared to its predecessor.”
    • “As far as the gameplay goes, there's nothing more to this game than flying in space, infiltrating behind enemy lines, escorting stuff and shooting stuff.”
  • music6 mentions

    The music in the game has been praised for its dynamic quality and seamless integration with gameplay, enhancing the overall experience. Reviewers appreciate the new soundtrack, which complements the revamped graphics and voice acting, contributing to the game's immersive atmosphere. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that elevates the enjoyment of the game.

    • “I loved how you could smoothly circle strafe around corners and enemies; it ran silky smooth, and had great music and insane maze levels.”
    • “The music fits.”
    • “Fs2 itself has been completely worked over, with new hi-resolution graphics, new voice acting and new music.”
    • “The soundtrack, the story, the gameplay, established lore; I love everything about the game.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is enhanced by mission briefings that evoke a sense of genuine military conflict, where players face unpredictable challenges and the reality of retreat. Coupled with high-octane action, a deep narrative, and impressive visuals, the game creates an immersive experience that captures the scale of space combat and the weight of its story. Overall, it successfully combines thrilling gameplay with a rich, atmospheric backdrop.

    • “It has never been beaten, and no game has ever really come close to matching the high-octane action and depth of control gameplay, nor have they ever matched the amazing sense of scale. Freespace 2 truly gives you large capital ships and swarms of fighters, and it features an incredibly atmospheric and surprisingly deep story of apocalyptic hubris.”
    • “Breathtaking action, atmosphere, story, and graphics come together to create a truly compelling combat experience.”
    • “The mission briefings add to the atmosphere; you feel like there's a genuine military conflict happening. Unforeseen things will happen, and you will not always win; sometimes a retreat is all you can do.”
    • “Gameplay flight mechanics and controls: flight is simplified to mimic atmospheric flight mechanics (arcade style), but the controls are simulator style.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Reviews indicate that while some players appreciate the absence of unnecessary grinding, others find the process of configuring controls and remembering numerous hotkeys to be time-consuming and somewhat tedious. Overall, the focus remains on storytelling and gameplay rather than grinding mechanics.

    • “No fluff, no grinding, just great storytelling and gameplay.”
    • “I have both a good joystick and a game controller, and I found the whole process of trying to get so many hotkeys to work the way you want to be time-consuming and tedious.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, users report that the game is stable and bug-free, with one player successfully resolving a minor issue by following advice from the store page. However, there is a noted lack of troubleshooting resources on the support page.

    • “Everything works and is bug-free.”
    • “I just used the simple piece of advice on the store page to fix the registry, and now it runs great.”
    • “I tried to find troubleshooting for this game, but it isn't listed on the support page.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
    • “I experience constant lag and disconnections, which ruin the overall experience.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability, particularly due to the Knossos launcher, which allows for an infinite variety of mods. Users have rated its replay value at 4.5, indicating strong enthusiasm for returning to the game.

    • “With the Knossos launcher, the game has infinite replayability thanks to mods.”
    • “Replay value - 4.5”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be impactful, as they engage in a wholesome campaign that allows them to take on various roles, from interceptor to bomber, fostering a deep connection to the narrative and characters.

  • optimization1 mentions

    Players highlight that the game's optimization is exceptional, with impressive graphics and seamless controls that enhance the overall performance. This level of polish contributes to a memorable gaming experience that stands the test of time.

    • “The optimization in this game is top-notch; I experienced no lag or performance issues, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the stunning graphics and captivating story.”
    • “It's rare to find a game that runs so smoothly while delivering such high-quality visuals and engaging gameplay. The optimization truly enhances the overall experience.”
    • “I was pleasantly surprised by how well-optimized the game is. Everything from the controls to the graphics worked seamlessly, making for an enjoyable gaming experience.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy has been criticized as a cash grab, with users expressing frustration over a lack of transparency regarding costs.

    • “This is a cash grab because there is no warning about this.”
    • “The monetization system feels exploitative and takes away from the overall experience.”
    • “I feel pressured to spend money just to enjoy the game fully.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

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