Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 60 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos Game Cover
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Command four space vessels and a band of revolutionary pirates into an all-consuming battle against impossible odds, because there just isn't enough Space for everyone!

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 60 reviews
story10 positive mentions
stability2 negative mentions
  • A classic space simulator that has aged well, offering immersive gameplay and a captivating storyline.
  • The flight model is realistic and engaging, providing a unique space combat experience that stands out from other games.
  • Despite its age, the game still has a dedicated community that creates mods and patches to enhance the experience.
  • The Steam version is plagued with bugs and requires workarounds, such as needing a physical CD or an unofficial patch to play singleplayer.
  • The controls can be frustrating, with many players reporting issues with keybindings and the lack of mouse support.
  • The game suffers from outdated graphics and technical issues on modern systems, making it difficult to recommend without significant modifications.
  • story30 mentions

    The story of "Edge of Chaos" is widely praised for its captivating narrative and immersive gameplay, set against a backdrop of an escalating war among various factions. While some missions can be vague and confusing, the overall plot is engaging and complemented by strong voice acting and music. Players appreciate the combination of space simulation elements with a rich storyline, making it a recommended experience for fans of the genre.

    • “What really sets Edge of Chaos apart, however, is the captivating storyline.”
    • “Overall, Edge of Chaos is an outstanding game that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a space simulation with a gripping story and exceptional gameplay mechanics.”
    • “The story itself is quite nice: you are trapped in an ever-escalating war between marauders, corporations, and independents of the cluster.”
    • “Where is the story mode?”
    • “Some missions will be vague and confusing.”
    • “The missions are easy at the beginning, but after a while you will get lost without instructions.”
  • graphics9 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered decent and hold up well despite being somewhat outdated by modern standards. While the pre-rendered cutscenes are still impressive, some players have noted occasional glitches and stuttering during intense scenes. Overall, the visuals serve their purpose, allowing players to focus on gameplay rather than being wowed by graphics.

    • “The graphics hold up very well; they are simple but do what they are supposed to do.”
    • “Excellent game, graphics are still pretty good.”
    • “Classic space sim that was way ahead of its time in terms of graphics and gameplay.”
    • “The graphics are outdated by today's standards, but it's still decent and a great classic.”
    • “Sure, apart from the still terrific pre-rendered cutscenes, the graphics are a bit outdated and most people these days don't own a joystick, but the gameplay, story, voice acting, and music all make up for it.”
    • “Unfortunately, I witnessed some graphic glitches and stuttering if there are many ships on the screen.”
  • gameplay6 mentions

    The gameplay of "Edge of Chaos" is highly praised for its engaging mechanics, expansive ship upgrades, and thrilling Newtonian space combat, making it a standout in the space simulation genre. Despite some outdated graphics, the combination of compelling story, voice acting, and music enhances the overall experience. While "I-War 2" presents a steep learning curve, mastering its gameplay offers significant rewards.

    • “Overall, Edge of Chaos is an outstanding game that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a space simulation with a gripping story and exceptional gameplay mechanics.”
    • “With expansive gameplay, upgradable ships, cool space piracy, and Newtonian space combat, it's a recipe for success.”
    • “While I-War 2 may be difficult to master at first, once you do, the gameplay is very rewarding, to say the least.”
  • music3 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its atmospheric quality and nostalgic appeal, contributing significantly to the overall experience alongside the engaging gameplay and story. Composed by Christopher Mann, the soundtrack enhances the game's immersive qualities, making it a standout feature despite some outdated graphics.

    • “Blast from the past, so much atmosphere and it's still quite pretty visually, especially with the music.”
    • “Sure, apart from the still terrific pre-rendered cutscenes, the graphics are a bit outdated, but the gameplay, story, voice acting, and music all make up for it.”
    • “If you want a realistic simulator with awesome music from Christopher Mann and a cool story, I highly recommend this game!”
    • “The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “While the visuals are nice, the soundtrack is forgettable and doesn't enhance the experience.”
    • “The music doesn't match the game's tone, often feeling out of place and distracting.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Players have noted that while adjusting settings like disabling fullscreen optimizations and running the program as an administrator can help, the game still experiences graphic glitches and stuttering, particularly when many ships are present on screen.

    • “Make sure to check 'Disable fullscreen optimizations' and also 'Run this program as an administrator' for better performance.”
    • “Optimizing the settings really enhances the gameplay experience and reduces lag significantly.”
    • “The optimization options available allow for a smoother experience, making it easier to enjoy the game without interruptions.”
    • “Unfortunately, I witness some graphic glitches and stuttering if there are many ships on the screen.”
    • “Check 'Disable fullscreen optimizations' and also 'Run this program as an administrator'.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game's stability is marred by graphic glitches and stuttering, particularly when multiple ships are present on screen. Players also note a lack of depth in gameplay elements, such as combat and ship customization, which detracts from the overall experience.

    • “Unfortunately, I witnessed some graphic glitches and stuttering if there are many ships on the screen.”
    • “Repetitive combat, only one ship for a very long time, laughable ship customization, no need to buy ammo, scripted, buggy... it's not an open space sim, it's a heavily scripted action-adventure game.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players find the game emotionally engaging due to its well-written characters and unexpected plot twists, leading to a strong investment in their journeys and outcomes.

    • “The game is full of twists and turns, and the characters are so well-written that I found myself emotionally invested in their struggles and triumphs.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere is highly praised for its nostalgic charm, combining visually appealing graphics with an engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.

    • “A blast from the past, filled with so much atmosphere; it's still visually stunning and complemented by the music.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the world and making every moment feel significant.”
    • “The combination of visuals and sound creates a captivating atmosphere that keeps you engaged throughout the game.”
    • “The atmosphere feels lifeless and uninspired, making it hard to get immersed in the game.”
    • “Despite the beautiful visuals, the atmosphere lacks depth and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
    • “The sound design is underwhelming, which detracts significantly from the overall atmosphere of the game.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Users note that the game often devolves into repetitive grinding, which can detract from the overall experience.

    • “It also tends to devolve into grinding.”
    • “The grinding feels repetitive and tedious.”
    • “I find the grinding aspect to be a major chore.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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