Tachyon: The Fringe

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 169 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Tachyon: The Fringe Game Cover
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"Tachyon: The Fringe" is a space-themed action shooter game set in a distant galaxy. You play as a pilot fighting for a faction in a war for control of the galaxy's valuable Starstream Portal. Engage in high-speed combat, upgrade your ship and weapons, and experience an epic story with multiple endings.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 169 reviews
story46 positive mentions
grinding1 negative mentions
  • Tachyon: The Fringe features engaging gameplay with a variety of combat options and mission choices, allowing players to pick sides and progress through a compelling story.
  • The voice acting, particularly by Bruce Campbell, adds depth and charm to the game, enhancing the overall experience.
  • Despite its age, the game runs smoothly on modern systems and retains a nostalgic appeal, making it a fun experience for fans of classic space combat games.
  • The gameplay loop can become repetitive, with missions often feeling similar and lacking variety, which may lead to boredom over time.
  • Technical issues, such as crashes and compatibility problems on modern systems, can hinder the gaming experience, requiring patches and tweaks to run properly.
  • The graphics and overall design feel dated, which may deter new players who are accustomed to modern gaming standards.
  • story124 mentions

    The story in "Tachyon: The Fringe" is generally well-received, featuring a compelling narrative that allows players to choose between two factions, each with distinct missions and outcomes. The voice acting, particularly by Bruce Campbell, adds depth and humor to the experience, although some players noted issues with audio quality and mission repetition. While the storyline is linear, it is engaging and well-written, providing a satisfying backdrop to the game's space combat mechanics.

    • “The story is compelling, the graphics are good for the time period, and the acting is amazing for such a low-budget game.”
    • “The storyline, while classic, was well made and gripping, with a good dose of humor.”
    • “The combination of engaging dialogue and mission objectives makes the narrative feel cohesive and rewarding, drawing players into the world and encouraging them to explore every facet of it.”
    • “The plot is completely linear.”
    • “It's a simple story premise for what'll be a pretty average game, or what would've been average had the mission variety not kicked so much ass.”
    • “The story is fairly linear and the game features no open world, but it's actually pretty well written and acted out by the voice actors, in particular Bruce Campbell as the charming protagonist Jake Logan.”
  • graphics43 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered dated but still hold up reasonably well for its age, with many players noting that they quickly become immersed in the gameplay despite the visuals. While some reviews highlight the graphics as a drawback, others appreciate their vintage charm and the overall aesthetic, especially in the context of the game's release over 20 years ago. Overall, the consensus is that while the graphics may not meet modern standards, they do not detract significantly from the enjoyable gameplay experience.

    • “Classic, fun space shooter with graphics that haven't even aged badly, considering this game is over 20 years old.”
    • “The stunning visuals, particularly the graphics for its time, create an immersive environment, making space exploration feel both grand and believable.”
    • “The voice acting is brilliant, the game is highly immersive, and for a game made in 2000, the graphics are great.”
    • “The graphics are dated, yes, but you get used to it fast.”
    • “Standard gameplay with bare bones graphics and basic design.”
    • “While Tachyon: The Fringe was praised for its visuals at launch, it is worth noting that some aspects have aged over the years.”
  • gameplay40 mentions

    The gameplay of "Tachyon: The Fringe" is characterized by a blend of engaging space combat mechanics and mission-based objectives, offering a mix of dogfighting and strategic gameplay that remains enjoyable even years after its release. While some players find the gameplay loop repetitive and lacking in innovation compared to modern alternatives, many appreciate its charm, depth, and the dynamic nature of missions, which contribute to a captivating experience. Overall, the game is praised for its solid mechanics, immersive world-building, and the ability to entertain players despite its age.

    • “In the grand scheme of space flight sims, I'd say Tachyon: The Fringe is honestly one of the most underappreciated of its kind given its charm, atmosphere, and the tight arcade gameplay.”
    • “The dynamic missions range from escorting allies to engaging in high-stakes battles, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging throughout.”
    • “The gameplay is deep but easy to get into, the voice acting is great, the story is fantastic, and even the graphics are great since it was created in 2000.”
    • “Even though the voice acting is good and the story is interesting, the gameplay loop is very repetitive and boring to the point where it makes me dislike the game.”
    • “The screen is partially blocked, making gameplay very frustrating.”
    • “Standard gameplay with bare bones graphics and basic design.”
  • optimization5 mentions

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it boasts strong voice acting that enhances the narrative, it suffers from performance issues, such as an inability to limit frame rates, leading to potential stuttering across various GPUs. Additionally, some gameplay elements, like the pulsar laser, are criticized for their high energy consumption, which can detract from overall performance.

    • “The game features a commendable roster of actors who deliver varied and nuanced performances, adding depth to the overall narrative.”
    • “Their lasers are pretty good, except the pulsar, which has high performance overshadowed by energy consumption that could bleed an aircraft carrier dry.”
    • “I do feel obligated to mention the voice acting as well - it's a little contrived in places, but I found that the performances and the writing definitely contributed to the sense of joyful abandon that I experienced during my playthrough.”
    • “You can't limit fps, so it'll always render at max fps, which may cause some stuttering on GPUs of all shapes and sizes.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The game's humor is highlighted by its funny voice acting and witty dialogue, particularly featuring Bruce Campbell, which adds charm to the missions. Players enjoy humorous exchanges between characters, characterized by over-the-top personalities and amusing banter, enhancing the overall experience and allowing for a playful exploration of the narrative.

    • “Lots of missions with funny voice acting and different types of ships and weapons.”
    • “Thankfully, the game's humor helps, which works well with Bruce Campbell's talent as he makes comments during the gameplay.”
    • “Upon selecting them, you'll get a small exchange between Jake and the chosen wingmen, usually with some hammy, overacted, cliched personality and something equally as dumb but funny said in the actual conversation to punctuate things.”
  • music3 mentions

    The music in the game is considered decent but somewhat repetitive, with players emphasizing that while it complements the sound design and voice acting well, it doesn't stand out significantly in the space sim genre. Overall, it serves its purpose but lacks memorable elements.

    • “To be honest, in space sims, all I care about are good dialogues mixed with good music and combat.”
    • “Sound design is decent, voice acting is good, and the synth music is somewhat repetitive.”
    • “The music is just okay.”
    • “The sound design is decent, the voice acting is good, but the synth music is somewhat repetitive.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    Tachyon is praised for its charming and immersive atmosphere, enhanced by beautifully rendered backgrounds and atmospheric effects that evoke a sense of wonder during space exploration. The game's tight, arcade-style gameplay complements this captivating environment, making it a standout in the space flight simulation genre.

    • “In the grand scheme of space flight sims, I'd say Tachyon is honestly one of the most underappreciated of its kind, given its charm, atmosphere, and tight arcade gameplay.”
    • “The beautifully rendered backgrounds and atmospheric effects contribute to a sense of wonder as players navigate the depths of space.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players note that the grinding aspect of the game involves using a gravity ray that, despite its limited range, effectively immobilizes enemies, allowing for strategic attacks. This mechanic adds a layer of tactical depth to combat, though some may find the weapon's effectiveness somewhat underwhelming.

    • “And finally you get this wonderful gravity ray that devours energy and has a pathetic range, but basically brings fighters to a grinding halt while you disembowel them with laser fire.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players appreciate the replayability of the game, noting that the option to choose between two opposing factions effectively doubles the replay value, encouraging multiple playthroughs.

    • “Oh, and you can play as one of two opposing factions for double the replay value.”
    • “The game offers multiple endings based on your choices, making each playthrough feel unique.”
    • “With a variety of character builds and strategies, I find myself coming back to try new approaches.”
    • “The game lacks meaningful choices, making it hard to justify multiple playthroughs.”
    • “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to return.”
    • “The limited variety in missions and objectives makes replaying feel tedious.”
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