[Lepanto]

Hey guys.

Of course FS2 is the best.

But what are its modern successors, the best space sims of today? What features have they pioneered? How has the genre changed outside the walls of HLP?

Looking for games that deliver an FS2-like experience (fly a fighter, shoot things, etc.). They don't have to be space sims, if you know any non-space sim flying games with vaguely similar gameplay.

I want to make my own space/flying sim-type game, so I'm investigating the current state of the genre. I don't want to come up with "cool ideas" that everyone else has done before. The massive funding and energy behind Star Citizen proved that there's still a market for a good space sim (Star Citizen's actual development notwithstanding.) What are people looking for out of the genre?

So, where do I start?

Thanks!

[Darius]

Strike Suit Zero, while shallower and more arcadey than FreeSpace delivered fun and atmosphere in spades.

[Black Wolf]

You reckon? I got bored with SSZ very, very quickly - it's sitting unfinished on my steam account after picking it up on sale. I found it neither compelling enough storywise nor pretty enough visually to hold my interest... although, in fairness, I'm no kind of anime fan and it seems very much influenced by things like that (the whole humanoid robot transformation thing).

I think that the positive buzz around Elite Dangerous, and the anticipation around No Man's Sky suggest that, done well, open world procedural generation type things are something people want in their space games these days, and it's something that FS2 has always lacked. Otherwise though, I really think you're already in the best place to learn what you need to make a truly great space game. Look at the kind of reaction Diaspora got, for example.

[Veers]

I'm back in Elite:Dangerous.

It feels so open and empty, but I think it's the fact it's supposed to be a 1:1 scale of our own universe that keeps my wanting it. And I generally just fly around, some missions for fuel and repeat.

[Dragon]

Any space game in 1:1 scale is gonna be "open and empty" by definition. Space is big and mostly empty. The closest planet is about 3 days away along a 1G brahistochrone, and that's the best case scenario.

[MatthTheGeek]

And I'm just sitting there, waiting for enemy starfighter and everspace.

[TwentyPercentCooler]

You guys seen any of Rebel Galaxy yet? Looks kind of interesting, depending on the final price point. I am glad to see space games getting a bit more attention lately.

[Spoon]

Strike Suit Zero, while shallower and more arcadey than FreeSpace delivered fun and atmosphere in spades.

I agree with this.
Had a lot of fun with it, and put even more hours into strike suit infinity (though unforunately all leaderboard efforts for that game became completely ruined due to cheaters  )

If you are on a research trip, and you happen to have a 360 I would recommend you try and get your hands on project sylpheed (shouldnt be very expensive).

[Lepanto]

Thanks, guys.

Played SSZ, gave up on it after you first get the mech. Don't have a 360, but I saw some videos of Sylpheed's gameplay.

Yeah, "space sim" these days seems to mean "large and complicated open-world procedural-generation game." Problem is, A: something like that is well out of my league, especially on my first game, and B: I'd rather stick with a more linear mission-based design, anyway.

Might be better not to market it as a "space sim", per se. I don't know how much market there is for a more linear FS-style shooter, given how few of them there are on Steam.

[Davros]

Not recent but
independence war 1+2
Starshatter

[Deepstar]

Even it is graphic wise no match even with FS2 SCP... i enjoyed all of the StarWraith games, because they have still this spirit.

Arvoch Alliance is mission based, even i like also its open-world counterpart Evochron: Mercenary very much.


And Miner Wars 2081 of course. Even it is more a combination of Descent and Freespace, like the original idea of Descent 4.

[starbug]

To me at the moment it has to be Rebel Galaxy, even though you fly capital ships. The problem is that all other space action/sims released recently have been MMO based. There seems to be a lack of singleplayer games, i may be wrong there but i havent really seen any.

[Dragon]

Well, if you ask me about "space games", it's Kerbal Space Program all the way. If you think more of a "space shooter" genre, there's the new Blue Planet. I really can't think of another recent space game which is that well written.

[Lepanto]

Thanks, guys.

Well, I guess that means I won't have much competition in this particular genre, then.

Might I be better off pitching this kind of fighter sim action game to the Steam/gaming public as a "flight sim like Ace Combat" even if I've never actually played a single AC game in my life, to be honest?

[General Battuta]

Enemy Starfighter

[FrikgFeek]

Not a space sim, but you might want to check out Vector Thrust. It's inspired by Ace Combat but has a lot of improvements/changes to make it feel a bit different. I'd say it has superior mechanics with cool stuff like post-stall manoeuvring(a bit exaggerated for coolness) and gravity affecting missiles.

It has a more robust electronic warfare system based on a lot of factors like enemy jammers, friendly AWACS, your own aircraft's electronics and stealth ratings, etc. Things like radar jamming, phantom targets, reduced/improved missile guidance, and stealth. Some of these things could be translated into a space environment.
The campaign is rather ~meh and it lacks a tutorial, things that definitely detract from the game but it's an indie title so great stories and voice acting aren't something most people expect. Also, I don't remember anyone ever calling their missiles, so you don't get that Ace Combat-ey "fox 2!, fox 2!".

It's also pretty mod friendly, though like 90% of the skins are either Ace Combat skins or cute anime grills from idol shows(mostly Idolm@ster, Love Live, and Utahime).

It's 50% off on Steam right now so you might want to check it out. Not space, but might be worth seeing what other indie arcade flight sims are doing right now.

[TrashMan]

You're better of looking for older games. Some classics.

X-Win: Alliance and Starlancer are very good.

[procdrone]

You guys seen any of Rebel Galaxy yet? Looks kind of interesting, depending on the final price point. I am glad to see space games getting a bit more attention lately.

Rebel Galaxy. You just wear your cowboy hat, grab the throttle, and go wipe em boys in space. Very good climate, very good gameplay in my opinion.

[Klaustrophobia]

Not a space sim, but you might want to check out Vector Thrust. It's inspired by Ace Combat but has a lot of improvements/changes to make it feel a bit different. I'd say it has superior mechanics with cool stuff like post-stall manoeuvring(a bit exaggerated for coolness) and gravity affecting missiles.

It has a more robust electronic warfare system based on a lot of factors like enemy jammers, friendly AWACS, your own aircraft's electronics and stealth ratings, etc. Things like radar jamming, phantom targets, reduced/improved missile guidance, and stealth. Some of these things could be translated into a space environment.
The campaign is rather ~meh and it lacks a tutorial, things that definitely detract from the game but it's an indie title so great stories and voice acting aren't something most people expect. Also, I don't remember anyone ever calling their missiles, so you don't get that Ace Combat-ey "fox 2!, fox 2!".

It's also pretty mod friendly, though like 90% of the skins are either Ace Combat skins or cute anime grills from idol shows(mostly Idolm@ster, Love Live, and Utahime).

It's 50% off on Steam right now so you might want to check it out. Not space, but might be worth seeing what other indie arcade flight sims are doing right now.

Sounded interesting so I took a look.  Reviews are not encouraging. 

[Akalabeth Angel]

If it's your first game you might want to try a side-scrolling shooter before you try a 3D flight sim.
Making games ain't easy in my admittedly limited experience so better to fail small than fail huge.