[Kafro]

Hi,

I am new to FS2 and have installed FS2 Open which came with a selection of mods. Other than FSPort + STr then FS2, I don't kow which order to play them in. I have: Awakenings, Blue Planet, Blue Planet 2, Cardinal Spear, Destiny of Peace, Deus Ex Machina, Deus Ex Machina Interlude, Homesick, Inf1, PI, STL, Sync, Transcend, Warzone.

Also, to play FS2 do I choose 'No Mod'?

Any other mod suggestions and where to slot them in would be great.

Many thanks.

[Black Wolf]

Few of those mods are in the same universe as each other, and none of them require foreknowledge of any other mods plots (except in the case of direct sequels, like the two Blue Planets). So pick whichever one you like the look of and jump straight in!

Oh, one caveat - you may want to hold off on playing the Deus Ex Machinas and the Just Another Days for a little while - they're comedy campaigns, and while they're very funny and well made, you'll probably get a few more of the jokes once you've played a few fan campaigns.

[Lorric]

I don't know if you have, but don't make the mistake I made of putting Cardinal Spear, Awakenings and Destiny of Peace inside the FSPort folder. Get them out of there in seperate folders with mod files like the rest of the mods. I took STR out of there too.

And yes, FS2, no mod. I've played a good number of campaigns to say I've only been around for a month, but most of them you don't have. And I've only got to Cardinal Spear from the three above, so I can't really help you with order. Though I would certainly play through the official campaigns first before going to mods.

[Jeff Vader]

I am new to FS2 and have installed FS2 Open which came with a selection of mods. Other than FSPort + STr then FS2, I don't kow which order to play them in. I have: Awakenings, Blue Planet, Blue Planet 2, Cardinal Spear, Destiny of Peace, Deus Ex Machina, Deus Ex Machina Interlude, Homesick, Inf1, PI, STL, Sync, Transcend, Warzone.

http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/Campaign_List

Campaigns rarely include specific dates that the events take place at, so there's no real "order" they occur in. That list will sort campaigns roughly to "pre-Capella" etc.

Also, to play FS2 do I choose 'No Mod'?

Either that or if you want graphical pleasure, select "mediavps_3612".

[Alan Bolte]

^What they said^

Oh, and if you think you'll only end up playing one mod, I'd say play Blue Planet 2 (unless your computer can't handle it). It'll spoil the end of Blue Planet 1, but otherwise it's fairly standalone and does an amazing job of showcasing all the improvements the Source Code Project has made to the game over the years. OTOH, BP1 has voice acting now, as do a few other campaigns I can't think of off the top of my head.

As to other mods, Wings of Dawn is excellent, but it's an anime-themed total conversion so it's not everyone's cup of tea.

[Lorric]

Ah yes of course. Choose the media vps.

Wings of Dawn was what got me to want to post on Hard Light in the first place. I would have come anyway eventually, but it made me come premature. I wrote a spoiler free review on that on the Wings of Dawn page, so you can check that out if you want.

However, I would save Wings of Dawn until you get tired of the Freespace universe. You don't have to, but it would make a most refreshing change after seeing a lot of Freespace.

I also think it's more difficult than most of the freespace based campaigns I played.

[Wobble73]

Wings of Dawn was what got me to want to post on Hard Light in the first place. I would have come anyway eventually, but it made me come premature. I wrote a spoiler free review on that on the Wings of Dawn page, so you can check that out if you want.

Keep your problems to yourself please!!!!

Snicker!!!!   

[Lorric]

Keep your problems to yourself please!!!!

Snicker!!!!   

Pffft. Get your mind out of the gutter!

I suppose you like to think that way when it comes to Spoon's girls, eh?

[CommanderDJ]

After you've played a few campaigns (probably Derelict, BP, Wings of Dawn at least), give Transcend a shot. It's bone-chilling at times, but IMHO it's an absolute must to get a full appreciation for what's been created with FS. And it has an excellent story too!

[Rodo]

I would recommend playing first:

FSport
ST:R
FS2 (use the mediavps_3612 folder to play the retail campaign to see the updated models and all the good stuff)

All other campaigns have little relation to each other so there's no real secuence to follow there.
I would recommend you playing these before:

Derelict
Transcend
Vassago's Dirge
Homesick
Sync
FSport: VI
Wings of Dawn
Deus Ex Machina's
JAD's
BP's

EDIT: yes of course MJN, 3612 indeed.

[mjn.mixael]

FS2 (use the mediavps_3610 folder to play the retail campaign to see the updated models and all the good stuff)

I'd at least go with 3612...

[swamper123]

Few of those mods are in the same universe as each other, and none of them require foreknowledge of any other mods plots (except in the case of direct sequels, like the two Blue Planets). So pick whichever one you like the look of and jump straight in!

Oh, one caveat - you may want to hold off on playing the Deus Ex Machinas and the Just Another Days for a little while - they're comedy campaigns, and while they're very funny and well made, you'll probably get a few more of the jokes once you've played a few fan campaigns.

Also another comedy campaign is Ironbeer's (sorry if it is miswritten) one, Ridiculous

[LordPomposity]

I'd add bigchunk1's The Antagonist to the list of campaigns worth playing. It's short enough to keep everything fresh, the gameplay is very innovative, and the weapons and ship are a lot of fun. It's outside the FS universe, so it doesn't matter when you play it relative to other campaigns.

[qwadtep]

Even if it isn't anything official, I personally think that

FS1
Shrouding the Light
ST:R
FS2
Vassago's Dirge
Derelict
Blue Planet
Blue Planet 2

make a nice, consistent chronology.

[MatthTheGeek]

Shrouding the Light is set after the events of STR. It is specifically said in the campaign description that it is set after the flight of the Shivan armada.

[Kafro]

Many thanks everyone. Good stuff!