Freelancer

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the merging of these two genres in holy matrimony. We now pronounce you Freelancer.

It?s amazing how long PC gamers will wait for a title, but it?s even more amazing when that magic release day finally arrives. At long last, PC space-shooter fans, Freelancer sits upon your gaming store shelves, and have no fear?it was worth the wait.

Going It Solo
The game casts you as an interstellar pilot named Trent, who survives the destruction of Freeport 7, a space station in Freelancer's massive galaxy consisting of over 40 systems and countless bases, planets, and spacedocks. You choose exactly what you want to do?disable trade routes, hunt down criminals, follow police on their patrols (then jack ?em), or simply run commodities from one station to another. Who likes you and what you have access to depend on what you do and how you do it.

Freelancer isn't completely open-ended, though, and that?s one of its faults. To advance beyond certain ranks and get access to better equipment, you have to complete story missions that railroad you into certain situations. You?ll have to protect your reputation with certain groups in order to complete those quests. Of course, once you win the story quest, you?re free to do whatever you want, and if you don?t mind flying about with the worst equipment the whole time, you can ignore the story completely.

Stars in Your Eyes
Digital Anvil didn?t skimp on Freelancer?s presentation. Some of the best graphics and sounds to date exist right in the Sirius System. The ambient music and low hum of your engine perfectly invoke the feeling of being out on your own in space, while radio chatter around the various planets and bases only enhance the realism. If you?re not moved by the chaos of combat in Freelancer, you might want to check your pulse?laser blasts shooting past, missiles and mines exploding, and pilots barking out taunts and frightened wails make for some of the most intense dogfighting combat yet.

Freelancer controls with the mouse and keyboard?no joystick needed. It works well, but it takes a lot of getting used to, and you?ll want to make hotkey flash cards so you can work essential systems in combat without worrying about using the mouse to click on the onscreen menus.

The Future Is Finally Now
Dying for some starship dogfighting? Looking for a more sci-fi Morrowind? Tired of waiting for Freelancer to come out? It?s your lucky day. Freelancer is here, and it?s good. It?s very, very good.

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