DarkStar One - anyone tried it?

[Matt]

Just wondering if anyone has tried this? Its being touted as a "modern elite" and so on.

There is a demo available with some decent 500+Ks mirrors available at http://www.gamershell.com/download_14480.shtml - its 900 meg though (yes just the demo!) so best to leave it overnight or something if you aren't on a fast connection!

Just wondering what people's thoughts were on this really. I've been playing around with it a bit and I'm not terribly impressed. It has an elite feel in places - e.g. this has "normal" hyperspace-from-anywhere, but curiously it has an "exit" jump gate in each system and trading but it doesn't seem as rich, and the combat is a bit stilted IMO, especially with the slow "ball of fire" shooting (plural of ball is banned it seems!) weapons etc. Oh and the loading times are pretty awful...even jumping between systems (which all look the same).

Its obviously borrowed a lot from Elite/Frontier though.

Anyone else tried it?

 

[1stBiker]

..turned it around in my fingers already two weeks ago.

Story Line & Mission mentioned on the cover ... thats why I rejected ..
I was sure it would be just one more Game in the closet like so many others while waiting for an Elite-replacement ..

But maybe its worth a try ?
<<<1stBiker

PS: last Elite-like Game I've played was PARKAN II

 

[Matt]

Yeah I didn't like the overly strong plot aspect of it - the whole "you are the centre of the universe" thing.

But the missions aren't such a departure from Frontier - it has an obviously Frontier inspired mission style thing to it (e.g. assassinations, photography etc)

 

[redstar1]

It's not unlike elite in many ways. It is open ended to an extent, you don't have to follow the story. It is certainly worth a play.

 

[Sulo]

Tried it - it was disappointing!

Well, this one was a hell of a disappointment.

I bought it a few weeks ago... Apart from the fact, that I did not experience any bugs - I really didn't like it.

The plot is implemented in a stupid and obvious, easy to conclude - manner. No real surprises, no real tricky missions. Boring interface, kiddie-style physics with kiddie-style graphics. I was bored to death while haven't even played this game for approx. 24 hours.

Sorry, that one was for the thrash bin. I'd suggest, Ascaron should stick to games like Port Royale and Patrician.

 

[1stBiker]

Well, this one was a hell of a disappointment

thanks for that Sulo, I thought its better to save my money this time ..
good to know that I didnt miss something in my Game-collection !

cheers
<<<1stBiker

 

[Steve O B Have]

Darkstar was a very poor offering - very buggey, poorly concieved and their art department needs firing. I have never felt so claustrophobic in space!

I would warn anyone away from this - personally, if you want to play it, I'd say download the demo because once you have finished that, it doesn't get any deeper.

I think the most dissappointing aspect was that there have been a large number of space type games out there and enough to show what is a successful formula and what is not. Asceron appear to have ignored every single one of the mistakes made by other developers and plowed on ahead as if oblivious.

 

[essezeta]

I really don't like it!

The systems i've been to seems all the same. The planets looks like glued into background, and I really hate those stupid warning of planet proximity.
Is it possible that in the 21st century Frontier and First Encounters are the only games wich allows planet landing?

Thumbs down for this game.


I suggest you "Independence War 2".
You haven't gate to pass thru (only Lagrangian points). The planets are far from each other and you can reach them with LDS drive, similar to Elite jumpdrive.
Good physics and nice graphics. A vaste range of ship "tuning parts".
Very good game.
The only fault is..

.. you can't land on planets..

 

[CSS]

It IS buggy

I got it , my joystick worked with the demo and not with final production, far tooo repetitive.

 

[porl]

thanks guys im glad i didnt waste my money.
all i'd want is a multiplayer frontier with new graphics, and some built in scripting tools to set up missions, oh yeah and a code of practice for player coded mods. (im off to the toilet )