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X2: The Threat Review

Chris Leyton

26/01/2004

We take a look at the finest Space Simulator in recent history; it’s so big we’re sure to have left more out then in...

The Space Simulator genre has often suffered from the simple fact that a game released over 20 years ago, still manages to amaze in the face of numerous attempts to re-invent the franchise. That game was namely David Brabenâs âEliteâ, a game that offered truly open ended gameplay and a scope that far exceeds more modern releases; whilst the likes of âFreelancerââ from Microsoft have tried, few have succeeded to overthrow the timeless classic â“ that is until âX2: The Threatâ arrived.

Released in America prior to the Christmas period, the game came in for a bit of a ravaging due to a number of bugs and unbalanced gameplay. Start up publisher Deep Silver recognised the potential, but also thankfully recognised the threat of releasing such a game before it was ready. Risking the wrath of the hardcore fanatics, Deep Silver took the difficult decision to delay the European release until 2004 â“ thankfully itâs one of those decisions that have paid off.

As with most Space Simulators, âX2: The Threatâ features a hackneyed Sci-Fi storyline that sadly never really manages to get off the ground. After a plodding albeit graphically wonderful introduction, the player learns that heâs saved from a life-term aboard a penitentiary ship by a mysterious, yet powerful new ally.

Being absolutely honest if you stuck methodically to the plot then the enjoyment to be had from âX2: The Threatâ would be lessened; it can be no mistake that characters have some quite frankly hilarious names such as âBan Dannaâ, whilst the whole experience feels constrained by the plot and some woeful cut-scenes.

Thankfully as soon as you break away from the running narrative and realise thereâs a whole, wide open universe for you to explore and that the storyline is merely tacked on to give the game some structure, the enjoyment to be gained increases immensely. âX2: The Threatâ is better treated as a sandbox game, whereby the player simply plays the game however s/he feels.

Traditionally Space Simulators offer trading and combat as fundamental gameplay features; âX2: The Threatâ takes all of these aspects, refines each and every one of them to the point of near perfection and chucks in a few new ideas to boot.

The games developers, EgoSoft, have spent many years creating a living, breathing universe where the laws of supply and demand are paramount. As such youâll be able to build up your own empire within the universeâs dynamic economy, buying space factories, purchasing raw materials and setting up trade routes. This aspect of the game has been so thoughtfully implemented, that at times it feels like an economic simulator more akin to the âTycoonâ series â“ just set in space. Those who felt disappointed by the stifling lack of trading options in the likes of âFreelancerâ will certainly find relief with âX2â; just remember that it doesnât come quick or easy.

As we said before the dynamic economy is based upon the fundamental laws of supply and demand, as such the player is free to exploit this to his/her own advantage; for example, the player could take down a supply route of Energy Cells to a particular location, thus hiking up the prices and allowing him/her to install their own factory and take advantage of whacking up the price. The level of depth to this aspect of the game simply goes over what we can explain in a review without turning this into a 15,000+ word Business essay â“ suffice to say wannabe space tycoons will find themselves in awe of what this game has to offer for months to come. Just as an example of the scope of this aspect, itâs entirely possible to go through âX2â trading in finished products, however for a greater profit you could extract the raw materials yourself, supply your factories and then trade with the finished product â“ literally anything goes.

However if the act of exploring the universe for rare materials, constructing factories and establishing trade routes isnât entirely your cup of tea, then itâs entirely possible to play the game with emphasis on the combat.

In a nod to âGTA3â itâs entirely possible to hijack other peopleâs vessels, providing you can convince them to bail out. These ships then become part of the playerâs arsenal alongside those which may have been included by more legal means. Whilst itâs possible to sell these on to the nearest shipyard for a quick buck, the true tactician will build these into their armada, taking use of the ability to command ships remotely from your current ship. Itâs entirely possible to own as many ships as you like at any particular time, rolling across the Galaxy in one impressive armada that will scare the bejeebas out of anyone you come across. With over 70 different craft available, you can be sure that thereâs some suited to different tasks better then others; there are cargo ships, fighter ships of varying size, large transports, passenger liners, corvettes, battleships and carriers. Some ships even have the ability to carry smaller ships within them. With a vessel at over two kilometres in length to command, youâll soon find yourself a force to be reckoned with.

The game features a phenomenal amount of weapons and upgrades to get your hands on for all the different craft featured within the game; employing a myriad of offensive weaponry such as missiles, lasers, mines and even remote droids just to mention a few, whilst also a full range of defensive options including shields, self-repairing hulls, and intercept missions. If youâre undertaking a particularly tough mission, then you can easily enlist the help of a wingman or two, whoâll fly alongside you and provide invaluable cover against some of the more powerful foes.

Due to the sheer depth and scope of the game and the fact that it doesnât contain any tutorial worth bothering with, the game can seem a little daunting at first and it certainly takes a considerable time before you feel youâve got anywhere; however for those who have the patience to explore all of the avenues that âX2â offers, youâll soon find yourself completely immersed in one of the most captivating games weâve played for years.

Whilst the emphasis is on these two aspects, there are plenty of things to get up to whilst undertaking the long task of building up a mighty intergalactic empire or an equally impressive conquering armada. Whilst all of our time with the game was spent avoiding the main storyline, thereâs plenty of sub-missions to be found at various space-stations via the traditional Bulletin Boards. Surprisingly these offered far more variety then weâve become accustomed to, whilst they also provide newscasts as to whatâs happening within the universe â“ a neat touch that helps to lend the feeling that the universe is living and breathing around the player.

You can only write so much about âX2â without mentioning the fantastic visuals that feature within the game; quite honestly this is one of the finest games weâve seen recently and certainly ushers in a new generation of PC games based upon DirectX9. The 3D engine supports virtually every buzz-phrase used at the moment, including volumetric clouds that actually have an impact on the gameplay, so yes you can hide in them from pursuing enemies; dynamic DP3 bump-mapping that creates a very believable look to everything; whilst the dynamic lighting is the final sheen on a very polished title. The PR Dude once claimed that it was impossible to take a bad screenshot from the game, a claim that weâd certainly agree with.

Sadly youâll need a powerful 3D accelerator to get the most out of âX2â, however if youâve ever been thinking about upgrading now is certainly the time; whilst itâs possible to switch off options, you really need to play this game looking at its best.