[b]Space Interceptor: Project Freedom (£4.99 ~ $7.50)
I've copied a great review from IGN, which I've referenced below. The reason I chose that particular review (there's quite a few to read) was because I agree with the opening statement and am also a product of the late 60's early 70's when space exploration was always in the news and all my friends wanted to be astronaut's. :) I've always been facinated by space simulators even though they probably have very little content compared to most other genres, (most of the game being empty space so to speak, lol); that said, games like X3 - Terran Conflict are packed with stuff to explore.
I recommend buying Darkstar One and Freespace 2 from good old Games for between $5.99 and $9.99; also, there's a free open source version of Freespace 2 called Freespace 2 SCP which you can find details of and download links HERE. Finally I highly recommend buying X3 - Terran Conflict and it's sequel/expansion called X3: Reunion the next time it's on a deal via Steam, especially if you like a game that oozes realism - (I got it and it's add-on for les than half price a few months ago via Steam).
All the games I've mentioned above give you a feelng that you are really flying a spacecraft; whereas Project Freedom is more of an arcade shooter. I love both sub genres of the space genre and tend to buy any that i can find, lol. This game has a lot of action packed missons, with gorgeous visuals and enough game play to keep you occupied for more than what's been mentioned in the review below. If you're like me (I love to explore the game world throughly), a game like this will take weeks to finish. If you can't afford any of these games apart from the open source Freespace 2 there's also a couple of other excellent free alternatives that have bee posted elsewhere in the forums, one's based on Babylon 5 and is called the Babylon Project (you can find details HERE and HEREand the other is called Universal Combat (which was made freeware by the author of the game last January 2008). You can find all three free games via the free games synopsis which is HERE
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Let's face it... the space-based flight combat genre -- once the domain of power hitters such as Wing Commander, Freespace, Privateer and X-Wing vs. TIE Figher -- is pretty much dead. Eve more recently released (and still exceptional) sci-fi flight titles like Starlancer and Freelancer couldn't restore the genre to its once former glory. Because of this, it's no surprise we don't see many space combat sims anymore.
Growing up in the way-out 70s left me with a profound fascination with anything to do with outer space -- especially if there are lasers and spaceships involved), so it saddens me to see these types of games no longer lining the shelves at software stores. However, this didn't keep developer CITY Interactive from trying their hand at the genre with Space Interceptor ([ii]Project Freedom in Europe[/i]). Although simple, the game offers up a good bit of fun for only £4.99 (approximately $7.50) especially for those of you nostalgic for the depths of laser-ridden outer space.
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Unlike space flight games of yore that pretty much required a joystick, similar to Freelancer, Space Interceptor is controlled completely with the mouse and keyboard. The game's simple, linear design stresses arcade action, and the two most important controls you'll use during the entire game are the two mouse buttons: left for lasers, right for secondary weapons (air-to-air or air-to-surface missiles, proton torpedo, and plasma blast). Although there are different types of missions in the game -- ranging from defend to escort to planetary attacks -- it all pretty much comes down to "kill 'em all and let the galaxy sort them out." There is a bit of research thrown into the mix that you use to upgrade your ship's attack, defense and speed ratings, but it only consists of picking which section you want to upgrade and waiting until the end of your current mission for your technological rewards.
The above was referenced on 16th October 2009 HERE
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Like I said, gameplay is very arcade-like, straightforward and linear. That's not a bad thing in this case, though. Space Interceptor is all about action, and the game doesn't disappoint. You may have to take on wave after wave of enemy ships or destroy dozens of enemy missile turrets and laser emplacements during the 21 missions, and unlike lots of these types of budget shooters, you can move in full 3D and you aren't locked in one place with a stationary gun. There is one ball turret mission where you're immobile, but it fits in well with the "story" (I say "story" because it's about as deep as "shoot, roll, shoot, shoot, shoot") since you're on a capital ship. This mission reminded me of Luke and Han taking out TIE Fighters circling the Millennium Falcon, and it's obvious that the designers took a lot of cues from famous Hollywood sci-fi movies. The game even culminates with a Death Star-esque finale (don't worry, I'm not spoiling any of the plot since there is none).
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Flying through the vastness of outer space can be desolate and boring, but CITY Interactive made the visuals more exciting by adding lots of attractive planets, moons and stars to gaze at, and also plenty of nebulae, gas clouds, space junk and asteroids to fly around. With its impressive lighting effects, high-quality ship models and colorful spacescapes, Space Interceptor is the prettiest budget game I've ever played, and it can even stand its own against most of the full-priced games out there.There are three views to gape at the visuals: a cockpit view complete with instruments and gauges, an outside first-person camera view with no screen obstructions and a behind-the-ship slot view. Although it's pleasing to the eye and offers up high-intensity gameplay, the game runs great even on low-end systems (provided you have at least a 32MB video card), and the fast load times before missions keep you in the action rather than sitting around waiting for the fun to start.
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While Space Interceptor is entertaining, it does have a few problems. First off, in true space combat fashion, your wingmen are pretty much useless, and it's up to you to save the entire universe. And unlike most space flight games, there's no radar to show you where enemy ships are, although there are red arrows on the side of the screen that point to possible targets. There's also no graphical indication if your lasers are hitting their mark, although you can look at your opponent's health bar to see if they're about to get knocked down. However, the biggest detracting feature of Space Interceptor is the audio. The sound effects are nice enough, but the repetitive soundtrack quickly becomes annoying as the same bad techno riff plays over and over and over for the entirety of the game. Following the same pattern, the dialogue is extremely repetitive as well, and your wingmates proclaim "Hey, we got a new Ace here" and "Right between the eyes" over the comm dozens of times during each mission.
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Closing Comments:
Although you can finish the game in about four to five hours and there's no multiplayer to speak of, for the knock down price of only £4.99, Space Interceptor's not a bad deal. It's so straightforward that even casual gamers will be able to jump right in and start playing, but entertaining enough to give veteran players a simple joyride.
There is a pledge printed on the games DVD box cover saying... "Fun guaranteed. Love it or we replace it." Well, I don't know if I "love" it, but it did live up to the "fun" promise, making Space Interceptor a budget title worth checking out if you like arcade space flight games. (By the way, the replace it won't apply if you buy from Steam). Still, you can download a demo t see if you'll like th game befor commiting yourself. This is no deal its a price that's fixed on Steam.
Presentation
A simple but clean presentation with easy to navigate menus and simple to understand options….8.0
Graphics:
Space Interceptor is a surprisingly beautiful game, especially for a budget title. This one easily stands up to games that cost twice as much. Nice performance on older systems as well……8.5
Sound:
The same annoyingly bad techno song plays throughout the entire game. Repetitive voice acting is decent, but nothing special…..5.0
Gameplay:
The arcade action is simple, but fun….......7.5
Lasting Appeal:
You can finish the game in about 4-5 hours, and there's no multiplayer to speak of. Not much depth here, but the short campaign is addictive and entertaining……....5.5
OVERALL.................……7.8
Video:
You can see game play footage of Project Freedom , or Space interceptor: Project Freedom (as it is known in the U.S. HERE and HERE
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Downloads
You can download a demo of the game via Gamershell HERE, which at the moment is getting a red flag from McAfee’s Site Advisor. I’ve downloaded stuff from Gamershell for at least five years and never ever had an alert, nor any problems with any of the files I’ve downloaded. Apparently links to adtrgt.com have been found which breaches browser security. You’ll find the page I’ve linked to is clean.
Details of the game and if you decide to buy it a purchase link can be found on Steam HERE