Darkstar One (PC) - Preview
High: Good story, great gameplay, over all a great title.
Low: Graphics could have been polished a bit more but otherwise a great title.
To get some things settled, I love space games, I love a good Action Adventure game, and more I love then Action Adventure meets RPG which any good Action Adventure has to. Darkstar One delivers an action packed game that is very deep and diverse. I was very excited to get the chance to preview this game. To make a long story short, I love the game. It might not win game of the year but it is fun and action packed and keeps you guessing. Its open ended gameplay can make you lose hours roaming space, but what good space game doesn't have you mystified at the idea of exploring space?
You play as Kayron, a talented yet wet-behind-the-ears space pilot who's just been bequeathed the inheritance of his life, Darkstar One, a super-powerful space fighter decked out with ancient alien technology. Most of the games RPG flare comes in with the ship. Which over time and as you gain experience can completely customize the Darkstar One. So you could have a huge tank of a ship or something faster with a more offence edge.
Now the game starts off small and only lets you have access to certain systems but as the game progresses you quickly gain access to everything. You get to far away systems with "gate keys", and each system has its point of interest, namely research and trade stations. These stations are where you'll base most of your operations, whether you decide to dedicate yourself to business/commerce, or the mercenary aspects of interstellar trade. The different stations are fairly nice looking 3d interfaces that let you trade goods, buy upgrades for your ship, unload contraband, or look for work. You can also follow the story of the game and news via the news wire and other interactive interfaces at the stations. There are over 300 systems in the game, only a few of which you're required to visit throughout the course of the story. The rest are there for your enjoyment.
The game is very action originated, having to blow up ships and escort different types of ships to far away systems safely. Now in your open ended part of the game and even in the story you can play more as a trader (trading goods) or as a mercenary or if your like me you like to play the middle so you get a bit of both. The story is a great, no wonderful aspect of the game. Though some translation issues still exist this is a preview build. The story is powerful, yet simple enough to enjoy, and the voice acting and the settings really help propel the story along.
As far as science fiction games go this has the competition beat in some areas, a strong story, approachable graphics, and a good intermix of game play styles. Not all games mix different game play styles well, but this game performs wonders. The controls of the game can feel a bit touchy at first but as you get used to them it gets better. Best of all this game supports a joystick, if you have one or have the money to get one it's worth it it makes the long hours of gameplay go much better.
As I said above the graphics are approachable, they aren't out of this world like some space games, but they get the job done and set a tone to the game. Some more care to the models of the different peoples/living beings would have been good to the presentation of the story they aren't so bad as to hurt the playability of the game. The sound in the game is phenomenal, great timing, fitting/realistic sound effects, and tolerable background music. The voice acting puts it over the top and really brings the game to life. The game feels very complete, which isn't common in action games of this type. The long term playability factor is off the charts, its very addicting.
Fun, Action packed space adventure is Darkstar Ones middle name, and it fits it perfectly. With a wonderful open ended feel, I didn't want to put the game up to well preview other games or to write this preview. This game is contender for Action Adventure of the year hands down. Anyway this game is coming out soon, so go pick up a copy, I will be. Look for our review soon, and don't forget to visit the forums and tell us what you think.
Reviewed By:EG Admin Reviewed On: Mon, 31 July 2006 22:47:12 Read:
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Low: Graphics could have been polished a bit more but otherwise a great title.
To get some things settled, I love space games, I love a good Action Adventure game, and more I love then Action Adventure meets RPG which any good Action Adventure has to. Darkstar One delivers an action packed game that is very deep and diverse. I was very excited to get the chance to preview this game. To make a long story short, I love the game. It might not win game of the year but it is fun and action packed and keeps you guessing. Its open ended gameplay can make you lose hours roaming space, but what good space game doesn't have you mystified at the idea of exploring space?
You play as Kayron, a talented yet wet-behind-the-ears space pilot who's just been bequeathed the inheritance of his life, Darkstar One, a super-powerful space fighter decked out with ancient alien technology. Most of the games RPG flare comes in with the ship. Which over time and as you gain experience can completely customize the Darkstar One. So you could have a huge tank of a ship or something faster with a more offence edge.
Now the game starts off small and only lets you have access to certain systems but as the game progresses you quickly gain access to everything. You get to far away systems with "gate keys", and each system has its point of interest, namely research and trade stations. These stations are where you'll base most of your operations, whether you decide to dedicate yourself to business/commerce, or the mercenary aspects of interstellar trade. The different stations are fairly nice looking 3d interfaces that let you trade goods, buy upgrades for your ship, unload contraband, or look for work. You can also follow the story of the game and news via the news wire and other interactive interfaces at the stations. There are over 300 systems in the game, only a few of which you're required to visit throughout the course of the story. The rest are there for your enjoyment.
The game is very action originated, having to blow up ships and escort different types of ships to far away systems safely. Now in your open ended part of the game and even in the story you can play more as a trader (trading goods) or as a mercenary or if your like me you like to play the middle so you get a bit of both. The story is a great, no wonderful aspect of the game. Though some translation issues still exist this is a preview build. The story is powerful, yet simple enough to enjoy, and the voice acting and the settings really help propel the story along.
As far as science fiction games go this has the competition beat in some areas, a strong story, approachable graphics, and a good intermix of game play styles. Not all games mix different game play styles well, but this game performs wonders. The controls of the game can feel a bit touchy at first but as you get used to them it gets better. Best of all this game supports a joystick, if you have one or have the money to get one it's worth it it makes the long hours of gameplay go much better.
As I said above the graphics are approachable, they aren't out of this world like some space games, but they get the job done and set a tone to the game. Some more care to the models of the different peoples/living beings would have been good to the presentation of the story they aren't so bad as to hurt the playability of the game. The sound in the game is phenomenal, great timing, fitting/realistic sound effects, and tolerable background music. The voice acting puts it over the top and really brings the game to life. The game feels very complete, which isn't common in action games of this type. The long term playability factor is off the charts, its very addicting.
Fun, Action packed space adventure is Darkstar Ones middle name, and it fits it perfectly. With a wonderful open ended feel, I didn't want to put the game up to well preview other games or to write this preview. This game is contender for Action Adventure of the year hands down. Anyway this game is coming out soon, so go pick up a copy, I will be. Look for our review soon, and don't forget to visit the forums and tell us what you think.
Reviewed By:EG Admin Reviewed On: Mon, 31 July 2006 22:47:12 Read:
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Ratings
Game Info Center
US Release: Sun, 13 August 2006 19:00:00
UK Release: N/A
ESRB: "T" for Teen
Genre: Action/Adventure
Platform: PC
Multiplayer: N/A
Developer: Ascaron
Publisher: CDV Software
UK Release: N/A
ESRB: "T" for Teen
Genre: Action/Adventure
Platform: PC
Multiplayer: N/A
Developer: Ascaron
Publisher: CDV Software
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