Grrr.. I've been playing the Freelancer Trial Version for days now. And much to my suprise, it runs very smoothly on my low end system (even in high res.!). But not only that, it has a great gameplay and is very addictive. So, I checked the Microsoft website to get a date of release (wanted to buy the full version pronto [img]smile.gif[/img] ), and it said early march.
I was just planning on ordering it when my games magazine was delivered. Date of release; april 11! That can't be right! So I rush to Amazon.. and indeed; not available 'till april 18!!! Damnation! Does anyone know of a European website that might get the import version a bit earlier then that?

Btw. For anyone who has not tried it yet; demo available at http://www.gamesdomain.com/demos/demo/1816.html
Go check it out!

That demo being 150mb, I think Ill wait for the full version. Or a magazine coverdisc.

BTW, what are the recommended specs for it? Im just about to order a new system and dont want any slowdown on the game Ive waited so long for.

After reading the excellent previews from Gamespot and The Firingsquad, I can't wait to get one either. I hope the controls are better than the one in Privateer 2.

I think the minimum requirement is a PentiumIII 600. I play it on an 800 and it runs like a charm. Even in high res! Which is quite amazing.

AH well, my current system cant run it then. Good job the bank *finaly* got my cards sorted out.

Whats the multiplayer like? I seem to recall something about freelancer being elite, MMORPG style, but from what I can find on the net its predominantly singleplayer.

the demo is too big, probably just wait for the game to come out.

curious.. what kind of game is it? RPG? RTS?

Its an... how do you call these things? A space based flight sim?
Edit: Found the official website; http://www.microsoft.com/games/freelancer/

[ 03-02-2003, 09:11 AM: Message edited by: Dreamer128 ]

Cool game. I tried the demo last night. Smooth, no crashes even on my below min spec machine. Even in 'flight' with lots of debris and bandits the frame was good.

The basic premise of the game is that you're a freelancer, one who takes jobs. It could be escort missions, mining, trading, bounty unting. Or you could be a pirate preying on freighters. It's very open-ended & you're free to go where you please & do what you want. Your actions will have repercussions of course. Piracy is guaranteed to make the security forces shoot on sight, for example.

There is a main story line (you are one of a few survivors of a station that was destroyed in a mysterious attack) that gives a purpose to the game but from what I understand even at the plot's conclusion the game doesn't end.

Eschewing the traditional joystick, the game uses a mouse and keyboard to control space flight. It takes a bit of getting used to, but it works well even in the midst of a hectic dogfight.

Graphics are beautiful, audio is immersive - lots of relevant chatter on the radio for example.

I've only played the first mission of the demo, escorting the convoy to Pittsburgh, but I'm hooked already. Can't ait for the boxed version to be released.

If you liked Wing Commander, Privateer, or space flight sims in general, get this. I think it's a winner.
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