Elite: Dangerous

 PC
User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 1913 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,150 out of 1913
  2. Mixed: 209 out of 1913
  3. Negative: 554 out of 1913

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  1. Rocktopper
    Dec 16, 2014
    8
    Played the original Elite games in the 80s and 90s, and this new version definitely lives up to the legacy. It all looks very pretty and the flight mechanics are intuitive and easy to pick up (although hard to master!). Lots more content is due to be added to this game in the future, which can only enrich the gameplay even further. I'm having a blast!
  2. g4merpro
    Dec 21, 2014
    9
    "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe"....

    The game is ground-breaking in so many ways and I've been enjoying it immensely having gotten into the gamma phase of the game. The full release has gone very smoothly and I am astounded by what Frontier have delivered. The visuals are stunning, breathtaking in many places, the flight model and combat is exceptional - with each ship    "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe"....

    The game is ground-breaking in so many ways and I've been enjoying it immensely having gotten into the gamma phase of the game. The full release has gone very smoothly and I am astounded by what Frontier have delivered. The visuals are stunning, breathtaking in many places, the flight model and combat is exceptional - with each ship having its own very unique style and feel from a pilots point of view.

    Its an open world game so you decide what your story is situated inside a dynamic galaxy which responds to what all the players do. Right now I'm battling a slave rebellion and fighting against a blockade by the Federation as key factions continue their power struggle throughout the galaxy.

    There are a few things that need improvement upon such as better functions for group play, which I understand is coming early in 2015. But in all honesty I find myself in gamer heaven right now. I just can't stop playing it..

    I suspect I'll be playing this title for years to come, and it will only improve and become more feature rich over time. Don't let the whiners put you off, its a fantastic game.

    See you in the galaxy Commanders! :)    … Expand
  3. ADashingBlade
    Dec 22, 2014
    10
    Remember that wireframe version on a BBC micro back in the 80's . . . this is what you wanted it to be! Stunning graphics & sound . . . check
    Steep learning curve (reddit, google & youtube are your friends) . . . check
    Need to buy a joystick . . . check Future proof (Occulus Rift/4k monitors) . . . check "Just another 15 minutes" . . . .and 4 hours later your still playing it . . ..    Remember that wireframe version on a BBC micro back in the 80's . . . this is what you wanted it to be! Stunning graphics & sound . . . check
    Steep learning curve (reddit, google & youtube are your friends) . . . check
    Need to buy a joystick . . . check
    Future proof (Occulus Rift/4k monitors) . . . check
    "Just another 15 minutes" . . . .and 4 hours later your still playing it . . .. check

    Negative reviews seem to come from disgruntled Kickstarter backers (guys, Kickstarter = "donation" NOT "equity stake") winging about no off-line mode (it's 2014 and you havn't got internet or a mobile phone to teather? c'mon) or from MMO players who don't get that space is a big place.

    Personally experienced one bug since launch    … Expand
  4. Steviefive
    Dec 24, 2014
    8
    Once you filter the 'jilted backer zero' reviews and the 'quick post a perfect 10 to counter' you actually start to get a truer reflection of the game. 7.5 is a fair and reasonable reflection of a game that has hugely promising beginnings but needs fleshing out.

    In its current state, it's a hugely addictive experience that already sucks hours away, once it's been added to, kiss    Once you filter the 'jilted backer zero' reviews and the 'quick post a perfect 10 to counter' you actually start to get a truer reflection of the game. 7.5 is a fair and reasonable reflection of a game that has hugely promising beginnings but needs fleshing out.

    In its current state, it's a hugely addictive experience that already sucks hours away, once it's been added to, kiss anything resembling a social life goodbye.    … Expand
  5. lichinais
    Dec 22, 2014
    10
    This game keeps getting better and better. My friends and I got into a PVP dogfight in a low energy wake instance after trying to perform an interdiction on another apparently random player... Well that player had a friend and... 2 ships (Cobra, Viper) vs us 3 (Sidewinder, sidewinder and Viper). We got the wrong end of the stick but boy was it fun!
  6. Emmeric
    Dec 22, 2014
    10
    Elite Dangerous is the best space sim there is. Excellent graphics, amazing audio, fantastic gameplay. The game lacks at the moment a sort of purpose or a guideline that many players maybe looking for but for a game so big (a map of this size never existed in a game before) a single player scenario wouldn't have covered what is actually there to experience.

    ED is fully compatible with    Elite Dangerous is the best space sim there is. Excellent graphics, amazing audio, fantastic gameplay. The game lacks at the moment a sort of purpose or a guideline that many players maybe looking for but for a game so big (a map of this size never existed in a game before) a single player scenario wouldn't have covered what is actually there to experience.

    ED is fully compatible with Oculus Rift, making it the best virtual reality experience I ever had. Oculus+ED = Next Generation Gaming.    … Expand
  7. MarkHB
    Dec 22, 2014
    9
    The only reason I'm not putting a 10 in is because the game's still got features to be implimented. It's a rich, layered galaxy stuffed to bursting with things to do. Aside from being stunningly beautiful, and amazing to play on a Rift, it's just plain good fun. Not for everyone: The game pace is much faster than the 1984 original, but it's still a game for the patient player, notThe only reason I'm not putting a 10 in is because the game's still got features to be implimented. It's a rich, layered galaxy stuffed to bursting with things to do. Aside from being stunningly beautiful, and amazing to play on a Rift, it's just plain good fun. Not for everyone: The game pace is much faster than the 1984 original, but it's still a game for the patient player, not Insert Credit Pew Pew Pew. There's a steep learning curve, but the payoff is so worth it.… Expand
  8. waitingonyoga
    Dec 22, 2014
    9
    Possibly the best game out there to play with the Ocukus Rift DK2. The feeling of BEING in a 3D cockpit is tremendous. Flying a long of a massive 2 Km Federal battlecruiser will give oyu the same real feeling of those Star Wars scenes where the camera panned slowly all through the length of an Imperial Destroyer as it passed by...

    Gameplay is also great, with comnbat and dogfight being    Possibly the best game out there to play with the Ocukus Rift DK2. The feeling of BEING in a 3D cockpit is tremendous. Flying a long of a massive 2 Km Federal battlecruiser will give oyu the same real feeling of those Star Wars scenes where the camera panned slowly all through the length of an Imperial Destroyer as it passed by...

    Gameplay is also great, with comnbat and dogfight being really engaging and fully pilot skill based.

    The different paths you can take are not yet fully fleshed out but the options are so many that we can happily wait until Frontier finishes them off.

    Playing with friends has some glitches but all in all I have been able to hook up with friends in co op without major issues or play PVP in many hotspot areas of the galaxy.

    The galaxy scale 1:1 is just mesmerizing... "I have seen things, you people would not believe..."    … Expand
  9. paodin
    Dec 19, 2014
    8
    10 or 0 or something in between, To the moaners out there I would say you clearly are not getting it, I have played about 15 -20 hours since Launch and had 0 crashes, ED has a steep learning curve to feel at home with it, after the initial wow of the graphics, and a few crashes trying to dock I thought, why am I playing this, what am I supposed to do there is nothing here. So10 or 0 or something in between, To the moaners out there I would say you clearly are not getting it, I have played about 15 -20 hours since Launch and had 0 crashes, ED has a steep learning curve to feel at home with it, after the initial wow of the graphics, and a few crashes trying to dock I thought, why am I playing this, what am I supposed to do there is nothing here. So if you are driven by a story in your game playing don't buy this!
    But once you understand that you can do what you like, and start to explore the missions and option for your ship, working our routes to different system, get comfortable with your ship and systems, chasing down wanted ships, bumping into funeral and wedding, convoys, pick up rare artifacts, or just some floating cargo, get interdicted for no reason and have to battle you way free. Go to extraction site and tangle with pirates while not getting caught by the security force while you steal the illegal goods, try out different weapon combos, find black markets, do some normal trading, worry if you have enough fuel for the next jump, get fined for carrying illegal cargo you have plenty to do. Once you let go and think of being a pilot in a spaceship in a universe (and the graphics help amazingly - the views are stunning) and are comfortable with the controls ( this take a few hours of play) you are set on a great adventure.
    To the guys who love this game unconditionally, I'd say that it is already very good, but I do miss easier interaction with other players. The jumping in and out of supercruise to land at station really spoils the immersion and really needs improving. So for me its 8/10 also I suggest that any new pilot spends some time in the forums to pick up some tips.    … Expand
  10. Luckiernaut
    Apr 9, 2015
    9
    Amazing space ship pilot simulator. Traverse the milky way in all its glory to amass great wealth and fortune via exploring, mining, transportation of goods, bounty hunting or even piracy. Very immersing experience with the focus of piloting in a multilayer galaxy not so far away.
  11. WaytoomanyUIDs
    Dec 18, 2014
    0
    From what I saw of the game In Beta, it is quite pretty with some great visual design on the spacecraft and excellent sound design. However the flight model is abysmal for a space sim. For some bizarre reason the devs decided that spaceships should handle like aeroplanes, so they turn abysmally slow on the horizontal axis. "No problem" I thought, "I'm sure someone will mod in a sane flightFrom what I saw of the game In Beta, it is quite pretty with some great visual design on the spacecraft and excellent sound design. However the flight model is abysmal for a space sim. For some bizarre reason the devs decided that spaceships should handle like aeroplanes, so they turn abysmally slow on the horizontal axis. "No problem" I thought, "I'm sure someone will mod in a sane flight model when it's released, after all they promised offline and modding support".

    Then on the 14th of November, little more than a month before release and totally out the blue Frontier Developments announce the dropping of offline mode and with it most modding.

    They still have to come up with a satisfactory explanation, and when you consider that the game was going to miss it's Kickstarter goal until they promised offline mode and modding support, "It doesn't fit our creative vision" doesn't cut it as an explanation for dropping offline.

    I didn't test the social features of the online side of game, as I wasn't interested in the multiplayer, but from what I've read they are very limited

    And before you accuse me of reviewing an incomplete game, apart from the complete universe in Gamma and release, there isn't much difference between Beta and Gamma, just a lot of new bugs.

    Also the "customer service" from Frontier Developments is some of the worst I've encountered. I submitted a refund request on the 17th of November, was offered a partial refund on 03 December and today, the 18th of December 2014 have still to receive the promised refund    … Expand
  12. Hitsuke
    Dec 23, 2014
    10
    Don't be put off by the reviews posted by obvious Star Citizen fanbois. This game is genuinely excellent and captures the feel of the originals. Nothing to do? Want to make money? Trade, pirate, bounty hunt or sell exploration data! Fight in huge battles in conflict zones, or hunt down players who went the way of the pirate.

    Elite: Dangerous doesn't hold your hand with maternal    Don't be put off by the reviews posted by obvious Star Citizen fanbois. This game is genuinely excellent and captures the feel of the originals. Nothing to do? Want to make money? Trade, pirate, bounty hunt or sell exploration data! Fight in huge battles in conflict zones, or hunt down players who went the way of the pirate.

    Elite: Dangerous doesn't hold your hand with maternal instinct. It throws you into the Milky Way galaxy in it's entirety and dares you to trade, explore, fight and adventure. There is no "Pay to win" on offer here, there's no 500 dollar ships... it's every man for himself. The micro transaction store consists of nothing more than some fancy paint jobs for your ships, that's it!

    Buy it, play it and love it!    … Expand
  13. gymrunning
    Dec 23, 2014
    10
    Total Freedom and Blaze Your Own Trail are not just buzzwords in Elite. They are amazingly true and Elite delivers the best sandbox experience of a space sim ever, including multiplayer and co op gameplay like no other.
  14. wingmaninpink
    Jan 11, 2015
    8
    Been exploring the 1:1 galaxy since I started playing in Christmas and it is just an awesome sight to behold. Hunting black holes, neutron stars or simply approaching those nebulae just make my day. The open universe is there for the taking and will be getting back in time to "civilized" systems to try out the rest of the sandbox aspects of the game... combat, bounty hunting etc. But forBeen exploring the 1:1 galaxy since I started playing in Christmas and it is just an awesome sight to behold. Hunting black holes, neutron stars or simply approaching those nebulae just make my day. The open universe is there for the taking and will be getting back in time to "civilized" systems to try out the rest of the sandbox aspects of the game... combat, bounty hunting etc. But for now and until further notice... deep space explo is what I do.

    There are many things left that were not at launch: wing mechanics, missing exploration mechanics and mining is just plain boring. But all in all this game is really really worth it for any space sim fan out there.

    Devs have also started plotting thgeir dev work this year, not only for all those missing things but also for their major expansions. Hold on tight!    … Expand
  15. Alcubierre
    Mar 21, 2015
    9
    This game is first and foremost a sandbox. If you like sandbox style gameplay, this is a fantastic title for it. Your actual options as far as the game is concerned and how you want to play it are essentially limitless. To be fair, as everything is organized around income generation, this does somewhat restrict what you could do, at least at the moment. You've got several generalThis game is first and foremost a sandbox. If you like sandbox style gameplay, this is a fantastic title for it. Your actual options as far as the game is concerned and how you want to play it are essentially limitless. To be fair, as everything is organized around income generation, this does somewhat restrict what you could do, at least at the moment. You've got several general income paths, either by trade, by exploration, or by combat.

    Exploration is purely exploration at the moment. It involves very pretty pictures, interesting systems, and a whole lot of scanning. It's somewhat repetitive but less so than other things. The appeal of exploration is the views, and really the chance encounters with extremely rare stellar objects, including Earth-like planets. If you're the first person to scan these objects, your name is permanently written on it, netting you prestige with any other player who visits. Now the galaxy is a reasonably accurate depiction of the Milky Way, with around 400 billion different star systems that can be visited. This is a major selling point of the game, and provided you're willing to go off the beaten path, there is no lack of places to scrawl your name saying "I've been here". Several large areas in the galaxy that currently require permits will be homes to vast alien empires, once this component of the game is implemented. Eventually the game designers will be implementing expansions that allow for planetary landings, though on the hundreds of thousands of Earth-like worlds, I wonder how they could successfully implement alien wildlife in a way that was realistic, exotic, and also reflecting the differences between worlds. I imagine this will be an incredibly large expansion, that is if it will net the realism that the designers are hoping for.

    Trading is the most repetitive of all game activities, though it tends to be the most profitable after a certain point. It used to be the absolute most profitable activity in the game, but significant profit increases have been added to the other income streams, balancing this out a bit. It is by far the safest way to make money, and it takes a lot less initial investment to get going. There is a very zen quality to trading, jumping between stars and plotting routes. A subcomponent of trading is mining, which is not particularly interesting, but a very effective way to get out of lower tier ships. Lastly, rare trade goods net some of the highest profit margin, but require large jumps and sophisticated route mapping to do well. Also human pirates love to predate these routes, so your day can easily get ruined if you're not paying attention. Black market trading is the one kind of trading that is more interesting in its own right. Sometimes you have to sneak into stations past the police forces, who will ruin your day if you get caught. Lots of fun when you do it right, and pirates will be selling all their goods on the black market.

    Finally, combat. You can bounty hunt, play as a mercenary, or be a pirate. All are a huge amount of fun, and it's never repetitive because every fight plays out differently. It's incredibly skill based, and the attention to detail that the developers paid really shines in combat. You have full 3-D maneuvering, allowing you far more sophisticated maneuvers than you could fly with a plane. Clever people with good situational awareness and piloting skills will excel at combat.

    Now, as far as the overall feel of the game, the sandbox portion cannot be overstated. This may be a major turn-off for some people. This is a game where hundreds of thousands of players are always interacting and aiding in the progression of the game. The game actively changes based on player input, and developer prompting as well. But in a sea of several hundred thousand, the actual impact you have will be quite small. For example, a recent mercenary mission I played for around 15 hours, made 11 million credits was in the top 15% for progressing the mission, but the mission wasn't completed until 35 BILLION credits were made. As you can see, no one person can change the course of the game. There is also no false premise about giant universe ending events. No game bosses (except the capital ships) and no god-like level of achievement where you can't be beaten. You will probably never be able to own your own capital class ship. They cost hundreds of billions of credits. So you can't bully your way through the game with your giant pile of cash. And you can't count of being some massive hero either.

    This game is presently solid. The fundamentals are great. Though there is a lack, at the moment of content diversity, they keep adding to the game and expanding this. Eventually players will be able to walk around, and FPS will become a thing. But if you want a storyline or a quest line, you will not get it in this game. This sandbox factor means no one holds your hand. I like it, others don't.    … Expand
  16. tapacubos
    Dec 21, 2014
    10
    Best graphics, sounds, dogfight/combat and universe setting of a space sim game ever.

    You can literally get lost in here if you so wish. There are tons of videos of actual gameplay in youtube that can be used to form an opinion already, so dont let my excitement blind you! I have been playing this game exclusively since I installed it back in Beta. The support from devs and the open    Best graphics, sounds, dogfight/combat and universe setting of a space sim game ever.

    You can literally get lost in here if you so wish. There are tons of videos of actual gameplay in youtube that can be used to form an opinion already, so dont let my excitement blind you!

    I have been playing this game exclusively since I installed it back in Beta. The support from devs and the open communication is one of the best in the industry.

    With such team behind the game and a historic community founded on the original series this game will be around for a long time.    … Expand
  17. Flappers
    Dec 16, 2014
    9
    Fantastic... really.
    The game bring back the roots of gaming, back when we had no hand holding.
    There is a steep learning curve, which can be overcome by listening to experienced pilots, watching videos and taking advice. But once you are past that curve you can see how solid the mechanics are. Graphics are fantastic... and the sound? Simply awesome. It's a game with no 'end game' and    Fantastic... really.
    The game bring back the roots of gaming, back when we had no hand holding.
    There is a steep learning curve, which can be overcome by listening to experienced pilots, watching videos and taking advice. But once you are past that curve you can see how solid the mechanics are.
    Graphics are fantastic... and the sound? Simply awesome.
    It's a game with no 'end game' and no final objective. There are not any NPC's that say "Go out kill 10 things and come back, and you get to move on to the next area" There's no theme park here. It's a sandbox where you decide what you want to do.
    Want to bounty hunt pirates? Sure... want to be a pirate? Go for it. Trading? Smuggling? Mining? Everything is there. And you can do it all.
    The future of ED is a bright one, there are plenty more features to come in the coming months.
    The reason for 9/10 and not 10/10 is due to small things like missing features on release. But with that in mind, we know they are coming soon.

    For people who didn't play games prior to the year 2000, it might be a struggle to understand the concept behind what Elite Dangerous is about. Remember, there is no in game achievement, there's no final target. The target in game is what you set out to achieve. Once you understand that concept, you will have a fantastic time.    … Expand
  18. Sp4rkR4t
    Dec 23, 2014
    9
    You are the shiny new captain of your own ship and you don't even know how. Elite: Dangerous isn't quite everything it promised to be in it's initial pitch videos but it is certainly on the right path, there has never been another game out there that has just felt so right while playing, yes most system in the game at the minute are very bare-bones but there is a path to flesh all that outYou are the shiny new captain of your own ship and you don't even know how. Elite: Dangerous isn't quite everything it promised to be in it's initial pitch videos but it is certainly on the right path, there has never been another game out there that has just felt so right while playing, yes most system in the game at the minute are very bare-bones but there is a path to flesh all that out and what is in the game already is pretty special. This is a living, breathing galaxy and it's just begging for you to explore.… Expand
  19. RadiantRadmila
    Mar 4, 2015
    4
    This can be a nice game. It isn't at the moment.

    Pros: + Huge universe + Nice atmosphere + Nice music + Potential Cons: - There is no MMO component at all - Chat with friends does not work - There are many hackers who exploit a game and ruin the experience for everyone - No grouping yet, can't play with friends, can't even meet in space - Missions are boring and dull - Game    This can be a nice game. It isn't at the moment.

    Pros:
    + Huge universe
    + Nice atmosphere
    + Nice music
    + Potential

    Cons:
    - There is no MMO component at all
    - Chat with friends does not work
    - There are many hackers who exploit a game and ruin the experience for everyone
    - No grouping yet, can't play with friends, can't even meet in space
    - Missions are boring and dull
    - Game is bugged and you will often blow up for no reason and go poor again
    - Game feels empty and it's not worth the money currently. Maybe it will change with time, but so far I've paid for promises, nothing more.
    - Servers often disconnect me in the middle of the flight.    … Expand
  20. TitusBalls
    Feb 22, 2015
    6
    This is my second review of Elite: Dangerous. At the launch of the game I gave it a 10. This was based on, at the time a very smooth launch, an enjoyable beta period and to counter the 0 reviews it was unfairly getting due to the the whole offline debatable.

    It's now over 2 months since the launch of the game and I've come back to update my review and I've decided to give it a 6.    This is my second review of Elite: Dangerous. At the launch of the game I gave it a 10. This was based on, at the time a very smooth launch, an enjoyable beta period and to counter the 0 reviews it was unfairly getting due to the the whole offline debatable.

    It's now over 2 months since the launch of the game and I've come back to update my review and I've decided to give it a 6.

    When David Braben was interviewed up to the launch of the game, he kept using the analogy of a house being built and that they were in the final stages of all the furniture being put in - as much as a month before release. This made many feel that from Gamma to launch there would be a lot of new stuff - however in the end what was released was little more than what we had seen at the end of Beta.

    What was added was shallow and quite frankly buggy. What has been confirmed is that the background simulation that Frontier told us was going to be amazing, and why offline needed to be removed, is actually nothing more than some simple (and broken) functionality - the real game has to be injected on an event-by-event basis by the development team.

    Basically Frontier are the wizard behind the curtain, and they keep telling us to try ignore it - but you can't ignore the fact they just pull leavers and knobs to make the whole thing work.

    The GalNet news items are shoddily written with little real enjoyable narrative, stories that go nowhere and very little quality or spell checking - as if someone let the dyslexic intern loose on the production CMS and isn't checking what they put out.

    Exploration is nothing like what it was touted to be - we were told it would be exciting, that there would be lots to find in the galaxy. Many of us imagined it would be like Skyrim in Space - where we would stumble on adventures. Sadly it's nothing more than Jump, Scan system with 1 button, find only the interesting worlds, point your ship at them for 30 seconds. Rinse and repeat and then sell the data.

    While the addition of "First discovered" tag on systems is a nice touch, it's not enough to hide the fact the game is very shallow.

    The latest addition of community goals seems like a rather slap-dash add on to the game to create some content but less than 5000 players took part and achieved no where near all the goals. The ones who did complained of any lack of real gameplay (granted not all players). What it did create was some conflict which saw people enjoying PvP but mostly it pushed risk-adverse players into private or solo mode.

    On the whole solo mode thing, my personal opinion is that it is what will completely ruin the game. People say they don't want another Eve-type game. Well not only will they not get that, but they also won't get a multiplayer game with any players in it.

    Overall when I was back in Beta 1, the game felt epic even though it was limited to a handful of systems. When they opened up the bubble it felt even grander. When they opened up the galaxy everything felt like it collapsed in on itself and the true game was revealed to be very little content.

    Frontier have committed themselves to new content patches and I will continue to watch this game change and grow over time but I don't feel confident that the captain at the helm of this ship sees the icebergs ahead.    … Expand
  21. samualsson
    Mar 22, 2015
    10
    Recently picked up this game, its a refreshing change of pace from most triple a games right now! The sights and sounds.. breath taking. I'm really impressed with what they put together here, so far i've put 100 hrs into the game, and I just don't do that if I think a game is crap. I usually consider getting 30 hrs of a game decent for my money.

    But it's not just me - two buddies of    Recently picked up this game, its a refreshing change of pace from most triple a games right now! The sights and sounds.. breath taking. I'm really impressed with what they put together here, so far i've put 100 hrs into the game, and I just don't do that if I think a game is crap. I usually consider getting 30 hrs of a game decent for my money.

    But it's not just me - two buddies of mine picked it up last week and since then we have been having a blast playing together!

    After doing a bit of research, and finding out about future expansions, I'm even more excited!

    10/10 fly safe!    … Expand
  22. jellycake
    Dec 21, 2014
    10
    I originally gave Elite a 4 given the seemingly lack of guidance at all in the game but then I started actually playing the game. I also checked the forums and saw all the help, videos and manuals, even those made by the community like Forger's.

    Now I am enjoying it immensely. This is a space sandbox with all options open for players. No stry line, except the one you make for yourself.
  23. ggminstrel
    Dec 20, 2014
    9
    Great space sim game with probably the smoothest launch of a game in recent times. The dev team spent hours on end polishing the game prior to launch thanks to the great communication with the community. You can easily find all the devs posts at the forums every day in order to ensure a smooth experience.

    The thousands of game play footage in Youtube can easily tell the story better    Great space sim game with probably the smoothest launch of a game in recent times. The dev team spent hours on end polishing the game prior to launch thanks to the great communication with the community. You can easily find all the devs posts at the forums every day in order to ensure a smooth experience.

    The thousands of game play footage in Youtube can easily tell the story better than my words, just look at the channels by Edwin Stowe, Isinona or Neon Raven. Actual gameply footage is just astonishingly fun and beatiful at the same time.

    You can play as pirate, bounty hunter, mercenary, trader, explorer etc... alone or with friends. Influencing the main factions around to get the most out of a system or participating in the story line driven by major faction injected events...

    All in all probably the best space sim around for a long time.    … Expand
  24. Jugalator
    Dec 16, 2014
    8
    Seems like a worthy successor to the Elite and Elite: Frontier games of past, who many have hoped to see return for decades.

    The same motive and "end game" as usual: None. There is no end game, or if you wish, the end game starts the moment you first leave your station. From start to finish, this is a game where you shape your own future. As such, this game demands unusually much    Seems like a worthy successor to the Elite and Elite: Frontier games of past, who many have hoped to see return for decades.

    The same motive and "end game" as usual: None.

    There is no end game, or if you wish, the end game starts the moment you first leave your station.

    From start to finish, this is a game where you shape your own future. As such, this game demands unusually much from a player's imagination in order to enjoy it to its fullest. It also relies a lot on the intangible sense of wonder felt by exploring star systems. I don't think Elite: Dangerous suits everyone, but I also think it may suit others better than many other games have for years.

    The space-sim genre has long been in hibernation, and so I welcome Elite: Dangerous, a game letting you shape your own future, but not only that, expects you to want to. You will be met with minimal hand holding in this game, and minimal staked out paths. That can be both alluring, and a disadvantage, depending on who you ask.    … Expand
  25. gremklin
    Dec 23, 2014
    10
    Gameplay 9 (combat in particular is excellent and addictive!)
    Setting 10 (full galaxy!)
    Graphics 10
    Sound 10
    Multiplayer 8
    Smooth servers 10

    I have un installed Star Citizen arena commander pay to win. Nough said.
  26. valhallanemesis
    Jan 11, 2015
    9
    Avery solid foundation and extremely fun at it. Yes, the game is incomplete but that was not a surprise. In this day an age games like Elite will never really be finished. With recent good press reviews and sales results Elite has just published that their team will be expanding to deliver whats left in the base game (squadron mechanics, more ships, localization etc) and the fPS andAvery solid foundation and extremely fun at it. Yes, the game is incomplete but that was not a surprise. In this day an age games like Elite will never really be finished. With recent good press reviews and sales results Elite has just published that their team will be expanding to deliver whats left in the base game (squadron mechanics, more ships, localization etc) and the fPS and planetary landing expansions.… Expand
  27. veggyspaceman
    Dec 20, 2014
    9
    Not a game for all tastes definitely, but very rewarding if it is your taste!

    Elite does not sport a main story line where you are the hero. Here you ar ejust a pilot in the middle of the inmensity of the galaxy. Big factions fight for power and you try to profiteer in there the best you can. You can choose to support one of them or go your own way but you will not be the saviour of the    Not a game for all tastes definitely, but very rewarding if it is your taste!

    Elite does not sport a main story line where you are the hero. Here you ar ejust a pilot in the middle of the inmensity of the galaxy. Big factions fight for power and you try to profiteer in there the best you can. You can choose to support one of them or go your own way but you will not be the saviour of the galaxy.

    If you are ok with this kind of game premise then you are in for a treat. From the 1:1 galaxy scale which will make you salivate as an explorer (black holes, nebulae, brown dwarves, neutron stars, ring systems...) to the great dogfight system and the sheer scale of those cap ships... (2 Km)... just get in and behold!    … Expand
  28. oilcrashwoes
    Dec 20, 2014
    9
    The best:
    Beauty of a galaxy recreated fully as we know it, black holes and all
    Excellent flying and dogfight system, including ship subsystems and weapont very well balanced... gimballed system is a great solution to the issue other games have Sleek user interface Excellent configurability for all kinds of controls Excellent graphics and sound, including full support for oculus rift    The best:
    Beauty of a galaxy recreated fully as we know it, black holes and all
    Excellent flying and dogfight system, including ship subsystems and weapont very well balanced... gimballed system is a great solution to the issue other games have
    Sleek user interface
    Excellent configurability for all kinds of controls
    Excellent graphics and sound, including full support for oculus rift

    The less good: multiplayer is work in progress, and the squadron mechanics have been promised for early 2015

    All in all a game that should be in any space fan library methinks.    … Expand
  29. Stig
    Feb 22, 2015
    5
    I was excited. I played the original Elite in my youth and spent an embarrassing amount of time playing it. Typical teenage basement dweller.

    The first week it was fine, new ships to fly, new flight/combat mechanics, and some very frustrating bugs. I stuck with it ... and it got more and more frustrating ... and boring. Like Eve, it feels like work. Combat with NPCs is predictable,    I was excited. I played the original Elite in my youth and spent an embarrassing amount of time playing it. Typical teenage basement dweller.

    The first week it was fine, new ships to fly, new flight/combat mechanics, and some very frustrating bugs. I stuck with it ... and it got more and more frustrating ... and boring. Like Eve, it feels like work. Combat with NPCs is predictable, mining and trading is tedious, the odd time you get interdicted ... ugh.

    Time wasted aside, I really wish I could get a refund.    … Expand
  30. needinfusion
    Dec 23, 2014
    10
    Never played the original Elite or its sequels, but I can tell you one thing: Elite Dangerous is as good as it gets. Probably the best space sim of recent times. Pure space sim sandbox where you can play solo or with friends (I have been doing so with 3 of my mates) and you can choose the path you want,: Bounty hunting, trading, mercenary, exploring, pirate, mining... you name it. You canNever played the original Elite or its sequels, but I can tell you one thing: Elite Dangerous is as good as it gets. Probably the best space sim of recent times. Pure space sim sandbox where you can play solo or with friends (I have been doing so with 3 of my mates) and you can choose the path you want,: Bounty hunting, trading, mercenary, exploring, pirate, mining... you name it. You can also follow your own path or try to align with one of the main faction and follow the main story path evolving at some of the key systems in the galaxy.

    Exploring the 1:1 galaxy is just amazing, everything from Canis Majoris, to Eta Carinae to Sagitarius A are in there!

    Graphics are latest gen supporting oculus rift and DK2, sounds are also out of this world. The immersion is unrivaled.

    I have been playing non stop from day one where the launch was probably the smoothest around. Devs are out there responding to the community and the new content and expansions coming our way will keep this game alive for a very very very long time.    … Expand
  31. freshrosewater
    Dec 23, 2014
    10
    Got this game as a pre xmas present and cant put it down. Not familiar with the old Elite but this modern version is just amazing. Best space combat I ve played in a long time. Star Citizen AC and the X series lag way behind and the glove has been thrown.
  32. breakfastman
    Dec 27, 2014
    10
    After a couple months playing (since beta) I still manage to pull all nighters to play Elite... enough said. Flying with my mates, bounty hunting or harrasing the Empire is just awesome.
  33. everbestham
    Dec 30, 2014
    9
    Cant put this game down. Same Civilization "one more turn" effect here! Just, one more trade, one more bounty hunt, one more mission, one more kill contract! And the best part? I ve been doing all this with my friends online. The 1:1 galaxy scale is just awesome to behold. Can spend hours on end just gazing a planetary rings, amazing planets, neutron stars, black holes or nebulae.
  34. gadthrawn
    Dec 18, 2014
    0
    I don't care about the potential of a game.
    It was announced as offline game. The offlien mose was cancelled near release.
    If you try to get a refund - the company is slow in replying to emails. A "48 hour" support ticket takes right now over a month. Other bad things form additional account (not refundable as it was already used in beta) Only four types of stations, most missions    I don't care about the potential of a game.
    It was announced as offline game. The offlien mose was cancelled near release.
    If you try to get a refund - the company is slow in replying to emails. A "48 hour" support ticket takes right now over a month.

    Other bad things form additional account (not refundable as it was already used in beta)
    Only four types of stations, most missions are stupid grinding missions. On 99% of the routes theres no profit for trading, price system is far better in other games (do you really want to use a occulus and then note prices on a paper sheet which are wrong next time as even in solo game other players influence the price?), Advertising, ...

    So for me the game is crap.    … Expand
  35. Polar-eX
    Dec 25, 2014
    3
    To be very short about this game: its a copy of a copy of a copy of a copy. Everything(!!) look exactly(!!) the same, multiplied by 400 billion star systems. Have fun!
  36. Arniedadrink
    Mar 11, 2015
    6
    This is the core of what I hope will become a great game but at the moment a lot is left up to your imagination on what is happening in the universe around you. There are some background stories going on but keeping up with them seemed like you had to keep reading small new clips in game on a daily basis and the information in them was too brief to keep me interested. How to representThis is the core of what I hope will become a great game but at the moment a lot is left up to your imagination on what is happening in the universe around you. There are some background stories going on but keeping up with them seemed like you had to keep reading small new clips in game on a daily basis and the information in them was too brief to keep me interested. How to represent what is going on in the universe definitely needs to be thought out a bit more.… Expand
  37. scandelitelover
    Dec 20, 2014
    9
    Elite is a highly recommendable space sim and worth of belonging in any space sim fan library.

    The first 3 press critics rank it with very high scores, 70, 80 and 90 respectively. The game is online only but dont let that fool you, the broadband needs for Solo play are ridiculous and you can even play on the train with a tethered mobile connection if needed. The game is also here    Elite is a highly recommendable space sim and worth of belonging in any space sim fan library.

    The first 3 press critics rank it with very high scores, 70, 80 and 90 respectively.

    The game is online only but dont let that fool you, the broadband needs for Solo play are ridiculous and you can even play on the train with a tethered mobile connection if needed.

    The game is also here to stay as it has a historical fan base that is estimated above the 120,000 player mark. Plans for further development by Frontier are looking good so the investment in the game is a solid one.    … Expand
  38. vitamincisbest
    Dec 20, 2014
    10
    It is fair to say Elite: Dangerous is at the moment and for the foreseeable the best damned space sim ever.

    The game cater for all playstyles, be it PVE, PVP or co op. It has a 1:1 galaxy scale to get lost in if you want to, or you can go and get involved in busy PVP hotspots as part of the main faction struggle in the galaxy. From humble beginnings you will be able to progress and    It is fair to say Elite: Dangerous is at the moment and for the foreseeable the best damned space sim ever.

    The game cater for all playstyles, be it PVE, PVP or co op. It has a 1:1 galaxy scale to get lost in if you want to, or you can go and get involved in busy PVP hotspots as part of the main faction struggle in the galaxy.

    From humble beginnings you will be able to progress and take control of oyur own destiny in the game alone or with your friends.

    Best graphics (oculus rift and 4K support), sound and sleekest interface, this space sim is worthy of entering the game library of any space sim enthusiast.    … Expand
  39. superglasex
    Dec 20, 2014
    9
    Great game with a robust foundation for gameplay in a 1:1 galaxy and an engaging combat system. 6DoF, in both assist on and off flying modes will make all space sim fans enjoy it at its best. Best support for a game that I have seen for ages. The dev team has been there since the start and and the great forum support is obvious. One of the most serious developer companies I ve seen in a long time.
  40. kontikiinthebea
    Dec 23, 2014
    10
    Never a space has got my friends and me so hooked. We are currently bounty hunting in a planetary ring system in an anarchy jurisdiction and we are also getting some awesome PVP dogfights out of it all. The fact this game has one of the best combat and flight systems even in a space game helps a little. Weather it is silent running techniques, or energy system vs weapon choices and trueNever a space has got my friends and me so hooked. We are currently bounty hunting in a planetary ring system in an anarchy jurisdiction and we are also getting some awesome PVP dogfights out of it all. The fact this game has one of the best combat and flight systems even in a space game helps a little. Weather it is silent running techniques, or energy system vs weapon choices and true piloting skilled involved combat is just epic. And much better with friends around.… Expand
  41. compropeller
    Jan 10, 2015
    10
    Excellent immersion is the best galaxy ever created for a space sim. Combat is really engageing and well balanced, gratiying especially with friends. More is still to come. firsp erson and planetary landings.
  42. Glidej
    Dec 18, 2014
    3
    Single player canceled in late stages and will not be implemented. Game was released waaaay to early as it is not even close to being done. Wait a year or buy it for $20 or less.
  43. JohnStabler
    Dec 16, 2014
    9
    A modern reimagining of the 80s classic that invented a genre, with highlights from the sequels thrown in. Stunning graphics, a mind-bogglingly massive universe, visceral combat and as addictive as crystal meth. Currently geared towards sim players, rather than casual gamers.

    Those who say the game is empty are perhaps a bit more used to modern video games that spoon-feed you narrative,    A modern reimagining of the 80s classic that invented a genre, with highlights from the sequels thrown in. Stunning graphics, a mind-bogglingly massive universe, visceral combat and as addictive as crystal meth. Currently geared towards sim players, rather than casual gamers.

    Those who say the game is empty are perhaps a bit more used to modern video games that spoon-feed you narrative, make you the centre of the universe and constantly assault your senses.
    Elite and Frontier were never like that and neither is Elite Dangerous. You are nobody special. You are a single person in a spaceship (hence the Han Solo references in many previews). You inhabit a cold, harsh, uncaring and deadly universe (very much like our own). Perhaps, with the help of other players, you can help set events in motion that fundamentally change the economies and politics of the galaxy. Hopefully you'll make a few credits along the way.

    Elite Dangerous is the thinking person's space sim.    … Expand
  44. darkbytes
    Dec 22, 2014
    10
    I have been playing this game since the alpha and it has been fantastic to watch it expand and grow.

    A lot of the reviews I have read on here are from people expecting to be entertained by the game and led from goal to goal. Elite is not that kind of game. There are missions, there is a story, but you have to make the effort to get involved with them. The story does not come to you, you    I have been playing this game since the alpha and it has been fantastic to watch it expand and grow.

    A lot of the reviews I have read on here are from people expecting to be entertained by the game and led from goal to goal. Elite is not that kind of game. There are missions, there is a story, but you have to make the effort to get involved with them. The story does not come to you, you have to go to the story.

    The stories happen in specific star systems and if you are not in them, then you wont be able to get involved. You can still pick up missions, but you have to make the effort to decide how you want your story to unfold.

    Personally, I love trading and exploring and picking up the odd bounty by killing pirates. I don't want the biggest ship, I don't want the most money or kills. I just enjoy flying around the galaxy, buying and selling and taking out the odd bad guy. So far I have logged about 100 hours and my only challenge is finding time to play.

    I may get bored, but I have a sight seeing list that is going to take me a long time to get through :-)

    See you in the 'verse commanders!    … Expand
  45. medwyn
    Jul 17, 2015
    3
    After 30 years this return of the classic title looks like a bunch of question marks for me.
    Its values in the extreme - beautiful and immersive graphics and sounds, great piloting features and ship management on one side and a chaotic mess on the other.
    Obviously this game fell into the same trap of the later years' games development trend: it was released very early without making it    After 30 years this return of the classic title looks like a bunch of question marks for me.
    Its values in the extreme - beautiful and immersive graphics and sounds, great piloting features and ship management on one side and a chaotic mess on the other.
    Obviously this game fell into the same trap of the later years' games development trend: it was released very early without making it satisfactory quality. This alienates me completely as I feel tricked for the price rather than satisfied.
    The more hours one puts into the ED universe flying around, the more glitches to be found. Depending on how the player is willing to counterbalance these problmes with "roleplaying" workarounds and other mind techniques, they are there embedded into the very texture of the game.
    After nearly 3 years of development it's still not clear for me what ED wants to be - it's more clear what it doesn't. The P2P system the whole engine is built on renders the possibilites of making a really consistent universe pretty limited (or I can say impossible). So the 400 billion stars represented as the full Milky Way galaxy becomes pretty 2-dimensional, it's like a repeated pattern of small bubbles reacing out to 30 light years distance.
    The release was rushed and it ended up in a seriously unfinished state where instead of game elements we got empty, buggy and non-functional placeholders. Persistency is non-existent, the economy background is static and insignificant, the NPCs are spawning and disappearing just for the player in the very instance, they are not going anywhere and can be farmed like chickens.

    We are now 8 months after this very questionable release and the backbone of the game is still missing but Frontier has been very busy cashing in more money for this quarterly-baked game-skeleton by porting it over to Mac and lately X-Box. The so awaited 1.3 is a meaningless grindfest, the incoming CQC is another firm step towards an unorganic arcade shooter gameplay.

    The community forums are toxic when it comes to crisicism, those rare and lengthy discussions with constructivism are fading away soon without any feedback from the devs.

    I gave 3/10 as a modified review now, big disappointment. I would like to see a great game where there are much more dimensions than just flying from point A to point B and increase a bank balance to buy another ship to do the same. Without proper and consequent interaction with each other and with the universe it's really flat no matter how beautiful it is. ED is an exhibition of stars but not a game.    … Expand
  46. korsobar
    Jan 2, 2015
    3
    Like a beautiful hollow cake. It looks really good, but, just when you sink your teeth into it, everything collapses.

    Graphics, sound, ship handling are all good. The content is slim to non-existent, and many of the core features of gameplay are just a skeleton waiting for skin. For example: exploration sounds like it might be a really great option for those who are less interested    Like a beautiful hollow cake. It looks really good, but, just when you sink your teeth into it, everything collapses.

    Graphics, sound, ship handling are all good. The content is slim to non-existent, and many of the core features of gameplay are just a skeleton waiting for skin. For example: exploration sounds like it might be a really great option for those who are less interested in combat. Except you quickly find that exploration income is tiny, you get exactly zero feedback about which systems make more money, many systems and areas will disconnect you, the process of exploration is to jump into a system and hold a button or stare at a planet for several seconds, etc.

    Mining is even less involved: shoot lasers at a rock then crawl around actually scooping them. The only income that scales with your ship is trade, which involves simply comparing spreadsheets in identical looking stations until you find two items that allow a profit. Then you travel back and forth selling those. Hundreds of times. There is no reason to move once you have found a profitable route. At all.

    Even if you decide to grind out credits in the hope of better content later, you have to cope with the always online even for solo play problem. To be honest, I thought this was no problem at all for much of the beta and gamma phases. Then the servers went nutso yesterday, messing up peoples' accounts, balances, ships, modules, cargo and everything else. There are no support staff available and no one has talked about the issue on their official forums yet despite 24 hours elapsing. Hint to Frontier: if you want to run an always online mmo, someone has to be available to answer the red phone on holidays, too.

    On top of that, the game has started crashing to desktop and occasionally causing BSOD crashes for me as well. I have a top of the line gaming PC that I built myself. I have never had a BSOD from any other game. Support tickets go unanswered, everyone is out.

    If you complain about ANY issue on the official forums, be prepared to be met with a legion of defenders who will promptly inform you that -they- have no problems, you must be doing something wrong. If you prove their was a problem, they will defend the problem as a necessary feature of the game. If you point out how flawed it is, they will tell you that the game is not for you, go away.

    Elite: Dangerous proves that kickstarter and early access does nothing to solve the problem of games being pushed out the door too soon.

    Come back in a year or two and this game might be a real gem.    … Expand
  47. malkir
    Dec 17, 2014
    10
    Never played an Elite game before this, and honestly I haven't enjoyed a game this much since Freespace 2. This game does NOT hold your hand, and does NOT reveal every bit of its mechanics to you at first. There's nothing like escaping a battle by the skin of your teeth, canopy busted, ship completely spaced, rushing back to a safe location to replenish your oxygen and repair your ship.Never played an Elite game before this, and honestly I haven't enjoyed a game this much since Freespace 2. This game does NOT hold your hand, and does NOT reveal every bit of its mechanics to you at first. There's nothing like escaping a battle by the skin of your teeth, canopy busted, ship completely spaced, rushing back to a safe location to replenish your oxygen and repair your ship.

    Within a few minutes of playing, I had to get a joystick and throttle. No game has *ever* made me want to that. Impressive job, developers.    … Expand
  48. Karas
    Dec 22, 2014
    10
    Great space game. It won't be fun for all, but if you like space, if you like sandbox games, exploration, trading, dogfighting and gorgeous infinite universe, this is for you.
  49. Skamf
    Jan 15, 2015
    6
    So i was looking forware to play this game , 50 EU sounde a bit overprice but guss what it was Total overprice :P .. the game is so boring ,

    First thing i did was to jump into my ship and learn how to fly it then how to get mission ect .. then out into the big univers it goes "wich is total empty " lifeless and total boring , i got my first small Mission wich would give me " a small    So i was looking forware to play this game , 50 EU sounde a bit overprice but guss what it was Total overprice :P .. the game is so boring ,

    First thing i did was to jump into my ship and learn how to fly it then how to get mission ect .. then out into the big univers it goes "wich is total empty " lifeless and total boring , i got my first small Mission
    wich would give me " a small amount" of 2000 cr , i had to undock wich more or less was a Big pain , from a Station , i found my mission you cannot just choose to get it to point it on the map you have to remember the name of the system you have to go to then go into a Map write Down the system name , after then you can choose it so you know where to fly Ok ok fin fin we dont die of that , now 32 Mins later in so call Supercharge or hyperspace Iam still not at the mission where to deliver my cargo .. So boring it Hurts

    Update : gave a bit more in score , 11 hours and still not much to do when you are on a mission you cannot just fly to the mission and do what you came for you do have to try and find out wher the mission is in a system , it will only tell you what system to look in " a system can be big " , i ende up using 30 mins just to find a Black box from a Ship , now i will try mining to get som Money and hopefull this game will be more fun later on .    … Expand
  50. samuedgideon
    Mar 20, 2015
    10
    An absolutely fantastic game that I've already poured hours and hours into since release. I'm surprised so many people are being hard on it. I love that it isn't insta, you set your own goals though there's plenty of help offered by the missions system. Absolutely fun!
  51. Wrencast
    Dec 17, 2014
    10
    Space sim heaven. If you enjoyed freelancer or another space sim game then you should give this a look. The devs of the game are constantly at work improving it too!
  52. Fluffles
    Dec 24, 2014
    9
    A promising start to the reboot of a great franchise. I think the best is yet to come.
    I would encourage anyone to at least give the game a try, the initial learning curve is very steep by the standards of the day; but once you dig deep the effort is rewarding.
  53. travellingtoday
    Dec 27, 2014
    10
    Elite is an excellent space sim sandbox that will keep you hooked for very very long. Excellent combat and gameplay, 1:1 galaxy and next gen graphics, oculus support and sound.
  54. dogfighterman
    Jan 11, 2015
    9
    Wow. Just wow. I got the game after launch and have been doing my share of low level missions and trades, hunting some baddies at asteroid fields and star gazing. Already plenty good. But today... today we had a clan gathering (around 20 commanders gathered around the belt clusters of CD-54 471 and started organizing free for alls and 2 v 2 and 3 v 3 squadron games with another clan memberWow. Just wow. I got the game after launch and have been doing my share of low level missions and trades, hunting some baddies at asteroid fields and star gazing. Already plenty good. But today... today we had a clan gathering (around 20 commanders gathered around the belt clusters of CD-54 471 and started organizing free for alls and 2 v 2 and 3 v 3 squadron games with another clan member assisting as umpire. The only main rule was everyone had to go in sidewinders. Customized at will but just sidewinders. The ffa were great but the 2 v 2 and 3 v 3 were just epic. Chasing each other around the big rocks, using chaf and heat sinks while trying to help each other and shake bandits. Man. I love this game.… Expand
  55. Not_Casual
    May 7, 2015
    2
    There's a lot of stuff here that's neat, but to 'release' the game in it's current state is just a setup to be disappointed.
    The multiplayer has no grouping systems at all. No way to share missions, waypoints, or bounties. Defeats the purpose of working together. And pvp conflict is completely undermined by there being no penalty/countermeasures for death logging. About to kill someone?    There's a lot of stuff here that's neat, but to 'release' the game in it's current state is just a setup to be disappointed.
    The multiplayer has no grouping systems at all. No way to share missions, waypoints, or bounties. Defeats the purpose of working together. And pvp conflict is completely undermined by there being no penalty/countermeasures for death logging. About to kill someone? Blip, they just logged off so they didn't lose anything.
    For a 4 Billion star system galaxy there is little variety in populated areas, and most populated systems look/feel the same because every faction is using the same two or three space station models. There is no voice in the game. All things are text based unless you can voice with a friend on the lonely multiplayer. To top off the lack of variety, missions are usually "Haul this somewhere", "Kill this dude", "Kill -These- Dudes", and "Bring me Something". Even the old freelancer had double the variety of missions and the culture differences in people who settled in different areas gave great variety to the people you could meet.

    The only thing this game is currently good for, is the flight model, which is better than Star citizen's flying turret vomit comit mess; and the Accurate 1.1 scaling of the universe. It's a neat little star explorer simulator but that's all it has going for it right now.

    I'm really hoping they continue to add things. I hear they only released it because the publisher pressured them for a 'release' or they would pull the plug. I will continue to wait for the game to be the polished mmo space adventure that I was promised. And I will update this review as they add their little weekly patches.

    Update-
    After a few months, the wings update has allowed people to group, and that's just about the only noticeable improvement. I gave this game a lot of leeway with my previous score, but the insane lack of meaningful updates is continuing to cripple this seemingly already dead game. Death logging is still undermining the entire point of an open world setting. There is 0 risk because anyone can alt+f4 with no consequence whatsoever. Furthermore the ability to take the same ship between open world and single player is utterly mind boggling. Grind your dream ship without risk in single player and then log into open play to nuke everyone. And when you're done be sure to alt+f4 to avoid dying. To top it all off, I've been playing this since release, and aside from friends i've cooped with, not seen ANY OTHER PLAYERS.

    To sum it up, essentially everything this game promised to be is currently a lie. The only pleasure to be had in this is in the exploration. The ai is too dumb to provide any sort of combat challenge. Other players seem entirely absent, or exploit the game to undermine any pvp. And even when you do go out to explore eventually the billions of unnamed systems all start to seem alike save for the one or two with rare celestial bodies. Even then these are rare and you visit them once. Avoid this like the plague until its sold at about 10 dollars, or the game crippling multiplayer issues are resolved.    … Expand
  56. StuPot197
    Dec 22, 2014
    10
    Everything I wanted from a new Elite is here and then some!!

    I'm currently an exploratory bounty hunter with a penchant for the odd smuggling run if the price is right. The "Open Play" puts the "Dangerous" in Elite for me..... you can out maneuver an NPC but the unpredictability of my fellow CMDR is an exciting challenge not to be taken lightly. This game has so much promise but    Everything I wanted from a new Elite is here and then some!!

    I'm currently an exploratory bounty hunter with a penchant for the odd smuggling run if the price is right. The "Open Play" puts the "Dangerous" in Elite for me..... you can out maneuver an NPC but the unpredictability of my fellow CMDR is an exciting challenge not to be taken lightly.

    This game has so much promise but right here, right now it's great I'm hooked. Looking forward to so much that's in game already..... donning my pirates hat and grabbing some booty ;-) (and running from the Feds!!!!), tooling up my ship with the best Tech and exploring the Frontier... (Boldly going where .....). Getting the best ship, but is the best ship with the Empire or the Federation??? Decisions decisions; can't do both, right? Or can I....

    Right now would be a wonderful time to win the lottery.... There sooo much to get done and sooo little time.

    Right On,Commanders..... See you in Space !    … Expand
  57. Gondor128
    Apr 21, 2015
    8
    Here, take a ship, some credits and have fun. Elite: Dangerous doesn't hold your hand, in fact, you don't even see the hand. It **** you out into the milky way and sends you on your way (locked and loaded). What every nerd longs for, an open galaxy with endless possibilities. But thats not enough, not in a game with so many possibilities. This game is dying for a storyline, the game isHere, take a ship, some credits and have fun. Elite: Dangerous doesn't hold your hand, in fact, you don't even see the hand. It **** you out into the milky way and sends you on your way (locked and loaded). What every nerd longs for, an open galaxy with endless possibilities. But thats not enough, not in a game with so many possibilities. This game is dying for a storyline, the game is thirsting for something more. But that something more isn't here yet. The game runs perfectly, if you think of perfect like driving around a parking lot that full, and nobody is leaving. The game itself seems so close to being done, close, but not done. Like a late beta, the meat isnt there yet, but it could show up sometime? Maybe? Who knows, because nobody has told me **** For whats there, the games fun, if you like unfinished games, this is the game for you. Oh, its not unfinished in a bad way, its unfinished in a good way. Like Star Citizen, its not done yet, but when it is, oh man... Your dick wont go down for days.… Expand
  58. Veryance
    Mar 5, 2015
    4
    Just the latest entry in the fad of selling an incomplete game as the whole product. The game dumps you into the deep end, probably as a way to obfuscate the fact that at the end of the day, there really isn't much to do. The learning curve is needlessly steep; everything you want/need to do will have to be gleaned from the internet, because the game won't teach you, or even provide theJust the latest entry in the fad of selling an incomplete game as the whole product. The game dumps you into the deep end, probably as a way to obfuscate the fact that at the end of the day, there really isn't much to do. The learning curve is needlessly steep; everything you want/need to do will have to be gleaned from the internet, because the game won't teach you, or even provide the tools in-game to find your answers. After the first couple hours of daunting gameplay, you realize that the tip of the iceberg is actually just the whole iceberg. Balance some spreadsheets, blow up bad guys, repeat. Not to mention that Frontier cleaves to the classic tightlipped-developers-that-think-their-playerbase-is-retarded ideology, which essentially precludes any hope for this game to right the many many things it gets wrong.
    That being said, it's gorgeous to play, and the sounds are amazing, so if you don't want anything more from your game then to fly around in space aimlessly, then this is right up your alley.    … Expand
  59. egglayer
    Dec 25, 2014
    10
    Best space sim sandbox at the moment. Total Freedom is a rela understatement. Frontiers revolutionary style to design a practically infinite game universe breaks most classic MMO moulds. This wont be to the taste of many but if you embrace the concept of a real sandbox then this game is for you.
  60. LexMoloch
    Dec 29, 2014
    9
    You really need to know what you are getting into if you decide to buy this game, or you will end up as one of those who fail to understand it and regret the decision. So please, read up on it first instead of wasting your money and then posting a "0/10 LEL this game is boring" crap review.

    Elite is not a game that will guide you by hand. It's an oldschool game that will shove you into    You really need to know what you are getting into if you decide to buy this game, or you will end up as one of those who fail to understand it and regret the decision. So please, read up on it first instead of wasting your money and then posting a "0/10 LEL this game is boring" crap review.

    Elite is not a game that will guide you by hand. It's an oldschool game that will shove you into a merciless universe head first. It is a great space sim with excellent flight model. The galaxy is vast and harsh, beatiful in a cold, desolate way.    … Expand
  61. madhobbit
    Dec 30, 2014
    10
    Elite is probably the most ambitious space sim of all time in so many levels. From the whole milky way galaxy modeled, to the complete sandbox experience, to the persistent universe faction influence and reputation mechanics.

    Watch teams of players trying to create a civil war in Lugh so to profiteer from squeezed key commodities or to be able to raise in ranks within the Federation to    Elite is probably the most ambitious space sim of all time in so many levels. From the whole milky way galaxy modeled, to the complete sandbox experience, to the persistent universe faction influence and reputation mechanics.

    Watch teams of players trying to create a civil war in Lugh so to profiteer from squeezed key commodities or to be able to raise in ranks within the Federation to be able to opt for a Dropship .

    You dictate what you want to do at any moment and that freedom is amazing.    … Expand
  62. Whirlmeister
    Dec 16, 2014
    8
    (Day one review, based on beta experience)

    Elite combines great gameplay, incredibly visuals and the astounding sound (the best I've ever heard from a PC game) to produce a very polished space experience. However its not perfect. Multiplayer gameplay is unfinished (with promised fixes coming in January) and along with moment of beauty, or excitement there are occasional moment of    (Day one review, based on beta experience)

    Elite combines great gameplay, incredibly visuals and the astounding sound (the best I've ever heard from a PC game) to produce a very polished space experience.

    However its not perfect. Multiplayer gameplay is unfinished (with promised fixes coming in January) and along with moment of beauty, or excitement there are occasional moment of tedium as well. Space is vast, and Elite brilliantly captures this in all its wonder, but travelling places can take a long time.

    The bottom line. The game is a visual and auditory treat. Its fun to play, and highly addictive, but it may not be for everyone. If you seek instant gratification look elsewhere. If you're willing to put in a little time this game will reward you.    … Expand
  63. Morbeus
    Jan 9, 2015
    10
    Elite is simply an awesome, sprawling universe where you can do whatever you want. That may not be everyone's cup of tea, some people require their gameplay to be more scripted.

    The graphics are fantastic and there are so many pretty things to see. Go and explore a realistic model of the universe. What's great is that it's not a race, you can take things at your own pace. Trade your    Elite is simply an awesome, sprawling universe where you can do whatever you want. That may not be everyone's cup of tea, some people require their gameplay to be more scripted.

    The graphics are fantastic and there are so many pretty things to see. Go and explore a realistic model of the universe. What's great is that it's not a race, you can take things at your own pace. Trade your way up to larger ships if that's what you want, or kit out your ship as a fighter. Whatever you want to do, it's there in Elite, and there's so much more to come in the updates.    … Expand
  64. sideyforlife
    Jan 10, 2015
    10
    I have not played any other game since I joined in Beta a few months ago. The game will immerse you fully with that "1 more mission" feeling exactly in the same way games like civilization would keep oyu at the screen for all nighters.
  65. Tanvaras
    Dec 16, 2014
    10
    As of update 2.07 (1 day prior to launch) this is the game I have been waiting for since 1984. Been playing Since Beta and enjoyed every day I have played, and seen ED become what it is today. As ED matures in time its going to be one of the best space games in the last 30 years :)
  66. Veska
    Dec 22, 2014
    8
    Pirate!! Kill him! Ou wait, i am pirate! "Hello sir, can i help you?" Everything can you imagine, you can do it. Minning, stelling, destroying, traveling and searching new things as real satelite Voyanger:) Beatiful graphic. Sometimes they come boring, but then you wiil see some new guys with precious cargo and there is nothing easier than to shoot and rob him:-D
  67. madbrood85
    Dec 16, 2014
    8
    Let's be clear about one thing - Elite is not finished. There's a fair bit that I feel needs fleshed out, but I'm giving my score based on *potential* as well as current gameplay etc. great graphics, flight mechanics etc but there's still loads to come!
  68. waxaw
    Dec 16, 2014
    10
    The first launch into space: fascinating! The graphics of "Elite: Dangerous" is breathtaking. From the highly detailed spaceship models over the Suns with their vibrant solar winds up to the magnificent space stations.
    It makes really fun to fly in to the huge hangars, to obtain permission to land by radio and then lie down a spot landing on the assigned platform. Funny: If you look down,    The first launch into space: fascinating! The graphics of "Elite: Dangerous" is breathtaking. From the highly detailed spaceship models over the Suns with their vibrant solar winds up to the magnificent space stations.
    It makes really fun to fly in to the huge hangars, to obtain permission to land by radio and then lie down a spot landing on the assigned platform. Funny: If you look down, you can even see the hands of the pilots synchronously handle your entries with the controller.

    In the ports depending on equipment installed there are bulletin boards with orders, a dynamic commodity market, a black market for illegal booty and a shipyard. You can also sell researched maps, and upgrade your ship and customize their own way.

    "Elite: Dangerous" is a true simulation giant

    Spectacular space panoramas, exciting battles and a lively and believable universe. For PC gamers one of the most important games of the year.    … Expand
  69. resfriadocont
    Dec 20, 2014
    10
    Best space sim gameplay since a long time. Combat is sleek and deep, with all kinds of checks and balances in the piloting and weaponry front, including countermeasures, "silent running" and more. Just with combat alone and combat missions one can spend countless hours.

    Graphics are top notch, and I just got my oculus rift in with whichI am having a blast. Head tracking in this thing is    Best space sim gameplay since a long time. Combat is sleek and deep, with all kinds of checks and balances in the piloting and weaponry front, including countermeasures, "silent running" and more. Just with combat alone and combat missions one can spend countless hours.

    Graphics are top notch, and I just got my oculus rift in with whichI am having a blast. Head tracking in this thing is just OP and the experience is the most immersive ever.    … Expand
  70. joeydimaggio
    Dec 20, 2014
    9
    Not sure what brought me here as I was a self declared Star Citizen fanboi with more than 2000 USD pledged over there, but boy am I glad I did get Elite. Both games will be great in their own right but since I started out with Elite I cant touch Arena commander. The combat is so much more rewarding in Elite, and the 1:1 scale galaxy is a paradise for explorers. Maybe AC 1.0 will changeNot sure what brought me here as I was a self declared Star Citizen fanboi with more than 2000 USD pledged over there, but boy am I glad I did get Elite. Both games will be great in their own right but since I started out with Elite I cant touch Arena commander. The combat is so much more rewarding in Elite, and the 1:1 scale galaxy is a paradise for explorers. Maybe AC 1.0 will change things but so far I cant but recommend Elite to all space sim fans. Enjoy.… Expand
  71. Danceswithsheep
    Mar 17, 2015
    5
    I expected too much so I guess it's my fault I feel let down.

    I love the handling of the ships and it looks fantastic but there is this confused keep it real vibe that stops it being fun which for me can be summed up in three elements 1. The way it is set up for griefers in multiplayer and the reverse of the old school MMO trope where in this game the last touch, no matter how    I expected too much so I guess it's my fault I feel let down.

    I love the handling of the ships and it looks fantastic but there is this confused keep it real vibe that stops it being fun which for me can be summed up in three elements

    1. The way it is set up for griefers in multiplayer and the reverse of the old school MMO trope where in this game the last touch, no matter how slight, wins you all the bounty. So you play in Solo mode but are affected by the multiplayer happenings and everything is second hand because the multiplayers got there first.

    2. Because it's 'real' if you go too far there are no stations to land on so no jobs to do and every chance you will fall victim to problem number three

    3. If you lose your ship then you lose a lot of your time investment due to the flaky insurance system they have set up which is like the worst car or home insurance you could ever buy and where assets on other stations cannot be used to offset losses.

    In essence it seems to me they have forgotten this is a game, it's very punishing if you die and offers none of the save options a single player game might so it sucks fun from exploring where a mistake or bug can result in you losing all your personal progress. It's like it wants to be Eve but without the gameplay of that model.

    I was hoping for exciting surprises to be hidden randomly amongs the stars but nothing there, this is truly an empty Galaxy. Don't look for Sci-Fi fun and gaming here, this is pretty turgid (pun intended).    … Expand
  72. adantesuds
    Jan 13, 2015
    9
    There's nothing more that I can say other than since getting this game it's all I've really thought about, I'm glad I didn't fall into the Kickstarter as I'm so glad for it being a fresh full game to me. I've played it every spare moment I've had, and I can't wait to see what more becomes of it over the next few months. I purchased this as a stop gap before the release of No Man's Sky...There's nothing more that I can say other than since getting this game it's all I've really thought about, I'm glad I didn't fall into the Kickstarter as I'm so glad for it being a fresh full game to me. I've played it every spare moment I've had, and I can't wait to see what more becomes of it over the next few months. I purchased this as a stop gap before the release of No Man's Sky... And this is no stop gap. I'll be playing this for a long time to come.… Expand
  73. Turbostoep
    Dec 30, 2014
    10
    Also scoring it 10 even though its an 8 or 8.5 because of all the negative reviews and people voting zero.
    Id like to comment on some of the reviews , someone mentioned exploration only gives a tiny amount of cash, this person forgot to mention there are 2 different pretty expensive modules you can put on your ship to increase money gain and scan range.
    People who fly from A to B all the    Also scoring it 10 even though its an 8 or 8.5 because of all the negative reviews and people voting zero.
    Id like to comment on some of the reviews , someone mentioned exploration only gives a tiny amount of cash, this person forgot to mention there are 2 different pretty expensive modules you can put on your ship to increase money gain and scan range.
    People who fly from A to B all the time doing a dogfight sometimes on the way , dont get what this game is about . There is so much to explore its staggering .
    You can already go to the planets surface it just takes a few hours . And atmosphere isnt implemented so it seems you fly backwards when flying in the same direction the planet spins.

    For the Dota and console kids who dont know what to do with freedom , avoid this game. This will also help keep the community somewhat friendly.    … Expand
  74. HopelessGamer
    Dec 16, 2014
    9
    Classic space trading sandbox game, re-imagined for today

    You start off with a low level ship, 100 credits and a dream.

    Want to be the best trader?
    Want to be the best combat pilot?
    Want to explore the galaxy?

    You can, but how you get there is down to you.

    It wont be a game for everybody, and is best played on a HOTAS flight stick.. but if get hooked.. say goodbye to your social life
  75. HappyBreadLoaf
    Dec 17, 2014
    10
    Elite is back, this time with stunningly beautiful graphics and as always intense gameplay. Elite: Dangerous offers something I have been looking for for a long time, a truly open space simulation. You are free to do whatever it is you want to do, be it trading slaves, illegal chemicals and stolen goods, or punish those who do so. You can even make a living by just exploring the Milky Way,Elite is back, this time with stunningly beautiful graphics and as always intense gameplay. Elite: Dangerous offers something I have been looking for for a long time, a truly open space simulation. You are free to do whatever it is you want to do, be it trading slaves, illegal chemicals and stolen goods, or punish those who do so. You can even make a living by just exploring the Milky Way, then selling you exploration data off to others.

    What you need to understand before buying this game is that you're not going to see A LOT of player interaction. There is some, but not a lot. What it does instead is what I love most about the game. It has a persistent universe ( or perhaps I should say galaxy?), where every single player shares the same economy and changes in galaxy-wide politics.
    You've depleted a belt of minerals all by yourself? Well, now it's empty for everyone else too. This is why Elite: Dangerous has to be always online. Not because you run into players every two seconds, but because you share the same galaxy.    … Expand
  76. Leontocephaline
    Dec 18, 2014
    9
    I have been playing since Gamma and it has been a great experience. Frontier have delivered on creating a modern version of the original Elite game, with a fully sized Milky Way to play in. The Galaxy map alone is a work of art, and a profound experience just to zoom about and appreciate the scale of things. The local stars to Sol are accurate, and it is exciting to visit them. You canI have been playing since Gamma and it has been a great experience. Frontier have delivered on creating a modern version of the original Elite game, with a fully sized Milky Way to play in. The Galaxy map alone is a work of art, and a profound experience just to zoom about and appreciate the scale of things. The local stars to Sol are accurate, and it is exciting to visit them. You can indeed take multiple paths to wealth and glory, side with various factions, take part in a war. The mechanics of flying, docking, combat, are all sound. The visuals and sound are fantastic. You really feel alone out there in space.

    That is not to say the game still needs work. Some aspects need fine tuning and some functionalities are not there yet, such as fleshed out mmo aspects, but the devs are hard at work all the time. The game itself is not for everyone though; some will find it asks too much from the player: there really is no hand holding here, but that is part of the fun for others. There are many quiet moments that the more thoughtful gamer will appreciate, such as flying close to a star to scoop fuel, seeing a sunrise from behind a planet. The immersive atmosphere is amazing.

    Some peple are not happy with the devs decisions, most notably the offline game issue. I would suggest most of the 0 rated reviews stem from this. But those people need to get a grip. This is a place for reviewing the game itself, not the developer. The game is great already and will only get better. This game is kickstarted by its original creator, and is a work of passion. They clearly care about what they are doing.

    I have not been so childishly excited about a gaming experience for many a year. If you love space games that make really feel you are out there lost in space, this is for you.    … Expand
  77. simphe
    Dec 16, 2014
    10
    If you like games like the original Elite and want a new version with deeper game play, stunning visuals, and an epic scale then this is for you! Also, this is just the start of something even greater. So far you can trade, mine, go bounty hunting, do missions, explore the galaxy, and more. There's plenty to keep you occupied and in it for the long haul. Also, as of today the fullIf you like games like the original Elite and want a new version with deeper game play, stunning visuals, and an epic scale then this is for you! Also, this is just the start of something even greater. So far you can trade, mine, go bounty hunting, do missions, explore the galaxy, and more. There's plenty to keep you occupied and in it for the long haul. Also, as of today the full story line kicks in, so I'm expecting loads more content and opportunities for earning extra credits.

    The learning curve can be quite steep, and progress can be slow but this is all expected with a truly great and immersive game such as Elite. You've really got to work towards your achievements, which I as a really positive thing because you really feel like you've earned it!

    My recommendation is to buy, play and keep with it. It's been one of the most rewarding gaming experiences I've ever had.    … Expand
  78. vanhaver
    Dec 24, 2014
    8
    Elite: Dangerous has managed to pull me away for the time being from one of my all time favorite games EVE Online, and that is a huge feat. I love space sims and this one is captivating. From the amazing sound design to the graphics and game play, this title is a major accomplishment and easily one of my favorite games to come out in a long time. A very welcome and needed addition toElite: Dangerous has managed to pull me away for the time being from one of my all time favorite games EVE Online, and that is a huge feat. I love space sims and this one is captivating. From the amazing sound design to the graphics and game play, this title is a major accomplishment and easily one of my favorite games to come out in a long time. A very welcome and needed addition to the genre and one I'm very glad I backed during the Beta phases.… Expand
  79. yellowunder
    Dec 23, 2014
    10
    Best graphics, best sound, 4K and Oculus Rift DK2 support this game has it all. But it is not just great looks. It also sports 1:1 scale of our very own Milky Way. You ll be able to visit Proxima Centauri, Canis Majoris or the Orion nebula as we know them today.

    Gameplay is tremendously good and satisfactory, with a great combat system that allows you the choice of what to do at every    Best graphics, best sound, 4K and Oculus Rift DK2 support this game has it all. But it is not just great looks. It also sports 1:1 scale of our very own Milky Way. You ll be able to visit Proxima Centauri, Canis Majoris or the Orion nebula as we know them today.

    Gameplay is tremendously good and satisfactory, with a great combat system that allows you the choice of what to do at every moment.

    The attention to detail and the great support by the devs is best in class. Frontier are a serious developer company which means serious business and knows how to deliver in time. The support by the community has been second to none and the communication with devs in alpha, beta gamma and now is one of the best out there.    … Expand
  80. apocashowernow
    Dec 26, 2014
    10
    Combat and dogfight is just epic, especially when I fly with friends. I cant wait for the squadron mechanics. If playing with friends now is already great, with those babies in it will be awesome.
  81. snickereater
    Dec 27, 2014
    10
    Bought this game as a preorder and just started playing. Cant praise it enough. Already had my first few PVP encounters and cant get enough! I have just uninstalled SC due to the crappy development process rid of bugs and pay to win. Elite will probably satisfy my space sim needs for the foreseeable!
  82. cantsleepnow
    Jan 5, 2015
    10
    Best space sim sandbox out there at the moment. I have been playing it since late beta and I always get that "just one more mission" that makes you stay late at night most every day.
  83. lateintheoffice
    Jan 6, 2015
    10
    The space combat game I have been waiting for since X-Wing! I never played the original Elite but the true sandbox experience in this initial release of Elite Dangerous is fantastic. It can only get better from here.
  84. derroche
    Jan 10, 2015
    10
    Truly a space sim sandbox of epic proportions. Mercenary, explorer, pirate, trader, bounty hunter, miner... solo or with friends. Truly the galaxy is ours to play with. Best immersion in a space sim.
  85. taranasus
    Dec 22, 2014
    9
    On the right track! I will start with the bad: There is a lack of content at the moment within the game and the multiplier aspect of it is pretty much non-existent but as this a title that's still being actively developed, you can expect those to be improved in the future. I took part in the testing process since Alpha and I have to say that Frontier knows what it's doing. Features wereOn the right track! I will start with the bad: There is a lack of content at the moment within the game and the multiplier aspect of it is pretty much non-existent but as this a title that's still being actively developed, you can expect those to be improved in the future. I took part in the testing process since Alpha and I have to say that Frontier knows what it's doing. Features were being implemented fast and reliable, with fixes coming out literally next day (Say Beta 3.0 was released on Thursday, Beta 3.01 would be released on Friday fixing major bugs and Beta 3.02 would be release on Monday to fix minor bugs). I'm confident that in a couple of months this will be quite a different game.

    As for the good in it... where do i start:
    - Looks amazing - the cobra engine is a beast, the title looks absolutely fantastic and the aesthetic is amazing. The cheap ships look and feel cheap while the expensive ones seem very luxurious.
    - Sounds amazing - the people that made the sound effects and music for this game should have a statue built in their honer. Find a youtube video of a hyperspace jump, get your best headphones on, full screen it and have a look. There is no question about it.
    - Feels amazing - the bigger the ship, the heavier it feels. Inertia is a real thing and you have to take it into account. The thrusters on your ship will do everything in their power to keep your mistakes in line but the blame of crashing into an asteroid is 100% yours - until you turn flight assist off then good bye all control over anything; you better have lightning reflexes for this mode.
    - Performs amazing: The minimum system requirements are those of a mid-range PC from 6 years ago. On my system which has a GTX660 (not Ti) I can run the game at 55-60FPS with all details on Max @1080p. Frontier do not kid around when it comes to optimization.
    - Support for all sorts of immersion technology including Track IR, FaceTrackNoIr and Oculus Rift.
    - Evolving universe: Every aspect of the universe is player-influenced and determined by player behavior. Revolutions in start-systems get started because a group of 10-20 players decided to help out the local rebel party. There is an in-built news system that reflects how the galaxy evolves and how the balance of power gets affected. The game-world feels truly alive!

    Even with the current shortage in content and non-existing MP you will have plenty to do for the first 100-200 hours and unless you blitz through those in 10 days, by the time you're done playing Frontier have probably released more stuff for you to enjoy.

    For now 9/10 because of missing features and content. Once those are in I will change the grade of the game but for what it is I believe this is fair.    … Expand
  86. ShaunGibson
    Dec 22, 2014
    9
    I seriously can't understand people giving this game a 0 or even a 10. The game as it stands is absolutely fantastic, but obviously needs some more development, which is already promised. The visuals are a treat, the gameplay is there though needs elaboration.

    The game doesn't suffer because of an offline mode, but the time put in by the developers shows. I think one problem is    I seriously can't understand people giving this game a 0 or even a 10. The game as it stands is absolutely fantastic, but obviously needs some more development, which is already promised. The visuals are a treat, the gameplay is there though needs elaboration.

    The game doesn't suffer because of an offline mode, but the time put in by the developers shows. I think one problem is people are trying to game a game that's meant to be an experience.    … Expand
  87. Ekar
    Feb 26, 2015
    6
    I said to myself that I would give Elite a year (after release date) before judging it, as I understood that more features were to be coming or planned. I had told myself, and heard it said many times before, that its foundations were good and solid. After playing the game for about a month or so I'm not so sure that's really true, or it depends on what you mean by foundations. So let'sI said to myself that I would give Elite a year (after release date) before judging it, as I understood that more features were to be coming or planned. I had told myself, and heard it said many times before, that its foundations were good and solid. After playing the game for about a month or so I'm not so sure that's really true, or it depends on what you mean by foundations. So let's talk foundations.

    If you mean the flight experience- the moment to moment sense of being in a spaceship, then yes, that's all pretty solid and nice.

    If you mean the environment, the backdrop of stars which are all real systems that you can set off to and explore- that's also a very solid foundation. Who can scoff at a 1:1 scale virtual galaxy as playground? Stellar Forge is a stellar achievement, and should be the envy of any space sim looking to portray the actual vastness of space.

    These two things Elite does very well. But some of the other 'foundations' are not there yet, and may never really get there...

    For example, I originally assumed that the mysterious and long awaited 'background simulation' would actually model material flows throughout the galaxy- that factories would not be able to produce stuff without a specific number of specific raw materials present, that populations would starve if not enough food was produced or procured. That Terrain Enrichment Systems would actually enrich terrains. I imagined all kinds of interesting knock on effects which players could participate in and shape to however small degree. Sadly, this doesn't seem to be the case. Right now the economic aspect of Elite feels fractured, stale and isolated from the rest of the game. Trading simply feels like moving numbers from one place to another, but without meaning or effect. You get credits for doing so, but you haven't actually saved the day for the factory owner who's pulling his hair out because he can't get a hold of enough aluminium. The result is that trading becomes a minigame (in a series of minigames, none of which are really talking to each other), and barring a bit of fluctuation in prices, nothing really changes. Right now I'd say this is the primary reason for the game's hollow feeling. Missions should be tied to the real needs of each station, though since the economy isn't an actual thing, I guess this is impossible at this stage. Dynamic and unfolding universe this is not.

    This became more visible to me with the recent introduction of community goals, with an early goal being the production of a new space station for a certain faction. Nowhere in Elite, do factions actually build or do anything on their own, the developers themselves introduce new things into the game. So, there's no AI logic which says that it makes sense for a faction to build a station in system x, or that asteroid belt y is a good place to send workers to mine for metals, or anything else as far as I can see. We simply have the illusion of AI traffic going about some kind of business, but then they're zapped out of existence when the player leaves the immediate area. I get that... you can't create lives for every single NPC in the game. But it would be nice to know that any NPCs you do meet represent a logic operating within deeper levels of the game's background simulation and economy. At the moment any kind of encounter just feels random.

    Missions, another 'foundation' of the game, are very basically implemented right now but there is word from the devs that they are being overhauled. The way in which missions tie into USS's (unidentified signal sources) is quite horrible - for instance, you can drop into a completely random part of a system and meet an NPC player who is actually looking for you! I can't fathom the actual odds of that occuring. Other times, you just doddle along without any real direction, looking for a specific item you've been assigned to find, and after a certain amount of tries, you'll stumble across it in a USS. Random chance again. You're not using your brain or skills to achieve something, you're just waiting for the right number to come up. This kind of thing is clumsy and breaks immersion, it's simply not good gameplay. I'm really looking forward to improvements in this area- I'm sure they will come in time.

    I've highlighted two things which I feel are the most lacking currently. Certainly there are aspects of the game which are truly great, such as the sound design, atmosphere, and previously mentioned flight experience & environment. For me to keep playing and interested, I need to feel the 'glue' of the galaxy; a properly modeled economy, faction behaviours and actions which aren't just the whims of developers, more content for sure... that large stations interiors feel very samey on the inside kills any sense of actually going anywhere. I want to feel surprise as I enter a new station I've never been to. More variety will surely help.

    Consider this a 'beta' review. Let's see how things are a year out.    … Expand
  88. runnerinbeach
    Dec 20, 2014
    10
    I just cant put this game down! Since I got the pre order and started with the tutorial and combat missions it has been a pleasure. any help I needed I got it from the tutorial videos or Forger's great guide (150+ pages). The forums are full of players willing to help newcomers and the devs are always around.

    The game itself is no hand holding though. basic starter ship and 1000 Cr?!!!    I just cant put this game down! Since I got the pre order and started with the tutorial and combat missions it has been a pleasure. any help I needed I got it from the tutorial videos or Forger's great guide (150+ pages). The forums are full of players willing to help newcomers and the devs are always around.

    The game itself is no hand holding though. basic starter ship and 1000 Cr?!!! I also started in a lone system where I really had to struggle to find a way to develop, which turned out to be the best thing ever. Once I got my Hauler ship the feeling of accomplishment was tremendous!

    I am now well on my way to a Cobra and cant wait for that beauty.    … Expand
  89. terminataisdumb
    Dec 20, 2014
    9
    Graphics 9
    Sounds 9
    Gameplay 9
    Immersion 10
    Playing with friends 8

    The game will be expanded with wings mechanics (friends) and then landing on planets and first person to move in your ship and stations. Cant pass jt up.
  90. elfindreams
    Dec 29, 2014
    4
    As an alpha backer, I really wanted this to succeed. Regrettably, I am left with the feeling that while parts of the game are good overall it fails to deliver an enjoyable or compelling end product.

    The problem with this title lies in its emotional and storytelling execution. Even the most basic sandbox game must give the user enough context to emotionally engage the user and make    As an alpha backer, I really wanted this to succeed. Regrettably, I am left with the feeling that while parts of the game are good overall it fails to deliver an enjoyable or compelling end product.

    The problem with this title lies in its emotional and storytelling execution. Even the most basic sandbox game must give the user enough context to emotionally engage the user and make them desire to interact with your world.

    With E:D you (optionally) go through some mechanical tutorial missions and are then placed in a station with no context at all about the world you are in. Eventually you learn that there are factions but no real reason is ever provided for why you should care that there are factions. There is no emotional pull and zero context. If you were lucky enough to grow up with Elite in the UK you might know more about the universe based on novels and other media produced about it but if this is your first foray into the Elite universe, you are given no reason to want to do more than scratch the surface and then move onto a different game.

    The bulletin board system provides missions with zero real soul and context (I was offered a mission to free slaves but given no indication at all about where in the universe slavery might be found, where in the universe slavery is common, the ramification of slavery in the universe, etc and two missions to provide very basic goods again with no real context about where to find them... it turns out I was able to purchase both sets of goods in the very station offering the missions...)

    Now to be clear I have been a gamer for over 25 years and the type of gamer that spends hundreds of hours in most games I play... I don't just play games I fully mine them for all they are worth and I was left with the question in my mind of why should I bother.

    Even if you force yourself to continue despite any emotional investment (in my case because of the rather large monetary investment) you find a game where combat is enjoyable but so sparse as to be practically non existent and where every other activity (mining, trading, exploring) is undocumented, obtuse and tedious.

    This game may be a technical marvel of procedural generation but it lacks a soul. Maybe someday someone can transplant a soul into it but until then, please do yourself a favor and give this title a miss unless you are already emotionally invested in the Elite universe.    … Expand
  91. moblin
    Feb 18, 2015
    4
    While the game looks and sounds beautiful (even more so with an Oculus Rift), it does however lack gameplay depth for long term enjoyment. There's a lot of tedious grind to get anywhere (or to get the money to get anywhere), and if you don't keep changing what you do - trading, mining, exploring, bounty hunting, the game can get boring fast.

    There's also a feeling that the game isn't    While the game looks and sounds beautiful (even more so with an Oculus Rift), it does however lack gameplay depth for long term enjoyment. There's a lot of tedious grind to get anywhere (or to get the money to get anywhere), and if you don't keep changing what you do - trading, mining, exploring, bounty hunting, the game can get boring fast.

    There's also a feeling that the game isn't really cohesive, like there isn't an overall design that underpins everything. Your presence in the universe is meant to result in some small influence on how things unfold, but everything feels like its coming into being for the moment you are there, and then disappearing after you leave, like instances. It feels very much like a typical MMO but without any story.

    There are plenty of features in the pipeline that will expand the game - the new update promises to enhance multiplayer, but treat what exists now as early access / beta, or keep an eye on the updates before taking the plunge.    … Expand
  92. laundryslacker
    Dec 22, 2014
    10
    The main press critic reviews are all very positive and appreciative of the game so far. My own experience with the game also echoes those feelings.

    The game combat system is second to none, the galaxy 1:1 allows you to appreciate the wonders in it, you can even visit actual celestial bodies known in the usual NASA catalogues. The game has been designed with a pure space sim sandbox    The main press critic reviews are all very positive and appreciative of the game so far. My own experience with the game also echoes those feelings.

    The game combat system is second to none, the galaxy 1:1 allows you to appreciate the wonders in it, you can even visit actual celestial bodies known in the usual NASA catalogues. The game has been designed with a pure space sim sandbox experience in mind so there is no hand holding or central story to be the hero of. It is just you, your friends and the galaxy. The main factions struggle for power and you can participate... among the thousands of other players. The combined results of all those players (sometimes fighting in opposite sides, PVP and all) will determine how the galaxy evolves...

    Best graphics and sound, ED launch has been one of the smoothest in history. Servers seem to be rock solid after all the beta and gamma stress testing. This game will be around for a long time.    … Expand
  93. AGLFire
    Jan 8, 2015
    9
    Like Elite of Old, loving it !!!! few little niggles here and there and a steep learning curve at start, but once you are up and running and for me when combined with a good joystick setup and Voice Attack this game is immersive as hell.

    In David Braben and the team we trust to build on this excellent game with time.
  94. WhiPPet
    Dec 28, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. As a teenager 30 years ago I played the 1984 BBC Micro 'model B' original, and witnessed it change the concept of the computer "game" for ever, it is still one of the greatest games I've ever played (and I've played a great many before and since).
    This new version recaptures the essence of the original. Hugely ambitious in scope (the entire Milky Way to explore with as much accuracy as possible) and with beautifully realistic graphics ... finally no need to use my imagination to translate black and white wire-frame graphics, it's like I'm actually there!
    Admittedly multiplayer interaction is too rare and needs a bit of work, but given the awe-inspiring potential of this game this is a minor gripe.
    It perhaps says a lot about the human condition that all I've done, and I feel most of us start off with when first thrown randomly into Elite's galaxy is try and find our way home to Earth. I've done that now, it was emotional, and now feel I can take on the rest of the galaxy - and I can't wait.    … Expand
  95. ZippySundae
    Dec 20, 2014
    10
    Elite Dangerous v1.0 is an amazing start to a renaissance of the space SIM. The core game play is here to play in a procedurally generated sandbox with 400 billion star systems to explore. You can play as a trader, bounty hunter, pirate, miner and explorer or a mixture of all of these. The focus is on replicating the feel of piloting your own space ship with 15 currently available andElite Dangerous v1.0 is an amazing start to a renaissance of the space SIM. The core game play is here to play in a procedurally generated sandbox with 400 billion star systems to explore. You can play as a trader, bounty hunter, pirate, miner and explorer or a mixture of all of these. The focus is on replicating the feel of piloting your own space ship with 15 currently available and this rising to 30, each with a different feel. The game has already won VR space simulator of the year and even with with pre-consumer DK2 Oculus rift is jaw dropping good. The game still has areas where content is light and requires imagination to fill in the blanks, with more content to come with a ethos of other MMOs that it is never finished. Some reviewers have complained of nothing to do and it does rely on you making the story and not being hand held through it. If you are willing to be creative and enjoy the aspects it does well, you are in for a treat. It is the type of game what you could leave it for a couple of months and them come back to see new features and content that engages you again, The more people that support this the better this game will become and it will grow into something exceptional. The development team have a real passion and if you listen to David Braben you can hear he is in this for the long haul to make his dream space game. I can't wait to see how it evolves and grows over the coming years.… Expand
  96. marooned6
    Dec 20, 2014
    9
    I am having tons of fun with this game. Started out with a basic Sidewinder and 1000 Cr and went into the void. I took some missions, hunted some bounties and even found a few good trading deals here and there. I now have an Eagle with 3 hardpoints, including a frame shift drive upgrade so I can jump around 10 Light Years and have been able to go near the Solar system@ I cant yet get inI am having tons of fun with this game. Started out with a basic Sidewinder and 1000 Cr and went into the void. I took some missions, hunted some bounties and even found a few good trading deals here and there. I now have an Eagle with 3 hardpoints, including a frame shift drive upgrade so I can jump around 10 Light Years and have been able to go near the Solar system@ I cant yet get in because my reputation with the Federation has not increased enough yet so better stop typing here and start entering those conflict zones to help them out! :p

    Highly addictive and recommendable game.    … Expand
  97. starhawkprime
    Dec 18, 2014
    9
    I'm playing the game with the Oculus Rift and the experience is outstanding. The flight model is a very good compromise between full Newtonian and a more standard sci fi model such as in the X series. Control system is good but really shines with a Hotas setup. Immersion in the Rift has to be seen to be believed, Looking around in the cockpit or just sitting up a little taller in yourI'm playing the game with the Oculus Rift and the experience is outstanding. The flight model is a very good compromise between full Newtonian and a more standard sci fi model such as in the X series. Control system is good but really shines with a Hotas setup. Immersion in the Rift has to be seen to be believed, Looking around in the cockpit or just sitting up a little taller in your chair so you can see over the hood of your sidewinder and watch your guns deploy are little things that make that ship feel solid and whole not just something that is pasted on the screen to look like a cockpit. There has been a bit of drama over the switch to no offline single player and to a point I can understand the feeling but there is too much potential for this game in the future to be shot down by this. What this game is at the moment is an excellent launchpad for the ultimate galaxy spanning space sim and I for one can't wait to see the features Frontier adds next!… Expand
  98. bojamajams
    Feb 23, 2015
    5
    Pretty shallow game play, multiplayer mechanics are very lacking with little to do with other players. All the different "professions" you could choose are repetitive and get stale pretty quickly.
    It takes some sophistry to try to argue there is more to the game than making credits and upgrading your ship and its modules. Pretty disappointing for a "released" game.
  99. espacio33
    Dec 30, 2014
    10
    Been playing Elite since Beta Premium (May ish) and have basically not played any other game since.

    Never played the original Elite but this new version is the perfect space sim sandbox for me. Doing everything I want, when I want. No hero story telling, playing with my friends when i want, playing alone when i want.
  100. toomuchfood2
    Dec 30, 2014
    10
    The good: excellent graphics, supporting 4K and Oculus Rift. Probably the best game out there to try the rift in. Best sound ever, immersion is complete, Combat and flight mechanics, dogfighting never gets old and it is truly skill based unlike pay to win Arena Commander at Star Citizen. The role options, pirate, bounty hunter, trader, miner, explorer or mercenary. Devs are reallyThe good: excellent graphics, supporting 4K and Oculus Rift. Probably the best game out there to try the rift in. Best sound ever, immersion is complete, Combat and flight mechanics, dogfighting never gets old and it is truly skill based unlike pay to win Arena Commander at Star Citizen. The role options, pirate, bounty hunter, trader, miner, explorer or mercenary. Devs are really professional and communicative.
    The bad: some non critical content features missing at launch such as formal groups and a few ships missing, that have already been planned in.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Best PC Game of 2014
5
#5 Most Discussed PC Game of 2014
2
#2 Most Shared PC Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 54 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 54
  3. Negative: 0 out of 54
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jul 8, 2015
    80
    First minute the game takes your breath away and then it entertains you for another couple of hours to end up like a meditative tool for hard working individuals. What a waste and shame for a game in such beautiful environment. [Issue#253]
  2. Ragequit.gr
    May 11, 2015
    90
    Everyone who played the original game back in the 80's, should be right at home. It's the 21st Century version of "Elite." But newer, uninitiated players may find it strangely desolate and repetitive. A grand space simulation, aimed at the series' hardcore fans.
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  3. Games.cz
    Apr 23, 2015
    80
    You can focus on the journey, not the destination – even when some "road work" signs will bother you for the time being in the reincarnated Elite. But their numbers are declining with every new update so a thirty-year-old vision becomes more and more complete.
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