Freelancer

 PC
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 254 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 222 out of 254
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 254
  3. Negative: 10 out of 254
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  1. Endrance_sama
    Sep 3, 2023
    10
    I've said it at release, every 5 years after and I'll say it two decades later. This game should've spawned a "freelancer-like" genre where developers take the gist of the game and build from there. There were so few good space sim games in over twenty years, it leaves me speechless that after all this time so eew games could come close to Freelancer. How can it be so difficult to createI've said it at release, every 5 years after and I'll say it two decades later. This game should've spawned a "freelancer-like" genre where developers take the gist of the game and build from there. There were so few good space sim games in over twenty years, it leaves me speechless that after all this time so eew games could come close to Freelancer. How can it be so difficult to create more games like this with modern mechanics and graphics?… Expand
  2. Smashstate
    Jan 24, 2023
    10
    One of my favorite games from my childhood. I have never found a game that could compare of its type. I pray Star Citizen actually is finished one day.....
  3. mega98
    Dec 22, 2022
    0
    Very interesting game , I played it after so long time and it is as interesting as 20 years ago, it was pity to play this game with gtx 1080 :), gameplay is very interesting never gets boring
  4. Vitamin-J
    Jan 14, 2022
    10
    Iconic open world space game with a great in depth galaxy to explore.

    We have yet to have another game like this.
  5. skskskddd
    Apr 2, 2021
    9
    Its one of the best PC games ever made. The only thing that i am sure is this game will be the only chance to xbox compare with Playstation. But Microsoft forgets it like us the brand and we are now in Sony
  6. Raresh
    Nov 21, 2020
    10
    Iconic game, my all time favorite. The music, atmosphere, story all blends in together to create an unique videogame.
  7. ELIASOT
    Oct 24, 2020
    10
    Τρομερο game

    Το ψαχνω 15 χρονια για νεα του εκδωση με συνχρονα γραφικα και μεγαλυτερο κοσμο Η αισθηση πτησης τα χρωματα και η ελευθερια κινησεων ανεπαναληπτα Αισθανεσαι πραγματικα ελευθερος επαγγελματιας για τον πολεμο και το εμποριο    Τρομερο game

    Το ψαχνω 15 χρονια για νεα του εκδωση με συνχρονα γραφικα και μεγαλυτερο κοσμο
    Η αισθηση πτησης τα χρωματα και η ελευθερια κινησεων ανεπαναληπτα
    Αισθανεσαι πραγματικα ελευθερος επαγγελματιας για τον πολεμο και το εμποριο
  8. cakeranks
    Oct 19, 2020
    10
    Still love this game to bits. Playing it every day and doing rounds around Sirius. I think I will play this game too much for the unforeseeable future.
  9. ImmortalHemp
    Jun 24, 2020
    9
    The game it self is pretty arcade, though it can be challenging.
    Good visuals, fantastic cinematographic story. Interesting and intuitive game play.
    The only negative side of the game is force stretching of the storyline, via implementing "milestones", certain cash that you need to gather via side-missions or trading, before you'll be able to proceed to the next main story part. It's    The game it self is pretty arcade, though it can be challenging.
    Good visuals, fantastic cinematographic story. Interesting and intuitive game play.

    The only negative side of the game is force stretching of the storyline, via implementing "milestones", certain cash that you need to gather via side-missions or trading, before you'll be able to proceed to the next main story part. It's not that big deal, it also have a positive side, because it gives the player time to rest from pretty intense action moments and replenish of some supplies.    … Expand
  10. Moratosan
    Apr 11, 2020
    8
    This was the first game that turned me into space sims and since then i haven't found another.

    Loved the story and the ease to play. Just pure pleasure of progression. The main story was really captivating and it is a shame that this game was never truly finished due to budget cuts. Even after the campaign you had so much to explore, with abandoned alien structures, bandit bases and    This was the first game that turned me into space sims and since then i haven't found another.

    Loved the story and the ease to play. Just pure pleasure of progression.

    The main story was really captivating and it is a shame that this game was never truly finished due to budget cuts. Even after the campaign you had so much to explore, with abandoned alien structures, bandit bases and secret systems.

    A simple yet extremely enjoyable game, no fancy 100 functions and no degree in avionics required.

    If they were to remake this game today with a full story i bet you it would be a best seller, sadly the man behind it is probably going to die of old age developing Starcitizen.    … Expand
  11. Wiebe
    Feb 26, 2020
    9
    I must have played this game 7 or 8 times. Best space game out there still today. Only minus is lack of side mission variety, and end game content.
  12. Wiedzemir
    Feb 3, 2020
    9
    Found my old Freelance CD recently and after some fiddling around managed to launch it on a modern system. The game still holds up rather decently. The story is simple yet entertaining, arcade-like flight and combat mechanics are great fun. Overall design holds up even today but it's one of these games that would benefit greatly from an HD release, especially if that would allow playingFound my old Freelance CD recently and after some fiddling around managed to launch it on a modern system. The game still holds up rather decently. The story is simple yet entertaining, arcade-like flight and combat mechanics are great fun. Overall design holds up even today but it's one of these games that would benefit greatly from an HD release, especially if that would allow playing multiplayer again.… Expand
  13. Chowjust
    Feb 17, 2019
    10
    I feel like most reviews I see on this page start with "My favorite PC game of all time" and unfortunately I'm also on that bandwagon. The story is one of the most memorable and amazing stories I've ever experienced, ship combat and control is perfect, the system to explore is huge and with so many different ships to choose from and parts to customize them with, I never got bored. In myI feel like most reviews I see on this page start with "My favorite PC game of all time" and unfortunately I'm also on that bandwagon. The story is one of the most memorable and amazing stories I've ever experienced, ship combat and control is perfect, the system to explore is huge and with so many different ships to choose from and parts to customize them with, I never got bored. In my opinion, to this day no single player space sim compares to it. If you enjoy these type of games, you'll love. If you don't, still give it a shot. It's one of the only games I've replayed four times and I still consider it one of the greatest games I've ever played.… Expand
  14. grugsplat
    Aug 23, 2018
    10
    still love playing this game today one of the best space games out there great ships and gameplay was fun and easy replay it
  15. ahmedosama
    May 18, 2018
    10
    One of the best games I've ever Played ! If Microsoft continued developing this game I think they would have earned a lot of money !
    I'm still playing this game until now !
    Thank you Microsoft for such a great game !
  16. CoKronakan
    Feb 12, 2018
    10
    One of the best gamest games Iv'e played, and also the best space simulator game iv'e played. Even for today's standards the game holds up very good. Amazing deep, and too addictive, immersive multiplayer experience. Awesome capturing story. Had almost zero faults. Even those it had where irrelevant.
  17. iddqd4
    Feb 11, 2018
    9
    Крутой космосим. Торговля, исследование, война, все на качественном уровне.
  18. indigobeast
    Jul 9, 2017
    9
    One of the greatest space games ever made. There are a ton of different systems which all have different flavours to it to which makes them stand out. The graphics for the time were sensational and has aged well. Trading and doing side quests to gain credits can get repetitive depending on how many times you've done it. The story is pretty interesting and some of the voice acting is prettyOne of the greatest space games ever made. There are a ton of different systems which all have different flavours to it to which makes them stand out. The graphics for the time were sensational and has aged well. Trading and doing side quests to gain credits can get repetitive depending on how many times you've done it. The story is pretty interesting and some of the voice acting is pretty solid, but some of it is also mediocre at best. Exploring the game never gets old to me and I can play it for hours on end. personally it's more enjoyable if you've got a criminal reputation due to you having more opposing factions. The controls are almost perfect and they're also simple for rookies to this genre. It really is sad this game didn't get the amount of attention it deserves. Not to mention if you've played the main game already go out and install the Discovery Mod. one of the greatest games I've ever played to date!… Expand
  19. Genezi
    Jun 10, 2017
    10
    Best game ever. i have spent a lot of time on this title. It has a great story with memorable characters. Good gameplay and best cut scenes with good dialogs.
  20. vito0719
    Jun 2, 2016
    10
    In the top quarter of my bucket list lies this entry: waste a lot of time a space fighter game that is somewhat close to this. Above are buy a LaFerrari Spider, which is probably more possible if I keep buying lotteries...

    I miss the Microsoft that made this game, that made AoE, that didn't make Win10.
  21. CreamyRootBeer
    Apr 11, 2016
    10
    It's hard to express just how much of a classic this game is. The story line is pretty good, graphics are timely, and it just ends up being the type of game with incredible uniqueness and feel. Plus, it just feels right. I can't explain it.
  22. gracjanski
    Sep 13, 2015
    10
    In the core it is a great game. There should be more games like this: free like in The Elder Scrolls, but in the universe and not in classical RPG. The campaign is very interesting and motivation, there are a lot of items, that you can use to individualize your ship, the graphic was great in 2003, today you can still play this game, because there are some mods.
    The only little mistake is    In the core it is a great game. There should be more games like this: free like in The Elder Scrolls, but in the universe and not in classical RPG. The campaign is very interesting and motivation, there are a lot of items, that you can use to individualize your ship, the graphic was great in 2003, today you can still play this game, because there are some mods.
    The only little mistake is the game outside the main campaign, the kill quests are a bit boring. Trading with a freighter is good, but it is a bit circumstantial to connect a freighter in your campaign, because you need only a fighter. If you could have 2 ships in the same time, this problem would be solved. It should be more like Morrowind for example, where you have interesting quests and get a range in a guild.    … Expand
  23. Neddy
    Apr 9, 2015
    9
    I owned and played this many years ago, when it was first released. Just a quick review to say play it if you have an older PC or not a gaming PC. Most modern systems with something like intel CPU on-chip graphics should run it.

    Brilliant from the sci-fi perspective, it delivered great space effects and battles. The visiting stations was a little simple, when you chatted to    I owned and played this many years ago, when it was first released. Just a quick review to say play it if you have an older PC or not a gaming PC. Most modern systems with something like intel CPU on-chip graphics should run it.

    Brilliant from the sci-fi perspective, it delivered great space effects and battles. The visiting stations was a little simple, when you chatted to quest-givers. E.g if you meet someone in a bar that wants some salvage collecting.

    Other than that it's a great game. The ships, and upgrading ships is all cool. Buying new ship weapons and trying them out is always fun. If they re-made this I would buy it again without hesitation. Having said that I think it is perfectly playable in its original release.    … Expand
  24. SaifHeat
    Oct 18, 2014
    10
    If I die just now, I acclaim an achievement of my life; which started when I first have this game. Literally speaking, once you get the game, it'll probably be the best you've ever played. A lifetime worth!! Mind-blowing, staggering, authentic - the list can go on....

    Don't believe me? Just start the game, just do!!!
  25. Destructo
    Apr 18, 2014
    10
    Fast, accessible and most importantly a lot of fun.

    I've spent a lot of hours in this game - mostly in multiplayer with friends but the single player campaign is well written with plenty of twists and turns. Graphically the game still looks polished - I remember being blown away when I first saw it and they still look crisp and clear today - albeit with fewer effects you would expect    Fast, accessible and most importantly a lot of fun.

    I've spent a lot of hours in this game - mostly in multiplayer with friends but the single player campaign is well written with plenty of twists and turns.

    Graphically the game still looks polished - I remember being blown away when I first saw it and they still look crisp and clear today - albeit with fewer effects you would expect of games today. Let's remember it's over 10 years old.

    I recently saw star citizen and thought I'd dust my old copy of Freelancer down. I've just completed the single player campaign (for the third time) and am very pleased there's a handful of mods that take this further.

    In short one of my favourites overall and by far the best for this genre in my opinion. Can't wait for Star Citizen!    … Expand
  26. danskmacabre
    Dec 1, 2013
    8
    I still play this game occasionally 10 years later.
    The criticisms about the limited scope of missions is true.
    I personally enjoyed the Level based storyline where you upgrade your ship to new ships. There's still an amazing amount of fan made mods and servers available to play on, which is pretty impressive so many years later. There's mods to update the drivers and screen sizes as    I still play this game occasionally 10 years later.
    The criticisms about the limited scope of missions is true.
    I personally enjoyed the Level based storyline where you upgrade your ship to new ships.

    There's still an amazing amount of fan made mods and servers available to play on, which is pretty impressive so many years later.
    There's mods to update the drivers and screen sizes as well to wide screen which is really nice.
    On top of that updated textures and all sorts of stuff.
    It's still a worthy purchase all these years later.

    I hope that Elite dangerous and/or Star citizen will trump it though.    … Expand
  27. rxgamer
    Nov 5, 2013
    10
    Incredible atmosphere and novel game design. They need to make another one of these with today's modern graphics! Most satisfying space emulator out there. Highly recommended.
  28. Dcruize
    Oct 21, 2013
    8
    A beautiful game spoiled only by the microscopically tiny star systems (with planets sitting on top of each other) and the repetitive nature of the combat missions. If you enjoyed Elite or Frontier, you'll love this game.
  29. micic00
    Sep 21, 2013
    9
    Game that's been in development for years but never really finished the way it would satisfy most of us. Amazing and unique game.This game is still active on some servers, but mainly on the Discovery server through the awesome mod of Discovery Freelancer. It is a whole new game within itself created for the purpose of roleplay on multiplayer servers and which is by far one of the bestGame that's been in development for years but never really finished the way it would satisfy most of us. Amazing and unique game.This game is still active on some servers, but mainly on the Discovery server through the awesome mod of Discovery Freelancer. It is a whole new game within itself created for the purpose of roleplay on multiplayer servers and which is by far one of the best games I've played so far. It's a mod of the entire Sirius sector filled with awesome systems and factions. Excellently balanced in ships, strategic position with resources, commodities on the market and weapons. It is amazing. Not many people are playing it but there is always at least 100 people constantly online. If you ever try it then you must visit Gallia space, and then Nomad space.… Expand
  30. digga123
    May 29, 2013
    10
    One of my favourite PC games of all time. The atmosphere is great, you really feel free in space and there is a lot to discover. There are many planets and space stations with different ships, weapons and goods for different prices. Opposing parties fight with each other as well as pirates with industrialists. It's the player's decision how he wants to play the game. You can try to findOne of my favourite PC games of all time. The atmosphere is great, you really feel free in space and there is a lot to discover. There are many planets and space stations with different ships, weapons and goods for different prices. Opposing parties fight with each other as well as pirates with industrialists. It's the player's decision how he wants to play the game. You can try to find freighters with rare goods to get their loot or you buy your owen frighter yourself and trade. It doesn't get boring for a long long time. I'm looking forward for a new game like Freelancer!… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Best PC Game of 2003
21
#21 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003
16
#16 Most Shared PC Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. Game Revolution
    83
    You'll be impressed by the graphics. They don't seem as jaw-dropping as they did three years ago, but they have held up nicely and allow for an astonishing number of different ships and other space objects onscreen at the same time, which makes for some very hectic battles.
    Read full review
  2. PC Gameworld
    90
    It is not the revolution in the space combat genre that many were hoping for, but it certainly is the next evolution.
    Read full review
  3. Game Chronicles
    94
    Freelancer isn’t just a game – it’s a way of life.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »