X: Beyond the Frontier

 PC
  • Publisher: THQ
  • Release Date: Jan 26, 2000
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
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  1. ActionTrip
    81
    Play it patiently, explore, fight and enjoy... It just might do the trick before the heavy hitters like Starlancer and Freelancer arrive.
  2. GameSpot
    81
    It's the sort of game that will carve out a space on your hard drive and stay there while other, newer games come and go. X is not for everyone, but it'll almost certainly become a classic for fans of more slowly paced, economics-intensive space simulations.
  3. PC Gameworld
    78
    You won't run through the streets exclaiming the virtues of this game after playing it. You won't tell every one of your friends about it. You won't even think much about it after you're finished. If you buy it though, you will get something few games these days can offer: Several hours of gaming enjoyment.
  5. IGN
    77
    An admirable game that manages to do quite a lot with very little. Even so, it's doubtful that anyone besides those of you who are addicted (like me) to the trade simulator are going to find this title real competition for the big name space combat games that are already on the shelf.

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Best PC Game of 2000
72
#72 Most Discussed PC Game of 2000

User Reviews

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User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 30
  3. Negative: 3 out of 30
  1. OdraSPUF
    Jul 15, 2011
    7
    A frustrating start turns away most casual gamers, but once you get used to the controls and manage to upgrade your ship for faster travelA frustrating start turns away most casual gamers, but once you get used to the controls and manage to upgrade your ship for faster travel this game begins to shine.

    Robust economics, a faction-based political system and a vast universe to explore has made this game a welcome addition to my collection.

    Players that don't suffer from short-attention spans that enjoy simulations and economic driven games (ie. Simcity) with combat thrown into the mix may find this to be an entertaining title.

    Some points before purchasing:
    * The graphics feel dated (1999), but it handles itself well with no problems so far.
    * Slow "grinding" period when first starting the game.
    * No configurable controls. (save for about 5 keys)

    Find a downloadable Demo at Egosoft's website.    … Full Review »
  2. Zephyn
    Aug 17, 2012
    9
    After playing around a bit with X3, I decided to give the original game in the series a try. As a gamer who really misses Wing Commander:After playing around a bit with X3, I decided to give the original game in the series a try. As a gamer who really misses Wing Commander: Privateer and the original Mechwarrior game for the PC, I've been very pleased with X-BTF. It seems to have the same balance of combat tactics and resource strategy that keep the game interesting over the long term: You can switch from Businessman to Demolition Man and vice-versa as the mood takes you.

    As with most sandbox games, you don't start with much in the way of resources... but there's no point to playing an empire building game if the empire's already half-built by the time you start. For newcomers who find the complexity of the more recent games of the X series a bit overwhelming. I'd recommend X-BTF as good way to get a feel for the combat/trading systems and the plot/setting without getting hit by option overload.    … Full Review »
  3. rafferz
    Apr 23, 2014
    10
    Amazing game. I spent hours buying and selling stuff in different systems, fighting pirates and exploring the world and the main part isAmazing game. I spent hours buying and selling stuff in different systems, fighting pirates and exploring the world and the main part is complete freedom. Soundtracks are so amazing that I am still listening to it. Such a beautiful game for that period of time.… Full Review »
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