X3: Albion Prelude

 PC
  • Publisher: Egosoft
  • Release Date: Dec 15, 2011
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Eurogamer Italy
    Jan 9, 2012
    70
    Albion Prelude is a little step in the direction of Rebirth: not so many innovations but the same structure enriched with a sort of stock exchange.
  2. PC Gamer
    Feb 23, 2012
    69
    If interacting with it weren't such a pain, it would be a tremendous achievement. [Apr 2012, p.73]

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 109 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 93 out of 109
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 109
  3. Negative: 10 out of 109
  1. khemeher
    Jul 8, 2012
    8
    On my personal scale, I give this game a 7.5. Be warned: this game is not for everyone. If you're all about quick pacing & instantOn my personal scale, I give this game a 7.5. Be warned: this game is not for everyone. If you're all about quick pacing & instant gratification, you won't find what you want with this game. It can be a high-speed space combat game, with tons of explosions, and great particle effects for the laser weapons. However, that's only one aspect of the game. There is a deeper current of a universal economy that's been deliberately thrown out of sync to give you the chance to move in & make your mark as a trader, factory owner, or in some other capacity. You won't find everything you need to build your empire - it's a long process of setting yourself up with your own support network, your own fleet, and your own territory.

    I've played all the X games, as I bought the super pack on Steam. Terran Conflict is actually a much bigger game, in terms of having more "out of the box" plots. In truth, Albion Prelude is literally an add-on to that game, using TC's same file structure. It has it's own plot lines, but there are less of them & they appear to be shorter. Furthermore, you really have to play TC to know what's going on & appreciate the story.

    I feel that this is the reason why so many are unhappy with this game - because it is actually an expansion to TC that's not really an expansion. Rather than being able to build on the game you created in TC, which probably took you anywhere from fifty to a billion hours to create, you must scrap that & start all over again. To someone who doesn't thrive on this type of challenge, that can be heartbreaking, and deal-breaking.

    There are new ships, new features, and the same old ability to pretty much create your own story in a sandbox of endless possibilities. But really...the reason to play this game is to find out what happened after Terran Conflict, and what will come in the future during Rebirth.

    As I said at the beginning, I feel this is 75% of a perfect game. Overall the game engine has improved over Terran Conflict (which is expected given the gap in time). However, it's not 100% compatible with TC because not all the mods & player content can be used. It doesn't give you the option of utilizing your saves from TC to allow you to build on what you've already done. You get precious little in the way of new content, and are left to simply re-live the sandbox adventure you've already experienced.    … Full Review »
  2. Arthor
    Jan 2, 2012
    9
    X3: Albion Prelude took me by surprise. This large universe were you decide where you will go, what missions you will accept and where youX3: Albion Prelude took me by surprise. This large universe were you decide where you will go, what missions you will accept and where you will go is at first glance complicated and immersive. As you learn too play you find the game is well designed and has a storyline that changes depending on your actions. The design has made the universe dynamic and is designed for many hours of game play. The NPC interaction, sound effects ad music all mesh well together too set the atmosphere. This game has a lot of detail and is not just combat but economics as well. Just jump in and play .. It is fun and easier than it looksl give yoursel time to the game interface. My firsttime Ilan to jut see what it looked like .. 9 hours later I logged off.… Full Review »
  3. zav42
    Dec 23, 2011
    9
    Italian review from this URL:
    http://www.spaziogames.it/recensioni_videogiochi/console_pc/12561/x3-albion-prelude.aspx
    Overall result 9/10!    Italian review from this URL:
    http://www.spaziogames.it/recensioni_videogiochi/console_pc/12561/x3-albion-prelude.aspx

    Overall result 9/10!

    Translated excerpt from this review: Positive: - Vast universe
    - High performance PC
    - Maximum freedom of movement
    - Longevity guaranteed for dozens and dozens of hours
    Plot-engaging
    - Excellent special effects

    Negative:
    - Not too many new ships
    - Lack of spoken Italian
    - Title particularly complicated to the uninitiated like this

    Rating: 9/10

    Final Remarks
    Neil Armstrong said that watching the Earth from space he could cover it with his thumb, but he did not feel like a giant, he felt very small. This is a bit like what happens when you sit in front of the majesty of this title. The graphic details are exaggerated, as well as items with which you can interact within the game.

    The gameplay, overall is unique, well-designed, and leaves ample space for making of the pilot to be part of a world that really changes over the course of the game.

    The music makes the experience very intriguing and interesting and curious to see up close the orbiting station, the postal and cargo shuttles or taxis will make you lose a lot of time distracting (at least) on the missions that you complete .

    The difficulty of the plot remains the only negative point: you accept missions from the beginning of the adventure described as "very difficult" without any chance of completing it. Missing, in a sense, an adaptation of the game to the player's real ability. Too bad that the voices are in English already so really seems to be on board a space shuttle, but to be called captain in Italian by a marshal of corvettes would have a completely different flavor.    … Full Review »
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