That seems to be a common sentiment around here. There are many of us looking for a better/newer game than Freelancer (2003), with no clear "winners". (*heavy sigh*)

If you don't mind fiddling with a beta quality project, the Crossfire 1.8 mod for Freelancer has some gorgeous new systems and about half a dozen "quests" that are more or less similar to storyline missions. The quests appear in the News at the bar on some planets. Crossfire also has a thriving multi-player community, if you like that.

Hey Bullwinkle

To be honest I never really got into Freelancer. When I heard that the thing was not "originally" designed for Joystick Control I sort of let it slide. After enjoying the ride that was Starlancer and it's previous cousins through the Wing Commander Series and all the rest over the years, I wasn't too thrilled about hanging up my original Thrusmaster Combat Stick for a MOUSE. Mine You most of what I have seen recently has used MOUSE "FLIGHT" so I guess I'm just a stick in the mud.

Oh by the way, the YouTube video of X321 Redemption on the Swat Portal Site you linked looked rather interesting. I wonder what laid the smack down on all those ships???

DarKenK

Haha! Yeah, I had the same first thought as well. But Freelancer is by Chris Roberts, who did all those other wonderful Wing Commander / Strike Commander / Privateer / Lancer games, so I tried it.

I was surprised that I liked it so much and so quickly. It won't take long before you won't even miss the grip of the stick.

I am not even sure which box my Thrustmaster and Flightstick gear are in, anymore. I have not needed them in several years.

If you are looking for a Roberts-style game, Freelancer might be the best of all of them, overall. It certainly is the most mod-able and has the best user interface. I have probably spent as many hours playing Freelancer as I have all of the other Roberts games, combined. Give it another try!