Windows

Ares Rising

Say *realtime space combat simulation* to most gamers, and the kneejerk response is "Privateer" or "Wing Commander." In several ways, these products defined the genre. But although Ares Rising was devised by some of the original Privateer team, this latest RSCS puts its own distinctive stamp on the model-- with excellent results.

I just can't enjoy this game when I KNOW there are better games of this type out there. I read a whole bunch of previews before playing this game, and they were all really positive and enthusiastic. This is not the game that will revolutionize the space sim genre. It is crushed in terms of graphics and sound by all the recent space sims and it is beaten in gameplay too. Considering this was made by the maker of Privateer, I'm disappointed with this effort. Retool the graphics and sound, add a sprinkle of fun and variety to the gameplay and call me when you're done.

It cannot be wrong to generalize that, much like the first-person shooter, the space flight simulation is a genre whose visual presentation is critical to its overall quality. Although a plausible physics model, fast action, and even a good story are components whose importance are not to be understated, when you get right down to it, a space flight sim is only as good as it looks. After all, the goal of the genre is to accurately re-create what it might be like to fly a spacecraft, a goal that's become all the more approachable recently with the advent of powerful 3D graphics accelerators. To that extent, several recent contenders in the genre not only look incredible, but offer sophisticated gameplay to match - Wing Commander: Prophecy, Descent: Freespace, and Independence War all combine top-notch flight dynamics with stunning visual effects, the illusion of relativistic speed, and awe-inspiring scale.

Instead of aiming too high and missing, Ares Rising doesn't aim high enough in the first place. It's all been done before, and most of it has been done better.

Ares Rising gibt sich alle Mühe, Ihnen von Anfang an den Spaß am Spiel zu verderben. Das beginnt bei den unübersichtlichen Menüs, setzt sich über die öden Textbriefings fort und endet bei der häßlichen Raumschiffoptik. Trotz der ganz netten Missionen mußte ich mich mehrfach zum Weiterspielen zwingen. Und das passiert mir bei Weltraumspielen das allererste Mal.