Earth & Beyond

The Good
In the recent months, I found myself drifting from regular console games over to the PC. Though I am no connosieur in computer games, I know a good simulation/rpg when I see one. So, I erase the line between Playstation 2 and Windows to write this review.

The first thing, I have to admit, that drew me to this game was the fact that I only paid $9.95 retail for it. Never did I acquire a game, created in 2003, at such a price. I felt I was getting a steal. Then, I learned of the $12.95 monthly fee. That, of which, I will leave up to those who try the game to rate. In more ways than one, the game is worth the $12.95.

Megan, the computer assistant, is there with you throughout the entire first stages of the game. If it wasn't for her, a lot of newbies, as new players are called in all games, would be lost. There is a lot to learn in this game, but it's easy. You can choose exactly how you want your character to look and what his/her personality will be. Not only that, but you also get a choice of having up to five different characters at one time! I found this very beneficial in experiencing all the different factions that Earth & Beyond had to offer. At one point, I had a heroine type character that was always fighting the good fight and everybody liked (I will explain later) and then, at the other extreme, I had an evil no-goodnick that I couldn't even stand. There is a wide range of possibilities available to the players.

Now, another feature to Earth & Beyond is it's chatting capabilities. I literally had friends from all over the world: Asia, Germany, Sweden, Canada, and the good ol' USA. They also help you to learn how to play the game and when you are looking for that hard to find 'Star Steel', experienced players will direct you right to it. They help with the leveling you need to do to advance in the game as well. There is also a new additon to the game which I particularly enjoy, instead of docking at a space station, missions that need to be completed get sent to your messaging system while you are still in the ship. You can decline or accept, whatever you feel like doing.

With the new updates and changes that are added to the game every so often, Earth & Beyond has a very bright future.

The Bad
At the other end of the spectrum is the bad. I will go over the controls, space stations and the ship first.

Controls: 8 out of 10. When you are in your ship or in a space station and you use the 'a' key and arrows to move around, you're okay. But try to use the mouse in the latter situation and you'll be pulling your hair out. A word of advice, when you are in your ship use the mouse or the 'a' key. When you are in the space station stick to the 'a' key and arrows.

Space Stations and ship: 6 out of 10. The reason I give these a 6 is not because of the above stated but because these are the only places that you really have access to and it becomes a bit redundant after a very short while. To improve on this, I believe the next patch should include a way to walk on planets and discover and complete missions in that matter. Or be able to space walk to do the same. Right now your fly your ship, walk in the stations, go back to the ship, fly around, go back the the stations, fly, walk, fly, walk, fly, walk. AAARRRGHHHHH!!!!

The fact that you can fly through asteroids, and things that you normally couldn't, tick me off as well. It may sound bad, but if a pilot can't control his ship then he should crash into the object, not fly through it. Or maybe there's an emergency and you have to crash land on a planet. In space you would have to space walk to the nearest station, or whatever, to get the necessary items to repair your ship (which you'd have to do yourself or get help with) and on the planet you could check if the air was breathable and then explore to see if there are other npcs, players, or monsters around.

In short, with regards to all of the above, the game tends to be a bit predictable.

The Bottom Line
Bottom line: if you can see past the constant flying and trips to the space stations, if you can see past being able to fly through asteroids and trees and such, if can see past the small improvements here and there, then you can see past to the extremely enjoyable game Earth and Beyond is. When you add all the elements together, all of which you will never find on a console rpg, you have some serious fun ahead of you.

From chatting to creation and station to station Earth and Beyond is a game that must be played.