mossfoot

This game was groundbreaking back in 1984, but it wasn't for everyone. The same can be said of this latest version. If you want instant gratification, spoonfed storylines, and linear gameplay, you'll hate this. But if you've ever wanted to be Han Solo or Malcolm Reynolds, not just for the exciting climaxes, but all the points in between... in short, if you want to live the Han Solo/Malcolm Reynolds lifestyle, then this game is for you. It's an open world where everyone's actions has a small but collective impact on the galactic market and governments, where you can do your own thing, whether you want to be a do-gooder, pirate, or something in between. A realistically rendered galaxy where the distances between planets can be covered in seconds or minutes and yet feel like you're covering the actual distances (one light second to the Moon, 8 light minutes to the sun...). A game that knows the line to walk between simulator and game, complex in some ways, but not overwhelmingly so. Simple in other ways, but not insultingly so. This is the game I grew up wanting, and I finally got it.

This is not a game for everyone, but for those it strikes a chord with, it's just great. My advice is to keep moving, be an explorer, never try to settle down, and follow the Atlas story. Those who try to make it their next Elite are going to be sorely disappointed.

Continuing the excellent work of Elite: Dangerous. Basically this is Season 2. If you bought the game earlier, you get a discount towards Season 2 that's more in line with high end DLC. If you're buying it new you get all the goodness of the original season and this one. Compared to so many DLC I've seen in games, some offered for just as much or more than this, this actually is the first on I think justifies the price tag. I love the base game, and this expansion only increases that love. If you ever wanted to be Han Solo, the ability to land on planets makes that feel one step closer to real.

This is the game I imagined back in 1984, updated in just about every way that matters. Horizons brings this even more in line with what Elite accomplished during Frontier and First Encounters and Season 2 looks like it'll be bringing even more awesome to the table