Truly one of the most ambitous, compelling and immersive games ever created. A classic that should not be forgotten.
If there is but one thing to say about this game it's that it is unique and absolutely brilliant compared to everything else in its genre. Every aspect of the game just fits so well with the others that it's hard to believe that it's a sequel. Even if you owned the original you will not be disappointed. The combat is spot on, striking just the right balance between arcade fun and realism (in a sense, it IS in space after all). The graphics are astounding. Watching two capital ships going at it with the immensely powerful beam cannons is simply awe-inspiring and also terrifying to watch. You really do get a sense of scale in this game, as the capital ships are absolutely massive compared to your miniscule fighter. Not only is the gameplay perfect, Freespace 2 does something few in its genre manage. It actually has a credible story to back up all the shooting. A space sim with no back story just becomes a series of inconsequential and repetitive dogfights. However, not so in this game. The immersive and thrilling tale of the struggle of the Terrans and Vasudans aginst the seemingly unstoppable Shivans is so brilliantly told, that every battle becomes significant, every comrade lost a terrible tradgedy. This twisting and compelling story will have you gripped right until its thrilling, and somewhat surprising (yet brilliantly realised) ending. It is this more than anything else that propels Freespace 2 beyond the realms of a decent space sim into the masterpiece of gaming that it surely should be recognised as. It may be old now, but in my opinion it is the best PC game money can buy. If nothing else, this game revolutionised its genre and set the bar about a million miles higher than anything foolish enough to follow in its perfectly blasted footsteps.