Best game I have found in a bargain bin. Very frustrating in some ways, exciting in others.
A few things here might seem nit-picky but I feel there are certain parts of a game which Devs should work out or do well regardless of whether or not a game is considered "Finished" or "Rushed."
Pros:
1) Simple economy----ex-Each race has one food product made from one main ingredient plus several optional ones.
2) Fast keyboard shortcuts----what a time saver. Shortcuts to navigating the UI must have been a top priority to the devs.
3) Easy trade profit----After enough exploring and learning how the economy works, making a killing isn't too hard.
4) Ranks, prices well thought out----You can't buy the sweet stuff without earning it. Earning it doesn't take so long that you loose interest, though.
5) Enemies are difficult enough to provide a challenge whether you are a trading buff or a commando pilot.
6) Open to modding. Whether I ever use any mods or not, this is a good reflection on any game designer.
Bittersweet:
1) Learn controls through experimentation (see cons #1 & 2). Flying a ship---What's this key do? Oops. Reload save game. Learn it better in the long run but flying as blind and ignorant as a fool to start.
Cons:
1) Tutorial? Where? Even on forums I see there is no tutorial.
2) No Manual----After reading on the web I understand the bargain bin re-release did not include a manual as a cost cut. However I found a PDF version to download, which, if you like reading the manual in depth like I do before jumping into the game, is just not the same.
3) Item descriptions unclear---- In-game descriptions are not clear or absent or irrelevant for some commodities, ships, weapons, many upgrades, and other occurrences. This thing connects stations? How do I use it? Is this thing only a commodity or does it have a useful function? Voice, tell me something useful if there is no written info to be found.
4) circa 160 zones. Seems a big number but there isn't much to each of them so I expected more.
5) Cannot use a defined shortcut in a station as used while flying in space to get to the exact same window. I guess if you are a mouse only user you cannot relate. On a similar note, certain shortcuts listed on the remote ship instructions console do not function.
6) Ship computer----That voice. Shoot me. I just need to hear what it says. Couldn't there be subtitles??? More time should have been spent on finding a less annoying voice that doesn't make you want to chew your eyelids off while listening to the needed info.