Andrew,

Don't mind many people here...

Apparently, they don't realize that reading spoilers is exactly equivalent to getting tips and help from walkthroughs (but even moreso precise) which is thus - CHEATING.

As for a question of why cheat? Personally, I'll cheat if a game gets me into a temper or if I have to 'go back' unless I do pull a cheat. However, I do minor stuff like find out good traderoutes and such. Trainers are bad deals on all levels because you no longer find any challenge in the game at all. Spoilers also kill the game because it helps u beat the game with minor hitches, but those who finish in a few hours deserve it...

Later man.

And remember, don't spoil the fun TOO much - get thru what u need to and then cheat NO MORE cuz' that really will kill the fun of FL.

Neo I disagree...

The people who come to this forum are not just those looking to cheat. I believe the majority of people here want to help others, or, like myself, want to share the interesting things they've found with the game with others who have finished it. And when someone comes and complains about how they cheated and they messed up somehow, it's upsetting to those who wish to share information with other "freelancer veterans" because this person is cheating through the very game we love enough to come post about in an online forum. I think we have a right to say we don't agree with cheating, and I think we ARE right when we say the game is much more fun when there is no cheating.

I don't understand the whole "cheating to save time" concept in Freelancer. I found myself leveling up much too quickly, and wanting to continue exploring and taking jobs, or hanging out and listening to the rare idle chat on those police patrols before continuing with the story. Before you complete the game, it is only a matter of taking on two or three jobs in the general area before there's a level up, certainly not 15 hours by any account. After completing the 13th mission it does take significantly longer to level up, especially around level 35, with a pilot worth over $1,000,000. Of course, after the game, all I did was level up and make enough money to buy the Sabre and explore everywhere i could, but that kept me interested for... oh... at least another 20-25 hours of gameplay, and I'm still not finished.

Anyway, there really is no "idle time" in this game. If the random missions and the trade routes really do bore the heck out of you, then put up with it for 20 minutes, get your level up, and continue with the story. Or hey, go find some jump holes, some secret bases, go mine an asteriod field (my favorite's the niobium field in tau-37, get one every asteriod shot, take it to dresden for 1600 a pop), but don't cheat, you only hurt yourself (ah hah, see how I stayed away from that "cheat yourself" cliché?).

Except for the crazy ranting part, I agree with easymac's advice.

You can get your "in-between" levels in the story pretty quick. Just find the nearest base, and take whatever missions it offers. You've already noticed that the story will jank around your reputation anyway.

And escaping from liberty also made me say something along the lines of flurking schnitt also. but with more profanity. Especially when I found out I had to take the TRADE LANE to West Point, instead of just using cruise engines. Bastards.

ER