Thank you for your excellent points. I enjoyed your comments and humor.
I too, was suprised by the Freelancer. In fact, I'll go so far as to say it is now one of my favorite PC games. I too, like RPG's: Diablo, Divine Divinity, BG
etc etc. For me, I found an RPG-flavor in being able to do whatever I wanted
between missions and continuing on after the game was won. I also enjoyed the flexibility of trying different ships and playing different roles. Very fun.
Freelancer gets so many things *right* and for me it is very, very addicitve.
I also find the game's graphics to be beautiful...the best I have seen in a
space sim. So often we get caught up in what we expect that we take things for
granted. The landing on Honshu with the the music in theme with the scenery was breathtaking. The Trade lanes, Jump Gates and flight graphics are just jaw dropping. There is also considerable variety as well. I understand the developers took *some* time with this game and it certainly shows in the graphics and music. It's hard to believe the improvement in space combat
graphics when you compare Freelancer to say Tie Fighter (no flames out there,
just pointing out the difference in outlines of ships vs full pixel graphics, IMO)
All in all, Freelancer was a marvelous suprise. My wife got it for me as a birthday gift--I had my eye on something else and was a bit disappointed, but now....well, all I can do is say she knew something I didn't and bless her for it.
She bought it because of the pretty graphics on the box
With all the disappointments out there, it sure is nice to find a gem.
Thanks, Gig.