Thoughts from a guy that didn''t hear about the game(much)
Note that I have heard absolutely nothing about the game, just a faint memory of the name.
***********SPOILERS MAYBE AHEAD**********
When I received the game from shipping two or three days ago, from a games reviewing project which is under development, it felt just like any other linear game. Shortly I figured that I can do other things with the NPCs than just get rumours off of them, heh.
While I played the game constantly over the few days, it immediatly came over mind. . . a "lite" and short Morrowind in space. By short, the story was just a shoot through. The game did a pretty good job making you feel insecure of whats going to happen, while it turns out that you'll be just fine. . . unless you stay with your original equipment. After the story, there isn't so much appealing to do, which leads to the lite part. Random missions is a great addition, increasing the playtime, but not really much a variety. More things really need to happen in this. . . well, universe, to make it REALLY non-linear(which lead me to believe this after the story). Random missions are just plain bland, and seems like a cake walk everytime I go through one. I want to join the military, wage war, pursuit people, escort a convoy, hell, even become a part of the convoy! The only appealing mission is where you have to destroy a installation nearby, but doesn't feed my hunger.
Story is definately top-notch, kept me playing so long, and I love to explore a game's universe. If you are expecting a booming non-linear world, don't get your hopes too high. But in exploration of a game's possibilities and universe? Definately for you. All aside, an excellent crafted game, reccommended buy, giving it an 8.5 out of 10.