|
|||||||
|
|||||||
Here are a few interesting Space Games. Click on images to download.
Microsoft
Space Simulator (4.17MB)
|
|
MSS
is the ultimate game for every space enthousiast. Actually it is more
than a game, it is a learning experience. A complete simulation offers
you the oportunity to explore the moon, the solar system, even the galaxy
using actual or fictional crafts. There are many missions and situations
from which you can select that range from EVA's to Galactic travel.
Even if you haven't got the time to master your flight skills, just
watching flybys and dockings by the autopilot will be a magnifisent
sight. It is a real pitty there has been no sequel to this awesome game,
although it can still be really enjoyable as it was far ahead of its
time (even the most expensive PC's of the time had poor performance
on the hi-rez mode). |
|
Orbiter
- Space Flight Simulator
|
|
It
is a real shame that Microsoft did not continue to develop Microsoft
Space Simulator. Nevertheless, someone else did, well, sort of. Even
though Orbiter has no relation to MSS, it is what MSS could be with
modern 3D graphics. The high resolution textures are awesome, and the
simulation is great. Plus, Orbiter is constantly being developed, always
getting better. |
|
Elite
Plus (241kb)
+ Elite
(49kb)
|
|
Elite
Plus is the graphics enhanced version of the original Elite game that
started a new category of space trading games. The Elite series provides
us with an unmatched gaming experience. The player is given total freedom
of action, he is the one who takes sides, sets goals, explores. Many
people consider this version to be the best elite game, but if you haven't
played it back in it's time it might not seem apealing.
download Elite from Underdogs.org |
|
Elite
II : Frontier
|
|
My
favourite of the Elite series. I consider this the best game ever created.
David Braben fitted an entire galaxy full of stars, planets, satelites,
colonies in a single floppy disk! OK, the worlds become a little repetitive
and the names sound silly but, still, Elite : Frontier offers a vast
universe to explore. You start of with a small trader spaceship. It
is up to you to become a trader, a miner, an assasin, a smuggler, an
explorer, a pirate, or even work for the military. You can travel anywhere
in Elite's space wich is based on an accurate physics model. The options
are countless and the only drawback of the game is the time it requires
in order to fully master it and also the numerous bugs that the software
has. |
|
Frontier
: First Encounters (Elite III)
|
|
The
third Elite game is quite similar to the second (Frontier). Originally
it was supposed to be an enhanced version of Elite II, but the several
new features, much better graphics and other reasons (mainly of financial
nature) led to the release of a new sequel. If you thought that Elite
II was buggy then you haven't seen this piece of software. Microsoft's
Win 95 programmers would be surprised that someone has actually outdone
them... The software was even recalled from the shelves and re-released
with some missions missing (they couldn't get them to work). Nevertheless,
the game is a genuine Elite with more features and if you save frequently
you will enjoy this piece of software. |
|
Buzz
Aldrin's Race Into Space (9.13MB)
+ manual
(1.69MB)
|
|
This game
could have been called Space Race : The Simulation. It is a difficult
strategy game that simulates the entire Space Race from the 1950's with
the first satellites to the 1990's with the space shuttles and space telescopes.
You can choose between the two Superpowers in an attempt to set the most
space records and gain the most prestige for your nation. The scanned
game manual can also be downloaded in order to help you get the most out
of this interesting and detailed strategic simulator. |
|
Shuttle
: The Simulator (914kb)
+ manual
(58kb)
|
|
This is probably
the best space shuttle simulator available. The graphics are nice (remember,
this is an old game) and the simulation is accurate. Moreover, the game
is difficult. The manual should help you get started though. |
|
Project
: Space Station (193kb)
+ manual
(129kb)
|
|
This is an
old game with CGA graphics, that consists of planning missions that will
eventually create a Space Station in orbit. The game is pretty detailed
and can be quite interesting if graphics and sound are overlooked.
|
|
Moonbase
(231kb)
|
|
Moonbase is
a Simcity type game. It does not offer as many options as simcity, but
the theme alone should be enough for some of you to download and play
it. Even if it is simpler than Simcity it has several types of units and
can be enjoyed, as it has an understandable interface. |
|
Orbiter
(139kb)
+ manual
(1.73MB)
|
|
The guys at
Spectrum Holobyte did it this time. They tried to make an accurate simulation
of the Space Shuttle and the same time an interesting game. What they
accomplished is the most complex and frustrating game in the history of
PC's. I cannot play this game (not that I tried over 5 minutes), but if
you want to try it out yourself, first read the manual... |
|
SimEarth
(915kb)
|
|
SimEarth is
not exactly a Space game. It is a geological similator by Maxis, based
on the gaia hypothesis. However, the Martian Terraformation scenario and
game elements such as the "monolith" led me to the decition
to include the game in my list. |