Space Rangers 2

[Vorph]

Gonna split this off into its own thread so as to not derail the CoD one. I didn't realize there'd actually be people who've played Space Rangers 1.

For those who don't know, the games are free-form space sims like Elite, but instead of a flight-sim style interface it's more like Star Control 2. It's mostly turn-based, but there's real-time arcade sequences while you're in hyperspace or black holes. Also, in the second game they've added a RTS mini-game, planetary battles, and something like a text adventure as well. You have a ship which you can upgrade, you can get hirelings to work with you, and you have a choice of being a trader, mercenary, pirate hunter, or even a pirate yourself. The overall plot of the game involves an alien invasion, and once you get a decent ship and equipment, repelling them is the primary focus.

The Space Rangers 2 DVD version comes with the first game too (or at least the UK import version does).

Originally Posted by venom

I really enjoyed SR1 but I got my ass kicked in it every single time. It's frustrating when you're having fun and think you're doing good, then eventually the map gets taken over again by those faggot klissan dudes. Fun, but really hard game.

Is SR2 any easier than the original?

Nah, it's about the same difficulty as SR1. Very difficult to get started, until you get the hang of it (which is best done on Easy difficulty, since that greatly reduces the size of the invasion force, how much territory they control at the start, and how easily the NPC rangers can push them back without your help).

Even if you pick the best fighter setup, you'll still have a hard time killing much of anything in turn-based mode at the beginning. At best, you'll be strong enough to win a fight, but not strong enough to blow up their ship before they can escape. There's the same 5 races as SR1, but now there's 5 'classes' per race to pick from at the start instead of just 3. The xp system is a bit fleshed out too, and ships are more complex now in terms of available mount points and upgrades.

[McCheese]

Hmm, I'm surprised I never heard of Space Rangers before.

Is it anything like Pirates! (minus the Caribbean setting, obviously), assuming you've played that? It sounds similar, from your description.

[Vorph]

I've only ever played Pirates! Gold, not the recent remake of it, but yea... Space Rangers is fairly similar.

[venom]

Originally Posted by Vorph

Even if you pick the best fighter setup, you'll still have a hard time killing much of anything in turn-based mode at the beginning. At best, you'll be strong enough to win a fight, but not strong enough to blow up their ship before they can escape. There's the same 5 races as SR1, but now there's 5 'classes' per race to pick from at the start instead of just 3. The xp system is a bit fleshed out too, and ships are more complex now in terms of available mount points and upgrades.

I can't remember if I was playing on easy mode, or the default difficulty, but it was one or the other. What made it so hard was the amount of klissans that were stationed on each planet, and how they all turn right for you the moment you enter the planet. I was able to play a few games where I boosted my leadership skill in order to bring a partner with me when attacking a planet, but we were always outnumbered and outgunned. I couldn't figure out if there was a way to organize a group of rangers to attack a planet with you, or maybe a way to call for backup, but it seemed like there should be. I'd have to hope that some rangers would come while I was fighting on the planet (sometimes a few did), but most of the time I'd get chased off the planet before I could take out a ship or two.

Also, I would try and head for the planets that had the crossed swords icon since it meant there were other rangers on it fighting the klissans. I would get there and usually the fight was just winding down with only a couple klissans left to kill, or the planet would be swarming with klissans chasing away the rangers.

[Vorph]

http://www.octopusoverlords.com/phpB...ic.php?t=16820 is about the only decent gameplay FAQ for either game that I've seen. All the SR1 ones are in Russian.

[orcmauler]

Vorph,

Going from the FAQ and your description this sounds a lot like Silent Storm/Xcom series. Is this the case? I realize it is a bit more complicated, but do the turn based missions play this way? All in all it looks intriguing, but I am still hesitant to buy it.

[Vorph]

Nah, I wouldn't say it's like X-Com or SS at all really. It's all free-form and you just do whatever you feel like doing. Space missions range from fed ex runs to guard this sector for XX days and make sure pirates don't kill anyone to hunting down a particular pirate (which I would avoid because they are very easy to fail, and can backfire even if you succeed). Normal space combat involves moving a certain distance each turn and then firing on your opponent(s). If you know you outclass them, you can just set it to auto pilot to speed things up.

Entering a black hole puts you in a Star Control 2 style game where you fight a few enemies and get a nice artifact for winning. Unfortunately black holes are rare, and you won't get to do this much... which is one of the few things I miss from SR1 (because hyperspace worked that way too, in addition to black holes, and now hyperspace is just instant travel from sector to sector).

Planetary combat missions are a RTS-style game with bases and robots that you pick the parts for and build. It's fun the first few times, and is a good way to make money and xp early on, but in the long run it's the weakest part of the game.

The text-based quests occur randomly in place of other missions. Most of them are fun, although time-consuming. You also get to do one if you're caught smuggling, land on a planet where you're a wanted criminal, etc. If you get convicted and can't escape right away, you have to play out your 'sentence' in a choose-your-own-adventure multiple choice style.

Edit: If you do buy the game, I'd recommend getting the nocd crack before running the game for the first time so you can avoid ever installing the StarForce drivers on your pc.

[Jait]

Vorphs got it covered. And if anyone ever played Sentinel Worlds 1: Future Magic, you'll be in for a nice surprise, very similar game. SR2 also has more replayability than other games in the genre. Each new game resets the galaxy maps, governments, resources, etc...

The learning curve can be a bit steep for some but give it some time even if "easy" seems impossible. Realism is a big part of the progression and as a rookie, some games you wont start getting good quests until after a year or so. You're not going to load up and squash the Dominators with your stock ship, nor are you likely to even have the capability to take down a Pirate before they can get away or land. You really have to play smart.

If you're new I'd advise this:

Buy 2 probes, stick them on planets with cooresponding ratios (in other words don't stick a 0water/1land/1mountain probe on a Water planet).

Upgrade, upgrade, upgrade: Always check every market to find items/units that are *smaller* with similar or better stats than you already have. The added space helps you carry away more loot/cargo.

Don't get in over your head. If you try to help liberate or defend systems, go for opportunistic kills, don't take them on by yourself.

There are many factions. Beyond the normal Racial factions there's also the Scientific community (Science Bases), Ranger Community (Ranger bases), Pirates (Pirate Bases), and the Military (Military Bases). Each has their own form of Progression from killing Dominators and Pirates, to collecting Nodes.

If I can think of any other newbie advice I'll add it later. Unfortunately there's too many text-games to list, but trial and error will help you, as well as reading the instructions for each, very carefully.

[Callic]

I think SR2 is just about the most annoying game to try to get to run from torrents i've ever dled. Possibly the most unpiratable game ever


nvm i'm just retarded

I got owned by the "practice" droid i was supposed to kill as part of the tutorial

[Vorph]

You can't beat it with just one gun.

Unless you have a really good reason to do otherwise, a rocket launcher should always be one of the two bonus items you choose during character creation. It's a good weapon early on, and you can't actually buy one for a long time. Just be careful about over-using it, rockets are expensive (and don't forget to reload it when you get to a station).

[Callic]

yeah the OO guide helped me Immeasurably. Rocket launcher is pretty sweet, i shoot it a few times at any pirate i see, and they pay me to go away!