Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos

Independence War 2 features an innovative user-friendly interface--90 percent of the functions can be programmed on the joystick, keyboard, or both. Get online multiplayer support for up to eight people. Play deathmatch, capture the flag, and various other unique scenarios. This game utilizes the revolutionary Flux graphics engine, is Microsoft Direct3D compatible, has surface effects such as rust, decay, and wear on the ships, and features stunning fire and flare effects. All ships in the game are modeled using the textures and details from the ships created for the CGI movies, and use a Newtonian mechanics simulation, moving according to the same rules as real spacecraft. This includes a simulation of both linear and angular momentum, inertia, and rotational moment of inertia. Ships can use either a free-flight mode or use computer-assisted fly-by-wire flight controls.

Team up against the enemy with detachable fighters. Keep them onboard as murderous gun turrets or order them to attack as wingmen. Nonlinear gameplay spans 16 star systems. Interact with dynamically created space traffic. Command four flyable ships and more than 30 weapons and ship accessories that you can use in near-infinite combinations. Get to know the locals, including taxicab ships, freighters, space patrols, and pirates. Watch the space opera unfold through a rich story line in four acts.

The learning curve on this game is a bit steep, especially on multiplayer but well worth the effort IMHO.


Underrated game   July 21, 2003
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Rarely do you find a game these days that has the two qualities that make a great game. Graphics and gameplay. Far too aften it's one or the other. These days the plot usually has to suffer because developers spend way too much time trying to visually impress the gamer.
This is not the case in I-War 2. From the main menu interface, the music, just the presentation in general upon first installing the game it's hard not to initially sit there with your mouth open in awe. Though far and few between, the cutscenes in this game are nothing less than spectacular. Don't be fooled though, the learning curve on this game is very steep. I knew this from the get go and I decided I was going to finish this game. I started playing Sep 02, I finished it in around April 03. I don't have the time to play 10 hr marathons, but everytime I did sit down, I played this.
One of the downfalls in the game is that there are a few problems with the in game scripting, in laymen's terms sometimes parts of the script won't continue if certain things are done in a right order, and it can be very frustrating, especially because there's no way to know. With a very small amount of time there are fan websites that can help guide you or show you what your doing wrong. Plus through patches about 95% of these "holes" have been fixed.
Another reason so many found the game difficult is the physics of the game, it is a sim so it uses zero gravity, meaning once you start accelerating unless you accelerate the other direction you'll keep going that direction. It makes combat very interesting and very difficult to master.
I can't recommend this game enough, the story kept me going to the end, the music and sound effects are beautiful, top notch graphics, exciting epic space battles, a true space sim in every aspect.