Rebel Galaxy Outlaw....

Spoilers ahead....

And just like that it was over..... I'm still a bit stunned by the ending. It was a sudden end but not an unexpected one from a story point of view(given the character).

I'm getting ahead of myself, where was I from last time... 

Getting so far into the main story while also persisting with 'buddy' missions seems to have stemmed the flood of those buddy missions. They felt never ending but I can appreciate the cash income as well as the (some)story-lines. I guess it was the tsunami of 'help me' messages all at once that was off-putting. As were the buddy communication looking for help(again and again)after any completed mission, all muddled up and confusing. I persisted to get them done before the next main story mission. Story wise it could have been done a little more slowly and with a bit more nuance to make me feel like I wanted them as a buddy... Immersive it was not. One was't a choice I'd have made(Conor), but it is 'forced' as part of the main story. Others at the very least have a bit of character and an independent story to move things along and even be likable. Some buddies story-lines are left hanging(in my view). Others are wrapped up nicely.

 The end game is long enough and hard enough fight wise that it's interesting without being frustrating.

It just seems the more you reach the final line the more the story speeds up regardless of the narrative. It can be jarring. The main quest-line has two main threads. One is left open on purpose(next game  or DLC), the other so quick in it's resolution that it's end was like a guillotine(see gif above). That's not to say they aren't bad but there's more questions than answers. Reading up a bit online seems there was talk that the game had registered the choices made for the potential of future DLC carryover.... Which never happened. A pity both for the game and the players. Which in turn makes me ask questions about it's development given it's Epic store exclusivity deal delays etc. 

As for endgame one thing I will say with the 'mothership' police fight is that the cover you can get parked between it's engines is a life saver. Acting just like I was a stationary turret and the ship my shield.

Even at that it was enjoyable to watch(while also shooting and using ECM etc etc). A real capital ship fleet fight like those I've been part of in the Freespace games(the game again with the nostalgia). 

So the dialogue choices have no real game effect. You could say they are for flavour as the results in the conversations are neutral to the choice you make. Good for my gameplay point of view(balanced). Which I liked given the overall story and how she's never really your character to play but her own(your just there to push buttons to make it happen); So your not forced into it and there's a Matrix style perception of choice. That's not all a bad thing for the game.... I'm waffling now.

I may be giving off a lot of negative vibes but I was happy with pretty much everything in the end. Overall and in retrospect some buddies could have been done better and the ending could do with some finesse. 

Makes me also want to know more about the first game(in Juno's future); But that might be a bridge too far for me right now.

All said and done I'll spend some more time in the game. It's an enjoyable universe to be in.... If I can impart anything I'd say play the game for what it is(in it's doing) than for the ending.

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While I don't consider that I've done every activity in game with my 60 hours I seem to have clocked up above average time with it due to enjoyment.

Knowledgebase:

Dodge Sector Map - https://rebelgalaxy.fandom.com/wiki/Dodge_Sector

Dodge Sector Trade Map -  https://i.redd.it/xck8dxeni1i31.png  - from https://www.reddit.com/r/RebelGalaxy/comments/cu16jk/dodge_sector_trade_map_fixed_and_printerfriendly/

Official Rebel Galaxy Outlaw Tip Sheet - https://rebel-galaxy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Rebel-Galaxy-Outlaw-Tip-Sheet.pdf

Rebel Galaxy Outlaw Guide; Beginners Tips and Tricks - https://www.indiegamewebsite.com/2019/08/13/rebel-galaxy-outlaw-guide-beginners-tips-and-tricks/

Bountiful Vista requirements - https://rebelgalaxy.fandom.com/wiki/Bountiful_Vista

The idiot's Guide To Finding Points of interest in Rebel Galaxy Outlaw - https://www.reddit.com/r/RebelGalaxy/comments/csv5fj/the_idiots_guide_to_finding_points_of_interest_in/

The idiot's Guide to Mining 101 in Rebel Galaxy Outlaw - https://www.reddit.com/r/RebelGalaxy/comments/cr2km6/the_idiots_guide_to_mining_101_in_rg_outlaw/

The Ultimate Ship Guide for Rebel Galaxy Outlaw: Ships, Builds, Combat, and More - https://www.gameskinny.com/54ctr/the-ultimate-ship-guide-for-rebel-galaxy-outlaw-ships-builds-combat-and-more

Rebel Galaxy Outlaw – 100% Achievement Guide - https://steamlists.com/rebel-galaxy-outlaw-100-achievement-guide/

RebelGalaxy Outlaw - Getting Started!

Rebel Galaxy Outlaw....

The right tool for the right job. The Foxbat with all ballistic weapons and use of ECM proved to be just that. Trying the Durgan fight with and the ECM was a breeze with no effort whatsoever.  

A Casual Carebear Gamer

After finishing it I was a bit dumbstruck that it was that easy given the other ships/gear I'd swapped out and tried previously. All in a very 'whats all the fuss about' kind of way. What can I say, this game is not 'usual' and takes some trial and error in a case like this......

Technically I'm now on the 6th stage(of 9) of the main quest-line.  The return of Xander which I've not done yet, but the story is 'heating up'.

Passing that Durgan mission gets access to a slew of messages in quick succession. All the unlockable 'buddies' literally come a'knocking on your door for help. They are ongoing and offer good rewards but they just don't stop; For a side quest junkie like me it's a bit frustrating to get a buddy call knowing they will offer a mission and then to not do it..... Yet I've come to accept that my mission log will never me empty(never thought that would happen). Waiting for the right ship/gear to do the Durgan fight has given me a lot of time to both get gear and credits; So there's not urgency for the buddy mission rewards other then to unlock them as a 'buddy'. Still I think Richter is the best all rounder as a wing-man.

Rebel Galaxy Outlaw....

I've been drawn to spend a lot more time in RGO, more than other games at the moment. Between the game universe in general, combat, trading and games of 8-ball...... It's enjoyable to 'just' be in. I may persist in saying that too much but it's true.

Bigger isn't always better. At least when it comes to ships and their fits in Rebel Galaxy Outlaw. I've praised the Blood Eagle, I've praised the Beluga but I've had way more fun in the Foxbat! Specifically I think because I've downgraded from 'better' energy weapons to lower down the food chain, ballistic weapons(less shield damage and more on hull).

A Casual Carebear Gamer

Getting into the Foxbat was prompted by the Beluga getting stomped on again in the Durgan Fight. I guess I've tried the fight as a 'normal' leveling player, tried it as the Beluga tank; so why not mix things up. As I said before, all options open. This game if nothing else isn't linear with ships and gear combinations. Expense is by no means an indicator of 'better'(true in a lot of ways in game and out).

ECM is also a thing I need to do more. Right stick click on an Xbox controller. Even if it works on an RNG system and you get bad roll's any damage mitigation chance is good....

Rebel Galaxy Outlaw....

Yet more progress, even if it's 'just' credits. Credits make the universe roll on. So I went and tried the Baluga. Upgrading weapons and other fittings as I went. In for a penny in for a pound. 

I needed to try it out. To my surprise it's not just a bulky hauler but a combat beast. Three turrets really add to the mix and makes up for it's less maneuverable flight, which isn't all that sluggish.

While I was happy in the Blood Eagle I need a ship that will get me through the Durgan fight. A fight that seems to set a fleet on my áss the moment combat starts, regardless of all else I do. With the Beluga fitted I tried the fight and survived long enough to kill Durgan but then get killed myself. So some tweaking to tactics and with luck I'll finally get past it. I hope. A PITA if ever there was one.

For a game I like and can promote it does come with a huge caveat. That fight is way too tough given it's 'early' place in the story-line. Maybe I'm wrong but that's how it feels.

Gaining credits and buying better gear helps in general and I've been enjoying the game overall; but getting hammered so hard on that fight is a massive blow to game enthusiasm. It's made me weary at times. Still 'just' being in the game is fun, it has it's charm(nostalgia and bias aside).

Above the Blood Eagle on the ship food chain, the Coyote and Dingo are less appealing to me. Only buying and fitting will tell that for sure. Not like I've never been wrong on that score before. Further trials needed but the Foxbat will need to be done first. A ship that reminds me of a type in Privateer 2. Trial and error, all options are open. 

All that said I may just get past the fight in the Beluga. The only thing I don't like about it is the muddled, huge, ui reticle! I know they change per ship and are an outline of the ship but the Beluga is so big!!

Rebel Galaxy Outlaw....

Pottering away with missions, mining, trading and many games of 8-ball I've both fully upgraded Bountiful Vista and have a Blood Eagle. 

There's been no disappointment with the ship, I've even upgraded some weapons and equipment.

Doing some more missions got enough credits which 'made an upgrade' to a Coyote(always looking at the next rung up the ladder) easier. One successful mission in Eureka later in it and I 'downgraded' back to the blood eagle! I barely survived it. Too much damage was being done too fast to me. If not for police and a buddy to help I'd have failed it.

Despite the 'difficulty' being a system set semi dynamic (ship/equipment) calculation, it's not an easy thing to get a gut feeling for. I've been in 'better' ships(on paper) and still been crushed faster in low end 'starter' systems.... I don't 'get' it. 

Getting back into the Blood Eagle I felt I had upgraded enough to try the Durgan fight again. My new Blood Eagle and upgraded gear was stomped on faster in the Durgan fight than in ships I'd been in previously. While not feeling as down as I had about that first ship upgrade. I'm questioning the grind to get all the best gear because I've no idea if that's whats really needed to survive the fight. It's still a fight that a player reaches early in the game story arc; It shouldn't be that hard! Should it?

Progress is still progress; I've made some. This is another bump in the road. As for driving on from here, a break from the game may be needed. No Eureka moment.

Rebel Galaxy Outlaw....

I'd intended to post this last Friday but when a backup hard drive with 5 terabytes of saved game footage/edits(I'm a data hoarder) decides to die and take all data with it... So an excuse for being 'distracted'..... Seems to be happening a lot lately, drives and data loss/recovery(Xbox & PC's, thumb drives and external hard disks etc).... Thankfully I did get 98% recovered. Tricks of the trade, software, luck and a lot of time.... Some things were lost but not stuff I'd really miss, or couldn't replace from elsewhere.... Just waiting for the next big thing to happen... Has me really paranoid now....

Anyhow.....

My way of playing this game has been different than I'd normally do elsewhere; Less focused on what I want and more going with the flow of the character. Or at least it seems that way. The main character is already developed, backstory that drives/motivates her need for progress in the story, the main reason for the game..... I'm a passenger on this journey while doing other things of interest. It's like a self fulfilling prophecy. Having a wider universe to interact with is coincidental. There's nothing stopping a gamer from doing anything in game; But as a gamer I get more out of it following along. Not that it's a truly narrative on rails kind of game either. At least in my opinion. There's a lot to it in a lot of ways. The game is generous in it's reactions when you do. Most gamers are law abiding, so when the story needs you to 'go up against' the law there are no lasting effects to the 20 ships you just shot. As if it was a random criminal act, like your incognito for that mission. That kind of way. Which works for me. I'm a middle of the road, all options open kind of gamer so no surprise(replay saves in other games are for 'alternative' storyline directions). Of course if you go out of your way to be criminal then you'll be treated as such longterm, but it's not what the game is generally about.

It's down to story/universe immersion as well. It's more a thing for me in this game than I've felt in other genre games. Privateer 2, even with it's FMV and character story wasn't as visceral as I'm finding RGO's immersion. That's not to denigrate the Priv2 experience or other games like it. Priv 2; It's still a great game even showing it's age. A game of it's time but a game that still stands. RGO at least for me also has the Firefly effect. I'm invested with nostalgia for that show via the game now. As I keep saying the game covers a lot of ground genere wise, games and Sci-Fi TV, there's a lot to like.

RGO is the fist game I've played in a long while where I felt an urge to go play a mini game(8-ball/pool)... Spend 30 minutes on a few rounds, win, loose and still want more.....

A Casual Carebear Gamer

Maybe it's the little things of the game that make it more relatable. Like when enemies are piling on the damage and the character reacts just like I'd wtf react. Maybe that's just me in the here and now of my gaming life-cycle. RGO's space combat is still arcadey retro fun (to me), but I can get why it's not everyone's cup of tea. Each to their own. I don't get why a lot of gamers can't let it live alongside other genre games that are more 'simulation'-esque, spewing their disdain in reviews..... Like a bit of game-play give and take would be the worst thing in the world.

The game is getting a lot of 'nuanced' hate dislike that's very gamer specific. That's putting it kindly. There're a lot of biased A.F. haters out there. The few negatively swaying the many in the middle.

I 'just' think the game deserves better.

Then again I'm a blogger waffling away. I do like the simulation side (of some games)as well... I 'get' ETS 2 and Farm Sim but I don't 'get' MS Flight Sim or Train Sim World 2... I guess that makes me a simulation fan but not hardcore.......It's all gamer specific, moods and tastes can change but online reviews seem to last forever with no cleanup, retrospective editing or true player context. At least for my part I have a blog and waffle and update posts and explain views(explain?!?); All of which can be seen over time and looked up with blog tags.....  But then again(again, again) who's gonna really spend time and effort to look up a blog or do some detective homework on a game when there's an easy yes/no, like/dislike quick glance on game reviews/comments etc.

As for my own gameplay even now I'm not sure why I reacted as strongly as I did to upgrading my ship. I guess the fact that my thoughts on a balanced ship being 'unfairly' stomped on got to me. Upgrading again to a 'lighter' but more capable ship has proved better for sure and has for the last while gotten me through tougher situations than I'd have thought possible. I do now 'like'/appreciate the Sandhawk. 

A Casual Carebear Gamer

As a further upgrade I'm eyeing the Coyote with a side of Durston; They are a while away yet. I'm still looking for 'that one' ship that does it all and won't need me to change it again....

Looking down the main quest line I'm at the Durgan fight, the last part of stage III. Only a third the way into the game. I thought I'd done more. Maybe I've done a lot more of my own thing than I'd thought. Trading, pirate hunting etc. Rebel Galaxy Outlaw is also not the only game I'm playing. If it was then I'd have completed more, sooner. That adds to the 'illusion' of gamepaly time and progress. Dodge sector, the game world, isn't that big but it's not small either with a lot of variation in between. I think I need more time in game to grow my assets/wealth. Some call that a grind, others immersion. For me, now, it feels best done with a push on the Bountiful Vista Questline to open things up. Options, more options are always good. Doing that quest line will clue me in better to the broader game. Once that's well in hand the main questline should be easier. Addin in the Buddy and Friend Questlines will add to the mix.

Rebel Galaxy Outlaw....

The follow up gameplay from my last post was less fun than I wanted. In that last post I said that my ship upgrade, my first ship upgrade from Platypus to Sonora didn't 'feel' like an upgrade. It proved more true the more I played. Yes I was able to take down harder enemies but harder enemies come with harder and more numerous packs. Even with my own 'buddy' on my wing it wasn't fun to get 3 or 4 hit destroyed by a group.

I persisted in game with trading, courier contracts and mining; Added in some 'lesser' combat missions but that felt like going backwards in game-play. Till I stopped playing the game. The excitement and 'want' to be in the universe faded more quickly than I'd have liked. Faster than I thought possible. Part frustration and part disappointment. The ship upgrade that was a mistake hit hard. 

I'm all about balanced, middle of the road, jack of all trades. "A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one"; And (I feel)this game needs you to fly one ship and do all the things. My choice of ship upgrade was to cater to that but in practice has come up lacking.....And so no wonder my game-play as well. 

So the game has sat again as an icon on my desktop for a while. 

I still agree with what I said in my last post. Yet it has turned sour with the choice of a ship.... Harsh yet true..... I was surprised that one choice should change so much in the game(for me). 

The thing overall is that I couldn't play the game they way I wanted after the choice I made and that felt 'off'..... Hard to describe but that's the jist of it.

I wondered where to go from there. I may not have played the game but the game stayed with me.

Specific ship hopping to do specific missions? For me that feels like too much faffing about lacking game-play..... Rebel Galaxy Outlaw is not an Eve Online station ship spinner kind of game.

It is a game; And I'm a gamer that needs that 'one' do it all ship. I'm being very resistant to ship change..... I'm not sure I can fully explain that either. But needs must even if it's not compelling game-play.  As much a personal game-play block as bumps in the road of gamepaly mechanics....  

A further 'upgrade'?

To a Sandhawk.....? 

Comparing the Conora and Sandhawk stats on the face of it, it's less overall....

It 'feels' wrong as an upgrade...  

But I did it.

Using it in practice it's got speed, speed for sure and survives better in practice against larger groups..... Not a tanky ship but a kitey one. I need to adjust more to 'get used to it'.... It's not like there's that many ships in game.

The player ownable station Bountiful Vista is the way forward for further 'better' ship purchases as well as game-play motivation in general. Doing missions there for station upgrades will bring more purpose and with luck 'fun'. 

I have hesitation due to what I think will be a lack of fun and a grind to work through....

I'll only find out in the doing. Worth a try to see at the least.... 

Rebel Galaxy Outlaw....

While the Rebel Galaxy franchise has it's own stories, lore and protagonists.... Rebel Galaxy Outlaw is a game that gets me as close to living in the world of Firefly as any game can(to date). A Sci-Fi 'Western', living and breathing. Seeing it in action makes me appreciate all that attracted me to it.

It was a long wait. 2 years of a wait as the game developed and more with it's Epic exclusivity and more development time. But then it hit Steam. With only myself and a ton of other games to play further delaying me really get into it... Too many games and not enough time.... An eternal struggle. A journey worth the wait.

Gaming wise it tickles all my nostalgic rose tinted memories of older sci-fi space shooters which I 'grew up' on on PC in the 90's/2000's. Privateer 2, Freespace 1 &2, Wing Commander 3,4 & Prophecy...This game pays a lot of homage to them. I appreciate that a lot; Pity the bulk of lower steam reviews don't see it that way.

Jumping from system to system be it hunting pirates or trading. It has the same type of systems as Privateer 2's galaxy; Which makes it so familiar. Large but not so big as to be incomprehensible. With police and trade ships going about their own business. 

Docking at stations or planets gaining contracts to intercept or escort those traders or get tips on space loot. Rebel Galaxy Outlaw adds so much more to the ol'school mix.

The traffic control of stations; the planetary on ramps all add to the feel of the universe. The 'little things' that add so much without notice.

The comms system to interact or goad spacefarers/pirates and interact with the police also adds to the mix. As does the PDA to sort and inform in and out of game information/options.

The combat is so very similar to Freespace, Freespace 2 in fitting your ship and grinding down shields for that perfect missile hit. The biggest upgrade to combat in this game compared to the older titles is the target lock auto tracking system that is semi-auto-aim-esque for your gun systems. I appreciate that as a casual gamer with nostalgia but there are harder modes of gameplay and so the game caters to the more hardcore among us as well; Choice matters.

A tractor beam; Being able to pull in cargo and 'capture' ejected pilots all adds to the bank balance. Unless like me you don't time things well and run over the cargo, destroying 'it' and damaging your ship.... Or tractor in illegal good with a cop beside you....

With bars being in every port of call hard gamblers can even visit such places as a casino station... It does look the part. Tacky but very Vegas lights. Hilarious. It reminds me of the Bacchus from Space Above and Beyond.

The vanity flair of dashboard pics and statues is another fun element to the game. I've posted about my Forged character from Trochlight III and his dashboard counterpart.

The difference above in the cockpit layout/displays is due to my upgrade from Platypus to Sonora. An upgrade that looks better on paper than in person.

Despite being able to do more in the newer ship it doesn't feel as hardy even if it is 'better'. The Platypus may be a lump of junk but it soaks damage and keeps going. Maybe that's the point of the 'feel' and uniqueness of the ships. Balance, give and take. More nuanced than many may think.

I'm hoping a final upgrade to a Coyote brings more enjoyment balance with it.... 

 

Or maybe a slow but weapon filled Durston for survival might be better....

At least the ships don't depreciate and hold value for a trade in. As you can only own one at a time it works out. I'm not sure about late game where I feel I'd like to own a lot of ships to mix and match the occasion. I saw an option to own a station so maybe there's late game options. For now it's a lot of fun and a game I'll be spending a lot of time in. Another game to 'just' enjoy being in.

RebelGalaxy