| X²: The Threat | |
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| Developer(s) | Egosoft Freeverse Software (Mac OS X version) |
| Publisher(s) | Deep Silver (EU) Enlight (NA) Virtual Programming (Mac OS X version) Linux Game Publishing (Linux version) |
| Distributor(s) | Valve Corporation (Steam) |
| Engine | X² Engine |
| Version | 1.4 |
| Released | 2003 July 21, 2006 (Steam) |
| Genre | Space simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Ratings | ESRB: Teen (T) |
| Platform(s) | Linux, Mac OS X, Windows |
| Media | CD-ROM, Steam |
| Input methods | Keyboard, Mouse, Joystick |
X²: The Threat is a computer game developed by Egosoft for Windows. It is part of the X Computer Game Series. It was released in 2003 and is a sequel to X: Beyond the Frontier. Freeverse Software ported the game to Mac OS X in 2004/2005, while Linux Game Publishing produced their Linux port in 2005/2006.
Contents |
Gameplay
As with the originals, X²: The Threat is a space trading and combat simulation, whereby the player is set in the fictional X Universe, many light years from Earth. The game features a new graphics engine, a much expanded Universe and 60 different flyable ships, along with a great number of new missions to complete. Unlike the expansion pack, X-Tension, which was almost entirely open-ended, X²: The Threat has a clear background story involving an aggressive alien race known as the Khaak. However, the game remains open-ended and the player is free to pursue the plot at their own pace, if at all. X²: The Threat was generally well received by critics, with many reviewers praising the graphics and the amount of freedom offered to the player. Common complaints were that X²: The Threat, like its predecessors, was quite slow paced and had a steep learning curve. The sequel to this game is X3: Reunion (2005).
Plot
The player takes the role of Julian Gardna, a pirate and thief. Early on, the Khaak, a hostile alien race, emerge to threaten the X-Universe. The player is asked to undertake a series of missions to uncover their origins, their intentions, and to determine their connection to his missing father. Ultimately, Julian must fight off a massive attack by Khaak, rescuing numerous other characters in the process. Key non-player characters include:
- Bret Serra: rogue, pirate and Julian's closest friend;
- Ban Danna: the head of Argon Secret Service who shares a close relationship with Julian's father dating back to the previous game, X: Beyond the Frontier;
- Elena Kho, Chief Executive in the influential Terracorp corporation;
- Saya Kho, daughter of Elena Kho;
- Kyle Brennan, Julian's father, founder of Terracorp, and protagonist from the previous games.
Due to the expense of completing the plot, the player is periodically prompted to break away from the plot and increase their resources through trade and other open-ended play.
Open Ended
X2 is set within the X-Universe, which consists of 130 sectors connected by two-way jumpgates. The main area of each sector typically contains several stations and at least one gate. The game is open-ended allowing the player to go where they like, when they like, doing whatever they like; a player is limited only by their in-game status and resources. As such, a driving force of the game is to acquire credits - the universal currency - and status. Using credits a player can buy wares from a station, for a price. These wares may then be flown to another station where they can be sold, ideally for a higher price. However, prices vary - from minute to minute, second to second - depending on demand. The less of a ware there is, the higher its price. As such, the X-Universe has a truly dynamic market-driven economy. A player can capitalise on emergent trends to make vast profits; or as easily, can waste money and time on a bad cargo choice. As a player builds profits they can buy equipment, weapons, ships, and even stations (to produce more wares, weapons and equipment). The player can acquire an unlimited number of ships and stations, of varying size, shape and function. A player can set their own goals, and devise their own missions, and choose their own path in how they wish to shape the universe. The game contains numerous races. Status affects how races, and individuals respond to the player, and what kind of missions are offered. A player status is categorised according to 'Mercantile' skill, 'Combat' skill, and a 'Notoriety' ranking for each race.
Ships
- M1 Carrier: Can hold many fighters. They specialise in defence rather than attacking ability.
- M2 Destroyer: Can hold a few fighters. They have about 18 lasers spaced over 6 turret possitions.
- M6 Corvette: Small capital ships. They are more manoeuvrable than large capital ships and have better shields and weapons than the fighters. Can hold one M5 fighter.
- M3 Fighter: A heavy fighter. Has larger shields and weapons than the M4 as well as a larger cargobay.
- M4 Interceptor: Medium shielded and armed fighter. Quick and effective on patrols.
- M5 Scout: The lightest ship. Minimal shields and weapons. The fastest class of ship.
- TL Large Transporter: The largest ships. Can carry stations to their building location. Can dock fighters, TP and TS class ships. Vast cargo space.
- TS Small Transporter: A ship made for hauling bulk quantities of wares between stations. Slow, well shielded with light turret defences.
- TP Passenger Transporter: Fast ships with good cargo space. Needed for passenger missions. Usually protected by a turret.
| Argon | Boron | Paranid | Split | Teladi | Pirates | Xenon | Kha'ak | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 Carrier | Colossus | Shark | Zeus | Raptor | Condor | N/A | J | Kha’ak Carrier |
| M2 Destroyer | Titan | Ray | Odysseus | Python | Phoenix | N/A | K | Kha’ak Destroyer |
| M6 Corvette | Centaur | Hydra | Nemesis | Dragon | Osprey | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| M3 Fighter | Nova | Barracuda | Perseus | Mamba | Falcon | Orinoco | L | Kha'ak Fighter |
| M4 Interceptor | Buster | Mako | Pericles | Scorpion | Buzzard | Bayamon | M | Kha'ak Interceptor |
| M5 Scout | Discoverer | Octopus | Pegasus | Jaguar | Harrier | Mandalay | N | Kha'ak Scout |
| TL Large Transporter | Mammoth | Orca | Hercules | Elephant | Albatross | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| TS Small Transporter | Mercury | Dolphin | Demeter | Caiman | Vulture | Pirate Ship | N/A | N/A |
| TP Personnel Transporter | Express | Manta | Hermes | Iguana | Toucan | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Factions
Argon Federation
The descendants of the original Human colonists who survived the conflict with the emergent Terraformers, they have largely suppressed the memories of their origins and regard Earth as something of a fairy-tale. Argon ships & installations are built in huge automated facilities and have a very clean, technical aesthetic. Their ships can be identified by distinctive pale blue exhaust trails and are considered the most balanced of all ships available. The exception is the Argon M3 Nova, which is considered by many players to be the best heavy fighter available in the game. While its maximum velocity, maneuverability, and cargo capacity are strictly average, the Nova can be equipped with two powerful Beta High Energy Plasma Throwers (HEPTs) and three 25MW shield generators. The Nova is the only fighter craft of any race to be equipped with a defensive rear turret. With excellent defenses and the best firepower of any heavy fighter, the Nova can be outfitted to achieve a variety of tasks. Argon Mercury-class freighters are relatively weak when compared to the TS ships of the other race. While the ship is well-defended and well-armored, it lacks the speed or carry capacity of the freighters of most other races.
Boron Kingdom
An aquatic species which evolved in the ammonia-rich oceans of their homeworld. They are open and friendly but seem to lack the devious cunning of the other races, having great trouble understanding the motives behind such actions as betrayal and spite. Boron ships are built almost entirely by hand-analogue, as a result they are usually quite expensive. Boron ships tend to be reasonably fast, maneuverable, and adequately shielded at the cost of firepower. The Boron Ray is for many players a popular choice for their first destroyer capital ships. The Ray one of the cheapest destroyers available in the game, and while faster than most other destroyers, is also well-armed and shielded. Boron Hydras are considered by far the weakest corvettes in the game. While Hydras are adequately shielded and fast, they are armed with only one laser cannon and one laser turret, giving the craft less firepower than either a Pirate Bayamon or Argon Nova. The Boron are the only race besides the Argon who field ships capable of fitting the Ion Disruptor weapon.
Teladi Company
A reptilian species of scavengers and merchants driven by an insatiable desire for financial gain, they are quite approachable so long as you have money but will renege on a deal if they believe it is profitable to do so. Teladi ships are built in vast orbital sweatshops from cannibalised parts of other races ships that they have bought, traded, or just outright "borrowed". Teladi ships are usually slower but have more cargo capacity than those of the other races. Teladi fighters tend to have less firepower than those of the other races while their capital ships are more expensive and have more shielding and firepower than those of the other races. Teladi ships can be identified by their green exhaust trails. Unless a player intends to make a name for his or herself in the galaxy strictly through trading, the Teladi M3 Falcon is not a popular choice for a heavy fighter craft. The Falcon is armed with only two Alpha High Energy Plasma Throwers, which have decreased effectiveness against shields and are about as effective as a Beta Particle Accelerator Cannon - for five times the cost. Teladi Ospreys are popular choices for corvette craft due to their being the best armed and armored of all the corvettes in the game. Ospreys are usually equipped with three 125MW shields and are armed with two laser cannons and four laser turrets each capable of at least supporting a Beta High Energy Plasma Thrower. While speed is sacrificed for these advantages, Ospreys still retain comparable velocity to many M3 craft.
Paranid Empire
A race of heat-adapted insectoids, the Paranid have a very closed society based worship of a supreme being/entity called "Xaar" (A title often adoped by various Imperal heads of state.) They barely tolerate trade and are often considered to be abrupt in their dealing with others. Paranid ships are built in hi-tech dual workshops. The hulls are constructed in one factory, then transported to another to have their systems fitted. The ships tend to have good shielding and above-average hull plating at the expense of firepower and cargo holds. Paranid ships are identified by yellow exhaust trails. Their ships also heavily utilize phased shockwave generator (PSG) technology, with their capital craft being the only ones that can mount the devastating Gamma PSG; as a result the Paranid Odysseus is considered to be the deadliest destroyer on the market due to the high number of PSGs that it can carry.
Split Dynasty
Violent, and often crude humanoids with short tempers and even shorter vocabulary. The Split are a martial race who take great pleasure in all forms of combat, most especially against the Boron who they believe to be evilly sly and bent on their destruction. Split ships are built with one purpose in mind - Combat. All their ships can carry some form of offensive armament (including freighters), and are usually the fastest in their respective class. While very maneuverable, Split ships are undershielded and identified by vivid red exhaust trails. Split capital ships generally have fewer forward weapon hardpoints compared with those of other races. The Split are the only race besides the Argon who field ships capable of fitting the mass driver weapon.
Pirates
Not a race in and of themselves, more of a collection of individuals from other races. They are often involved in many areas of the X economy, both legal and otherwise. Pirate ships can be any of the main race ships, but they do have some "native" designs which are more suited to their needs. Their ships leave yellow/white exhaust trails. Pirate fighters tend to have average to low shielding and are fairly fast. They also mount a fair selection of special weaponry such as PSGs or Ion Disruptors.
Xenon
The Xenon were originally created by Humans centuries ago as terraforming tools, who after years of continuous use started to think independently and eventually turned on their creators. Xenon ships seem to be very sturdy, and have little trouble maneuvering even at high speeds. Their ships leave yellow/white exhaust trails.
Kha'ak
Very little is known about the Khaak. It is rumoured they are insectoid, but no-one has ever managed to actually "see" one to verify this. They attack all races on sight (even Xenon) and press the battle regardless of casualties. Khaak ships have unusual beam weapons that seldom miss and are quite quick and agile. Their fighters often enter battle joined together in a "cluster". They have however, very weak armour. Thus, making the Khaaks very sensitive to shots and other collisions. Khaak ships leave purple trails.
Gallery
External links
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| Capitalism series | Capitalism · Capitalism Plus · Capitalism II |
| Empire series | Hotel Giant · Marine Park Empire · Restaurant Empire · Zoo Empire |
| Seven Kingdoms series | Seven Kingdoms · Seven Kingdoms II: The Fryhtan Wars |
| TrackMania series | TrackMania |
| X series | X²: The Threat · X³: Reunion |
| Other games | Bad Day L.A. · Baseball Mogul 2007 · Scrapland · Warlords Battlecry III |
