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FreeLancer is a space combat game developed by Digital Anvil, and distributed by MicroSoft. Players take missions, earn money, and can purchase a variety of different ships, weapons, and equipment to use during these missions. The game has two main play modes—single-player and online—and the single player story mode uses a variety of cutscenes and in-game dialog to advance the plot along. The online game is closer to Diablo than it is to X-Wing—the environment and characters are perpetual, and your characters accumulate cash and equipment between games.

What makes FreeLancer interesting?

FreeLancer is simply fun. Exploring the universe, wandering from star system to star system, and docking on various ships, asteroids, and planets to do business makes for a rich, engaging experience. Combat is challenging without being overwhelming—except for missions and story scenes where the opposition is supposed to be impossible to defeat. Hidden starbases, systems, and resources give the game good replayability, particularly when you consider that exotic cargoes and equipment are frequently only available in remote locations. Overall, the game provides good variety and delivers a polished, well balanced gaming experience.

Some specifics:

The Game Engine and Controls:

Buying, selling, and being offered missions are accomplished through an easy to use point-and-click interface, which is quite easy to use. However, the majority of the action in FreeLancer occurs while you are in the cockpit of your ship. Here, it is very apparent that Digital Anvil put considerable thought into designing and planning the game interface. The default setup is easy to learn, and more importantly, is easy to use.

The default setup for the game has you controlling your ship with your mouse, and using a variety of hotkeys to toggle various ship systems.

Your mouse itself controls the direction your ship flies, the left button is used to scan, lock on to, and target various objects, and your right button fires your weapons. For greater convenience, if you have a wheel mouse, the wheel can be used to accelerate or decelerate, which is very convenient.