Freespace 2

One of the best games ever made. If it worked straight out of the box like the GOG version that'd be even better, but luckily downloading Knossos from hardlight isn't very hard.

The best space sim game ever made. Worth every penny.

First of all, this game and its community is incredible. Hard-Light Productions has done a lot of amazing things with the game after its source code was released to the public. For an example, check out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM1YC_gK-qo

To make FreeSpace Open run on Steam, you have to do two things: Install Knossos, and install the registry fix.

Check out this guide to install Knossos: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=271287997

For the registry fix:

1) Go to the directory that the game was installed in
2) Go to the 'data' folder
3) DOUBLE click on the file 'FS2.reg'
4) Click 'Yes' When asked if you want 'Registry Editor' to make a system change
5) Click 'Yes' When Registry Editor asks if you are sure you want that change
6) Click 'OK' when Reg Edit says it's done

After those two fixes are installed, then you can actually play the game with modern graphics.

With Knossos, you can download FreeSpace Open and its associated mods. FreeSpace Open also allows you to play the original Descent: FreeSpace and its expansion, Silent Threat, as FreeSpace Port and Silent Threat: Reborn. I recommend starting with those two campaigns. After that, install Blue Planet Complete. Play "Freespace Blue" for the FreeSpace 2 campaign.

If you're still invested in FreeSpace after completing the 3 original FreeSpace campaigns, the Blue Planet series is the definitive "FreeSpace 3" by the community. Play the Blue Planet: Age of Aquarius and Blue Planet: War In Heaven campaigns, along with Blue Planet 2: The Battle Captains and Blue Planet: Chanticleer.

If you still want more FreeSpace after that, play Ancient-Shivan War and Between the Ashes, which explain the lore before Descent: FreeSpace and the era between Silent Threat and FreeSpace 2.

Trimurti, Vassago's Dirge, and Derelict are also amazing fan campaigns that give the Shivan perspective of the FreeSpace trilogy.

You can even mod the game with mods like Star Fox: Event Horizon which is a total conversion for the game and has Star Fox missions remade in the FreeSpace Open engine. There are mods for Battlestar Galactica and Star Wars, too, along with other popular Sci-Fi franchises.

You can spend countless hours in FreeSpace 2, especially with FreeSpace Open. It has well-thought out campaigns that feel epic, and large battles with tons of objectives to complete and lots of ships flying around. The controls are intuitive, and tutorials are great. The game is very easy to get into with good level design and high production value. Overall I'd recommend this as one of my favourite games of all time, and the best space sim of all time.

I love this game it is amazing BUT it won't run normally direct from Steam you have to do a bunch of stuff just to get it to run, stuff which I don't know how or what to do.
You shouldn't have to download stuff or alter stuff to play a game from the 90s with the tech we have today it should be easy enough for them to make it able to run without a problem but sadly this is not the case.
If you want to play this game then expect hassles getting it to run, I personally only have it in my list because I'm a die hard fan who's loved it since it 1st came out & I hope one day that they'll fix it so it can be played easily on steam.
So even though I do think this game is amazing & worth playing if you don't want hassles trying to get it to run give this a pass untill they fix the game. Same goes for Freespace 1.

YOU NEED TO PLAY THIS GAME

If you are a fan of arcade shoot em' ups mixed with a bit of space sim, this is the best of the best in the genre.
I have 100s of hours in this from the physical CD version I had as a kid, and then the GOG version before it was released on steam.

My favorite game of ALL TIME, and one of THE BEST GAMES ever made, period.

The wonderful community over at Hard Light have worked hard to update the game's graphics to modern standards, do yourself a favor if you do want to play this;

Freespace Open Installer <--- Go here and install the updated graphics, to play the game in full resolution, and even play 100s of custom modpacks made by some of the most dedicated fans of all time.

You wont regret it.

Although this game came out a long time ago, it really challenges your brain, hand eye coordination and strategic abilities. Graphics are above par for those times. You are the squadron leader, so you can give out orders and lead, or just fight as a disorganized group :D

You need to play this with Open Source project if you want to play on modern systems. If you like space, sci-fi this game is amazing still.

On all accounts an upgrade of Freespace 1. When you're looking for something quite similar to Wing Commander. Although you won't find any character defining on carrier banter between pilots in this game, FS2 is extremely focused on space dog fighting against small and big foes alike. And it excels in them. With a gripping story, diverse mission objectives and plenty of spectacle. Just an fantastic game all around that has withstood the test of time.

Use the Knossos launcher to run the game. Recommended is the mod that improves the graphics.

Rating: 9,0/10

The most immersive military space fighter sim game that makes you feel a part of the story and a part of something big as you play the different missions.