14 DAY TRIAL // Despite raving reviews, Freespace 2 was a disappointment sales-wise. Even so, along with the original title, Freespace 2 remains one of the best space sims ever created. Developed by Volition and released 20 years ago, Freespace 2 is now available for free via GOG.com.
This is a limited time offer that will end tomorrow, September 27, so make sure you add it to your library before the time runs out. The game also includes the FRED2 editor, the mission editor freely packaged with Freespace 2.
Freespace 2 begins 32 years after the Great War. It's the year 2367 and the main factions prepare for conflict. As the Terran and Vasudan races finish rebuilding their decimated empires, a mysterious disturbance remains concealed in the near reaches of the Gamma Draconis system.
Those who did not play the original game will probably have some issues understanding what's happening in the sequel, since Freespace 2 continues on the story from FreeSpace, once again thrusting the player into the role of a pilot fighting against the mysterious aliens, the Shivans.
You'll have to defend the human race and its alien Vasudan allies while trying to prevent a rebellion of those elements of Vasudan (Hammer of Light) and Human (Neo Terran Front) forces which don't want to cooperate.
Even though it benefits from a deep, compelling story, Freespace 2 is a space combat simulation game at its core. You'll be piloting a starfighter using mounted weapons to destroy enemy ships, performing reconnaissance behind enemy line, or escorting other starships.
Surprisingly for that time, Freespace 2 allows multiplayer games to be played across LAN (local area network) or over the Internet. Players can even talk to each other via the game's own voice chat capability.
If you want to experience the entire space opera, you may want to pick up the original Freespace game from GOG, which costs just $10.