X²: The Threat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| X²: The Threat | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 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 |
| Latest version | 1.4 |
| Release date(s) | 2003 July 21, 2006 (Steam) |
| Genre(s) | Space simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Teen (T) |
| Platform(s) | Linux, Mac OS X, Windows |
| Media | CD-ROM, Steam |
| Input | 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. As with the originals, the game is a space simulation, whereby the player is set in the X Universe, many light years from Earth. Unlike the expansion pack, X-Tension, X²: The Threat, whilst giving the player a great deal of freedom, has a background story. It involves an alien race known as the Khaak, who have invaded the sector intent on domination.
The player takes control of Julian Gardna, a pirate and thief. Other characters include Ban Danna (an Argon Commander with a close relationship to Julian's father), Elena Kho (who has a high ranking in Terracorp and uses that asset to help Julian) and her daughter Saya.
The game features a new graphics engine and a much larger Universe, with 130 space systems and 60 different ships to pilot, along with a great number of missions to complete for various factions and groups.
It 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.
Contents |
[edit] 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 |
[edit] Factions
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Gallery
 External shot of a Paranid Perseus |
