CoolMacintosh.com: Escape Velocity Nova Preview

Escape Velocity Nova Preview

03/10/02

By Nick Canfield

Escape Velocity Nova is what maker Ambrosia Software (ambosiasw.com) calls the threequell to the hit shareware game Escape Velocity. Escape Velocity and its sequel Escape Velocity Override were and are extremely popular. Ambrosia Software is a shareware development company that has brought quality games at shareware prices for years. But what makes the Escape Velocity series so special and the next installment so anticipated is that this is that series that made them great. Escape Velocity is one of the most popular shareware games in recent years and in my opinion the best. The popularity of this shareware game coupled with Ambrosia's history of high-quality shareware games is what makes this shareware game worth previewing.

Ambrosia is only a shareware game company, but an extraordinary one. I put games like Escape Velocity at par with commercial games. That's one reason why people are so excited about Escape Velocity, the work put into it and the creativity behind it put this shareware game at higher quality than it's price. Escape Velocity is hard to define and hard to capture in an article like this (maybe that's why I kept putting off writing it). It is essentially a 2D space shooter, but to call it just that is an insult to the extensiveness of the game. In both Escape Velocity and Escape Velocity Override you start out with a small shuttle and a small knowledge of surrounding solar systems and the planets in them. But that is where similarities between your adventures end. From here the path you take is totally up to you. You can run cargo missions to get money, or simply buy and sell commodities to make a few credits. Choose to stay in known space, or explore further. Stay only in the space controlled by the local government, or move to other places and meet other races. Once you have built up enough money you can buy a better ship, or upgrade your current one with better weapons and shields. There are many types of upgrades and ships but they are not all available to you at first, some must be earned through missions, others are only available for purchase in certain parts of the galaxy. Of course you could always try to disable a ship and board it, then take it for your own. Raiding other ships is an option, or join the pirates. The possibilities are endless, and what you do affect the conditions of the game. Attacking pirates regularly might put in better standing with the law, but you could provoke headhunters. Many series of missions are available if you can find them. The Escape Velocity series so far has been very broad and open-ended. The possibilities of this game have attracted many followers, and better yet, it pains PC people who can't have it. Escape Velocity is Mac only.

This and more will be added to the next game in the series, Escape Velocity Nova. Graphics will be improved, AI will be superior, glitches will be fixed, and the game will become more realistic. These modifications are great, but the best part about the new installment in the series it its size. This universe will be even bigger, to ensure that it will take a lot of playing to wear out all the possibilities. I'm talking a lot of time, certainly over 100 hours. One new feature that supports this is multiple starting points. There will be the ability to start already within the main mission series of each government. There are of course many, many minor mission series that you must access. The option will be available to start open-ended as well. Escape Velocity Nova looks like it's going to be really great, and Ambrosia has put a lot of work into it. They did 7 betas and they are on Final Release Candidate 2. If you really can't wait till Nova, try Escape Velocity Override, it only costs $25. Nova will be about $25-35.

If you can't tell already, I'm really excited about this game and I haven't really said anything negative. The reason for that is: I haven't found anything negative yet, it looks like Ambrosia is doing a really good job in making sure that it won't dash hopes or be buggy. I guess that's the only negative thing, making a good game takes time and I've been waiting. However, with Nova on Final Release Candidate 2, things are looking good.

Like this article? Support us!

More recent articles:

01/24/02 The Mac Side: The Usefulness of the iApps
01/07/02 MWSF Keynote Wrap-Up
01/06/02 Could the iMac be coming after all?
01/05/02 MacWorld SF Predictions
01/02/02 Looking back....2001

Readers Specials

Audible.com

Listen to your favorite news and novels through iTunes. www.audible.com

Check eBay daily for the newest Mac stuff! Including new and old systems, software, hardrives, CD-RW's, T-Shirts and more..www.ebay.com

Get free shipping at ClubMac on orders over $99 until June 30th! www.clubmac.com

Adding RAM is the most cost effective way to boost your computer's performance. Upgrade factory-direct today with Crucial Technology.www.crucial.com

Readers Specials

Audible.com
Listen to your favorite news and novels through iTunes.
www.audible.com

eBay
Check eBay daily for the newest Mac stuff! Including new and old systems, software, hardrives, CD-RW's, T-Shirts and more..
www.ebay.com

ClubMac
Check out ClubMac's Blowout Deals daily for specials on Macintosh products!
www.clubmac.com

Crucial
Adding RAM is the most cost effective way to boost your computer's performance. Upgrade factory-direct today with Crucial Technology.
www.crucial.com

News on other sites..

Don't miss these trailers of the hottest Mac games:

•	Links Championship
•	pop-pop
•	Wolfenstein
•	Wipeout 2097
•	Cosmic Encounter Online

More...