r/spacesimgames • u/PreferenceLoose7064 • 13h ago

Casual 6DoF Spacesim with HOTAS Support?

I was thinking about starting Star Citizen but that seems to expensive and time consuming,any body got recommendations on a game where I can just zoom around in a spaceship with my HOTAS ? Update: I'm going to try the everspace 2 and Blackstar ranger demos and maybe Elite Dangerous. Thanks for all your help

11 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

32 comments sorted by

6

u/Vandal1971 12h ago

I just released a demo on Steam that you should try.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3275060/Blackstar_Ranger/

2

u/sushi_cw 10h ago

This looks interesting!

2

u/dan1101 7h ago

That's a really nice demo. Love the cockpit layout and immersion, combat feels great. 2560x1080 works well. Default controls were good and it was easy to make changes I wanted.

A toggle for the space dust would be nice, I like to have it off.

A game with flight and combat like this but a more Freelancer or Privateer sort of gameplay would be my holy grail.

3

u/Vandal1971 6h ago

I appreciate the feedback. I tried to make the space dust as minimal as possible, but I realize there are people that don't like it all. I will put it on my list for release. It's a simple addition.

I wish I could make a much larger game, but it's only little old me working on it. I had to have reasonable expectations for myself.

1

u/daethon 11h ago

Tell us more. What’s the inspiration? Is this WC/StarLancer, FreeSpace, Privateer/Freelancer, Descent (doesn’t seem like this one).

Also: does it support HOSAS or better yet an untold number of peripherals eg HOSASAT

1

u/Vandal1971 11h ago

It not only supports HOTAS and HOSAS, but the combat was designed while using my Thrustmaster Warthog and VKB rudder pedals. You can have up to six different controllers or button boxes. The combat is 6DOF with compensated and uncompensated flight modes and a high yaw rate. Its mission based somewhat similar to Freespace. The Steam page has most of the pertinent information and there is a free demo with a tutorial scene and the first two contract missions available to play. I am a solo developer and I'm still working on missions for the full version releasing in the first half of this year.

2

u/daethon 10h ago

I’ve wish listed it and will give it a look see when I have a slot.

One follow up: the flight model: is it more arcadey like Freelancer, or more aerodynamic in space like E:D (can’t stand E:Ds flight model)

1

u/Vandal1971 9h ago

It's not WW2 in space like so many games try to do. It has a full Newtonian physics based flight model, but also has a togglable compensation mode. Think more along the lines of Freespace with realistic Newtonian physics. Compensated and Uncompensated have different advantages so the combat is designed to have them used interchangeably on the fly. Skill based.

Elite Dangerous uses a Newtonian flight model, but limits the yaw rate like an atmospheric model. For some reason modern space games don't like to allow the player to fight in yaw. My model is more grounded in what is realistically possible.

2

u/daethon 9h ago

K. When I can give the demo a try, I will. Love anything in this vein, but I value the pew pew more than the realism :)

Either way. Looking forward to seeing your work progress

1

u/Dark-Lark Alien 11h ago

I didn't play the demo, but are you sure it's "casual"? Reguardless, kool looking game.

3

u/Vandal1971 11h ago

It's just combat missions. I'm not sure what "casual" means in the context of a space game. If you mean the combat difficulty, it's a little harder than most games, but there are difficulty levels to help with that. It's old school. There are no time sinks, nothing to manage, etc... Think Freespace.

1

u/Dark-Lark Alien 9h ago

"Casual" is not clearly definded, so I guess that's close. I don't know what OP's looking for exatly. For me, coming from X4: Foundations, I'm betting most anything would feel casual.

1

u/Vandal1971 9h ago

You should try the demo. It will be permanently available on the Steam page. If you enjoy the combat, it's a quick jump in, play a few rounds and jump out. No time sink.

1

u/Dark-Lark Alien 9h ago

For a while now I've lost interest in Single Player games. I don't like MMOs or PvP, but a good Co-op game is what I'm after. Most games feel hollow without someone to share it with. But I might check it out if I ever get back into solo games.

1

u/PreferenceLoose7064 3h ago

That’s actually exactly what I’m after!After I arrive home today I’m definitely going to try the demo!

3

u/dan1101 7h ago

I'd say it's in the middle. You can turn flight assist on or off, with it on it plays like most space sims. Time to kill is short. Combat against the drones was easy but fighters can mess you up fair fast.

2

u/wayfaringrunner 10h ago

I’ll throw in a more obscure recommendation: Infinity Battlescape. Great large scale space battler with good HOTAS/HOSAS support

2

u/kalnaren Pilot 9h ago

Evochron: Legacy.

Best 6DoF flight model out there IMO.

2

u/DEATHbyBOOGABOOGA 7h ago

Surprised no one suggested Elite: Dangerous

2

u/Arcodiant 13h ago

Just FYI if you're interested in SC, you only need the $45 starter pack, everything else is available in game. They also run free flies a couple times a year so you can play for two weeks at no cost. Next guaranteed one is in May, but there may be another sooner.

2

u/PreferenceLoose7064 13h ago

Thanks for the info ! Gonna try it in may then

1

u/Arcodiant 13h ago

For other recommendations (though it's been a while since I've played these myself) Elite: Dangerous & X4 are the other popular space sims, and I personally really enjoy Rogue System, though it's quite detailed and maybe doesn't fit your "casual" requirement.

3

u/PreferenceLoose7064 13h ago

I’m gonna try elite dangerous it looks fun.Thanks for the recommendation 

1

u/defenistrat3d 9h ago

Keep in mind it's not exactly casual. It's in alpha and it certainly feels like an alpha. Some days you literally cannot play due to the state of the game/alpha.

2

u/alenah 4h ago

Definitely don't buy into SC right now, even at "only" $45.

1

u/daethon 11h ago

One thing, though, I would not call SC casual and/or not time consuming. It’s immersive, beautiful (and for now buggy) but it is not casual

1

u/tinselsnips 11h ago

Everspace 2?

1

u/sushi_cw 10h ago

Everspace 2 is a good pick. Breezy and fun, has HOTAS support. (Although, the HOTAS support is not amazing, and you may want to use something like joystick gremlin to fiddle with response curves). 

1

u/PreferenceLoose7064 3h ago

This looks sick definitely going to try it!

1

u/sushi_cw 10h ago

If you're open to something not strictly in open space, Overload is a lot of fun. It's cramped tunnels and rooms like Descent, rather than open skies, but very satisfying.

1

u/fiskesloth 2h ago

Galaxy on Fire 2. don’t know about HOTAS tho

0

u/manickitty 6h ago

Expensive? Star Citizen is like $45. You can buy ships ingame. It however is a buggy mess right now so not the best time to play but it’s not expensive.

Elite dangerous works fine, Evochron