Elite: Dangerous
Elite IV
Release Date: December 16, 2014
Simulation, science fiction, economic, space sim, in space, crowdfunding, co-op, Meta Quest / Oculus, SteamVR, VR, PS Plus Premium, PS Plus Extra, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
OpenCritic
Steam
The fourth installment in the Elite series. The game is a space simulator created again by David Braben and the Frontier studio. Elite: Dangerous is set in the far future; after humanity had colonized countless star systems, the Universe is dominated by three superpowers: the Empire, the Federation, and the Alliance. Brave pilots seek easy money working beyond the territories controlled by these entities.
Elite: Dangerous for PC, XONE and PS4 is the fourth installment in a series of open-world space simulators. The game was created by Frontier Developments - a team led by David Braben.
Plot
The action is set in distant future, when humanity managed to colonize countless stellar systems. The game world is dominated by three superpowers, namely the Empire, the Federation and the Alliance. However, these entities are not in control over the entirety of inhabited space - not even the majority of it. Beyond the areas controlled by the three dominant factions, anarchy and lawlessness is commonplace and potential profits which can be made here are frequently worth the risk.
Mechanics
Elite: Dangerous for PC, XONE and PS4 is based on simple principles - the player is given a small spaceship at the very beginning, along with a small amount of money for a start. Then the player is thrown into a faithfully recreated representation of the Milky Way, with all its known objects and 400 billion stellar systems created with respect towards their actual scale and laws of physics, as well as in accordance with the knowledge of astronomy. The player decides themselves about their next action here – one can become a space merchant, smuggler, pirate, bounty hunter, assassin, discoverer or a miner. Obviously, any of these activities can be combined with another in different ways.
The game features a complex flight simulation in zero-gravity conditions and entertaining mechanics behind space combat, though a trader's carrier is equally interesting. As an effect of the player's actions and simulational procedures implemented into the game world, the galaxy undergoes constant changes, which affect the economy, security or power and relations between smaller factions in each of the inhabited stellar systems. This consequently influences prices and quantity of goods, types of missions available, pirate activity or interstellar conflicts the players can join. Pilots have direct influence on the balance of powers in the galaxy. In each station, the player can access daily information concerning the most interesting events taking place in the galaxy - both those caused by players and the ones scheduled by the game's creators.
Billions of stars, planets, nebulas or black holes await the players who wish to become discoverers and leave the inhabited space. Apart from fame and satisfaction, long and dangerous journeys into the unknown bring profits in the form of high rewards received for delivering information on particularly interesting objects.
Game modes
Elite: Dangerous for PC, XONE and PS4 is a hundred per cent online game - the action takes place in one dynamic world shared by all the players. However, the creators offer several modes contained within this main structure. Open play is a multiplayer free-roaming mode obviously, but the game features also the private group mode (playing among friends), as well as the solo mode, which allows to escape from interacting with other players entirely. Flexibility of this entire game structure is rooted in making the player capable of switching between the modes whenever they see fit, except when a price has been placed on the player's head.
Last updated on May 23, 2016
Last Update: February 24, 2015
Elite: Dangerous Game Guide
In this guide to the Elite: Dangerous you will find plenty of tips and pieces of information which will help you with taking your first steps in your galactic career.
Videos and Screens
[1:38] Elite: Dangerous Mandalay Trailer
[2:58] Elite: Dangerous Commander Chronicles: Retaliation
Game Revolution: 4 / 5 by Jonathan Leack
Elite: Dangerous has come a long way since its debut in 2014. It's now a much more complete product, making it an attractive option for PS4 gamers who have the urge to leave Earth and see what the Milky Way galaxy has to offer.
Game Informer: 7.5 / 10 by Daniel Tack
Despite a solid framework for an incredible game, right now the title can feel barren and lacking in variety
Metro GameCentral: 7 / 10 by Roger Hargreaves
A welcome return for the pioneering space adventure, but despite a solid start it will need a steady supply of new content and tweaks to reach elite status.
The main pros of the game
- Immersive Experience: Many players appreciate the game's vast, open-world environment that allows for exploration, trading, and combat in a realistically rendered Milky Way galaxy. The sense of scale and the ability to explore uncharted systems are frequently highlighted.
- Variety of Activities: Players can engage in multiple gameplay styles, including mining, trading, combat, and exploration, catering to different player preferences.
- Strong Community Support: The presence of a dedicated and helpful player community, along with numerous third-party tools and resources, enhances the overall experience.
- Graphics and Sound Design: The game is praised for its stunning graphics and immersive soundscapes, which contribute to the overall atmosphere of space exploration.
- Depth of Gameplay: The game offers complex mechanics and a steep learning curve, rewarding players who invest time in understanding its systems.
The main cons of the game
- Steep Learning Curve: New players often find the game overwhelming due to its complexity and lack of in-game guidance, leading to frustration.
- Quality of Life Issues: Many users express dissatisfaction with the game's user interface, controls, and bugs, which detract from the overall experience.
- Sparse Player Base: Some reviews mention feelings of loneliness in the game world, as many players do not engage with the in-game communication features.
- Perceived Developer Neglect: Players have noted a lack of responsiveness from developers regarding player feedback and requests for improvements, which has led to frustration over time.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- In-Game Tutorials and Guidance: Players desire more comprehensive tutorials and in-game help to assist new users in understanding the mechanics and navigation.
- Ship Interiors: A common request is for the inclusion of ship interiors, which would enhance immersion and gameplay options.
- Improved User Interface: Users have called for better keyboard and mouse support, more hotkeys, and a more intuitive control scheme.
- Enhanced Communication Features: Many players feel that the game's communication tools need improvement to foster a more engaging multiplayer experience.
- More Diverse Ground Missions: Some users expressed disappointment with the ground missions, suggesting they feel underdeveloped and lacking depth.
Summary
- Overall, while "Elite Dangerous" is celebrated for its ambition and immersive gameplay, it also faces criticism for its accessibility and the need for better support from developers.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 819 votes. 339 players anticipated the game.
6
GAMES
in Elite Game Series
Game Series
Elite Series
A series of space simulators with a strongly developed economic aspect. The series is developed by the Frontier Developments development studio.
6 video games
Elite: Dangerous Summary
Platforms:
PC Windows December 16, 2014
PlayStation 4 June 27, 2017
Xbox One October 6, 2015
Developer: Frontier Developments
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios / Microsoft Studios
Elite: Dangerous System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Quad Core 2 GHz, 2 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 260/Radeon 4870 HD or better, Windows 7/8
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