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Freelancer Preview
I'm not offered a preview every day, so when Microsoft/Digital Anvil offered me the Beta of Freelancer, how could I refuse?
In The Beginning...
The great looking introduction gives a brief history - The Coalition and Alliance have been fighting for almost 100 years. When the Coalition gain the upper hand, the Alliance send five 'sleeper' ships to the Sirius system. 800 years later, the Britania, Rhineland, Hispania, Kusari and Liberty have established colonies through out the system and this is when you come in.
The story begins when Freeport 7 - space station you are on - is destroyed by some unknown forces. You assume the role of Trent, a freelancer, who has lost everything but his life in the attack. Luckily you are offered a job that includes a ship - this begins the main story thread.
From what I've seen of the main story, it's pretty standard fare, but it's delivered in a way that makes you want to keep going.
The Cityscape
The Cityscape is where you'll be when you aren't on a mission. Even though it's referred to as the Cityscape, it also applies to the different space stations, ships and anything else you can land on. All the places you will want to visit can be found at the top of the screen for easy access. Depending on where you are, you can visit various places. The Launch Pad is where your ship is, and it's where you go to return to space. The Bar is where find jobs, news and other information. The Commodity Trader buy and sell non-combat equipment, while the Equipment Dealer allows you to re-fit your ship with better items. Finally, the Ship Trader is the place to go when you want to upgrade your current ship.
Each different sector has a distinct look about it, including their own style of spacecraft. This gives you a very large selection of craft at your disposal, all of which can be out fitted almost any way you like. The ships available are based on your Rank (level). You rank is based on how much wealth you've accumulated, which includes cash, ship and cargo values. Needless to say, the craft you encounter also rise with your rank, along with the rewards for completing missions.
Sooner or later you'll end up in the Bar. Looking at the news gives you some information about recent events. Each sector, as well as each faction, has news articles related to the faction that owns the place. Cargo haulers will have information about pirate attacks and prices of stock for example. You can also have a look at jobs on offer and choose which ones you want to do. Each has a difficulty level, with a corresponding reward for its completion. The Bar also gives you an opportunity to speak with the patrons. If the faction they belong to likes you enough, they will give you some rumours. You can also bribe companies to view you favourably, among other things.
Each time you travel to a new part of the Cityscape, or speak directly with people, there are small connecting cut scenes. These can thankfully be skipped - after you see them for the first few times, you don't really need to see them again.
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