So I got this BETA key...

[Plazus]

To start playing Black Prophecy. I signed up for the BETA last year and just got the invitation to try it out a few days ago. I'm downloading the BETA right now. Did anyone get a chance to try it out yet?

[gyrene81]

looks kinda like eve online meets star trek online...

[Ack-Ack]

To start playing Black Prophecy. I signed up for the BETA last year and just got the invitation to try it out a few days ago. I'm downloading the BETA right now. Did anyone get a chance to try it out yet?

I've been playing it for a few days now and it's been fun.  The game is heavily instanced though, with the space station being the center of player interaction with others unless in a group.  Mouse+KB controls are easy and works rather well but if you don't like that control scheme, you can use joystick/throttle/pedals instead.  Heard there is TrackIR support but haven't been able to confirm it.  Graphics are nice, actually, surprisingly well polished.

However, combat does get kind of repetitive and starts to feel like a major grind after a bit and the maneuvers the bandits use are primitive at best, HO, extend, HO, extend, turn flat circle, extend, HO, extend, turn flat circle, etc.

Don't think I would have payed for a monthly subscription for this game but as a F2P game, I'm sure I'll play it as a boredom buster.  It is far better than Battlestar Galactica online.

looks kinda like eve online meets star trek online...

No, not at all.  more like the old space games like Wing Commander, Freelancer, Starlancer, etc.

ack-ack

[Plazus]

I've been playing it for a few days now and it's been fun.  The game is heavily instanced though, with the space station being the center of player interaction with others unless in a group.

Is there a lot of lag by the space station? Having played Eve Online a lot, lag always was a serious problem in large fights, or if a lot of people are clustered around one location in space.

Mouse+KB controls are easy and works rather well but if you don't like that control scheme, you can use joystick/throttle/pedals instead.

Hmm... I was hoping that they would support joystick controls. I'll have to check it out when the game is installed. While mouse seems convenient, I'd hate to have to constantly readjust my mouse on the desktop as I am turning my ship around for a shot.

Graphics are nice, actually, surprisingly well polished.

This is good to hear. I was afraid that the graphics would be too taxing on some of the newer computers. Judging by the screenshots, they really outdid themselves with the graphics. I have a Nvidia 9600 GSO with 768 MB video memory. Here's hoping I get some decent frame rates while the card is still good.

However, combat does get kind of repetitive and starts to feel like a major grind after a bit and the maneuvers the bandits use are primitive at best, HO, extend, HO, extend, turn flat circle, extend, HO, extend, turn flat circle, etc.

That was my first concern, as this game is very combat oriented. I figured it would be pretty "primitive" as there is no gravity or air. Do different ships "feel" different? Meaning, as you upgrade your weapons, armor, defenses, etc. As the mass of the ship increases, does it feel like it maneuvers slower?

[Ack-Ack]

That was my first concern, as this game is very combat oriented. I figured it would be pretty "primitive" as there is no gravity or air. Do different ships "feel" different? Meaning, as you upgrade your weapons, armor, defenses, etc. As the mass of the ship increases, does it feel like it maneuvers slower?

No, I haven't felt any difference.

Lag hasn't been an issue so far but that might change as more people enter the beta and the servers become congested.

ack-ack

[Reschke]

Hmmmm might have to sign up for this beta now that WOT is grinding to a halt and will soon be uninstalled from my machine.

[Plazus]

Played the game tonight and last night. I must say, the graphics are very amazing and I am surprised that my computer can handle it pretty well. Being that it is still the BETA, I've seen some obvious bugs. The major bug is the rubber banding issue in some of the sectors that some people are running missions in. The rubber banding in turn affects the guns as well. Often, the guns become unresponsive for several seconds before a shot is fired.

I love the joystick controls. I think it really adds that extra immersion factor to the game with the joystick. I would like to see some dampening features added. Right now the joystick controls are way too sensitive and jittery, making it difficult to make precise long range shots.

For those looking to try a little something different, I recommend signing up for the BETA and giving it a shot.