Albion Prelude is perfect to wait "Rebirth" the new episode of the X universe. The war between corporations and the innovation of the stock exchange give something new to an excellent title.
X3: Albion Prelude is a big expansion in terms of story and overall richness. Despite a lack of radical changes the way trough the changes of the universe, that goes toward X: Rebirth, worth the trip.
My history according X-games is long. Very long.
Abilon prelude is favorite. Seeing the path Egosoft is taking i'm gladly holding on to AP until a more promessing Game is coming up. AP is the most advanced single player space sim there is.
X3 AP is exactly how it is promoted with emphasis on Think. In order to get maximum thrill from this excellent game, you have to think through what you want to do and plan in that direction. It will take hours to bring your plan to fruition. However, when your plan is fully realized you will have amazing fun in massive battles, economic takeovers of whole star systems etc. If there were a higher rating than 10 I would give this game that rating. The X series of games give you your money's worth of enjoyment for hours and hours and hours. However, if you are a brainless action junkie avoid this game.
X3 Albion Prelude have more than X3 Terran conflict to offer. In this expansion the interface is made clearer and more user friendly. There are a lot of bug fixes and the new politic economic changes add spice to the game.
With 3.0 update there are a lot more of generic missions. There are corporation missions too and the plot missions are very enjoyable.
Honestly this is what is best out there at this time. This game is just complete. You can do everything, manage everything. With Bonus pack addition(addons for game that have been certified by Egosoft so your game is NOT modified aka you can do achievements) gives all that you might need to make your life a bit easier.
You want to fight? you have complete control over your ship=rolling, strafing all directions,moving in a real 3D environment. You can help the war effort too and make a difference over control of war sectors.
Want to trade? start small and grow bigger.
Want to exploit the market? make a trading empire and with the use of the stock market you can make money quiet easier than X3TC, which for some is a bad thing but is a relief for others.
Want to explore? go ahead there are new sectors new mechanics
In phew words: is just an amazing game. It has a steep learning curve but is really worth it.
See it as a book that slowly unfolds towards you. The game doesnt rush and you dont need to know everything in order to enjoy it.
Take your time and take it easy and be ready to be absorbed by this game.
Give it a shot on steam happens to be on often quite regularly with x3 terran conflict. (the x3ap is a dlc)
Pro's: Beautiful graphics, complex economic and free range, seemingly dynamic campaign and very large selection of ships and stations to choose from.
Con's: At times very boring (Just waiting for something to happen, or searching for things), random crashes (not of the game, but of your ships in the game).
Opinion: I have been a fan of the X series and own each and every one. I do plan on continuing to buy this game in the future, however, with the release of Albion Prelude, I feel like protesting to the company a bit. Really, aside from more ships and a larger map, nothing is very new or revolutionary. Long periods of simply using time compression so your ships can actually get to a destination, coupled with very boring space flight makes me want to cease my support for the series. I do however love their dynamic free campaign. One is a part of a very realistic economy. I'd like to feel even more connected and see the results of my increased or decreased business with a sector.
Recommendation: Fans of the series, go ahead and pick it up. You'll be getting more of what you have signed up for in the past. However, don't you think its time to expect more from Egosoft?
The developers seemed to want to make a cross between Elite and Eve but have unfortunately done neither. If you are new to X3 do not expect any help. I first started with a merchant ship and their was a guy that claimed to be a tutor yet he was asking me to shoot a crate even though I was a merchant and had no weapons.... yeah thanks for the help mate. I gave up on trading as everyone I spoke to wanted me to do a mission I couldn't do. Why make the first people you ask for a mission expect you to have a transport the size of Mars??
As I had paid money for this I felt I had to persevere and started a new 'Warrior' class and by the 3rd mission I had 3 ships and still no idea how to play the game. At one point, a split second before docking with a station, I heard an explosion and found that my Advanced Discoverer that was supposed to be following me had crashed. So even the computer doesn't know what its doing.
There seems to be a story going on in this universe but you do not feel a part of it. The game desperately needs a story arch even if you take it on or not.
If you like games that require you to study for a week before playing then this is your thing, for those of us that wanna shoot some aliens in the face or sell some luxury goods for a 1000 credit profit this is one to avoid. This game required another year of development and design.
Graphics are ok except for the silly looking faces that appear when communicating and they are not lip synched which just makes them look more silly. The radar map is probably one of the most pointless things in the game, it is dark with dark lines on a dark background and as there has been no explanation how it works you have no idea which way the enemy ship is anyway.... idiotic.
Sound is close to rubbish. Turn off the music and there is silence, no engine sound, no grinding as you slam on the brakes, nothing. In space no one can hear anything apparently.
All in all another space game that misses the mark unless you are a bean counter that doesn't mind spending hours finding out how to play.
This is a trading game with a Space UI.
If you like being bored to tears with the empty landscapes and confusing interface and nothing plot or storyline you must be one boring chap and this is the perfect game for you.
Every station you dock in has the same voiceovers,the scenery looks cut and paste fo each sector you go in,and trading,odear.
Look I don't mind trading if they made i tfun but this bored me to tears and I spent hours not having a clue how to make money.Like I said it's perfect for those people who study stocks or spreadsheets.
For the true space sim fan,you will be bored to the inch of your life.
SummaryX3: Albion Prelude plays in a time between the old and the new X Universe. It shows a universe in flux, and prepares players for things to come. The old X Universe is passing; a new X Universe is about to be created.