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X3: Reunion

EMAIL PRINT pc

6.7 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 32 critic reviews
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Based on 247 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Enlight Software

Developer: EgoSoft

Genre(s): Space Simulation

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: November 5, 2005

Summary

X3: Reunion immerses the player into the most realistic, living universe, ever experienced. Extensive development has gone into the X³ engine, making full use of DirectX 9 technology, to create dramatic visual effects and stunningly realistic starships. The economy model in X3: Reunion is more complex than any previous X game. Coupled with the massively enhanced A.L. (Artificial Life) system, X³: Reunion presents players with an ever changing, evolving universe; where a player's actions can shape the future of the universe. Combat A.I. has been improved to take all ship classes into account and will challenge players; from individual dog fights to commanding full-scale fleets against massive enemy armadas. A new array of weapon systems give increased choice and tactics for any situation, while the multiple threat targeting system makes the player a force to be reckoned with. Rebalanced fighter classes make any encounter a challenge for players of all levels. [Enlight]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: X: Beyond the Frontier X2: The Threat

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: GameSpot Preview Official Website TVG Preview

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

AceGamez

By far the most engrossing game released so far this millennium.

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100

GamerFeed

If deep, engrossing simulations are your thing, 'specifically space sims - X3: Reunion is your pot of gold at the end of the interstellar rainbow. X3 has it all - a gripping storyline (that you can ignore if you like); wide open, truly free roaming game play; jaw-dropping graphics that will make you stop you in you ion tracks; and some of the most hardcore, in-depth game mechanics we've seen in quite some time.

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Computer and Video Games

One of the few games that has the power to engage your imagination with pretty pictures, then actually live up to your imaginings when you get your hands on it. Bring back the bloody internal docking next time and it'll probably be the first game in ZONE history to get 100 per cent. [PC Zone]

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GameZone

The eye candy will lure you in, the gameplay will keep you intrigued and the free-roaming feel will keep you occupied for hours. X3 – Reunion takes the X franchise to new heights.

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eToychest

It is a larger and more ambitious title than the previous games, which is no easy feat as the X series has always been thought of as particularly ballsy.

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Cheat Code Central

You have to really be into this kind of game to truly appreciate it otherwise you might just declare it as boring. It's a thinking man's game, not as deep as chess but there are certainly a lot of elements to juggle around in your head.

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Worth Playing

The sheer expansiveness of the X3: Reunion universe will draw you back again and again, each time offering something new and exciting. You’ll never run out of goals to meet.

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Pelit (Finland)

An amazingly deep and sophisticated space trading simulation. It is unfortunate that the game was released prematurely. Keep those patches coming, Egosoft! [Jan 2006]

BonusStage

Nearly perfect in regards to its presentation, almost MMO-like scope and endless gameplay.

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GamingExcellence

The open-ended feeling of X3 will appeal to many who like to be able to do their own thing, while the lack of direction might turn off others.

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G4 TV

X3: Reunion is a game that gamers will absolutely lose themselves in for months and even years without running out of things to do.

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IGN

X3 is the most complex simulation of its kind, yet. It has more commands at its disposal than a Las Vegas lounge lizard has pick-up lines. So dropping you into this universe with nothing more than a few incomplete pages of listed and occasionally incorrect key and mouse controls just doesn't cut it.

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Boomtown

X3 is a great game, but if Egosoft grasped the challenge and offered immersion of the type seen in "Freelancer" and similar ship handling, combined with its own beautiful and complex universe, then we might finally have a game that deserves to called the new "Elite."

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Total Video Games

A by-numbers sequel that doesn’t dare to do anything too drastically, but when you’ve got the trading system of the X series and the astounding visuals of X3 it’s hard to complain too much. EgoSoft needs to sort out the issues however that are currently blighting the title.

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games(TM)

By far the most engrossing and beautiful space game on the PC or any other format. [Christmas 2005, p.104]

PC Gamer

It also takes tremendous patience to grow your commercial space empire to a healthy payoff stage, but for many, that's part of this franchise's allure. [Feb 2006, p.90]

Jolt Online Gaming UK

It’s great if you want a chilled out, thoughtful experience that’s slow paced almost all the time, but if you fantasise about pursuing a life of white knuckle action and adventure against those great looking backdrops, you’re SOL.

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Game Chronicles

The best part of X3: Reunion is ultimately doing your own thing in space.

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Next Level Gaming

Being such a huge fan of X2, I was very disappointed in X3. If you can get past the controls and storyline then this is can be a awesome game for you, its just too bad these parts are so bad.

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PALGN

If you can get past the intial complexities or are already a series fan, this game will keep you in until X4 is released.

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Loaded Inc

The vastness of X3 means its replay value is extremely high. For gamers looking for an offline version of "EVE" or a slightly more cerebrally taxing version of the popular "Freelancer" then X3: Reunion might just be the very thing you need.

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GameBiz

X3 – Reunion is bigger, and visually more impressive than any of the X titles that preceded it. However the game play can be very repetitive and you can lose interest unless you are a dedicated player.

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GameSpot

X3 features more of the open-ended space exploration and trading of the earlier games, and it has a gorgeous graphics engine; just don't expect a riveting story.

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Gamer 2.0

If you’ve played the previous games in the series, X3 is certainly a no-brain purchase, as it trumps previous installments in every way.

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Eurogamer

Bolder souls, as interested in commerce as they are in combat, can buy with much greater confidence.

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PC Format

All the freedom in the universe and nothing much to do with it. Prepare for a slog. [Christmas 2005, p.88]

GameShark

Probably the single thing I dislike the most about X3: Reunion is that I’m ultimately left with exactly the same impression I was with X2, in that it adds a bunch of cool stuff and helps expand the universe further, but still is a concept badly in need of higher production values (though I will credit the game with having excellent music) and extreme amounts of refinement.

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RewiredMind

A testimony to computer gaming brilliance crippled by a premature release.

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Gaming Age

Again, it's not that X3 is a bad game, or that it isn't fun - it just isn't done. Though this sort of thing isn't anything new to the PC gaming world, X3 takes it to a ridiculous degree. If developer Enlight ever resolves the problems with X3, it could be one of the best space simulators to hit the market in years.

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GameSpy

The experience of playing this game can be roughly compared to swimming through a pile of sewage to get to a diamond ring. There's a great game buried in the coded-up wreckage that comes out of the X3: Reunion box; it's probably not worth the effort to dig for it, though.

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Computer Gaming World

X3 sometimes morphs into a derivative on-rails shooter during scripted story missions. [Feb 2006, p.74]

Computer Games Magazine

The most maddeningly convoluted gaming experience this side of Derek Smart. [Feb 2006, p.67]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.7 (out of 10) based on 247 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Calladorn Leader gave it an8:
Great game regardless of the negatives everyone else seems to be harping on. Yes the interface is clunky, but if everyone spends time with it it is a very addicting game. Great graphics, don't care about voice acting/cut scenes (that's ignorant in a good game), controls/interface (do need work, and sorry if they didn't dumb it down for everyone). Play this game and give the time it deserves and you'll see a game with limitless possibilities. Grow a pair, man up and enjoy the game.

Savage gave it a9:
This game doesn't deserve a 10... 10 is for games that are perfect, that are without faults and are rated by unbiased gamers who feel that it has nothing negative about it... Unfortuntly, X3 Reunion does have faults, it does have a few negative points, but, the positives outweight the faults, and that in my opinion, earns this game a healthy 9... It is a complex game, and you need patience, intelligence and the ability to adapt to the games very in-dept interface which at sometimes, can be frustrating. What makes X3 great, is the fact that your placed inside a universe that revolves around you. Not only is this universe stunning in fantastic detail, but your left to your own devices to make your own destiny. Whether it be a commercial empire or militant empire bent on destruction, or maybe, a-bit of both? Some would say that this is an illusion, that the universe doesn't revolve around you, its just all cleverly scripted... thats a blatant lie. I've had many moments in X3 that made me go "wow", one such moment involved an asteroid being blown to bits due to a fight, that had nothing to do with me, and said asteroid crashing into my station and well... causing alot of financial damage, ehem... But that wasn't scripted. This wasn't part of the plot, it was random, it just happened, and a little mis-fire ended up causing me some credits and I felt good about it! Thats why X3 is one of those games that you have to look beyond the clumsy interface thats before you. X3 has alot of gameplay in it, and for those who are patient, plenty of replay value. To get the most out of X3 though, a MOD is required. And quite possibly the best mod that you can get right now, for X3 Reunion, is Xtended. A mod that not only adds tons of stuff to your game, but adds valuable features too it that makes you think how you could ever play it without such a feature. If you love space games, if you want a good space simulator thats not too easy, and not too hard, then get X3 Reunion, and go for the mods once you do the story! If you want an easy game to get into, without much hassle, then X3 might not be for you, perhaps a more simple game... Space Invaders? ;)

Ken S. gave it a10:
Friggin' Awesome. The vanilla game is ok, but after some customazation(dont have spell check or dictionary handy) it's a rock solid game for gamers who love extremely in depth gaming. but if you just like the pick up and play games (halo or most other FPS) I don't recommend it.

goom fish gave it a1:
I Have to agree with others on the controls. They are poo basically. Not enough options to configure the controls the way I want them. & the hat on my joystick didnt work. Awful intructions also. Leaves u confused. Basically i didnt bother playing it much, because it was so VERY user unfreindly at the start. Verdict: Waste of Freakin time.

Ducky gave it a4:
I was really looking forward to playing this game. I've spent 2 days trying to figure out the basics without reading the manual (I love figuring out a game's mechanics by myself) and finally gave up. I started reading the manual, which was pretty annoying too because half the stuff they mention in it seems to be written for people who have played previous versions of this game, and not for newbies to the series. So I started playing anyways. The graphics are pretty nice, and the amount of customization really excited me at first, but... wow, it got soooo boring. I would never call this game fun. Maybe if I eventually learn to play it, it could turn into a nice experience, but never into a fun game. I stopped playing after I tried to make one of my ships land on the same station my main ship was in, but suddenly it blew up to pieces. I mean, wtf? I guess the best thing about this game is that it makes 15 year olds feel smarter for having the patience to play this, hehe, no offence. Anyways, I'll try this game again someday (when they fire me from work and I have more time in my hands) but for the meanwhile, I'm gonna play fallout 3.

Chris W gave it a10:
Great game with great reconfigurable controls GLENN T! But truly a good game. Those who complain that its too complex must be dumb because i learnt to play this when i was 15.

Grizzzzzzzzzzz gave it an8:
It could have been a fantastic game, but it just wasn't finished. The graphics are incredible, the universe to explore is vast, but around every asteroid theres a new poorly done cutscene or poorly designed piece of code ready to bring you back to reality. The community for the game have taken it to completely new lengths (with the xtended mod) and to experience what you should have got from egosoft in the first place, you have to rely on them. Lets hope egosoft pull it together for their next release.

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X3: Reunion

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