Earth & Beyond

 PC
Earth & Beyond Image
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 15 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: Welcome to Earth & Beyond, the first online role-playing galaxy. It's your turn to pilot your own starship, adventure in a massive galaxy, and take part in a thriving community. Alien encounters, fierce combat, cutthroat commerce, new discoveries, perilous quests, strategic alliances,Welcome to Earth & Beyond, the first online role-playing galaxy. It's your turn to pilot your own starship, adventure in a massive galaxy, and take part in a thriving community. Alien encounters, fierce combat, cutthroat commerce, new discoveries, perilous quests, strategic alliances, diplomatic backstabbing, and epic wars await you and the friends you meet online. Earth & Beyond allows you to build your character and career in three distinct ways: exploration, trade and combat. The game is designed around these three activities, and each race, profession, skill, starship and item affects how well you excel in these core activities. [Electronic Arts]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Electric Playground
    95
    Whether you're looking at the graphics, the gameplay, the server response, the community activity, this is one staggeringly good game.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    With its polished gameplay and compelling story line, E&B has its phasers on Stun. [Oct 25, 2002, p.83]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. GamePro
    90
    It’s a well-crafted, brilliantly designed, and lovingly developed space adventure that’s every bit as gripping as "EverQuest" ever was.
  4. Cincinnati Enquirer
    80
    Graphics are stunning.
  5. Yahoo!
    80
    A very good-looking and VERY addictive experience, and is probably the best starting environment for those who long to enter the MMORPG experience and yet dread the horror-stories they've heard.
  6. Game Chronicles
    75
    If you’ve enjoyed space sims in the past and don’t mind the simplified combat engine then go for it. With its intuitive controls, attractive graphics, and lofty scope, E&B has a lot to offer the right gamer.
  7. GameSpot
    69
    Fun for a short while, and at least you'll have some great sightseeing ahead of you before the game starts to lose its interest.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. meestyk
    Nov 21, 2007
    10
    Pure enjoyment. Pure happiness. For me anyway when this guy was around....til EA killed it *bastards*. And you wonder what those guys were on Pure enjoyment. Pure happiness. For me anyway when this guy was around....til EA killed it *bastards*. And you wonder what those guys were on to do such a thing. If any sequel arises to Earth and Beyond, I will simply have to revisit this lovely place once more. Kudos.… Expand
  2. [Anonymous]
    Oct 1, 2002
    9
    Great game!
  4. AshW.
    Dec 22, 2003
    9
    Anyone who can remember Elite will absolutely love this game! This non-player-v-player, non-linear space MMORPG mixes Anyone who can remember Elite will absolutely love this game! This non-player-v-player, non-linear space MMORPG mixes combat/exploration/trade in an online universe that can be enjoyed on your own or (where it really excels) as part of a group for extra bonus/experience points. The 6 race/class combinations are well balanced so that each has their own skills/strengths/weaknesses/styles of play. Guilds provide forums for player discussions and sharing of knowledge/equipment. Other players attitutdes are good and mostly helpful. Well supported by EA who I found to be polite and quick to respond. Any downsides? The 3D graphics are awesome although object collision is missing. Keyboard/mouse controls are easy to use although joystick support is sorely missed. Chat channels can be selected/switched off, although it annoyingly defaults to broadcast (to everyone) if you are not in a group when you gate between sectors. Minor issues that really don't affect the game play at all. I spent several months trying to find an Elite style game and this is definitely the winner! Well worth the $10-$15 per month to subscribe.… Expand
  5. MarlinM.
    Oct 2, 2002
    6
    (caveat, this review is based on the beta) Good points - Visually Stunning, No PKing, place for peaceful players, developers were responsive (caveat, this review is based on the beta) Good points - Visually Stunning, No PKing, place for peaceful players, developers were responsive to suggestions and polite. Sore Points - No coordination between Grouping & Guild membership; Chatting with other on space station players while on the space station is not possible, no joystick control of flight, can't bargain with vendors on space station, collision detection with other players (ships or avatars) and some game objects not enabled.… Expand
  6. Groundfisher
    May 24, 2005
    6
    This game no longer exists. Electronic Arts shut it down. One simply cannot play it anymore. In its day, a typical level-based PvE MMORPG. This game no longer exists. Electronic Arts shut it down. One simply cannot play it anymore. In its day, a typical level-based PvE MMORPG. Heavy on the grind and shallow in gameplay (maximum spawn-camping), it did however have a good community. Featured different races/classes, ships, and NPC monsters. Yes, monsters in space! Just floating there awaiting battle. Monsters. In space. However, this is now vapourware.… Expand
  7. PaulG.
    Oct 1, 2002
    2
    Very weak game. Gets repetitive very fast. The game design wastes at least half of your time zoning and getting in and out of your ship for noVery weak game. Gets repetitive very fast. The game design wastes at least half of your time zoning and getting in and out of your ship for no reason. Grouping is difficult and of limited value. its a schitzophrenic game that can't decide if its a 4X, a space sim, or an RPG. and sucks at all three.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best PC Game of 2002
78
#78 Most Discussed PC Game of 2002

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