X: Beyond the Frontier

 PC
  • Publisher: THQ
  • Release Date: Jan 26, 2000
X: Beyond the Frontier Image
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Take a trip to the farthest reaches of space in this real-time simulation. You're the pilot of an experimental aircraft that falls into an unknown sector of the universe. Your objective is to get home alive, but that won't be any small task as tons of enemies and obstacles will try to slowTake a trip to the farthest reaches of space in this real-time simulation. You're the pilot of an experimental aircraft that falls into an unknown sector of the universe. Your objective is to get home alive, but that won't be any small task as tons of enemies and obstacles will try to slow your progress throughout the adventure. The game boasts more than 150 fully operational aircraft, six interactive civilizations, in excess of 10,000 objects to use, and thousands of hours of gameplay. Fighting, trading, and solving puzzles are all part of the territory in this massive gaming experience.… Expand
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
  1. ActionTrip
    81
    Play it patiently, explore, fight and enjoy... It just might do the trick before the heavy hitters like Starlancer and Freelancer arrive.
  2. PC Gameworld
    78
    You won't run through the streets exclaiming the virtues of this game after playing it. You won't tell every one of your friends about it. You won't even think much about it after you're finished. If you buy it though, you will get something few games these days can offer: Several hours of gaming enjoyment.
  3. TotalGames.net
    74
    Time consuming and considering the lack of alternatives, quite good at what it does. But it fails to seamlessly merge the combat and trading that Elite did so well and is, to put it bluntly, a bit on the dull side.
    All this publication's reviews
  4. GameSpy
    68
    If you thought "Elite" had too much combat and not enough trading, X is probably worth a look. Otherwise, it's probably best to avoid this one.
  5. Adrenaline Vault
    60
    With a very large galaxy populated by unique aliens, an interesting non-linear storyline, lots of great visuals, and interesting gizmos to upgrade your ship with, X during the first few sessions can be a joy to play. Poor design choices, and repetitive actions, keeps X from being as memorable and fun as Elite was.
  6. Computer Games Magazine
    60
    In short, X is a fairly good game that could have been great. With more missions, a better flight model, and better pacing, it might have dethroned "Elite." As is, it joins a long line of games like "Privateer II" that entertain but leave you wanting more.
  7. Eurogamer
    30
    X manages to fail on almost every level.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. rafferz
    Apr 23, 2014
    10
    Amazing game. I spent hours buying and selling stuff in different systems, fighting pirates and exploring the world and the main part isAmazing game. I spent hours buying and selling stuff in different systems, fighting pirates and exploring the world and the main part is complete freedom. Soundtracks are so amazing that I am still listening to it. Such a beautiful game for that period of time.… Expand
  2. Zephyn
    Aug 17, 2012
    9
    After playing around a bit with X3, I decided to give the original game in the series a try. As a gamer who really misses Wing Commander:After playing around a bit with X3, I decided to give the original game in the series a try. As a gamer who really misses Wing Commander: Privateer and the original Mechwarrior game for the PC, I've been very pleased with X-BTF. It seems to have the same balance of combat tactics and resource strategy that keep the game interesting over the long term: You can switch from Businessman to Demolition Man and vice-versa as the mood takes you.

    As with most sandbox games, you don't start with much in the way of resources... but there's no point to playing an empire building game if the empire's already half-built by the time you start. For newcomers who find the complexity of the more recent games of the X series a bit overwhelming. I'd recommend X-BTF as good way to get a feel for the combat/trading systems and the plot/setting without getting hit by option overload.    … Expand
  4. OdraSPUF
    Jul 15, 2011
    7
    A frustrating start turns away most casual gamers, but once you get used to the controls and manage to upgrade your ship for faster travelA frustrating start turns away most casual gamers, but once you get used to the controls and manage to upgrade your ship for faster travel this game begins to shine.

    Robust economics, a faction-based political system and a vast universe to explore has made this game a welcome addition to my collection.

    Players that don't suffer from short-attention spans that enjoy simulations and economic driven games (ie. Simcity) with combat thrown into the mix may find this to be an entertaining title.

    Some points before purchasing:
    * The graphics feel dated (1999), but it handles itself well with no problems so far.
    * Slow "grinding" period when first starting the game.
    * No configurable controls. (save for about 5 keys)

    Find a downloadable Demo at Egosoft's website.    … Expand
  5. Ears14U
    Apr 26, 2013
    0
    This game, no....this entire series is a complete pile of badly programmed rubbish. I have had more trouble with what's been deemed aThis game, no....this entire series is a complete pile of badly programmed rubbish. I have had more trouble with what's been deemed a audio/video "codec" issue. Seriously? With all four of the titles I've installed? You would think that Egosoft (wow, not a humble bone is this crowd huh?) would have released a "patch" like every other reputable game manufacturer would have done to fix this issue. However this task of spending more time trying to fix a "scratchy-assed" noise through your speakers, then actually playing the game is left up to us consumers. I'll just chalk this X-turd-box series up to a loss. I personally couldn't "rate" this crap any lower than I did, so I would highly advise steering clear of this, and any other EGOSOFT software in the future.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

95
#95 Best PC Game of 2000
72
#72 Most Discussed PC Game of 2000

Current PC Games

Full List »
95 Persona 5 Royal
93 Dwarf Fortress
91 Chained Echoes
90 The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero
89 Pizza Tower
89 Portal with RTX
89 Hi-Fi Rush
88 Pentiment
88 Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection
88 Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
88 Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania
87 Vampire Survivors
86 Kynseed
86 8-Bit Adventures 2
79 Ghost Song
77 Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
75 Atomic Heart
75 Honey, I Joined a Cult
71 Storyteller
70 Scorn
All Current Games »