Jumpgate - PC Games

Set in a post-apocalyptic galaxy, Jumpgate's five factions are trying to rebuild what's left of their civilizations. Called the Restoration Initiative, the factions have formed an uneasy alliance while also furthering their own political agendas. After choosing which group you want to work with (three factions are playable), you can role-play as a merchant (buy low, sell high), a miner, or a fighter. You can also perform missions that will strengthen TRI or any of the individual factions. Meanwhile, keep upgrading your ship to help battle the mysterious aliens known as the Conflux. Jumpgate is open-ended enough that you play in as much or as little of any profession as you wish. The game keeps track of each player's progress, and posts stat-tracking info via Jumpgate's Web-based database of news and info.

You start off with a disturbingly slow ship that's barely capable of defending itself. Expect long stretches of boring transport (read: lots of commuting) missions before you can afford to do anything of interest. But once you get some decent gear, you'll see Jumpgate offers an interesting and constantly developing galaxy. As time goes on, expect to see more and bigger ships, amazing new technologies, more conflict, and many plot twists.

The graphics are slightly more than functional, but not spectacular, yet it will run smoothly on almost any PC. Also, unlike other online game releases (WWII Online, Anarchy Online), Jumpgate had a smooth launch and continues to be extremely stable.

Jumpgate is a very good space combat sim that's worth investigating. As its universe grows and becomes more complex and populated, it will make the giant leap in RPG gameplay the space genre really needs. Space game fans looking for intergalactic friends and enemies that are (hopefully) smarter than their PCs should visit Jumpgate's galaxy. --Mark Brooks

Pros: A huge universe with many sights to see and baddies to blast Developing your character as a merchant, fighter, or miner offers many gameplay possibilities Very, very stable game when compared to other online games Cons: Not the prettiest game in the genre Building up a decent character with a decent ship is very tedious, as it usually requires lots of boring commuting Steep learning curve for online newbies

Amazon.com Product Description
Join the online space-flight, exploration, and combat adventure that you create. In JumpGate, the universe is in shambles and only the three factions of the reconstruction initiative can bring order and stability to the cosmos. Pick your faction, then outfit and upgrade your ship and fighter pilot skills to join with other real-life friends and foes in an unscripted outer space adventure where you are the story.

JumpGate offers a massive, multiplayer, persistent online universe for virtually limitless unique exploration. With realistic flight physics, experience a challenging, space-based flight simulator. A robust chat system allows you to identify friends, foes, player communities, and loyalties. An offline simulator with enabled online chat is available to help new players break into the game. JumpGate also gives players control over the expansion of the universe with detailed, complex economic systems with clear missions, goals, and rewards. Chart your progress with up-to-date stats and get bragging rights.