Torn Stars Screenshots

[SUBMAN1]

I miss these ultra realistic physics based sims. All technology used in this sim is accurate. Anyway, if you like Elite, this is its modern equivelent.

-S

http://www.torn-stars.com//index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Torn Stars (formerly Epic: Middle States) is a new and epic space simulation set in the war torn and ravaged Middle States star cluster. Live a second life traveling and plying the space lanes with a fleet of transports, preying on fat and rich merchant transports as a pirate, exploring l-points and undiscovered star systems, or even laying claims and searching out mineral-rich asteroids. Do all this and much more whilst avoiding the myriad hazards and threats of the shattered Middle States empires. The sights, sounds, adventures and danger of Torn Stars await you! Come make your second home amidst its broken yet still hauntingly beautiful splendor.

http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/24/ts1sw3.jpg

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Torn Stars is set in the Middle States star cluster, a war torn and lawless region clinging desperately to the vestiges of space-faring civilization. Travel across 27 war torn systems in search of lost ships, mineral wealth, mercenary pay, or fat profits. Six major nations struggle for control of the Middle States. The border zones between them are breeding grounds for pirates and smugglers.


Join an Empire fighting to regain its lost glory or side with those struggling for independence. The choice is yours.

http://www.torn-stars.com/images/stories/middlestates_map_thumb.png

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The Leung Empire

The Empire is all that remains of Chung Kuo (the Middle Kingdom), which once contained half the systems in the Middle States, including Emerald. The Kingdoms fleet was smashed in the war, and many systems rebelled during the following chaos. The greatest manufacturing power in the Middle States, the Empire rebuilds its fleet and dreams of reunification.


Emperor Leung was an old man when the cluster was established, and is now ancient. Some speculate his unnaturally long life is due to Divine Intervention. Some claim advanced biotechnology. Many would pay a fortune for his secret, including his archenemy, the Sultan.

http://www.torn-stars.com/images/stories/leung_map.png

The Sultanate of Khalilistan

Wealth, beauty, and treachery all describe the Sultanate. Unimaginable wealth flows from the clusters largest source of Neutronium to build great palaces, universities, and fleets of gleaming white tradeships. And pays the mercenaries needed to keep it safe.


Exclusive and elitist, powerful Caliphates (princes) vie for power. A word of favor and a trader can become richer than a king. One slip of grace or word of disfavor, and execution comes swiftly. The Sultans secret police maintain his power. They are everywhere and hear everything. Make no false

http://www.torn-stars.com/images/stories/sultanate_map.png

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/4381/ts4pk0.jpg

CMC and the Barrens

The Barrens once belonged to the Consolidated Mining Corporation. The CMC was nearly destroyed by its larger neighbors during the War of Dissolution. Now the Barrens is a political no mans land, home to pirates, smugglers and discontents. No nation dares invade for fear of restarting the war, so the Barrens remain in anarchy.

Whole war fleets drift lifeless, as do empty stations and rich mining sites. For those willing to brave the pirates and ancient defenses, excellent salvage waits to be found.

http://www.torn-stars.com/images/stories/cmc_map.png

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Emerald Alliance


A true terrestrial planet, Emerald is the greatest treasure of the Middle States. The Sultan destroyed most of Emeralds cities and stations when he tried to take it from the Empire. But the vast farms survived. Using this wealth Emerald rebuilt and formed a new nation. The Emerald Alliance unified several rebel systems into a representative democracy.

http://www.torn-stars.com/images/stories/emerald_map.png

The Dead Reaches


The Dead Reaches were sparsely populated before the war. The sudden loss of supplies and life support forced most people to leave. Many systems and stations were abandoned. Those who remain are fiercely independent, resisting incursion from Empire and Emerald alike. Both nations claim the Dead Reaches and fight with each other though corporation, mercenary and spy.

[Safe-Keeper]

I miss Battlecruiser Millenium Gold Edition:cry:.

I might just get this. Or X3. Or Freelancer.

[SUBMAN1]

I miss Battlecruiser Millenium Gold Edition:cry:.

I might just get this. Or X3. Or Freelancer.

Battlecrusier tried to be too many things to too many people and ultimately failed at all of it because it didn't do one thing good.

Torn Stars I am installing right now though. I've played through Independence war II and loved it. To add on free trade and build an empire (ala Elite or X3), with real physics and real (theoretical) techology is a dream.

By the way, X3 is StarForce protected. That stopped me from buying it.

-S

[Boris]

So how does this game compare to X3 or freelancer exactly? I played X3 for a very short time and couldn't really get into it, but played freelancer to the very end and loved it. The only thing I didn't like about freelancer was the poor sense of scale, small solar systems etc, and limited realism. But the game had a cartoony edge to it, so it was forgiven.

[SUBMAN1]

So how does this game compare to X3 or freelancer exactly? I played X3 for a very short time and couldn't really get into it, but played freelancer to the very end and loved it. The only thing I didn't like about freelancer was the poor sense of scale, small solar systems etc, and limited realism. But the game had a cartoony edge to it, so it was forgiven.

Wow. I guess you could put it like this - systems are light years apart. If you see a distant star, and want to engage you faster than light LDS (Linear Displacement Drive) drive, it is still going to take you a very long time to get to that star. An hour possibly, maybe more. THis game is also more along the serious lines. You have an autopilot that will auto correct your ships flight path by firing the appropriate thrusters to align you along that path, but that can be dis-engaged and you can manually control your thrusters. For example - aim the nose of the ship at your intended target while flying to the left at 3000 km/sec (and yes, you really can go that fast, or even faster - as fast as you feel like keeping the thrusters engaged that long - just to run into anything - and of course, you'll be passing stuff like a blur.

I don't know how to describe this game other than - you will die many times getting used to real physics. In the future, you do not have to aim persey either - your cannons will automatically lead the target and fire when you press the to where your enemy is expected to be - problem is your plasma can only fly so fast (It moves fast by the way), but dealing with kilometers/sec (At minimum, .5 to 1 km if manuvering, up to however fast you want to go based on the G of acceleration of your thrusters.

My experiments with stars is that you can get to under 200 km from one, but you will lose structural integrety somewhere less than that.

I have not tried to make my own empire yet. Will soon.

Basically - freedom do do anything or go anywhere is the best way to describe this game.

-S