Gameplay Escape Velocity Nova

1 gameplay

1.1 main goals
1.2 missions, storylines , plot
1.3 ships , technology
1.4 extensibility (plug-ins)

gameplay

nova takes place around star systems in milky way, many of have planets or space stations player can land on. each star system either controlled faction , has evaluation of player s crimes or contributions star system , faction, or uninhabited , controlled no one. player s ship travels between star systems hyperjumping fixed (and user, instantaneous) paths surrounding systems. player can use rare wormholes transport player s ship random star system, or can use hypergate system move between systems after sigma shipyard mission string has been completed.

in space, in game limited 2 dimensions, player controls spaceship land on planets, jump star system, or engage in combat , board ships. player can communicate other ships, obtaining information supply , demand of commodities on different planets, , can missions in way.

on inhabited planets, player can refuel ship, find , accept missions, trade commodities, buy ships or ship upgrades, , hire escorts. each planet, spaceport bar, , ship or ship upgrade has associated images , descriptions.

main goals

the player starts freelance space pilot in shuttlecraft, out make penny in vast , unforgiving galaxy. there many ways play nova; example, starting player seeking funds can become trader or courier, delivering cargo between worlds; become pirate or bounty hunter, attacking , disabling ships steal money, cargo, or ships themselves; become involved in 1 of main storylines; or conquer galaxy subjugating worlds.

missions, storylines , plot

the game has 6 major storylines player can participate in, 1 each of major factions: federation, rebellion, auroran, polaris, vell-os, , pirate.

these storylines bulk of game. each storyline long , involved set of plot-filled missions playing short story written in second person. each story-line forces pilots align particular faction, restricting player s freedom giving him access more powerful ships , technology. single story-line can take anywhere hour several days play completion, depending on player s level of experience , preferred pace. there exist few shorter minor stories , missions, difficult find have great rewards, such ability use old hypergate system.

some major , minor storylines branch others that, example, player in midst of federation story-line can, along way, choose join rebellion instead. nova has small fraction of freelance missions common in previous games in escape velocity series.

in standard game, single major storyline can played per pilot, opposed previous games in escape velocity series 1 play missions 1 pilot while gathering ever more powerful ships , weapons.

there 2 minor storylines however, both of player major storylines. these include bounty hunter , wild geese storylines. bounty hunter storyline can lead either federation, rebellion, or auroran storylines. wild geese storyline can lead either auroran or pirate storyline.

ships , technology

starting simple shuttlecraft, player obtains new ships, weapons, , other technology, such cloaking devices, beam weapons, , fighter bays, purchase or result of completing missions. throughout course of game, player can choose pilot bigger , better ships — leading powerful capital ships alien technology — can carry more cargo, , can obtain controllable escort ships.

extensibility (plug-ins)

like other games in escape velocity series, nova allows registered users create own plug-ins can used or drastically change stories , technology, or replace universe. there large community @ official ambrosia forums players can trade tips, help, , swap favorite plugins , pilots.

of particular note 2 official plug-ins available registered users replace nova s scenario of first 2 games, allowing original escape velocity , sequel escape velocity override played natively on both mac os x , microsoft windows.