From AP to TC

[imortalvalk]

Right so I have played Albion prelude for a decent amount of time now and I am thinking of starting a Terran conflict game but I am a bit worried it won't be as good as AP due to it having less ships and systems, no stock exchange (that might be better depending how you look at it) and a few other features that are missing. I do like the khaak mind you.

I'm not sure if I should ask here but would installing the XTC mod from the bonus section be a good idea, also will it mark my game as modified or is it like the bonus pack in that regard?

[jlocohustler]

I noticed the games in the X series are quite different from each other. Since X BTF the series kept changing and changing.

What I mean is, if you want to start a TC game, don't worry about it being less fun because it's really not! It's just different is all.

As far as mods are concerned, it's just a matter of personal preference. Some people might like them and some might not. Just install them and see for yourself. If you hate them just remove them. As easy as that.

[imortalvalk]

Good point but as for trying the mods to see if they are to my taste, that's a bit... Well lets just say with a download limit on mobile broadband I have to really think about downloading stuff

[jlocohustler]

[imortalvalk]

I am interested in the TC extended mod that is listed under bonus material in the download section.

[Sinxar]

TBH I find AP to be extremely boring. There is no challenge in getting the hub and phq then its just wait around until you get bored of collecting taxes.

At least in TC you will be working hard for those prizes . But if you insist on not playing the game, there is XRM too.

[imortalvalk]

Don't get me wrong it's not that i don't want to play it, I am just looking for peoples opinions regarding the game and would like to know what people think of the extended mod to add some content.

[Sinxar]

Its not that wouldn't I recommend a few, its just if you haven't played through TC yet... There is just so much more content in TC than AP. AP does have some nice fixes and enhancements though so that will be weird for a while.

This will prolly get moved if we start talking about mods. But I'm using IE + IEX in AP. Got a separate install of TC with XRM + IE + IEX. XRM is really good. Makes it harder but it has some much needed additions. The bounty system is one of the best selling points for me. It adds a TON of ships and sectors etc. And another epic feature of XRM is that its fully voiced. All the sectors and ships, betty can speak them its great.

If your worried about bandwidth caps I think it was something like a GB of stuff I downloaded for my XRM game + addons.

Just remember to make a separate install of TC or AP with a nosteam exe to mod on and backup all your saves. It saves in the same location as vanilla so you gotta watch out for that.

[Snafu_X3]

Do you prefer a plot-led game or a more open game?

While X allows you to do both, the earlier games (up to but not including TC) tend to be more centralised or plot-oriented; the latter two (TC & AP) are a bit more open

There are 1 or 2 plots in the earlier games; there are several unconnected ones in the latter 2*

Think of the difference between Wing Commander & Privateer if you like..

*see sig

[imortalvalk]

I like a sand box game with a story to it, which is what I am getting atm

Also I decided to go with XRM so I can have shiny new things, (can't get better than shiny and new) while keeping the plots and such. So far so good.
XTC changed the game to much for my liking, maybe try it later.

[Zyler]

X3AP has more ships and more challenging combat (but no khaak), war zones, AI bombers that use their missiles, etc. On the other hand X3TC has a lot of challenging plots to keep you busy, corporation missions that can give you some special ships like the advanced mamba (not available in AP). If you're more into domination through trade TC is probably better as well since there's no war going on. While the sandbox game in AP is better overall I find that X3tc was better for me as there's always some objective to work towards while building your sandbox empire (hub/phq/corps). Well almost always but it will probably take you 300+ hours to complete everything. I'm not a big fan of the AP war either. I am more of a builder/trader though so your opinion may vary.

[Lazerius]

I think if I went backwards from AP to TC, when I saw the loss of the improved UI, especially sector maps, I'd cry a little.


TC's worth doing, absolutely. My opinion is still one that it should be played before AP, but to each their own.

[Ulan Dhor]

Do I miss incompetent sector sentries or regularly splatting into capital ships at gates? I'm not sure. On one hand, sectors like Black Hole Sun are now pretty safe, on the other hand, semi-safe hunting grounds became rare. There's no watching out for Khaak clusters anymore, either.

Somehow, it's very different, but overall a wash.

[XanII]

TC has Stock Exchange script and Race Response / Military scripts. Basicaly the stuff that was later put into AP.

I warmly recomend TC and modding it with scripts to make it suit your needs. Atleast the scripts work nicely and there is no need to wait for them to be tested ready.

[Playbahnosh]

I highly recommend you play TC. Sure, it doesn't have SX, but it's a way more lighter game than AP. First of all, you don't start the game in the middle of a warzone. Second, there are so much more in TC storywise, there are 9 storylines to play in TC, not just two, and they have much more content (many of them are fully voiced). You can fight against AGI, be part of the final assault on the Khaak, discover the long lost Aldrin and help them integrate into the rest of the galaxy, help the Goner rebuild their temple and finally discover and restore the HUB and get the PHQ. It has waay more longevity than AP, if only for the HUB mission which is....not short

All in all, if anyone asks what to play first, I always direct them towards TC. AP is only like what X-Tension was to X-BTF. After finishing the plot, I think I'm going back to TC myself. Well, until Rebirth is released that is.