Anyone else concerned about the lack of a main plot?

[nerdtron]

Having a series of missions which serve as a tutorial and basically show you around to the various systems is important. That can be done even without a "story".

In picking up X Rebirth again to get ready for X4, am hoping the missions will be smoother. There were some confusing ones there where the missions would get into a state and it wasn't clear what you actually had to do to progress them, etc. Am really hoping this will be improved.

[Sesk]

I never followed main plots in sandbox games. I prefer to set goals instead of following a quest. Like declaring war on the Borons.
I don't think a main plot is required if it's just to have it tell the current state of the universe. That should be conveyed via news articles, BBS, actual encounters, and other types of interactions.

Missions are nice though, like the PHQ mission, they have a reward at the end. They tell their own story.

[Ovni]

I actually really liked discovering the X universe through the plot in X2 and X3:Reunion. The various races, while corny, were presented well and you did learn to hate the Paranid and feel sorry for the Boron. As the following X3 games had less and less plot and lore (except the awesome X3 Terran Conflict intro cinematic), and more ridiculous elements like Sudoku played through a text interface, I progressively lost interest in the series. X Rebirth's plot had a couple cool moments, but was badly meshed with the gameplay (turn almost the whole map hostile to you, and then require massive trading to achieve goals) with no breathing room to explore and enjoy.

So yeah I'm really concerned that I won't be able to enjoy X4 with no story and no lore, and no real novelty besides the game trying real hard to be a tycoon game with a worse interface. My whole enthusiasm for the series came from X2, and I've been patiently waiting for the experience to be upgraded, but I think enthusiasm and patience have ran out now.

[jasonbarron]

Judging from the plot it XR I'm rather relieved that Egosoft is leaving well enough alone in terms of something as substantial as a story. A sprinkling of diffuse, goal oriented mission trees to introduce you to the factions would be nice, and it does sound like there will be a quest to find/build a PHQ that will no doubt give people some direction, but for my money I'm happy just noodling about doing my own thing.

[nerdtron]

X4 with no story and no lore, and no real novelty besides the game trying real hard to be a tycoon game with a worse interface. My whole enthusiasm for the series came from X2, and I've been patiently waiting for the experience to be upgraded, but I think enthusiasm and patience have ran out now.

I'd say wait for this Friday when X4 releases and watch others play (twitch, youtube), check out reviews, etc. and see how it looks to you. A bit early to write off X4 which hasn't even been released yet

[ZombiePotatoSalad]

X4 with no story and no lore, and no real novelty besides the game trying real hard to be a tycoon game with a worse interface. My whole enthusiasm for the series came from X2, and I've been patiently waiting for the experience to be upgraded, but I think enthusiasm and patience have ran out now.

Ever been told, "why aren't you more like your sibling?" This is something like that.

That is the wrong mindset to have. That kind of thinking is one of the factors that led to X: Rebirth being so panned. People came into it expecting X4. Don't come into X4 expecting X2. You're only setting yourself up for disappointment. Developers shouldn't have to make new games like old ones just to appease long-time players. The point of each new iteration is change, for good or ill. Some people may love it, some may hate it, and some may be on the fence.

The difference between the X series and a tycoon game is that you actually have control over your units. In a tycoon game, it's pretty much like you're watching from a desk. In an X game, not only can you control those units, but if you want to engage in some corprate espionage, you can do so yourself (or have your armada you built to your specifications do it for you).
That's another thing: customization. X games also allow you to put your own spin on things. In tycoon games, normally there's a quick and easy way to pigeonhole your competition, and game the AI. In X games, the economy is dynamic, and chances are, the AI may get fed up with your shenanigans and give you what for.

The lore has always been primarily been presented through the in-game Encyclopedia. I happen to like when games have an in-game (and in-universe) vehicle for explaining things to us. I hated how Bungie made the greatest clickbait in history with Destiny 1 and Grimoire Cards. A game also doesn't need a main plot to have a story. It's also conveyed through the environment. When I played X3AP and flew through President's End, I saw a bunch of destroyed junk floating around. I wondered why that was. Reading the TVTropes page told me that was from a Kha'ak attack in a previous game. In X Rebirth, there's a Xenon I stuck on an asteroid. How did it get there? What happened? Environmental storytelling can be just as powerful as a narrative. Just look at Oxhorn's videos on Fallout 4. He goes through an area and pieces together clues from the environment, coming up with what most likely might have happened. It gives you the chance to put on the detective hat and piece together what happened in your own way.

X3AP was my first X game. I had never even HEARD of the series until I was looking for (PC space games) on YouTube, and came across Willfe's XRM gameplay. Then I saw X Rebirth. It was a different beast than what I was used to, but I also heard it was more similar to the older X games, so I wasn't so hard on it, since I didn't play the previous X games. That made me miss the freedom of X3, and X4 is now bringing that back, in addition of more immersive features like actual ship interiors (before, only a mod in X3). I'm looking forward to this.

I won't judge it for what it isn't, but how it comes into its own.

[LittleBird]

The lore has always been primarily been presented through the in-game Encyclopedia.

That is not right.
In X1, X2 and X3:Reunion you played a major role in the developement of the X-Universe.
You experienced lore, instead of just reading it.
With X3:TC this was gone.

[ZombiePotatoSalad]

The lore has always been primarily been presented through the in-game Encyclopedia.

That is not right.
In X1, X2 and X3:Reunion you played a major role in the developement of the X-Universe.
You experienced lore, instead of just reading it.
With X3:TC this was gone.

Ah, I have only experienced X3AP and Rebirth.
I thought whenever you highlighted ships in the list, it gave some information via Betty about whatever you selected, as well as a text box?

[Bozz11]

I personnaly have never played any plot in any x Game except x:Rebirth.
I'm absolutely Okey that there is no plot in this one, I could not care less
I just play for the sandboxe experiance.

[LittleBird]

I personnaly have never played any plot in any x Game except x:Rebirth.
I'm absolutely Okey that there is no plot in this one, I could not care less
I just play for the sandboxe experiance.

Someone could say.... because you never experienced the plots (except for Rebirth), you can't miss them

[Ovni]

Then I saw X Rebirth. It was a different beast than what I was used to, but I also heard it was more similar to the older X games

X rebirth wasn't at all similar to the older X games, which is exactly why I've given up hope of Egosoft ever making a game with the right balance of game mechanics and lore/story as X2 had. TBH I'm gonna miss the news articles (player request they implemented to great success in X2, recycled in X3:R, removed in X3:TC, confirmed to be absent from X4) even more than the story. I was hoping for a next-gen version of that, given the popularity of roguelikes and procedural generation, but nope. I hope at least that their X4 "even more dynamic economy" provides interesting trade opportunities for the player. Tech buzzwords rarely equate good gameplay.

X Rebirth barely counts as a game actually. It was more like a tech demo with a story and awkward game mechanics strapped on. They wanted to upgrade their engine and they did great technical strides such as the modular, to-scale stations and ships, the whole walking out of your ship, and a world without loading screens, better pathfinding (though still flawed) and so on. But the game design and UI were atrocious and full of afterthoughts, and the tech still failed at critical points such as the escort AI for capital ships being useless, making the whole "do something else while your ships slowly trade goods for you impractical"... especially in the campaign where they turn the whole map against you.

BTW you can't meaningfully talk about what the X "series" is about if you have only experienced one game and a half in it, sorry.

[Alci]

X rebirth wasn't at all similar to the older X games

it was a lot like X1

[ishmaeltheforsaken]

X rebirth wasn't at all similar to the older X games

it was a lot like X1

You'd be surprised how many people seem to believe the series started at 2.

[ZombiePotatoSalad]

Then I saw X Rebirth. It was a different beast than what I was used to, but I also heard it was more similar to the older X games

X rebirth wasn't at all similar to the older X games, which is exactly why I've given up hope of Egosoft ever making a game with the right balance of game mechanics and lore/story as X2 had. TBH I'm gonna miss the news articles (player request they implemented to great success in X2, recycled in X3:R, removed in X3:TC, confirmed to be absent from X4) even more than the story. I was hoping for a next-gen version of that, given the popularity of roguelikes and procedural generation, but nope. I hope at least that their X4 "even more dynamic economy" provides interesting trade opportunities for the player. Tech buzzwords rarely equate good gameplay.

X Rebirth barely counts as a game actually. It was more like a tech demo with a story and awkward game mechanics strapped on. They wanted to upgrade their engine and they did great technical strides such as the modular, to-scale stations and ships, the whole walking out of your ship, and a world without loading screens, better pathfinding (though still flawed) and so on. But the game design and UI were atrocious and full of afterthoughts, and the tech still failed at critical points such as the escort AI for capital ships being useless, making the whole "do something else while your ships slowly trade goods for you impractical"... especially in the campaign where they turn the whole map against you.

BTW you can't meaningfully talk about what the X "series" is about if you have only experienced one game and a half in it, sorry.

Ah yes, nothing like discounting someone's opinion because they didn't play as many games as you think is "necessary." This is like saying that someone isn't as good as you in Call of Duty because you've played since 3, and they started at Black Ops.

Also, the bugs aren't what I'm comparing, it's the features... well, feature. In older X games, you were limited to 1 ship. In X3AP, you had access to many. That's the difference I was referring to.

I think, despite only played "one game and a half," my opinion still matters, especially more than those who never touched an X game, yet comment "Star Citizen looks great" on X4 videos.

[Nort The Fragrent]

We all know how important Afterbirth is and the necessary roll it plays in generating a new form. As unpleasant as it is/was Afterbirth did get tossed aside, and the creature we have all been waiting for is soon to breath it's first breath. It will need support to survive, and all you long toothed pilots have a duty to perform. It will seem strange and unwieldy but be patient. Give yourselves to the beast and enjoy what is has hidden in the maturing universe.
I am looking forward to becoming it's grate grate grand pilot.
Plot ! Oh! Yes, never mind, I am to be born again.

[SteveMill]

I enjoyed the pre-XR plots but the XR one was so awful and broken I’m happy to not have one driving the gameplay.

I’m happy just to be given a ship and a few credits and pointed at a sandbox galaxy.

[Ovni]

Also, the bugs aren't what I'm comparing, it's the features... well, feature. In older X games, you were limited to 1 ship. In X3AP, you had access to many. That's the difference I was referring to.

No, you weren't. X2 allowed you to own and fly a whole fleet of ships, and own stations. Seriously, stop talking about things you have no clue about.

[CaptainX4]

I enjoyed the pre-XR plots but the XR one was so awful and broken I’m happy to not have one driving the gameplay.

I’m happy just to be given a ship and a few credits and pointed at a sandbox galaxy.

just like me. i like missions like the boron stuff, i hope in future upgrades that plot goes on to find the hiding borons but otherwise, im quite fine with just living in X4, no need for much storyline.... i prefer a few smaller but interesting plots

[nemhook]

Personally, if there is a plot in here, I would like to experience it, so if anybody knows were to start it, that would be great

[ZombiePotatoSalad]

Also, the bugs aren't what I'm comparing, it's the features... well, feature. In older X games, you were limited to 1 ship. In X3AP, you had access to many. That's the difference I was referring to.

No, you weren't. X2 allowed you to own and fly a whole fleet of ships, and own stations. Seriously, stop talking about things you have no clue about.

In X:BtF you were. Seriously, could you REEEEEEE a little louder? The people in the back couldn't hear you.

I'm saying it's been done before, as opposed to being a totally new concept.