# The Thread of Free Games (Open Source, etc) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 6, 2007, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945 "2007-01-06T16:38:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2007, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/61 "2007-01-17T18:37:22Z")
[QUOTE=Subway Prophet] On the title screen, click on the ship icon at the center top of the screen. [/QUOTE] Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2007, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/62 "2007-01-17T21:32:27Z")
Does Transcendence support joysticks or joypads? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2007, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/63 "2007-01-18T01:20:41Z")
[QUOTE=Captain\_C] For those who love risk, I recommend [Kdice](http://kdice.com) [/QUOTE] I hate you. ---
**Author:** ![CapnPitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2007, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/64 "2007-01-18T01:47:04Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] Does Transcendence support joysticks or joypads? [/QUOTE] I don’t think so. Just keyboard…and you need to be fast on your keyboard. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2007, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/65 "2007-01-18T08:48:46Z")
Big player useable ship is the EI500-class freighter according to the Transcendence website. ---
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2007, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/66 "2007-01-18T15:45:51Z")
I’ve completed Cave Story, but I’m working on getting the good ending this time around, with just a few hints from a walkthrough. =^^= ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/67 "2007-01-19T05:54:44Z")
i’m at the Dorado system so far, just after the ‘proceed at your own risk’ sign beyond the Commonwealth home system. all i’ve need, and have been using so far, is the omnidirectional laser cannon which i’d upgraded once. am i missing out on the other more powerful weapons? i find having a 100% hit rate to be a really no brainer when it comes to choosing weapons to install… * * * another playing Transcendence because of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![CapnPitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/68 "2007-01-19T14:51:38Z")
I’m using the Laser array boosted up to +100% on damage. It’s a lot of fun. Despite all the big talk about the omnidirectional, I haven’t been able to bring myself to abandon the laser array…I like the three shots at once. Anybody use missiles? I haven’t fooled with them yet, just wondering what success people have had with them. I also love having the 100MW reactor now. Paid for largely by selling Ice Farm goods to a Corporate Enclave (thanks **Lute** ). Far and away the coolest thing I’ve come across is the Gladiator Arena (or whatever they call it)…I think it’s in Rigel Aurelius. That’s just plain fun in a shoot’em up way. I did learn a lesson in humility though, when I blew through the first 6 or 7 fights and then came up against some sort of Gunship piloted by a former member of the Penitent Order. S/he had really good shields and my 72 hp shields didn’t last very long (yes I cheated and resurrected after that). But it was great fun…a neat little addition to the game. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/69 "2007-01-19T19:46:46Z")
[QUOTE=Tabby\_Cat] I’ve completed Cave Story, but I’m working on getting the good ending this time around, with just a few hints from a walkthrough. =^^= [/QUOTE] I’ve given up at the labyrinth boss with the caterpillar tracks. I must have tried twenty or thirty times now, and the best I’ve done is reduce his points to about 70%. It doesn’t help that you have to slog through a couple of screens to get to the boss, every single time. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2007, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/70 "2007-01-20T05:37:22Z")
> [@Pushkin](#): > > Big player useable ship is the EI500-class freighter according to the Transcendence website. Yeah, **Subway Prophet** mentioned those. I’ve been doing great with 'em, until something goes wrong…like being exposed to radiation in the middle of nowhere or gating into a huge battle between a Korolov post and a Charon fleet. [QUOTE=CapnPitt] Anybody use missiles? [/quote] I have, on occasion. The heat-seeking ones are real nice. > [@](#): > > _I also love having the 100MW reactor now. Paid for largely by selling Ice Farm goods to a Corporate Enclave (thanks **Lute** )._ Quite welcome. Ever wonder why those Corporate people are so happy? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2007, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/71 "2007-01-21T07:13:44Z")
**a general warning for other transcendence players!** becareful of those unknown alien gem thingys! i tried one of those, having saved the game first in case, but it ported me (one-way!) to another star system… and thus overwrote my saved game! now i’m stuck way too deep into the game and have to walk the way back.. it appears the only way to prevent this is to backup your savegame manually. [QUOTE=CapnPitt] … Anybody use missiles? … [/QUOTE] i’ve decided that the omni is the only weapon for me, while using the other weapon slot for fun and added punch when the other is a sitting target. missiles adds more variety as you get to choose different types of ammo, giving you, in a sense, 4+ weapons at one time. ---
**Author:** ![Subway\_Prophet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecb155/32.png) [@Subway\_Prophet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subway_Prophet)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2007, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/72 "2007-01-21T17:19:42Z")
[QUOTE=shijinn] **a general warning for other transcendence players!** becareful of those unknown alien gem thingys! […] …it appears the only way to prevent this is to backup your savegame manually. [/QUOTE] Well, the other way to prevent this is to not experiment with weird alien gems. 😉 > [@](#): > > i’ve decided that the omni is the only weapon for me, while using the other weapon slot for fun and added punch when the other is a sitting target. missiles adds more variety as you get to choose different types of ammo, giving you, in a sense, 4+ weapons at one time. Omnis are good, but a lot of enemies are resistant to laser weapons. Early in the game, I like to compliment my omni with a kinetic weapon, like a dual recoilless, which becomes useful in quickly taking down a space station. Missiles and MAGs are good, but ammo isn’t really affordable until about mid-game. By then, I usually have an omni particle weapon and a howitzer and obscenely powerful shields, and can afford to wade into a conflict with minimal damage. ---
**Author:** ![athelas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2007, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/73 "2007-01-21T17:30:58Z")
[QUOTE=CapnPitt] I did learn a lesson in humility though, when I blew through the first 6 or 7 fights and then came up against some sort of Gunship piloted by a former member of the Penitent Order. S/he had really good shields and my 72 hp shields didn’t last very long (yes I cheated and resurrected after that). But it was great fun…a neat little addition to the game. [/QUOTE] The trick with that one is that its shield regen is really high. You need something more damaging than the omni laser (missiles!), and once its shields are down it’s not too tough. > [@](#): > > gating into a huge battle between a Korolov post and a Charon fleet. You’re supposed to sit that one out. I tried taking on the enemy fleet; they’re way too tough. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2007, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/74 "2007-01-21T18:06:08Z")
Thanks for introducing me to “Home of the Underdogs”. I’m never going to get anything productive done ever again. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2007, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/75 "2007-01-21T21:00:23Z")
[QUOTE=athelas] You’re supposed to sit that one out. [/QUOTE] Couldn’t. The gate put me in the crossfire. ---
**Author:** ![athelas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/76 "2007-01-22T01:10:06Z")
Just sitting in the gate should protect you. The gate, like planets and stations, blocks incoming fire. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/77 "2007-01-22T02:33:59Z")
[QUOTE=athelas] Just sitting in the gate should protect you. [/QUOTE] Yeah, I figured that out later on. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/78 "2007-01-22T09:38:52Z")
[QUOTE=shijinn] all i’ve need, and have been using so far, is the omnidirectional laser cannon which i’d upgraded once. am i missing out on the other more powerful weapons? [/QUOTE] Omnidirectional particle beam for one, there’s another omnidirectional turret for a powerful energy weapon I’ve come across that I didn’t have a chance to buy. The omni-particle beam is useful for the holocaust/slaughter of the Fermi miners later in the game. A sad, sad opportunity for much looting ☹😃 Tip; the miners’ colony has something valuable that allows you to trade with a race that doesn’t take Commonwealth credit 😉 [QUOTE=Lute Skywatcher] or gating into a huge battle between a Korolov post and a Charon fleet [/QUOTE] I’ve seen that one too. When you go back to the Korolov post, you get a map of the pirate stations in the system, is anything supposed to happen once you’ve taken them all out? I just end up with a nearly dead system 😕 [QUOTE=Subway Prophet] Missiles and MAGs are good, but ammo isn’t really affordable until about mid-game. By then, I usually have an omni particle weapon and a howitzer and obscenely powerful shields, and can afford to wade into a conflict with minimal damage. [/QUOTE] Its fun when you can sit back and lay waste to fortresses or squadrons of many smaller craft. I’m aiming to find a super weapon to take on the Xenophobe World ships. Taking out somewhat larger ships than mine have yielded precious few decent weapons, so I’ll have to build up a few Rins and see what the neo-humans can sell me. Oh yes, and I’ve an study assignment to complete, room to tidy, book to read, sleep to catch up on… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/79 "2007-01-22T14:12:34Z")
101+ free games: [http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3156339](http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3156339) (site seems slow) Brian ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945/80 "2007-01-24T19:55:41Z")
[QUOTE=Pushkin] The omni-particle beam is useful for the holocaust/slaughter of the Fermi miners later in the game. A sad, sad opportunity for much looting [/QUOTE] I alternated between a +75% X-ray laser and Shuriken cannon for a wholesale slaughter of Helios last night, and the nearest Commonwealth Fortress still wouldn’t let me in the ops room! “Only experienced captains allowed” my ass! I just took out an entire Helios settlement by myself and I’m _still_ not experienced enough? WTF is up with that? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-of-free-games-open-source-etc/386945.md?page=5)