A fantastic Indy game that needs to be re-reviewed after the developers latest patch. Huge changes in game quality.
1) The Pre-Patch game was HARD. If you were not experienced with this type of game (and there are some reviewers out there that have never played FreeSpace1/2, X-Wing, Wing Commander...) this game would suck to you. Adding the Z access to gameplay can be confusing and there is a high learning curve. Post Patch there are 3 difficulty levels available now, much needed for new players. It also helps in redoing levels to gain the much needed upgrades and the better AI on your flight team means less headache for you.
2) Pre-Patch could be considered unrefined. If you are a reviewer/player that was expecting a Publishing Company backed game, there was a lot missing. The additions of difficulty levels, better save points, better AI, the addition of an additional target option...all Post-Patch stuff voids a lot of complaints. For an Indy game, it was amazingly well done when first released and that was highly overlooked. It's still an Indy game, but further development is pushing that term.
3) It was a crossover of game types. It's a Space Combat, it's a Mech twitchy game, it's at it's core a good old fasion Arcade Game...minmal story, dropped into the action, fast paced and you die a lot. The flashy colors are quite intense for some, but I personally get a huge kick out of the eye candy.
The best aspect about this game is the addition of the Strike Suit. The transformation into the Mech is something the Space Combat Genre needed. It adds a dimension not seen before, and the amount damage and destruction you cause on your enemies validates that point. If you would throw this ship into FreeSpace, Wing Commander, Colony Wars...those games would become too easy using the suit.
The addition of the Infinity add on is fantastic. It goes for straight up scoring, leader board, Arcade fun. And now a Mod Kit has been officially released so look out for some fun user additions.
All in all, that is the beauty of Indy PC games, these guys are into what they made...and they can improve it. Hopefully that will continue with the Mod kit. I'm giving it a 9 to off set some of the early review, but I will say the current version is a solid 8...especially coming from an Indy Developer. Here is hoping for a part II.