Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

X³: Reunion (Special Edition) drops you into one of the most intricate space sim sandboxes ever created. From your very first launch sequence, you’ll find yourself at the helm of a sleek Terran ship, free to chart a course through hundreds of star systems. Trading, exploration, or outright piracy—the universe is yours to shape. The Special Edition doesn’t alter the core mechanics, but its polished Linux port ensures that every menu and cockpit view responds with rock-solid precision.

The learning curve here is famously steep, and that’s part of the appeal. New pilots will spend hours mastering the TX-series interface, juggling multiple flight controls, trading consoles, and weapon systems. Thankfully, an in-game tutorial and a thriving modding community help flatten the initial spike. Once you’ve set up your first automated trading route or outfitted a fleet of drones for mineral harvesting, the true depth of X³’s economy becomes clear.

Combat is equally rewarding, blending dogfights with capital-ship engagements and strategic station defense. Enemies react dynamically to your actions, and major factions rise or fall based on how you play the market. Whether you prefer to chase bounties as a lone mercenary or build a sprawling industrial empire, X³: Reunion offers an addictive feedback loop that keeps you plotting your next move between battle runs and supply jumps.

Graphics

When X³: Reunion first launched, its 3D engine was a technical marvel—and it still turns heads today. Ship models boast clean lines and crisp textures, even when viewed at ultra-wide resolutions. The Linux build in this Special Edition harnesses modern GPU capabilities, letting you crank up anti-aliasing and shadow detail without sacrificing frame rate.

The game’s environmental design truly shines in motion: drifting asteroids, luminous nebulae, and distant suns combine to create postcard-worthy vistas. Light reflecting off polished hulls, exhaust trails cutting through darkness, and the shimmering glow of hyperjump corridors all contribute to a sense of cinematic scale.

Stations and orbital complexes display a satisfying level of architectural variety—from the streamlined dockyards of the Argon Federation to the brutalist forges of the Boron. Particle effects for missile trails and reactor flares hold up remarkably well, making every firefight feel visceral. On Linux, performance is rock-solid across a wide range of hardware, ensuring these visuals remain fluid under the heaviest action.

Story

At its heart, X³: Reunion weaves a narrative of revenge, politics, and discovery. You begin with a personal vendetta that quickly entangles you in the machinations of galactic factions—each with its own agenda and flair. The main story missions take you from humble courier tasks to high-stakes infiltrations of enemy strongholds, revealing secret alliances and ancient technologies along the way.

Player choice plays a subtle role in shaping your journey. Side quests offer chances to tip the balance between warring factions or uncover hidden lore. New alliances unlock specialized ship blueprints and lucrative trade corridors, feeding back into both the sandbox economy and the narrative thread.

The inclusion of the “Farnhams Legend” novella in this Special Edition is a standout feature, enriching the mythos surrounding X³’s universe. Reading about the legendary explorer Farnham’s exploits gives context to the game’s more cryptic references, deepening the emotional stakes behind key missions. Fans of science-fiction lore will find the extra pagecraft a welcome companion to the digital adventure.

Overall Experience

Playing X³: Reunion on Linux feels like rediscovering a lost classic, updated for modern hardware. The combination of sandbox depth, dynamic economy, and narrative intrigue keeps every session fresh—even after dozens of hours. Veterans will appreciate the precision of the controls and the scale of possible empires, while newcomers can lean on community guides to get past the initial learning curve.

The Special Edition’s physical extras elevate the package from mere download to a collector’s trophy. Packaged in an old-style big game box, you’ll find the original X³: Reunion DVD, a high-quality X³ T-shirt, and a printed copy of “Farnhams Legend.” Unboxing these items brings back the tactile joy of classic PC gaming—an increasingly rare treat in the digital age.

With only 500 numbered and CEO-signed copies available, this Limited Edition is as much an investment in nostalgia as it is in gameplay. Whether you’re adding to a sci-fi memorabilia shelf or seeking the deepest space-trading experience on Linux, X³: Reunion (Special Edition) delivers a rich, enduring journey across the stars. Highly recommended for collectors and sim enthusiasts alike.

Retro Replay Score

null/10