Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

X³: Reunion delivers one of the most expansive space simulation experiences on the PC. From the moment you launch your first small trader and plot a humble trade route, the game’s free-form sandbox unfolds in every direction. You are free to mine asteroids drifting in dense nebulae, build sprawling player-owned stations that churn out goods for massive profit, or convert your ships into a pirate armada to strike fear into merchant convoys. The seamless transition between trading, combat, and industry keeps each session fresh and rewarding.

The “Game of the Year Edition” enhancements bring significant quality-of-life changes to the core loop. Controlling your fleet with a joystick, keyboard, or mouse cursor has never felt more intuitive. With over 200 newly designed ship and station models, you’ll find yourself experimenting continually with different ship classes—from nimble scouts to M7 capital behemoths. Each class has its own role, strengths, and tactical depth, making fleet composition a genuine strategic puzzle.

While the freedom is exhilarating, it comes with a steep learning curve. Early hours may feel daunting as you juggle market fluctuations, ship outfitting, and combat tactics against the relentless Khaak or rival pirates. However, the satisfaction of watching your first player-built station hum to life, or of commanding a battle group that turns the tide of a skirmish, is unparalleled. For those willing to invest time, X³: Reunion’s gameplay becomes an engrossing blend of commerce, conflict, and empire-building.

Graphics

Visually, X³: Reunion stands out as a landmark of space scenery in its era, and the Game of the Year Edition only heightens its beauty. Over 200 new models ensure that no two stations or capital ships look the same, and every sector—from the ghostly starship graveyards to the swirling gaseous nebulae—has its own distinct atmosphere. Asteroid fields glitter with mineral veins, and distant suns cast dynamic lighting across ship hulls, creating a sense of scale and wonder.

The re-designed X universe also benefits from improvements in textures, reflections, and special effects introduced in patch 2.0. Engines glow with soft exhaust plumes, weapons fire streaks realistically across the void, and explosions ripple through nearby debris. Even years after release, the graphical fidelity holds up thanks to careful attention to environmental detail and modular station architecture that feels lived-in.

Admittedly, some elements—like cockpit UI overlays and menu textures—betray the game’s age, but these minor blemishes are far outweighed by sweeping vistas and the sheer variety of ship designs. Whether you’re admiring the ornate curves of a Paranid Hyperion or the brutal silhouette of a Xenon warship, Reunion’s presentation pulls you into its vast, dynamic galaxy.

Story

X³: Reunion picks up the saga after the events of X²: The Threat, with Argon space under siege by the mysterious Khaak invaders. The narrative thrust places you amid a desperate defense, but the war is only the backdrop to a deeper web of intrigue. As you uncover hidden Bala Gi Research missions, you gain access to powerful new vessels—such as the Argon Eclipse and the Split Chimera—and unlock secrets that may alter the balance of power across multiple factions.

One of Reunion’s greatest strengths is the optional nature of its storyline. You can choose to follow main quests that guide you through pivotal battles and political machinations, or entirely bypass them to forge your own path as a merchant prince or a feared space pirate. This level of player agency means that the narrative arcs you experience feel personal and emergent, rather than strictly linear.

The writing and mission variety hold up well, with voice acting that ranges from competent to genuinely engaging during high-tension encounters. Additional content in the 2.0.01 and 2.0.02 patches—like the Bala Gi headquarters missions, the Senator’s Badlands sector, and the elusive M6 battleship—add further depth. Whether you follow the main plot or chart your own course, X³: Reunion provides a rich tapestry of stories that unfold organically across the cosmos.

Overall Experience

Combining immense freedom, strategic depth, and a living universe, X³: Reunion remains a benchmark for space trading and combat simulators. The Game of the Year Edition’s refinements—overhauled models, new technologies and weapons, additional sectors, and a smoother control scheme—ensure that both newcomers and series veterans will find something to captivate them. The ongoing war with the Khaak, the threat of rogue pirates, and the lure of uncharted territories fuel an experience that can easily consume hundreds of hours.

Certain design choices, such as a complex UI and sparse hand-holding, may deter casual players used to linear narratives or tightly guided tutorials. Yet for those who embrace its sandbox ethos, Reunion offers unparalleled replayability. You’ll discover new trade loops, design ever-larger fleets, and negotiate shaky truces between rival factions. The persistent universe reacts to your successes and failures, making every decision count.

Ultimately, X³: Reunion is an ambitious, sprawling journey through space that rewards patience and strategic thinking. Its combination of open-ended gameplay, compelling visuals, and adaptable storylines make it a worthy investment for fans of grand space operas and economic simulations alike. Dive into its depths, and prepare to lose yourself in one of the most richly detailed universes ever crafted for the PC.

Retro Replay Score

7.3/10