Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

X²: The Threat builds on the foundation of its predecessor to deliver a sprawling, open-ended space simulation where player choice reigns supreme. From your first flight in a modest scout vessel to commanding a sprawling trade empire with factories and stations, the game offers an immense progression curve. The freedom to pursue trading, combat, piracy, mining, or bounty-hunting ensures no two playthroughs feel the same.

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The dynamic market economy is the beating heart of X²’s gameplay, with supply and demand driving price fluctuations across hundreds of goods. Savvy traders can exploit price differentials between sectors, while risk-takers may choose to disrupt convoys or hijack cargo holds. Factories add another layer: build production lines for shields, missiles, or energy cells and watch as your industrial network churns out profit—provided you secure raw materials and defend your installations.

Combat in X² is both strategic and visceral. Dogfights against pirate clans or the formidable Khaak require mastery of ship equipment, tactical flight maneuvers, and a keen awareness of faction reputation. Whether you retrofit your ship with long-range torpedoes or close in with rapid-fire lasers, every engagement feels meaningful. The reputation system—divided into mercantile, combat, and notoriety ratings—further influences mission availability and faction attitudes, rewarding consistent playstyles or daring renegades.

Graphics

While X²: The Threat dates back to 2000, its graphical engine holds up remarkably well for its era. Ships are intricately modeled with crisp textures that stand out against the vastness of space. Nebulae, asteroid fields, and planetary rings are rendered in vibrant palettes, lending a cinematic quality to your voyage among the stars.

The user interface is clean and functional, with context-sensitive menus that streamline ship management, trading, and mission briefings. Although the font and panel design reflect the limitations of the time, the layout remains intuitive: key information such as shield status, cargo hold capacity, and market prices are always within easy reach.

Dynamic lighting effects heighten immersion during combat and docking sequences. Explosions bloom with flashes of orange and red, while missile trails leave lingering contrails across the void. Station interiors and hangar bays, though occasionally repetitive in texture, feature enough variety in architecture and color schemes to keep exploration visually engaging.

Story

At the center of X²’s narrative is Julian Gardna, a spacefarer haunted by the disappearance of his father. This personal quest for answers provides the framework for encountering the new, hostile Khaak race. As you uncover clues about the alien origin and link them to Gardna’s family history, the main storyline gradually shifts from personal vendetta to a galaxy-spanning conflict.

Side missions abound, offered by the X-Universe’s various races, from trade guilds to mercenary factions. Completing tasks to defend convoy routes, escort diplomats, or sabotage enemy production not only boosts your reputation but also enriches the tapestry of interstellar politics. Though these quests often follow familiar “fetch” or “eliminate” formulas, they serve as effective gateways into the broader economic and combat systems.

The pacing of the narrative strikes a careful balance between sandbox freedom and plot progression. You’re free to diverge from the main storyline for weeks—building your fleet, forging alliances, or raiding supply lines—yet crucial plot beats are triggered by reaching reputation thresholds or owning specific station types. This design ensures you remain invested in Julian’s personal journey even as you carve out your own destiny.

Overall Experience

X²: The Threat remains a landmark title for fans of space simulations, offering unparalleled depth in economy management, combat tactics, and freeform exploration. While its complexity can be daunting for newcomers—thanks to steep learning curves in trading mechanics and station construction—persistent players are rewarded with a true sandbox epic that evolves with every decision.

The title’s open-ended nature means there’s always another trade route to optimize, another pirate lord to topple, or another planet to incorporate into your interstellar empire. Coupled with a compelling central narrative and multiple alien factions to befriend—or annihilate—X² provides an experience that can easily extend beyond dozens of hours.

For modern audiences, the interface and graphics may feel dated, but the underlying systems still shine. If you’ve ever dreamed of commanding a fleet, exploiting galactic markets, or uncovering extraterrestrial mysteries, X²: The Threat invites you aboard. Strap into your cockpit, set a course for the unknown, and prepare for a space saga that rewards ambition and strategic foresight.

Retro Replay Score

7.2/10