Elite Dangerous: Odyssey – Review
Our Rating: 8/10
David Braben’s flagship title has been getting better with patches since its launch at the end of 2014. With the addition of more and more features, the game is now more complex than ever before. Elite Dangerous: Odyssey now has granted gamers a broader experience, nearly 7 years since the original release. That’s the opportunity to wander around and observe our galaxy at human height. Making them look more impressive than ever in a world that is still alive, bigger and, unforgiving.
Odyssey
The game’s third major expansion, Odyssey, is a must-have for all fans of the franchise. Horizons was the first game, and it let you land on telluric planets and perform numerous activities on an SVR. To put it simply, the SRV is an all-terrain vehicle that can perform a variety of tasks to complete a variety of new operations. The DLC Horizons adds exploration, surface investigations, incursion, and combat to the new cosmic units. The SRV is the space equivalent of the Swiss army knife.
Gameplay
Odyssey is first discovered by the player through a task. A flashback set a few years prior on the planet Phaecia, will appear explaining what happened. All of the game’s new dynamics are skillfully introduced in this carefully crafted introduction written in Molière’s language. The quest starts on a moon close to a base that the gamer must invade to obtain the game’s secret data – a covert operative.
Our friend in orbit will assist these operations, positioning the numerous goals in our InSight HUD. The latter provides important information about the mission’s progress and also the player’s vital components. Throughout the expedition, we learn about cutting panels, boosting systems, body searches, and biomass cloning, among other things. The entire experience is seamless and immersive. It includes a soundtrack that changes with the situation to emphasize the sometimes tense atmosphere.
Missions and Objectives
The situation will not go according to plan, and you will soon be thrust into a ground combat phase. You will discover an AI that is unable to comprehend his environment. You won’t be surprised by their actions, however, and you’ll be able to predict them.
It’s unfortunate because these objectives cover nearly every mission type available in this DLC. We wished for a more intelligent AI that could surprise us. For example, using the moon’s reduced gravity to move via leaps, forcing you to look in all directions.
While certain stages of a mission are straightforward and concise, others are not as clear-cut. At times, the indications displayed are sometimes inaccurate. So you will frequently have to survey a location to comprehend the actions required. It takes time to learn.
Space Stations
Odyssey has also given stations. Whether orbital or planetary bases, a major overhaul, enabling players, or groups of players, to walk the various pathways in search of a quest giver or shops to improve their equipment, whether it’s their ship or armor. The heart of Odyssey is these stations. All of your previous interactions, which were done via a simple 2D menu, were degraded in a rich 3D environment. Even if the original mode of interaction is still available from your ship or via the numerous station kiosks, you can now encounter these NPCs in person.
Some will even test you to get you to agree to their mission. The player’s immersion is enhanced by this addition. Even if you don’t own a ship, you can participate in missions. There’s even a credit-based system for getting between stations. Simply sit close to the pilot, fasten your seatbelt, and allow yourself to be guided.
Each type of station has an interior and design, which are determined by factors such as cost. There are 28 station visuals in total. A highly technological station will have a distinct architecture, whereas highly industrialized systems will display this trait on the passageways. The latter is done systematically and is almost always one-of-a-kind.
Enhancements and Changes
Elite Dangerous was once cutting-edge in terms of virtual reality, with one of the best experiences for this genre of game. It’s a shame that this DLC does not have the same priority as previous versions. The phases that take place on foot will be projected in cinema mode. You can, however, remove his helmet and continue the adventure on the screen in the traditional manner if you desire.
Odyssey thus convincingly adds the long-awaited FPS mode. Although we would have liked to see the concept developed further, such as the ability to explore the interiors of our ships. However, given the community’s strong demand, this is something that should happen soon.
Final Thoughts
Elite Dangerous Odyssey has been a favorite in terms of space simulation. Constantly renewed by enticing DLCs that bring new life to the game with each season. It’s ideal for retaining the game’s already a large number of players.
Furthermore, Frontier Developments needed to change the perspective of David Braben’s flagship title after 7 years of deployment to avoid losing momentum. FPS mode, which was once a fantasy, was likely the only feature capable of bringing the franchise back to life. Gamers are most looking forward to this feature.
Even though this mode is still majorly limited, Odyssey sets the stage for what the game could be in the coming years. Elite Dangerous: Odyssey is still vying for the title of Space Sims.
