Category:Combat

While there will be combat, it will not be flight simmy &mdash; and it won't be the be all and end all of the game.

Looking at NorthStar personal combat as being akin to Fallout is not a bad abstraction at this point. In the end there will be some differences but the general philosophy and structure will probably be pretty similar.

Perspective will be 3'rd person Japanese Tactical RPG / X–Com view.

Tactical RPG in this case means real time casual movement and exploration, turn–based combat. Characters will act on their own individual initiative ratings &mdash; be they your guys or the enemy.

In ground combat you can choose to let the fight AI control your team members, or allies may be joined to your side that have a sympathetic agenda but will remain under their own control. AI controlled combatants will fight according to their personality and will often make decisions based on what is best for them as opposed to what is most helpful or even harmful to you.

Space combat will be real time though. Think of a slightly more 2D forced version of Sword of the Stars where the pacing and and situations lend themselves more to maneuver and planning than a bazillion cool weapons flying through the air at once like in Sword of the Stars. In situations where something damages a ship system component, repairs or replacement will also have to be done in real–time. Somewhat akin to Han Solo working on that hyperdrive...

This is not a game about endlessly buying the biggest hugest ship until you are, once again, combat simming your way through the game. Are there not already enough games like this?

Most useful weapons aboard ship? Sawed off shotguns with buckshot and a good ol' cutlass. You may think that stabbing a guy is about flair, but in a situations were things are tight, you can be jumped from any angle at times and damaging anything by accident could mean slow or fast death &mdash; a good combat blade weapon isn't flair &mdash; it's sanity. And sure, vibro knives or stun sticks are good ideas but still the same concept &mdash; keep it tight, keep it personal and keep it to your intended target.

Characters will be able to be rendered inactive without killing them.

If your ship is destroyed while the main character is not on board then, provided you have sufficient funds, you may be able to purchase another. Note that the price of even an old trading ship like the Northstar is such that they are usually only owned by Corporations and Governments.

Targeting will be specific enough to allow for limb shots to disable or stun.

The morale of individuals will be a consideration in their actions.

Energy weapons in Northstar will require some sort of backpack powersource. And will be as expensive as they are flashy.