Who doesn't want to fly an armed-to-the-teeth starship in swooping dogfights in deep space? Given the popularity of the "Star Wars" films, you'd think everybody wants to. Yet in recent years the space-shooter genre, once so prolific on the PC, has drifted aimlessly and often unjustly toward the bargain bins. It's a pity because underselling games such as "Freespace 2," "Tachyon: The Fringe," and the original "Independence War" were among the best and most beautiful games of recent years. All of them begged to be played and to be more successful than they were. The result is that far fewer space simulations are coming out these days. Like its predecessor, "Independence War 2" comes as a tribute to this combat-intensive simulation style, and a reminder of what we're missing these days.

"Independence War 2" begins long after the stirring civil war featured in the first game. Instead of a military series of linear missions, this game casts you as a pirate with the freedom to forge a career within the plot. Much like classic games such as "Elite" or "Privateer," the result is far less frustration (you don't have to mindlessly repeat missions) and far more immersion in the game world (the stakes are yours, therefore they're higher). Still, the game features a stirring revenge plot that pits you against evil corporations bent on pillaging and enslaving independent miners at the edge of known space. The result is more freedom, but the narrative is hurt by an almost silly, over-the-top villain and a story line far less cohesive than in the first game.

The game uses far more realistic physics. The result is much more satisfying than in the traditional dogfight-sans-gravity space games. Inertia must be countered with small jets, and the result feels more like space than like "Star Wars." That doesn't mean combat is less exciting, or even harder to manage, since the game and controls are more than intuitive enough. The onscreen heads-up display is a miracle of design, everything is easy to read, and a foldout cardboard keyboard layout makes sure everything is easy to do. Still, the game is extremely challenging, perhaps too difficult too fast, and it may be frustrating for people new to handling a joystick.

It sure does look great, though. A hallmark of both the first game and its sequel is special effects that show how good a space simulation, even a computer game, can look. This sequel will really put your video card through its paces. With suns and planets, space stations and giant ships, and hordes of screaming fighters all firing, the game is just jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Additionally, the sound effects are excellent and the new music is haunting and serves the vastness, and the vast loneliness, of space well.

There's a limited but satisfying trade option too. You can raid for salvaged goods during missions and then sell what you take at various black-market bases. Then you can use the cash to hire wingmen or upgrade your ship. It isn't anywhere near the economy of previous sims such as "Privateer," but it's great to have a reason to fight. One can't live on vengeance alone.

The biggest drawback to the game may be its "realism" and some of its mission design elements. The physics of the game is so well designed, you've got some frustrating moments in store. It's a lot to manage. Dying is easy even when you've been doing well up until that moment. The missions feature varied goals, and they avoid the trap of doing too many of the same things over and over again. But too frequently the whole thing hinges on you figuring out the puzzle-logic of the mission. The good news is that you can always move on to another mission (save for a few plot-driven missions that are required), but you can only save between missions, and nobody enjoys feeling like they failed at a computer-game mission.

With "Independence War 2" the space shooter is back and in a big way. It's looking and playing great, updated in every possible way, and in many ways better than ever before. Let's hope it finds an audience and spurs publishers to revisit classic space shooters past and future, but stay away if the only thing you want from a game is bad guys to shoot.

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Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos
Platform: PC
Developer: Particle Systems
Publisher: Infogrames
ESRB Rating: Everyone

Ratings
Graphics: 5
Sound: 5
Playability: 4
Gameplay: 4
Overall: 4