Plot Summary
FreeSpace 2 takes place entirely in outer space. The playing area is vast when compared to the small starfighters piloted by the player and the effective range they have. This space is populated with interstellar bodies such as stars, planets, asteroids, etc. The implementation of nebulae as an interactive environment is one of the most distinctive and crowning aspects of FreeSpace 2. Flying through a nebula involves impaired vision, and occasional disruptions to flight electronics. The implementation of the nebulae has become known as an eerie and suspenseful arena of play.
Journeys between star systems are achieved by "jumping" through jump nodes and traveling through subspace, while shorter intra-system distances are done by "hopping" into subspace at any time.[22] All ships in a mission either "jump" or "hop" to make their entries and exits. The game's starship designs are clearly distinguishable between the three races.[14] Terran starships tend to be plain and practical, the Vasudans' starships are artistic with sleek lines and curves, and the enemies' ships - the Shivans - are sharp and pointy in insidious black and red colors.[11] FreeSpace 2 also features humongous capital ships, thousands of times larger than the fighters, and armed to the teeth with beam weapons and flak guns. These ships are commonly scripted t
eek each other out and engage in massive duels.
The player takes the role of a pilot in the ranks of the Galactic Terran-Vasudan Alliance (GTVA). While the appearance and name of the pilot can be customized by the player, the player never gets to personally interact with other characters in the game. The pilot is also never shown in the game's cinematics or any other media. This distant approach led to complaints of the game failing to motivate the player into the story.[23] However, the game's writer, James Scott, has stated the approach was to preserve the feeling of being a "nameless cog in the great machine" as per the first game.[24]
Just like the player's pilot, most of the other characters are low-key. The non-player character Admiral Aken Bosch, however, plays a crucial part in moving the story. As a prominent antagonist from the start, he sparks off a rebellion which escalates the scale of action, and brings in the other antagonist force, the Shivans, into the story. The storytelling took on a character-driven approach with expositions taking the form of cutscenes in which Bosch gives out monologues, revealing the purpose and driving forces behind his actions. A few established voice actors were brought in to give a polished touch to the voices in the game.[21] Academy Award nominee Robert Loggia voiced the player's commanding officer, Admiral Petrarch, and Admiral Bosch was voiced by Ronny Cox. Kurtwood Smith and Stephen Baldwin participated in bit roles as well.
Story
FreeSpace 2's story is brought out via narrative pre-rendered cutscenes, the pre- and post-mission briefings, as well as in-game chatter between non-player characters, and scripted mission events.[12][21] The structure for the story is linear without any branching paths for alternate storylines, though there are optional covert missions which can further flesh out the story.[10] The story can only be continued by clearing missions and progressing through the campaign. However, players are given the option to skip a mission if they have failed it five times in a row.[13] This gives those who are interested in the story, but less skilled, the chance to continue on with the story without frustration.
The game begins 32 years after the events in Descent: FreeSpace. The player is a pilot in the Galactic Terran-Vasudan Alliance (GTVA), a single entity formed to cement the alliance between the Terran and Vasudan races.[13] However, opposition still exists to this union, and a faction of Terrans led by Admiral Bosch formed the Neo-Terran Front (NTF) and has rebelled, taking over several star systems. The player's early missions are to quell these rebellions and bring in Admiral Bosch. Eventually the Shivans are encountered in the Gamma Draconis system, where an artificial jump gate had been activated by the NTF, allowing the Shivans access into GTVA space.
A hook is introduced with the introduction of the GTVA's latest ship, the enormous capital ship, the GTVA Colossus. Dwarfing all other capital ships, this juggernaut class ship's power is exhibited to the player as it easily destroys the NTF's fleet.[10] The high tone of the story is maintained as missions keep showing off the Colossus' victory after victory, climaxing with its victory over the Shivan juggernaut equivalent, the SJ Sathanas.[25] There is a sudden reversal of fortune as it is revealed there are many more Sathanas juggernauts, and the GTVA is forced to retreat.[26]
The plot device of using a tremendous explosion within a jump node to seal it off in Descent: FreeSpace is re-used here near the end of the campaign.[27] The GTVA has decided to seal off a node to stop the Sathanas horde's advance. Their plan is to send in a bomb-laden ship into the only node in the Shivans' path and remotely detonate it. This becomes a pyrrhic victory, as the GTVA loses the Colossus, their only match for the Sathanas. The finale of the game features the player in a mission to defend the fleeing ships from Shivan attacks. In the midst of the fighting, the system's star is detected to be going supernova, and the player can choose to flee the scene.[28] If the decision is to stay and die defending the remaining ships, a small heroic tribute is paid to the player's character in the ending.
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