subject: Escape Velocity Nova: Game Review [print this page] EV (Escape Velocity) Nova is a computer science fiction game for Windows and Mac. At first glance it may seem like any other spaceoid blow 'em up game but it is actually a richly layered scenario-drama with literally thousands of possibilities of ways to interact. There are several hundred ships available to pilot, hundreds of items to acquire in outfitting shops, easter eggs galore, but most importantly, there are about half a dozen storylines that one may follow. These are engrossing and cleverly written plots, even if a bit pulpish. But that is forgiven; once you are hooked on EV be prepared to waste many hours of your valuable time: young and old alike. This game is engrossing.
The first piece of advice I would give is don't wimp out: check the strict rules option in the opening. Then, when your ship is destroyed (and it will be) you will have been prudent enough to have bought an automatic ejector. You'll go back into the game with nothing but a lousy shuttlecraft, but you'll have all your money, as it was in a bank somewhere when your craft became space junk. If you're on top of it, unlike me, you'll have plenty to buy yourself a new craft and get right back into the action. Believe me, this makes the game much more exciting than being hailed a hero for single-handedly defeating an Aurorian fleet when secretly you know you were actually killed over five times before you could manage to do it.
If you do take up EV Nova, I would recommend starting with the Polaris thread first. It gives you the most power (the Polaris weapons are practically undefeatable) and the biggest ego in your first go at EV. To top if off, your role in the Cosmos is very special, though I won't give any spoilers. After the satisfaction of becoming the baddest dude in the universe, you can take up the other threads, which are much more challenging and require more creativity in comparison.
EV Nova is Mac and PC compatible, and has very modest system requirements: 400mhz Pentium, 128mb memory for the PC, and for Macs, at least Mac OS X 10.3.9. There is no Linux version per se, but some Linux users have reported success running EV Nova under wine. Google is your friend. EV Nova can be purchased online for $30 at Ambrosia Software.
