Privateer 2: The Darkening is definately one of the games I remember very clearly, despite having played it nearly 10 years ago. This is because it offered up a lot of things I hadnt yet seen in the space sim genre, at least not as in depth as it was in this game. Nowadays though, better games exist if you are looking to get into space sim games. However you still would not be making a bad choice, in opting to pick this game up (Assuming you have a way to rig your system into being compatible with it.)

The gamespot reviewer is spot on on a few points, but not all. Some missions tend to be pretty difficult, and grueling.. only to be met with a crash when trying to land on a planet... of course this means you have to do that last grueling mission over AGAIN since you didnt get a chance to save your game before it crapped out on you. But, if your able to get into the story above anything else, and if you enjoy space sims to any real degree... these things shouldnt hamper your experience too horribly much. Something else that kind of bothered me (though isnt all that game breaking) is everytime you get better gear, and upgrade your ship, the enemies become that much stronger. So in the end, all your upgrades dont help you defeat your enemies any easier because they scale WITH YOU.

Problems, and annoyances aside, this game does a LOT right. For example, the characters are surprisingly well cast. With high budget actors like Clive Owen, and Christopher Walken playing central characters to the game. Also the ability to land on planets is a nice touch for a game of its time. There are often times places to go, other than the spaceport on most planets. Such as a bar, or a salvage company, or a hospital.... etc. The story usually unfolds in places such as these, when you meet up with certain benefactors who give you missions, and information as to what you need to do to finish the central plot. Another thing I immensely enjoyed, is when your character (Clive Owen) interacts with others, you can select his responses and actions from a couple of onscreen options, very similar to KOTOR, but actually was made in the same vein as in the Wing Commander games, where that feature is also prevalent.

In the end, this game has been very memorable to me due in part to the awesome FMV, and the enjoyable missions.. and thats really what its all about. After having played all the Wing Commander titles, Privateer 2 really helped to scratch that itch of wanting to be a free pilot, with a personal ship... etc. You're part of no military force in this game, and this world is really fleshed out wonferfully with great detail to show the gritty underworld that exists in this series; one that until this game was released, we had never seen before. By the end... you'll definately want to see more of it.