| written by Ryacko on Mar 12, 2013 16:54 |
 | |  | | ![]() We actually already have a thread about Space Engine (In the Galileo's Corner section, for some reason). It's not exactly "new" either, since we've had that thread for almost 2 years now, and early versions of it were released in mid-2010. : P
I guess compared to Noctis it could be considered new though...
Also, it's a bit different in that it doesn't actually simulate a spacecraft, and doesn't offer proper surface-landing exploration at this point. There's supposed to be a new release of Space Engine coming soon, but it's not out quite yet. The current most recent version is from the middle of last year. | |  | |  |
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| written by Frank49 on May 23, 2015 13:37 |
 | |  | | I have the latest version of Spacengine which was released earlier this year.
It lets you fly around in a spacecraft. You can fly around in the "Enterprise" if you want. You can visit any planet in any galaxy in the entire universe. It does what "Noctis" does only with much better graphics.
There is one drawback. No planet has visible life animal or plant. They do have mountains, volcanoes, rivers, oceans, craters, atmospheres. | |  | |  |
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| written by Ees33 on Sep 23, 2015 05:29 |
 | |  | | Yes, I know, this is an old thread. But I like this program. Although, I understand, if some people's GPUs aren't up to snuff, they can't enjoy it.
I'm really looking forward to the guy implementing the ability to walk around on the planet surface...
I have also thought about attempting to build my own galaxy simulator, but right now don't have the time due to college.
One other disadvantage of the program though is that some of the scenes that Noctis created had a sort of "mystic" feel to them -- not sure how to describe that. This program doesn't really do that so well, despite being able to provide some breathtaking vistas otherwise. E.g. "thin atmosphere" planets in Noctis had that quality with their subdued, dim surfaces and skies. The analogous planets in Space Engine, the "desert" type, are usually more brightly lit, although I suppose one could try to find ones far out from the sun.
But yes, it'd be great if you could actually walk on the surface, with a nice, detailed rocky or grassy or algae-y or whatever texture underneath. | |  | |  |
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