Noctis

LastLast Join Date: 2003-10-06 Member: 21463Members
edited December 2003 in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">Quite possibly the most beautiful</div> game ever created by man. No words can fairly describe this game, but this review at underdogs comes close:

ed: grr, stupid won't let me link to underdogs, DIEEE

Underdogs review:
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Noctis is a wonderful space exploration program that lets you explore a vast, fictional galaxy at will. Think Elite minus the plot and combat, or Microsoft Space Simulator minus technical details, and you'll have a rough idea of what Noctis is about. The official description is actually very good (and even a little poetic) that it's worth quoting in full here: "Noctis: the latin word for "night", and the title of this simulator. Night, after all, is just the word we use to describe the absence of light while the Earth is turned away from the sun, and in space, there is no light but the distant pinpricks of ancient stars. Space is a lonely place, but it harbours some truly spectacular secrets; eerily glowing pulsars, enormous red giants, glittering, beautiful nebulae, and deadly, all-consuming singularities to name but a few. For most people, the thought of going into space and exploring such sights is an impossible dream. But no longer; Noctis allows you to do just that. In technical terms, it is a fully 3D galaxy, which allows you to explore thousands of stars, their planets and moons. From the moment you first play Noctis, you'll be hooked."
And hooked you will be, indeed. The program is surprisingly small: the virtually unlimited galaxy fits in less than 1MB of space-- yet another testament to the fact that good games don't need to be big. The highlights of Noctis are the excellent 3D graphics, as well as the dynamic nature of its galaxy. For example, you can swing past a planet, land on its surface, and watch a tree swaying in the winds amidst heavy rainfall. The physics are reasonably realistic, although the program focuses much more on exploration (and the wonder of discovery) than on spacecraft behavior. One of the best features in Noctis is that the program allows you to name any star and planet you discover. The "official" starmap and galactic guide is maintained by a very active Noctis community, and you can send your own star names and comments to the maintainer for inclusion in the next version of the guide and starmap. This means that the universe in Noctis is continually evolving and expanding. It's a lot of fun just to download new versions of the starmap and guide once in a while just to see the new stars that fellow explorers have named.

With an excellent graphics model, solid gameplay, and an endlessly changing galaxy to explore, Noctis is a rare space exploration program that can evoke a sense of wonder in us all. Highly recommended to anyone who is interested in spaceflight, or just space in general. Two thumbs up, way up!
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For those of you too lazy to read, here's a short review: It's an open ended galaxy. You explore this galaxy of over 70 billion stars through a ship called a star drifter. You can land on planets, log notes about planets into the G.O.E.S. network, among many other things. You can even catch birds if you're good enough. However, there is no actual "gaming" to be found here. There are no battles, no stat raising, just pure exploration. And by god, what exploration.

For a game that runs in 320x200 resolution, it produces some truly beautiful graphics. I don't mean beautiful as in "omg so detailed and high res," but in beautiful in an awe inspiring, sunset way. Much of this effect can be contributed to the built in anti-aliasing in the rendering engine. Anyway, enough rambling, here's a gallery of some pictures:

<a href='http://www.cfgaming.com/raptorjedi/gallery.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.cfgaming.com/raptorjedi/gallery.htm</a> [not the best quality, but awe inspring none the less]

This is a great game for those imaginative and creative ones, especially writers, the game is just so inspirational. It also has a nice background story if you read the manual (a must do, and the manual music is great for playing the game to).

And guess what, 70 billion stars and trillions of planets to explore, some with mysterious ruins, all fits in less then a megabyte thanks to fractal something something. Any reason NOT to try it out?

You can find noctis here: www.anywherebb.com
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Comments

  • ANeMANeM Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16267Members, Constellation
    The game seems pretty solid. Well, after I got lost on a desert planet and couldn't find my landing pods signal... Then ran out of fuel later trying to find a less barren planet and was forced to call for help via the distress becon. Now I'm just sitting around refueling at a star named "Fuel fourteen"
    I have yet to figure out exactly how to get where I want to go... so I've just been flying around aimlessly. Haven't found any pretty planets yet. Just dark ones. Plenty of dark planets... Dark barren planets to get lost on..
    I'm sure it'll get better once I figure out where the nicer more interesting planets are.. assuming there are any <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • Vulgar_MenaceVulgar_Menace Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22118Members
  • MonkfishMonkfish Sonic-boom-inducing buttcheeks of terrifying speed&#33; Join Date: 2003-06-03 Member: 16972Members
    well what i have found out so far is

    you move the mouse left - it turns left
    move the mouse right - it turns right
    move the mouse forward - it goes forward
    move the mouse backwards - it goes backwards
    bash random buttons - select stars
  • ANeMANeM Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16267Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin---]sonic[-+Dec 17 2003, 06:01 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (-]sonic[- @ Dec 17 2003, 06:01 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> well what i have found out so far is

    you move the mouse left - it turns left
    move the mouse right - it turns right
    move the mouse forward - it goes forward
    move the mouse backwards - it goes backwards
    bash random buttons - select stars <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    You might want to try reading the maunal.. it really helps.
  • MonkfishMonkfish Sonic-boom-inducing buttcheeks of terrifying speed&#33; Join Date: 2003-06-03 Member: 16972Members
    edited December 2003
    <!--QuoteBegin--ANeM+Dec 17 2003, 09:07 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (ANeM @ Dec 17 2003, 09:07 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->You might want to try reading the maunal.. it really helps.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    thats too easy <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->

    also it would be good if i could find the manual and knew which one to download
  • GeminosityGeminosity :3 Join Date: 2003-09-08 Member: 20667Members
    hmmm... I might just wait for Noctis NoVa, that way I get the full experience from the start ^~

    is Noctis only single player??? =o
  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    ya, single player, and more "interactive digital art" than game, still pretty cool. I'm with anem though -- I wish I could find any of the pretty places in the screenshots... all I've seen are desolate planets of nothingness =P
  • VenmochVenmoch Join Date: 2002-08-07 Member: 1093Members
    Its fun but it would kinda be nice to have a control system that isn't confusing and place me on top of my damn spaceship as well as have planets that are more than one shade of colour.
  • LastLast Join Date: 2003-10-06 Member: 21463Members
    The controls aren't your normal fps, the developer wasn't exactly thinking of halflife players when he made the game. BTW, I've never seen a rainbow colored planet, have you?

    Printout the hotkeys.htm file in the manual folder, taht should help you out. Anyways, skip planets that "look barren." Instead, just goto the planets with felysian like atmospheres (not sure bout that, haven't played it in a while) and look around for canyons, lakes, etc. BTW, seriously, RTFM! Without the manual, you won't get far <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->.
  • MonkfishMonkfish Sonic-boom-inducing buttcheeks of terrifying speed&#33; Join Date: 2003-06-03 Member: 16972Members
    well thats the manual , but which bloody one do you download
  • LastLast Join Date: 2003-10-06 Member: 21463Members
    have you tried looking in the... manuals folder?
  • DecimatorDecimator Join Date: 2002-11-10 Member: 8057Members
    Ok, what am I doing wrong here? I select deploy surface capsule from the list and press enter like the manual said but nothing happens. And yes I do have the planet selected.
  • ANeMANeM Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16267Members, Constellation
    Go over to the three screens on the right wall, then choose which sector you are going to land in, using the arrow keys, then hit enter.
  • DecimatorDecimator Join Date: 2002-11-10 Member: 8057Members
  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
    Sounds like something I've been wanting for years... nothing but vast exploration. Awesome find, I'll be sure and try it out.
  • GeminosityGeminosity :3 Join Date: 2003-09-08 Member: 20667Members
    I want exploration and MMO in one =P
  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
    I like so far, but how do I get places?
  • LastLast Join Date: 2003-10-06 Member: 21463Members
    rwar

    <b>read the manual</b>
    enjoy the game <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->

    take plenty of photographs, and submit them to the community's photo contest ^_^.
  • DreadDread Join Date: 2002-07-24 Member: 993Members
    This game is truely a keeper. Thanks for bringing it up, I'm really looking forward for the newer build.

    I hope someday people can connect through internet and explore together this vast galaxy.
  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--Last.+Dec 17 2003, 10:30 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Last. @ Dec 17 2003, 10:30 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <b>read the manual</b>
    enjoy the game <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    And where would that be?
  • ANeMANeM Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16267Members, Constellation
    edited December 2003
    Its in the Notcis .zip file. The folder called "Manual"
  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--ANeM+Dec 18 2003, 09:18 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (ANeM @ Dec 18 2003, 09:18 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Its in the Notcis .zip file. The folder called "Manual" <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Thanks, the music that plays in when you open it's good to explore with. Also, finding my first planet and going on it's surface... it's an ugly clouded planet, left that as quickly as I could. *Searches the vast nothings of space*
  • TransmissionTransmission Join Date: 2003-03-12 Member: 14456Members
    So many barren planets. And why is there nothing at 0,0,0? Shouldn't there be the homeworld?
  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
    Oh snap!

    Something happened to my ship while going to a planet, now my screens are flashing and my ship's glowing an orange tint. What should I do? Oh, and my G.O.E.S. monitor's off and I can't do anything.
  • ANeMANeM Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16267Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin--Liku+Dec 18 2003, 09:51 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Liku @ Dec 18 2003, 09:51 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Oh snap!

    Something happened to my ship while going to a planet, now my screens are flashing and my ship's glowing an orange tint. What should I do? Oh, and my G.O.E.S. monitor's off and I can't do anything. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Go into onboard devices>Emergency functions and restart your ships systems. If that doesn't work, chances are you have ran out of fuel (fuel is indicated in the flight menu as lithium. To refuel you find a s206 star and go to Scope for lithium in your emergency functions. Since Notcis time passes even when you aren't in game its a good idea to just find an s206 when you are going to leave and have it refuel.)
    When you run out of fuel you are going to have to call for help. This is also done from the emergency functions. After calling for help a computer ship will (eventually) come along and give you 3 grams of lithium (use it to go refuel!)

    As for Transmissions question, the manual says its around 0,0,0. Scope for local stars in onboard devices> Galatic Cortography (or something like that) The hop to the star with crazy long name starting with a B and then on to Fenila.. or something like that. Forgot the exact name <!--emo&::nerdy::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/nerd.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='nerd.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
    Thanks, how would I get to that 0,0,0 location?

    Also... I found some lifeforms!!! It's a wierd dog wolf...
  • ANeMANeM Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16267Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin--Liku+Dec 18 2003, 11:59 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Liku @ Dec 18 2003, 11:59 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Thanks, how would I get to that 0,0,0 location?

    Also... I found some lifeforms!!! It's a wierd dog wolf... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    <!--QuoteBegin--Manual+--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Manual)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Making Non-Targetted Vimana Jumps

    It is also possible to make a Vimana Jump without first having specified a star as a remote target. The Felisian race, of which you are a member, has divided the galaxy into units called Parsis. Select the "Set Target To Parsis" from the Galactic Cartography menu. Now, type in the X, Y and Z coordinates you wish to jump to within the galaxy, each separated by the ENTER key. Once you have finished, your HUD will tell you that your remote target has been set to direct parsis coordinates. If you activate your Vimana drive, you will be taken to those coordinates. This may currently seem rather useless, but once you have learned to use the Goes Net Starmap Search Utility, it will prove invaluable<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Oh, and that wierd dog thing is called a Hopper if I'm not mistaken. There are also birds in the game. So far I've only seen birds on the Felisian homeworld
  • LastLast Join Date: 2003-10-06 Member: 21463Members
    edited December 2003
    <!--QuoteBegin--Dread+Dec 18 2003, 11:36 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Dread @ Dec 18 2003, 11:36 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Thanks for bringing it up, I'm really looking forward for the newer build. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    We've been waiting for Noctis V for a few years now :\. The dev, alex, seems to have stopped work on it for now, but check out some of his other projects!

    Oh ya, anem seems to have gotten the hang of this, you'll have to search for balakstryonaiosdjfoijfads once you get to 0,0,0. The manual says approximate coordinates, not exact coordinates. You'll have to do this everytime you go somewhere using parsis coordinates.
  • MonkfishMonkfish Sonic-boom-inducing buttcheeks of terrifying speed&#33; Join Date: 2003-06-03 Member: 16972Members
    well i finally got the controls and everything , visited 2 rubbish planets , one had a nice snowy mountain range though. I think ill visit 0,0,0 now <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • MonkfishMonkfish Sonic-boom-inducing buttcheeks of terrifying speed&#33; Join Date: 2003-06-03 Member: 16972Members
    i found a kangaroo thingy!!!11111 , you can just make out the bouncing brown thingy next to the bushes <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> , i had to run like the wind to take a piccie of that
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