Ares Rising

In the war-torn universe of Ares Rising, survival isn’t just a matter of piloting skills—it’s about choosing the right side. The galaxy is crowded, resources are scarce, and an alien artifact capable of immense power has pushed countless factions into conflict. You play as Marlowe, a small-time mercenary looking to upgrade your career from low-risk gigs to high-stakes glory.

When Helena, a mysterious representative of the ruthless IPEC overlord Radivic Karadescu, offers you steady work and a cushy base of operations, the lure is irresistible. But the choices you make—who you ally with and how you handle missions—shape the universe’s future. Do you rise to heroism, or doom humanity with a poor decision?

It’s a classic sci-fi premise packed with intrigue, layered in a way that feels refreshingly personal for a genre often dominated by faceless fleets and larger-than-life space operas.

In the Pilot’s Seat: Gameplay Highlights

Once you’re in, Ares Rising wastes no time immersing you in its world. Your journey starts at your new space base, a hub where you can:

• Read galactic news updates.
• Receive emails from employers.
• Purchase and upgrade ships.
• Accept missions that range from training exercises to elaborate battles.

This base isn’t just a menu system—it’s a living environment that connects you to the broader story and reinforces the feeling that you’re a small cog in a much larger, chaotic galaxy.

The missions are where Ares Rising truly shines. The introductory mission—a mix of ring navigation, satellite destruction, and asteroid-field combat—sets the tone. Flying through rings tests your precision and showcases the game’s physics-based flight model, which leans more toward simulation than arcade. Asteroid dogfights highlight the importance of using your surroundings for cover, especially when turrets have you locked in their sights.

The AI deserves special mention. Enemies don’t just barrel toward you like sitting ducks; they’ll hide, reroute power between systems, and evade with calculated maneuvers. It’s a challenge that feels rewarding rather than frustrating, forcing you to adapt to their tactics instead of relying on simple reflexes.

Multiplayer: Great in Theory, Limited in Reality

While multiplayer wasn’t the primary draw for Ares Rising, it had potential. Matches were smooth, even on dial-up connections, and the tactical combat translated well to PvP. The problem? A lack of an accessible matchmaking service meant most players couldn’t find opponents unless they knew someone else who owned the game.

Had it been integrated with platforms like Heat or WON.net, multiplayer might have become a selling point. As it stands, Ares Rising is best remembered for its single-player experience.

Why It Still Matters

What sets Ares Rising apart is its emphasis on tactics and choice. This isn’t a game where you can brute-force your way to victory. Its unique inertial flight model encourages precise maneuvers, and its moral dilemmas keep you invested in the story. Whether you’re sneaking past turrets in asteroid fields or deciding whether to betray an ally for a better payday, every moment feels deliberate.

However, the game isn’t without its quirks. Mission variety can feel uneven, and some players might struggle with the steep learning curve of its flight mechanics. Multiplayer, while promising, remains a missed opportunity.

Final Thoughts

Ares Rising is a bold experiment in the space-sim genre. It marries tactical gameplay with a rich narrative and an AI system that feels ahead of its time. While some features, like multiplayer, falter under their own ambition, the single-player campaign stands tall as a testament to what space sims could achieve during the late ’90s.

For fans of games like Freelancer or TIE Fighter, Ares Rising offers a unique take on the genre that’s still worth exploring today.