As Freelancer was keen to point out, space can be a fun place to be if you know where all the right parties can be found. Precursors seems to be aiming for that sublime spot between Freelancer and X2, sporting both a deep and involving universe and trading system, but also providing plenty of action for the more blaster-orientated players.

Describing itself as a cross between classic game Elite, first-person shooters, science fiction movies and Andre Norton novels, Precursors is trying very hard indeed to be a crowd-pleaser. There are numerous options open for the player to define their own style of gameplay.

The game is set in a vast universe inhabited by thousands of both aliens and humans. There is also a universal war going on between two major races. Wherever you go you will encounter other sentient beings, whether pirates trying to board your ship, mercenaries attempting to arrange a date between their laser blasters and your skull, or just peaceful NPCs who will help and interact with you.

There are plenty of planets set throughout the universe, and you can land your ship on each one, at which point the game changes to FPS perspective. Once your business is complete you can take to the skies again to batter the enemy with your deadly missiles and lasers. On the larger ships you can even take on a first person perspective to explore around it. Even fighting aliens off your ship yourself.

The planets also promise plenty of unique features such as giant man-eating plants and ferocious insects to endanger your land-based travels. There are even certain guns exclusive to their indigenous planet, which can be used alongside your personal selection.

There are 250 different missions touted, and apparently your actions within these missions can affect the overall outcome of what happens within the whole universe. Indeed, the entire game can pan out differently according to what decisions you make. With a devoted engine for graphics, physics, networking and AI, Precursors doesn’t seem to be cutting any corners in that department either.

Although details are relatively scanty at the moment, it is clear that developers Deep Shadows are aiming at an extremely lofty benchmark. Such a vast and varied experience will require an incredible amount of work to be successfully created. We must say we are dribbling at the prospect though!