Elite Dangerous vs Star Citizen: Which One to Choose as a Beginner?

The world of space simulation games is vast and captivating, offering players immersive experiences at the helm of interstellar ships. Among the leading titles in the genre, Elite Dangerous and Star Citizen stand out for their ambition and depth. But for a novice looking to embark on cosmic exploration, which of these two games is the most suitable? This article compares these two space simulation giants to help you make an informed choice.

Introduction to These Two Space Simulations

Released in 2014, Elite Dangerous plunges players into a 1:1 scale replica of the Milky Way, offering total freedom in exploration, trade, combat, or mining. The game is known for its gradual learning curve, supported by numerous integrated tutorials that guide newcomers through the basics of piloting and the various available professions.

Star Citizen, although still in its alpha phase, promises an unprecedented immersive experience. Since its development began in 2012, the game has raised millions of dollars through crowdfunding, demonstrating the dedication and passion of its community. This approach aims to create a persistent and richly detailed universe where every element is carefully crafted.

Learning Curve and Accessibility

Getting started with a space simulation can be daunting. The way a game introduces its mechanics and guides players is crucial for an enjoyable experience. Let’s compare how Elite Dangerous and Star Citizen approach learning and accessibility for beginners.

Elite Dangerous is often praised for its ability to gradually immerse players in its universe. Its tutorials cover the fundamental aspects of the game, allowing beginners to familiarise themselves with controls and mechanics without feeling overwhelmed. Additionally, the active community provides numerous guides and resources to help new pilots take flight.

On the other hand, Star Citizen is still a work in progress. Due to its current state, it may feel less welcoming to novices, particularly regarding tutorials. Incomplete explanations and a lack of detailed instructions can make the first steps more challenging. However, a short tutorial guides players through their first thirty minutes of gameplay. It serves as a great starting point and will likely improve in the future. For those willing to invest time and effort, the game offers an unparalleled depth and richness of experience, supported by a community eager to assist newcomers.

Realism and Immersion

Immersion is a key element in space simulations. The realism of environments, the diversity of landscapes, and attention to detail all contribute to making the player feel part of a credible universe. Let’s examine how these two games differ in terms of realism and immersion.

The worlds of Elite Dangerous are primarily procedurally generated, creating an almost infinite universe to explore. While this approach can lead to some repetitiveness in planetary landscapes, stations and landing zones follow standardised designs, making navigation easier for players.

Star Citizen takes a different approach, manually designing its planets and stations, resulting in extremely detailed and diverse environments. Each location is carefully crafted, offering a visually rich and immersive experience. Immersion is further enhanced through impressive details: every cockpit is modelled with high precision, player interactions make the game feel more alive, and planetary landings occur seamlessly without loading screens.

However, this level of detail requires longer development times, which partially explains the game’s current alpha state.

Gameplay

In Elite Dangerous, most ships can be customised for different professions, including trade, exploration, mining, or combat. This flexibility allows players to experiment with various roles without requiring a massive investment in new ships. Additionally, the gameplay mechanics are designed to be accessible, making different careers approachable even for beginners.

The game rewards players who enjoy discipline and precision. Missions are varied (combat, trade, exploration…), but the gameplay remains focused on piloting and system management:

• Fuel, heat, and gravity management.
• Intense space combat.
• Precise and challenging landings.

Conversely, Star Citizen features ships that are often specialised for specific roles. Mining, salvage, and refuelling, for example, require dedicated vessels. Each ship has its own handling characteristics and interactions with the environment. Combat is more engaging than in Elite Dangerous, offering impressive tactical depth:

• The ability to move freely within the ship and interact with every element.
• On-foot planetary exploration and the use of various ground vehicles.
• Participation in dynamic, sometimes scripted missions.

This specialisation adds a layer of realism and depth to the experience.

Session Duration and Player Commitment

Elite Dangerous is designed to accommodate various playstyles, including shorter sessions. Players can complete missions or explore systems within a limited timeframe, making it ideal for those who cannot dedicate long hours to the game.

Due to its complexity and deep mechanics, Star Citizen is better suited for players willing to commit to longer sessions. Missions can be more time-consuming and often require planning and coordination, especially when involving multiple players or multi-crew ships.

Navigating Space with Ease

Piloting spacecraft is an integral part of the gameplay in both titles. A keyboard and mouse are sufficient to start with, but for full immersion, nothing beats a joystick. This provides instant responsiveness and smooth movement, enhancing the experience.

With the SOL-R1 Flightstick, space, galaxies, constellations, and beyond will be at your command! Designed to enhance your experience in games like Star Citizen and Elite Dangerous, this ambidextrous and precise joystick will be your ally in space combat and exploration.

It offers:

• Three axes of movement (X, Y, Z) and five virtual axes (scroll wheel, throttle, mini-stick).
• Up to 44 assignable actions.

Click below to discover more details!

The Advantage of the SOL-R1 Flightstick in Elite Dangerous

Every manoeuvre can make the difference between a successful landing and a fatal crash. A high-performance joystick is a clear advantage over other players. More precise, more responsive, and infinitely more immersive than a keyboard and mouse, it enhances dexterity during spaceflight and allows for greater wealth accumulation.

Take It Further with the SOL-R2 HOSAS SPACE SIM DUO

For even greater immersion, the SOL-R2 HOSAS SPACE SIM DUO is the ultimate setup. Featuring two SOL-R1 Flightsticks, this configuration enables players to attempt the most intricate manoeuvres. Additionally, it closely replicates modern flight controls, enhancing both immersion and comfort during long sessions.

In combat, HOSAS makes evasive manoeuvres easier with thrusters while maintaining precise aiming. In short, it is the ultimate advantage in PvP and dogfighting.

Star Citizen with a Joystick Is…

Star Citizen takes simulation even further with a more complex flight model and deeper cockpit interactions.

Using a joystick makes controls feel more natural, improving thruster management and space combat. Its numerous programmable buttons allow essential commands to be assigned, reducing reliance on the keyboard and maximising immersion.

Two Different but Complementary Experiences

Ultimately, there is no clear winner. Elite Dangerous offers the exploration of an entire galaxy with an easy-to-grasp gameplay loop, though its content can sometimes feel repetitive. It is ideal for those seeking a more accessible and fast-paced experience.

Star Citizen, on the other hand, is a continuously evolving sandbox, enriched by regular updates that introduce new activities—and their fair share of challenges. It aims to be an ambitious, game-changing project within the space simulation and gaming world.

The question remains: do you prefer the stability of a finished game or the surprises of an ever-evolving title?