Last I heard they're still working on the main game. Is that true? I'm afraid I may be simply pre-ordering a refund, so I'll play it safe.

Edit: okay so apparently the game does appear to be done.
https://www.gog.com/game/x4_foundations

however the most helpful review from Mordhar is titled:

"WARNING! Not really DRM-free."

And enya has just entered the chat because I sailed away sailed away sailed away (far away)

Yeah, those over-alarming reviews which try to be an early DRM detection system. All it sometimes takes is a "dev wants you to register your game" mechanics & they'll fire.

While I certainly appreciate the effort to keep GOG the way it was meant to be [and why we are buying here] I sometimes wish authors would do a proper review of those stark opinions. Especially years after the release.

In fact the current beta proves that everything which is described in this review can be aquired without the online component. Simply because it was disabled for the beta builds and the players still were able to e.g. get the purple modding components. The whole mission rewards got a revamp so the review is at least outdated.

You can copy paste or make your own custom ship paint jobs without registering your game with the developer.

There is a big update v 4.0 to the base game also coming out at the same time as this add-on with several things tweaked, added or changed but if you want the new sectors and game starts (maybe more?) you need the DLC.

Since the beta update that came out on the 24th of February, the game has looked like ready for release within a week or ten days so not sure why they put the release in mid-March as I read the DLC is basically done. Maybe they still plan to rework or add one more thing.

They also delayed the release of the DLC in order to put more work into the new assets. At least one of their devs stated that he was happy to get more time to work on the new ships.

In general the 4.0 update will offer a lot of new things like the new terraforming feature, new fleet mechanics, UI updates ... the full beta changelog is quite a read.

Of course, if there is time you should use it but often developers want to push it out as fast as possible to start receiving more income, and more bug reports.

I have been following the beta but not played myself as it only works in Galaxy, which does not come with a Linux version.

Since its not mentioned in the blurb... is this the second expansion that was referenced as included as part of the collectors edition?

Correct.

Hmm, it is a strange managerial, RTS, FPP, space flight sim. Heavy on the economy building. Open ended time devourer, a thousand hours in one play-through is not unusual. They did not quite take the game in a direction that is to my taste but that is hardly their fault.
You want input from someone who has played it more and played the beta as they changed so much.

Thanks ... always nice to get new content you weren't expecting :)

Time to reinstall X4 then ...

I've never used the optional online component of the game and never felt hindered whatsoever. Don't let it dissuade you from a purchase.
That's a gross exaggeration. With the 3.0 patch I'd become the most powerful faction in the galaxy after 80-100 hours.

Alright but some players have played the same saves for that long.

New trailer is live :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs2BwzOKjhs

Looks great but I have to play X3 Albion Prelude and X: Rebirth first.
Oh, and also get a stronger PC...