Beware that Elite requires an immediate 20 gig update and full-time internet connection, even in solo play. These factors might have put me off buying it if I'd know in advance, but I'm glad I did. The game is incredibly detailed with one of the steepest learning curves out there. The PS4 controller actually works well, but with over 60 functions assigned to different button combos it takes ages to stop making mistakes that will ruin your game. Only one ‘live’ save game at a time with brutal consequences for mistakes meant quite a few restarts for me. However if you were a fan of Elite back in the 1980's, or enjoy simulators and want a space trading/combat/mi­ning/explorati­on game then you won't be disappointed. Graphics are very good, sound effects are brilliant, physics engine is great, and the game is an MMO so you can get out there and play with others. Plenty of forums around that will save you time and frustration to quickly learn tips for fast advancement, such as sneaky bounty hunting and mining asteroid cores (my pathway to 100 million plus credits in three weeks of occasional play). Depth of play is truly amazing but it's accompanied by the most frustration I've felt about a game for decades – as well as the most enjoyment. I suggest lots of research before considering this game.

Best space trading game ever. Played it on the Apple 2e back in the day.

I'm about 200 hours into Elite Dangerous. First things first – this game is extraordinarily complex – and it is HUGE. Just taking off and landing is daunting for an amateur pilot – then trying to figure out how to get around the enormous Milky Way galaxy to complete different missions is the next leap, entering and exiting space stations can also be fraught with danger and will often result in many expletives being yelled out – all of this can be frustrating especially if you're new and haven't got any Elite Dangerous experts to help you out. I wouldn't recommend this game for someone just wanting an easy to play space sim because Elite Dangerous is not that. The flight controls are complex, the trading and in-game economy is complex, knowing how best to kit out your ship for any given task is certainly not easy, and then trying to retain all of that knowledge while grinding away for hours (and I mean HOURS – if not months, years, or longer!) to get ahead in the game is what often turns most newbies to the game away after only a week or two. The game doesn't reward you quickly for your time and effort – to make serious money, you're going to be repeating a lot of stuff over and over again. And yes, yes that gets utterly and completely mind bendingly boring. I've stuck with it for a long time but I've now moved onto other games – the grind and the lack of reward for my time eventually wore me down. I may return, but it wont be anytime soon sadly. I give it 2 out of 5 stars.