You'll remember Egosoft's last game set in their'X-universe''X2: the Threat. Now the space trading game is back, after last being seen at E3 looking rather spiffing. Taking full advantage of Direct X 9 technology, the game uses a brand new 3D engine to make a world where the factories and starships look just jaw-droppingly shiny and amazing. Once again, this X game uses Egosoft's'Artificial Life'system, which creates a living, breathing universe that evolves in real time, meaning that all your actions have an irrevocable effect on the destiny of the world you inhabit. It's refreshing, as some might argue that this is a feature not even real life can offer. The feature also has greatly improved physics, as huge space stations drift in planetary orbit and smaller ships ping off into oblivion when swatted like flies.The game features all manner of new technologies to explore and new things to build, and the epic X storyline continues from where The Threat left off. The Argons are still locked in a bitter struggle with the Khaak. But now a new enemy brings a new dynamic to the conflict. And those dastardly Yaki pirates still threaten everyone with their boundless greed and ambition: Aarrrrrr!Solve the puzzle of the mysterious disappearing ship'is it linked in some way to an artefact left behind by a long-vanished civilisation' And what have those Yaki pirates got to do with it all' The only way to find out is to first make sure you are strong enough to deal with it all, so build for victory!