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Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War

Volition's classic is back. Descent: FreeSpace is the quintessential old school space shooter. With a deep story, great graphics and engaging battles against fighters to capital ships it keeps you moving. Breakout that flight stick and enroll with the Grand Terran Alliance today.

Steam Page
Developer
Volition Inc.
Publisher
Interplay Inc.
Release
May 7, 2014
12 years and 90 days ago
Steam Reviews
Mostly Positive243 reviews78.6%

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Notes
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Updated: Jul 13, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer.
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher.
A separate publisher is listed for this release.
Search Google: Is Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War self-published or published by Interplay Inc.?Publisher statusHow the game's publishing relationship is classified.
Search Google: How is Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War and Interplay Inc. funded?FundingThe known source of funding behind the game.
Search Google: Who controls the creative direction and IP for Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War and Volition Inc.?Creative controlWho appears to retain creative control of the game.
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released.
The game was released through a separate publisher.

Media

7 items

About the Game

Includes the original Freespace and the Silent Threat mission pack


They arrived by the thousands, suddenly and without warning.

The heartless Shivans emerged through subspace near Earth, harboring technology light years ahead of anything seen before. They made no attempt to communicate. They did not respond to your heralds. They simply attacked--and destroyed everything in their path.

As a pilot for the Galactic Terran Alliance (GTA) you are no stranger to war. But when racing through space to engage your new enemy for the first time, you sense something different. Suddenly, darkness blankets your craft. Your stomach sinks as your eyes pan across the Shivan flagship's massive body. Then it begins. Swarms of fighters pour from the belly of the flagship and scream towards you. You are about to discover everything you thought you knew about space combat--just changed.

This is the beginning of The Great War.


- 30 branching single-player missions and 20 multiplayer missions
- 3 unique species, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, tactics, ships, and fighting characteristics.
- Over 40 jaw-dropping real-time ships with dynamic lighting, stunning effects, animation and unprecedented levels of realism and detail.
- Create your own detailed missions using 'FRED", the fully-featured mission editor.
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