Fate of the Galaxy

Fate of the Galaxy is a free space combat simulation made by a volunteer development team. You fly starfighters in a universe inspired by the classic Star Wars trilogy. The game is based on the open-source FreeSpace Open engine and runs independently, so you don't need to own FreeSpace 2. It is a fan project and not an official game by Lucasfilm or Disney.

Fate of the Galaxy was released on Oct 30, 2026. The team offers the free full version for Windows, macOS and Linux via ModDB and the Knossos launcher. The release follows long-term development by volunteer contributors.

Fate of the Galaxy is available for Windows, macOS and Linux. All three operating systems belong to the PC version. The Knossos launcher helps with setup and updates. The game also supports VR with a suitable headset, and there is no separately announced console version.

At the center are fast battles between starfighters and larger ships. From the cockpit you control speed, direction of flight and weapons, dodge enemy fire and attack with precision. The missions rely on coordinated maneuvers and teamwork with your own squadron.

You can fly as a pilot of the Rebel Alliance, the Galactic Empire or as an independent freebooter. Each side has its own starships and offers a different view of the conflicts in space.

Alongside linked story missions, there are customizable dynamic campaigns. They take you through different operational areas and let you experience space battles with changing objectives and ships.

If you want to play individual battles, you can choose arcade scenarios and standalone missions. Training missions make it easier to get into the flight model and the tactical options.

Over 64 ships are available, including fighters and larger spacecraft. The developers have equipped many cockpits with individual instruments. Weapon loadouts can be adjusted, so flight handling and combat tactics differ.

Space battles combine main weapons with supplementary armament. You adjust a ship's equipment and, depending on the mission objective, decide which attacks to prepare. The cockpit displays help you keep track of enemies, your own systems and available weapons.

Allied pilots fight at your side. You can give your squadron orders and thereby influence how attack targets are distributed and how the team works together in combat.

Besides single-player mode, short multiplayer matches over a local network are possible. The focus is on flying space battles together, not on a persistent online role-playing game.

The FRED mission editor lets you put together your own scenarios. The developers also use the tool for their own missions. Since mission files are text-based, players can share their own missions relatively easily.

Fate of the Galaxy can be played with joysticks as well as mouse and keyboard. Up to four input devices can be used at the same time. The mouse has different modes available: one for larger flight movements and one for more precise aiming.

With a suitable VR headset, Fate of the Galaxy also supports display in a virtual cockpit. This feature belongs to the PC version. A standalone release for a specific VR console has not been announced.

The team uses FreeSpace Open, an open-source continuation of the technology behind FreeSpace 2. Models and effects are tuned for space battles in the style of the classic film trilogy. Several graphics options can be reduced so the simulation can also run on weaker PC hardware.

The free full version is available on the project page via ModDB for Windows, macOS and Linux. For Windows, the package includes game content and Knossos; on macOS and Linux, Knossos helps download and manage the required files. You don't need to buy FreeSpace 2 separately.