I noticed a post at GameSetWatch I wanted to share:

Got a note from Tom Ohle which is worth passing on to you unwashed masses: “Stardock just launched Space Rangers: The Klissan War -previously unavailable in North America – on TotalGaming.net for $19.99 or 1 token (that’s less than $10 if you go the token route). They’ve bundled it with Space Rangers 2: Rise of the Dominators for $29.99 or 3 tokens.”

Space Rangers 2 was the only game in the brief series released in the US. Even though the quirky little title met little fanfare at retail, it was celebrated by the critics as being “…so varied and random that you find yourself having fun,” according to GameSpot; and “one of the most elegantly designed and compulsively enjoyable games released in recent memory,” by GameSpy.

So if the game is this good, why didn’t it sell? Aside from it being a PC title first and foremost, it is also is a space sim – not the most profitable genre these days, albeit one of my favorites, which is why I’ve been keeping tabs on it since it came out. But I think the main reason why it didn’t catch on with even the hardcore PC crowd is because the retail release was cursed by Starforce copy protection. If you don’t know what Starforce is, it is bad bad bad for your computer; and if you are PC gamer and haven’t been keeping tabs on these things, chances are you already have it installed.

But enough damning the retail version, which is not the purpose of this post. The reason for trumpeting SR2 now is because the version for download on TotalGaming.net is DRM free – which means, of course, no Starforce. Which also means, there is no reason for you, me, or anyone to not buy this game. In addition, you can also buy it together with the original Space Rangers for the low, low price of $29.99 (or lower if you go with the optional membership plan).

With services like TGN providing a safe and easy way to experience off-the-radar gems like Space Rangers, PC gamers have a lot to be thankful for. So what are you waiting for, get shopping!