How to get back?

[Deflinek]

Sorry for the little click bait title  I don't mean get back to Kerbin, but rather to KSP.

A bit of background. I bought this game just before 1.0 launched and played shortly after but for some reason it didn't "click". I was able to get to the orbit and around Mun but struggled with rendezvous and landing on Mun without killing everyone or with ability to launch again. I also played full campaign only and struggled with money and science to unlock better parts. So I stoped playing.

Now that KSP is available on xbox I ask myself every day "should I get it?". I'm more console player and even on PC didn't play with mods so that's not an issue.

I'm asking for opinions how KSP changed during last year and if it's worth getting on xbox if I own PC version? Or should I get back to PC and give it second chance?

[moogoob]

The general consensus so far is that if you have a PC copy, and your PC is fast enough to play it without stuttering too much, you should probably use the PC version as there isn't anything that the console version can do that the PC one can't (yes, the PC version CAN use controllers - I use an Xbox 360 one myself), and several (mods and infinite* part count stand out to me) that the console version can't that the PC one can.

*based on your RAM, of course

[pandaman]

Hi, and welcome.  If you already have it on PC then what's to lose by getting the latest update (1.1.3) and having a go to see, it won't cost you any more as you have already bought it.  Then, if you take to it, consider buying for console if you want to in the knowledge that you will play it.

KSP is known for it's rather steep learning curve, but it seems you already have the basics at least.  Rendezvous and docking, and landing on other planets are never 'easy' they just get less difficult with practice.  Try landing on Minmus before the moon, it's inclined orbit makes it a bit more difficult to get to, but the lower gravity is much more forgiving for landing.

Above all enjoy playing it, if you find it's not really your thing then so be it.

[suicidejunkie]

If you have the PC version, you'd be better off hooking your TV up to your PC for a bigscreen experience.

Also look into getting your controller hooked into your PC, but you'll likely want to keep the mouse and keyboard handy as well for design and science work.

Best of both worlds that way

 

I'd suggest a career mode with funds income turned up until you're ready to challenge yourself with efficiency rather than reaching the new destinations.

Reading up on gravity turns would help you get more fuel to orbit, and looking up delta-v calculations should help you budget for your mun mission.

http://strout.net/info/science/delta-v/intro.html

 

Although, you will probably be better served with a visit to Minmus's surface before Mun's.  It is actually far cheaper to do because of the low gravity.

[something]

Well in order to learn the basics such as "Landing on Mun/Minmus" I'd suggest to play in sandbox mode. Once you can repeat it regularly you can walk on to career if you do have problems with your funds.

If you really want to know if you should buy the console version - I can't add anything the other dudes here didn't already mention: Try the PC version first. Things got significantly smoother in 1.1.X.

[Fearless Son]

If you find Mun landing challenging, I might recommend you learn to use the piloting assist system.  Basically, as long as you have a modestly skilled pilot (or more advanced probe core) in your craft and you turn on SAS, then you can have the pilot keep the craft's nose pointed in a particular direction relative to the motion of the craft.  This will not autopilot anything for you, but it can make things much easier to do efficiently. 

So if you are having trouble sticking a safe Mun landing, go in for a surface landing as normal, where you fall in a steep arc, but turn on the SAS and set the piloting assist to point the craft retrograde (that is to say, facing away from the direction the craft is going.)  As you are falling toward the surface, throttle up the engines to reduce your speed.  You do not need to do it too much, too high, just enough that you are confident you have enough thrust and time left to arrest your velocity by the time you hit the surface.  The fact that the piloting assistance will keep your craft pointed straight away from the direction of its fall will ensure you are facing almost completely normal to the surface by the time you impact, which makes a safe touch-down much easier.  Once you are near the surface, try to get the descent velocity down to below ten meters per second, preferably below five.  Keeping the throttle opened just a tiny bit should work.  Then cut all velocity as soon as the landing struts hit the regolith.  

Having enough fuel for all of this and a return will be the next big challenge.  Think of making your lander as light as absolutely possible for this.  

[Pecan]

6 hours ago, Deflinek said:

... I also played full campaign only and struggled with money and science to unlock better parts. So I stoped playing....

Just stop hating yourself and play in a different game mode.  Sandbox if you just want to have fun.  Science if you can't cope with the choice of all of the parts from start.  Plus, if you continue on PC - for no extra cost - you can add mods that make things you don't enjoy easier, like MJ for rendezvous or landing.  Why pay all over again?

[kiwi1960]

Play the game already.... its the only way you will find out for sure....

and also, read my signature... if you're sane... STOP being sane... you NEED to be really really insane to play, and enjoy KSP!

"wibble"

 

[Kermanzooming]

11 hours ago, Deflinek said:

I was able to get to the orbit and around Mun but struggled with rendezvous and landing on Mun without killing everyone or with ability to launch again. I also played full campaign only and struggled with money and science to unlock better parts. So I stoped playing.

Installing Kerbal Engineer or Mechjeb will make the game less of a trial and error; being able to design ships knowing their capabilities in terms of Delta-V and TWR keeps the game challenging but removes a lot of time spent on trial and error.

Beware, however; once you try a mod, there is no turning back and you will end up with a lot of them 

[Kyrt Malthorn]

I got back into KSP because my brother was still playing, we chatted about it often and his excitement re-energized me.  ^.^

Setting goals for a career or series of missions can help me not get bored - that way I can tailor things like fund and science returns to the gameplay I actually want instead of doing countless random contracts and get tired of them.

I browse the forums often - see what other people do.  When I see something someone managed that was really cool or very challenging - well there's a goal I can work toward, doing something similar in my own style.

Another option is to look for some game-changing mods, if your machine can handle them.  It doesn't have to be a full suite of RSS/RO to really change the way the game plays.

The possibilities are endless.

[T-Bouw]

You've gotten lots of good advice from the others here, but I will post one general rule that always helped me stay well within budget:

If your unsure of buying something, then don't.

You can use that in KSP and in real life.

[Deflinek]

Thanks a lot guys, I found a lot of wisdom here! I'm back to PC then and try to get successful trip to Minimus and back as my first large milestone this time.

7 hours ago, T-Bouw said:

If your unsure of buying something, then don't.

That is so true