X2: The Threat follows in a long line of space-trader games. In many ways X2 is typical as it has most of the same elements that its predecessors had (along with some nice modern graphics). You experience non-linear gameplay as you fly your ship around space, docking at various space stations, trading goods, fighting off pirates (or doing a little pirating yourself), accepting missions, upgrading your ship, etc. Along with this, there is a main story plot which is linear, but you can choose when you take each step in it (there's no rush).
X2 has some key differences, though. In X2, you can also build your own space factories to produce goods. Along with this, you can also control ships besides the one you're flying with remote control commands. This combination allows you to setup factories in space and give them ships to bring in and sell goods for them.
As this implies, X2 has a dynamic economy system, with goods being exchanged between stations across many systems continuously. This aspect of the game, "empire building", gives the game a lot of replay value. You can spend hours building, trading, generating more credits, upgrading to better ships, etc.
X2 also has a vast array of different ship classes, and within each class lots of variation (different races have different models). Generally, a ship design trades off between speed, maneuverability, defense, offense, cargo space, and price. If your focus is on trading, you'll probably want a transport class ships with a lot of cargo space. If your focus is on space combat, you'll forgo cargo space for weapons, shields, and maneuverability in a fighter class ship. Actually, you'll probably end up having both kinds of ships eventually. It may even be at the same time with at least one of them running on remote control!
Another way in which X2 distinguishes itself is with it's very large ship classes. Once you start getting in the range of several million credits (not hard once you get a few factories running smoothly), you can buy large ships that have massive weapons, shields, and cargo space. But, these ships are so large, that you can no longer dock them in the usual way. Instead you'll have a hangar where you dock smaller ships (like the ships you start with in the game). The largest transport ship can carry factories.
The main story and plot for X2 is typical in many respects. You meet a number of characters who get you to help fight off some bad guys. There are some twists, but nothing unusual. I got the impression the story aspect of the game was rushed to completion. It started with a lot more cut-scenes and detail but ended fairly abruptly (a couple major aspects of it were left hanging.) But, I don't think the main plot is the reason to play this game. Play for the joy of playing a space trader and empire builder.
There are some key details that are not in the manual regarding how to setup factories and such. But, the game does have tutorials for that (under the "Simulation" link in the start menu) which gets you on track and shows you how to do all the remote control stuff. The interface in the game could have been better. I found myself, jumping around several command screens, trying to find the right place to do things many times. There are only a few quick-keys and some of them are re-used in odd ways. I did get used to the interface for the most part and it was fine. You really need a joystick to play this game properly especially for combat (though, you can use just a mouse).
My interest in the game was piqued when I found the Official X2 forum. I found a very active and very psyched group of X2 players here. They've written several guides that helped me immensely (and made-up for the manual's lack of detail). Clearly, there are people who have been playing X2 for months and having a great time with it.
There is a scripting capability in X2 that the creators have released as part of the patches. (Be sure to download the latest patch for X2). The community of players has really gone crazy with this. There are all kinds of scripts you can download and add to your game to give you various options or cheats.
X2 is a sequel to X: Beyond the Frontier (which also had an add-on X-Tension - the first to have factory building). I have not played the earlier games. The original game in this style was Elite which came out in the mid-80s for home computers. Later, a game called Privateer came out under the Wing Commander moniker. Freelancer was the most recent game in this style. If you liked any of these old games, you should check X2 out.
