Star Citizen Revisited: Embracing the Game for What It Is Today
A Quick Note Before We Dive In
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll know it’s usually focused on tanks and military simulations. But after 12 years of writing, I thought I’d take a brief detour into something a bit different. This post is all about my recent experience re-engaging with Star Citizen, a space sim I’ve had a long and complicated relationship with.
While it might seem like a departure from my usual content, there are still plenty of parallels—complex mechanics, immersive worlds, and the joy (and frustration) of getting lost in a simulation. So, if you’re up for something a little out of left field, stick around!
TL;DR
After nearly a year away from Star Citizen, I returned to find a game that’s improved in many ways, though it still has its frustrations. Performance is smoother, the graphics remain stunning, and features like the new HUD and jump drive system are much better than I expected, despite the negative buzz. I’ve decided to stop spending money on the game, and that’s helped me enjoy it more. While it still crashes and some points of interest feel lifeless, the overall experience—especially for solo players like me—has become more polished and enjoyable. I’m all about the ASMR-like ambiance of Star Citizen and taking it slow to appreciate the world around me.
If you spend any amount of time watching YouTube videos or reading through Reddit posts about Star Citizen, you’re likely to encounter two extreme camps: those who believe the game is a scam that will never deliver on its promises, and those who think it’s the greatest game ever made, with only bright things on the horizon. Both sides, in their own way, miss the mark.
I took nearly a year off from Star Citizen, stepping away from both the game and the relentless debate around it. During that time, I watched plenty of negative YouTube videos and read posts from communities like starcitizen_refunds, all of which reinforced my decision to leave. They painted a picture of a game so broken, so delayed, and so far from its original promises that it seemed almost pointless to ever come back.
But when I did return, I realized something: it wasn’t nearly as bad as they made it out to be. Yes, the game has its flaws—crashes, bugs, and a painfully slow development process—but it’s still playable and, in many ways, enjoyable. The doom-and-gloomers are quick to nitpick every minor issue, making it seem like the game is completely unplayable, which just isn’t true.
On the other side of the coin, there are the diehard optimists—the ones who believe Star Citizen is on the cusp of greatness, always just one patch away from being fully realized. These voices can be just as frustrating, because what they often cheerlead as imminent changes or features either don’t arrive, or they take far longer than expected.
It’s this balance between the negativity and blind optimism that I find interesting. Both sides have their points, but neither fully reflects what Star Citizen is today. After a year-long absence, I’ve returned to a game that has made some tangible improvements. Bugs that used to drive me mad are either less frequent or gone entirely. The crashes, while still present, are nowhere near as disruptive as they once were. And while the game still has a long way to go, I’ve been enjoying it again—without the need to invest in new ships or throw more money at it.
In fact, one of the key decisions I made when coming back was to stop giving in to the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). Star Citizen’s marketing is almost predatory; they know how to make every new ship, every special offer, feel like a can’t-miss opportunity. It’s hard to resist. But after spending more than enough money on the game, I decided I was done. No more spending. I would enjoy the game with what I already had, and that decision lifted a huge weight off my shoulders.
I won’t lie—the FOMO is strong with this game. Their marketing machine is relentless, and it can be difficult to shake off that feeling that you’re missing out if you don’t buy into the latest shiny new ship or item. But I’m stubborn if nothing else, and that stubbornness helped me push through the pressure. Once I let go of the constant drive to keep up with new purchases, I found myself enjoying the game more. Star Citizen has had more than enough funding—from me and from thousands of other players. Now, when I see their flashy ads and hear about upcoming ships, I take it with a pinch of salt.
One thing that genuinely surprised me when I jumped back into Star Citizen was just how beautiful the game still is. I’d forgotten how visually stunning it can be—the detailed environments, the ships, the planets—it all looks as impressive now as it did when I first started. In fact, after taking time away and coming back, it almost felt like I was seeing it with fresh eyes.
What’s more, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in performance. My frames per second (FPS) have definitely increased, and the game feels much smoother overall. Now, I’ll admit part of that might be due to my hardware upgrade—I bought a new CPU that’s a few steps up from what I had before. But even with that in mind, the improvement is noticeable. Whether it’s the game’s optimization or the better hardware (or a mix of both), it’s made the experience far more enjoyable this time around.
One of the more noticeable changes since I last played is the addition of clouds, and they make a massive difference. The atmosphere feels more dynamic, and visually, it’s just breathtaking. It’s these little touches that really remind me how far the game has come in terms of immersion and world-building.
There are also many more points of interest scattered across the planets. While I appreciate the effort to add more for players to discover, they do feel a bit… antiseptic. It’s as if they’ve been plonked on the ground without much thought to how they integrate into the world. They serve their purpose, but I can’t help but feel they lack the life and interaction that would truly make them stand out.
Still, I can’t deny that Star Citizen has improved in a lot of ways since I last played. It’s not just about adding new features—it’s about refining what’s already there. Even if some of these new elements feel a little off, the game as a whole feels more complete than it did a year ago.
Another area where I was bracing for disappointment was the new HUD. I’d heard nothing but negative things—people calling it clunky and difficult to use. Naturally, I expected to be frustrated with it. But once again, my experience was the complete opposite.
I actually find the new HUD to be a solid improvement. It’s clean, intuitive, and gives me all the information I need without feeling cluttered. The map system, which is integrated with it, is also something I’ve come to really enjoy. I was told the HUD was "junk," but I think it’s anything but. Both systems feel functional and easy to navigate, making the overall experience smoother rather than frustrating.
The improvements don’t stop at gameplay. Even the Star Citizen launcher, which is new to me since I returned, is a lot nicer. It’s a small detail, but one that adds to the overall experience. Another plus is the character customization. It feels more grown-up now, offering a level of detail that really lets you fine-tune your character.
I’ve already mentioned the graphics, but I can’t emphasize enough how amazing they are. The visuals in Star Citizen continue to blow me away, and the game’s camera facility makes it easy to capture some truly stunning screenshots. It’s another feature I enjoy, especially since I like to slow down and appreciate the world.
Even the music adds to the experience. Normally, I mute the in-game music when I play, but this time, I’ve kept it on because it fits so well with the ASMR-like ambiance I love. It’s subtle but adds to that soothing atmosphere that makes the game feel immersive.
The ships themselves also feel much nicer than they did before. Whether it’s the handling or just the way they look, there’s a tangible improvement that makes flying around the universe even more enjoyable.
One thing that sets my experience apart from many others is how I move through the game. While some players are constantly running around to get to the next objective, I rarely run anywhere in Star Citizen. I prefer to walk, take my time, and really soak in the ambiance. There’s something about the atmospherics when landing on planets—the feeling of stepping onto an alien world and just being there. It’s incredibly immersive, and for me, that’s a big part of what makes the game special.
In fact, I’d go as far as to say I enjoy the ASMR of Star Citizen. The sounds, the visuals, the overall ambiance—it all has a soothing, almost meditative quality. Sure, this might sound like fluff to some, but those moments of slowing down and appreciating the environment make the game feel more alive. It’s not just about completing tasks or rushing to the next location; it’s about enjoying the journey.
Even though Star Citizen is a multiplayer game at its core, I tend to play alone. That’s just how I prefer to experience it. As a result, I don’t have much perspective from a multiplayer standpoint, but for me, the solo experience has been more than enough to keep me engaged. Exploring the universe at my own pace, taking on missions, or simply enjoying the beauty of the game—those are the moments I enjoy the most.
While I know the multiplayer aspects might appeal to others, playing solo allows me to appreciate the game without the need for interaction or coordination with other players. And that suits me just fine.
Final Thoughts
Star Citizen remains a game full of potential, frustrations, and beauty. After a year away, I’m pleased with the improvements I’ve seen, even if some of the old issues still linger. What’s important for me now is enjoying what the game offers in its current state, without falling into the trap of endless promises and FOMO. Whether you’re a solo player like me or someone invested in the multiplayer experience, there’s a lot to appreciate—if you’re willing to take the game for what it is today, rather than what it might be tomorrow.
