Choose Freespace 2
Choose Freespace 2 if you want the Multi-player side of the pairing. Freespace 2 launched in 2014.
Freespace 2 vs Lightspeed
Freespace 2 and Lightspeed both land in Action on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both are Action games on Steam. Freespace 2 (2014) is 10 years older than Lightspeed (2024). Lightspeed is currently ~76% cheaper on Steam than Freespace 2 (5.99 USD vs. 24.99 USD). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose Lightspeed
Choose Lightspeed if you want a Simulation experience. On Steam, it's currently about 76% cheaper on the Steam Store. Lightspeed launched in 2024.
Both Freespace 2 and Lightspeed sit in Action on Steam, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 Freespace 2 |  Lightspeed | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2014 | 2024 |
| Genres | Action | Action, Simulation |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Unsupported | Unrated |
| Price | 24.99 USD | 5.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 79.7% positive (241 reviews) | 2 reviews |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player | Single-player only |
| Developers | Volition Inc | MPS Labs, Big Boat Interactive |
Side by side
- Both are Action games on Steam.
- Freespace 2 (2014) is 10 years older than Lightspeed (2024).
- Lightspeed is currently ~76% cheaper on Steam than Freespace 2 (5.99 USD vs. 24.99 USD).
- Freespace 2 is Deck Unsupported on Steam Deck; Lightspeed has no Deck rating yet.
Freespace 2 vs Lightspeed — FAQ
- Should I play Freespace 2 or Lightspeed first?
- If you want chronology, Freespace 2 (2014) came out before Lightspeed (2024). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are Freespace 2 and Lightspeed similar?
- They overlap on Action on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.
- Does Lightspeed have multiplayer like Freespace 2?
- No. Freespace 2 supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player), while Lightspeed is listed as single-player only.