Baryum

Baryum is a first-person space sim set in an astronomically accurate solar system. The Sun sits at the origin and the planets orbit at real astronomical units, with positions computed from real orbital elements. The map includes eight planets and sixteen moons, along with a dockable International Space Station. Mars and the Moon use NASA colour and elevation data, and a time-warp drive shortens the long journeys between worlds.

The player begins as a cadet at the International Space Station with a small ship and an empty cargo hold. Work comes from a contract board covering nine types: planetary surveys, resource runs, reconnaissance, bounty warrants, tourist charters, convoy escort, derelict salvage, fleet interdiction and anomaly investigations. Earning credits and passing Academy examinations moves the player through five officer grades, from Cadet to Major. Players can also mine ice, gas or ore and sell it at the station. Sixteen hulls are available, and cargo bays can be converted into fuel tanks, oxygen reserves, a third weapon mount, a cloaking unit or an automatic hull patcher.

Combat takes place against pirate wings and Aurum Syndicate interceptors, using cannons, homing missiles and an EM disruptor that is limited by heat. A dreadnought appears for players who progress far enough up the contract board. Hull, fuel, oxygen and radiation all deplete over time, and running low far from the station can leave the player waiting for a rescue ship. The story campaign follows an anomaly detected near Neptune and leads to the outer solar system. The game supports full gamepad use with remappable controls and is available in ten languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Simplified Chinese.