Apart from the combat elements, AOG is really focused on NPC interaction--each town will have a variety of colorful characters for you to interact with. "Quest givers" don't just have giant question marks floating over their heads--you need to actually talk to people, earn their trust, and maybe use a little wit if you want a job. What you say matters--you might offend someone who otherwise could have offered you a lucrative job. Reputation is also important--people who are from different regions or different groups will treat you differently based on your prior actions. Certain groups (sky pirates or certain crime syndicates) might be hostile at first and you'll need to work on earning their trust. And then certain quests will just happen organically--without even the need to talk to anyone at all. I always loved that about Firefly. In most episodes something rather mundane is going on and then something totally unexpected happens and the entire episode develops from that simple event. Like an explosion in the engine room or Mal just saying something stupid. Adventures just kind of come from anywhere--there was a whole episode just about them trying to get a contract to ship a herd of cattle. That sort of vibe is what Age of Grit is all about.
