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May 08, 2019 Designed by Chris and Erin Roberts, the creative force behind the Wing Commander/Privateer megaseries, this space fighting simulation features the genre's standard mission types: escort, fighter sweep, interception, attacking space stations, fighting in asteroid fields, etc. This banner text can have markup. Web; books; video; audio; software; images; Toggle navigation.
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June 9, 2000
Web posted at: 11:21 a.m. EDT (1521 GMT)
Web posted at: 11:21 a.m. EDT (1521 GMT)
by Brian Wright
(IDG) -- Back in 1990, a game called Wing Commander revolutionized the gaming industry with its Hollywood-style cut-scenes and storyline, state-of-the-art graphics, and intense interstellar dogfights. Ten years later, the creators of Wing Commander have once again turned their attention to the world of space combat with StarLancer, and though it may not be groundbreaking, it's a solid game that action fans are sure to enjoy.
Set in the 22nd century, StarLancer's story concerns a Cold War in space, with the noble forces of the Western Alliance battling the evil Eastern Coalition for control of the solar system. It can be confusing at times and is loaded with cliches, but the atmosphere evokes a World War II feeling that fits the game nicely. As a member of the 45th Volunteers, you and your squadron are sent on a variety of missions, ranging from escorting friendly ships to search and rescue.
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Each mission begins in your quarters aboard the command ship, Reliant. Here, you can watch the latest news reports, read about the various ships and personnel, or practice your skills in the simulation pod. When you're ready for action, you can head to the briefing room where you will receive your orders, load up your ship, and jump into the fight.
After spending some time training in the simulator and memorizing a few hotkeys, you'll be flying your ships with ease, and you'll definitely want a joystick for the best experience. The flight engine feels right and with practice you'll be advancing in rank while your name will be climbing up the killboard.
Space combat has certainly never looked better. Everything is nicely detailed, from your ship's worn interior to the smoke trails of your missiles. The game is a little dark, however, and it's often hard to tell the difference between enemy ships and those of your allies. This doesn't get in the way of gameplay, though, because enemy ships are targeted in red, making them easy to spot.
The sound effects in StarLancer are first-rate, with unique sounds for various ships and guns, and the high quality voiceovers and musical score create the feeling of being in a Hollywood movie. The radio chatter can be a little repetitive, though, especially some of the cornier lines ('Where should I send the flowers, Comrade?').
Another minor nuisance is that the missions themselves begin to feel repetitive and some can be overly challenging. This can be particularly frustrating 15 minutes into a mission when you think you're ready to head back to the base and another wave of enemy fighters comes your way. Also, there isn't as much character development as in the Wing Commander series and your squadmates sometimes seem like generic clones instead of the buddies they should be.
Still, with over 25 levels and internet multiplay through Microsoft's Gaming Zone, StarLancer is a great space combat game that will definitely keep gamers' hands full until the much-anticipated sequel, FreeLancer, arrives next year.
StarLancer tips
- In the third mission, when you find the flight recorder (follow your radar -- it will beep faster as you get closer), approach it very slowly. If you are going too fast, you will run into it and it will explode.
- Although Screamer missiles don't track their targets, they can be very effective in a dogfight when used properly. Either increase your lead or fire one off when the enemy is flying directly toward or away from you.
- But, be sure to save your missiles (and your booster fuel) until later in the missions for when things really start to heat up.
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Page Tools.Mission 13In this mission, you will be secretly trailing a convoy on the way back to their base. The importance of this convoy is that the renegades are leading it.
Your mission is the shadow the convoy until they reach their base, at which point Gamma will jump in to defeat it.Stick with the Coyote once again for this mission, and arm it however you like. This is basically a non-stop dogfighting mission, so Havoks and Bandits work well, but you will want to take at least one placement of Screamers for use later in the mission.At the start of the mission, you will be shadowing the convoy as you were ordered to.
When you reach nav 1, you will encounter the convoy right before it jumps forward to nav point 2. After that happens, a small wing of fighters will jump in and target Gamma wing. Quickly dispatch them, and you will receive a distress call from nav 2. The base before.and after.Before you can jump there, you will have to deal with a couple renegade fighters. Alliance command will inform you that you must destroy them all within two minutes, after which they will be able to notify their leader of our plans. Quickly dispatch them, and then jump forward to nav 2.When you arrive at the next location, you will find that you were too late.
The ship you were trying to rescue is crippled, but they do have a bearing on the renegades position. They give you the location, and you jump out to it along with Gamma wing and the Pumas.Now comes a slightly tougher part. You will find the renegades base, but it is armed with an Ion Cannon that can destroy your ship in one blast.
The cannon is on the very bottom of the station, so be targeting it as soon as you arrive in the area. Right after the cut-scene, fire off all your Screamers at it, and then finish it off with lasers.Once you take out the cannon, eliminate the rest of the loose fighters.
When they are finally out of the way, McGann (the leader of the renegades) will jump in. Immediately target him and use every means possible to take him out, as the mission cannot be completed without his death. Continue to engage the rest of his fighter wing until they are all destroyed, at which point another renegade, Viper, will jump in.
Engage him, and once he is destroyed Gamma will take out the base and you will be able to return home.For more information, including reviews and cheats, follow this link:.Text & Graphics by Jeremy ConradFor feedback or questions, e-mail IGNguides at:.