Wing Commander

Wing Commander was a revolution when it came out. Graphics, sound and gameplay, the three corner stones of gaming, were all raised to new heights. The VGA graphics were used in all its glory to tell an amazing story. It took years to make this game, unusual for a time where games could still be written by one man sitting behind his home computer (although that was already becoming a thing of the past). The reason for this were the many setting that were made for the game, each one painstakingly hand drawn into the computer. The labour paid dividends as even today I cannot help but be amazed at how the game looks even in it’s cutscenes. It helps tremendously in immersing you into the story.

Storicamente parlando, Wing Commander e la saga che esso ha generato non hanno rivali nel loro genere e ancora oggi, a tanti anni dall’ultimo episodio, non v’è nulla sul mercato che possa raggiungere vette così alte di spettacolarità e divertimento.

What does it feel like to play a movie? The moment you load-up Wing Commander, you know you're playing something special. State of the art graphics, sound and presentation are supported by playable and additive gameplay. This cinematic combat-sim won't keep you hooked for months, but this doesn't detract from the fact that Wing Commander is a game in a class all it's own. Origin could become the software house of the decade.

Wing Commander sehen und staunen: Selbst überzeugte Action-Gegner und Science-fiction-Hasser können sich dem fantastischen Flair dieses herrlichen Spiels kaum entziehen. Die Aufmachung im Stil eines Kinofilms ist wegweisend und wird durch den nicht-linearen und damit vielschichtigen Spielverlauf unterstützt. Im Genre der 3-D-Weltraumactionspiele hängt Wing Commander die gesamte Konkurrenz ab. Eine packend dichte Atmosphäre, viel Abwechslung und ein intelligentes Gegnerverhalten machen das Programm zu einem echten Erlebnis. Hochgezüchtete Hardware vorausgesetzt bietet Wing Commander Spielgenuß der Luxusklasse.

Wing Commander is a game spoken of in hushed voices. A game revered the world over. A game that single-handedly brought thousands of PC and PC clones into people's homes. In fact, it can be said that Wing Commander did for the PC market what Mario did for Nintendo. Why? Because it is, without a doubt, one of the most impressive games ever released – visually in particular, and it was because of this that so many PC outlets just set a fast, high specification PC in their window, and let Wing Commander draw the crowds and, eventually, the profits as people decided that it was 'the' game to have. Commodore and Mindscape have made it the key release for their new machine, and who can blame them?

So, Wing Commander eh? Wing Commander - the game which got people buying big, powerful PCs. Wing Commander - the landmark in shoot-em-ups. Wing Commander - the game which saved all that tedious mucking about in hyperspace. Wing Commander - the… aww, you get the idea. The big problem when approaching a game like this is to separate the hype from the game beneath. It is all too easy to be taken in by the superlatives draped over its shiny, smoothy exterior, and it is also very easy to fall into the trap of adding to the hyperbole. What this takes is some kind of cold, detachment. But then, that is not what being a games fan and critic is about. Hell, I am not a number, I am a reviewer, and I will be enthusiastic or caustic if I want to. So there.

Liebt Ihr Science-fiction? Habt Ihr mit wachsender Begeisterung "Krieg der Sterne" und "Kampfstern Galactica" im Kino gesehen? Habt Ihr nicht auch schon mal davon geträumt, an Bord eines schnittigen Raumschiffes auf Alienjagd zu gehen? Dieser Traum geht mit Origins Weltraumkampfsimulation "Wing Commander" endlich in Erfüllung.

Die Urversion der 3D-Weltraumhatz gilt seit Jahr und Tag als Klassiker - und als echter Härtetest selbst für schnelle AT-Computer! Für eine Konvertierung auf die "Freundin" waren also meterhohe Technik-Hörden zu überwinden, weshalb sie lange Zeit als unwahrscheinlich galt und schließlich sogar ganz verworfen wurde. Erst zu Beginn des vergangenen Jahres besann man sich eines Besseren und wagte das Umsetzungs-Abenteuer, seither warteten die Raumpiloten im Amiga-Hangar ungeduldig auf die Ankunft des Flügelkommandanten. Jetzt ist er da, und weiß Gott, er macht seinen Vätern keine Schande. Wurden am PC noch 11 (Standard-) Disketten für das Game verbraten, so sind's beim Amiga gerade mal drei - ohne daß irgendetwas fehlt, was dieses Programm zum Kultspiel werden ließ! Selbst mit nur einer Floppy ist Wing Commander spielbar, bloß Diskettenwechsel bleiben dann halt nicht aus. Ein Zweitläufer ist also allemal empfehlenswert, und mit einer Festplatte düst sich's gar richtig komfortabel...

Ok, det har visserligen sju år på nacken. Men vad gör det, när det fortfarande är ett av historiens bästa spel?

Wing Commander is not just a flight simulation. It is an atmospheric, cinematic-type cocktail of shoot-em-up, flight simulation, role-playing and all-round good fun. The whole game has a real Star Wars feel to it, you really feel like you are in the middle of an epic blockbuster. The graphics are smooth and impressive, with an almost adventure cartoon feel to them. The synthesised symphonic sound is awesome and always sets the mood of the scene you are in – from martial-like movements when you are fighting to expectorant tinkering when you are waiting in the CO’s office for instructions.

This is more than just a flight sim - it not only follows a script, but the story is different depending on how well you fly as well. All your wing men talk to you, and you even get to attend their funerals if they don't make it through a mission.

With 40 increasingly tough missions, Wing Commander promises to challenge hardened video jet vets. Wing Commander's not just a simulation, it's an adventure. Don't forget to put the Kilrathi cat out.

Gameplay and control were probably better in their time but are weak now. Control is very responsive. However, there is a steep learning curve when you start and will take time to master. Action is really slow now. You are out to destroy Kilrathi ships and they turn up to few and far between. Speed and depth perception is outdated and stars and nebula are the only thing in space. It is boring to look at. I don't think this is a bad game. There are games that are a ton more enjoyable today. If you are a fan of flight sims you will probably enjoy this game. Otherwise, try to find something a little faster paced and easier to get into.

These (3D) sequences lack the assorted viewpoints you got on the PC (or, indeed, Amiga) versions, but are otherwise a fair depiction of the action from the original - I wonder if that wasn't over-rated in the first place. All that said, of course, there are die-hard fans out there who really like it. If you loved the space battle bits out of Elite, if you're eagerly awaiting Accolade's nearly identical Warp Speed, if you adored the PC original, then you'll love this - it's almost the same game. For others, though, play before you pay - I suspect you'll be rather disappointed. Overall verdict: It's a solid representation of the PC original considering the Super NES's 3D limitations, so fans will love it. However, we can't help feeling the original was vastly over-rated, translating into a very average Super Nintendo game.

So, Wing Commander eh? Wing Commander - the game which got people buying big, powerful PCs. Wing Commander - the landmark in shoot-em-ups. Wing Commander - the game which saved all that tedious mucking about in hyperspace. Wing Commander - the… aww, you get the idea. The big problem when approaching a game like this is to separate the hype from the game beneath. It is all too easy to be taken in by the superlatives draped over its shiny, smoothy exterior, and it is also very easy to fall into the trap of adding to the hyperbole. What this takes is some kind of cold, detachment. But then, that is not what being a games fan and critic is about. Hell, I am not a number, I am a reviewer, and I will be enthusiastic or caustic if I want to. So there.