Release Info:
- Developer: Wing Commander Saga Team
- Publisher: Wing Commander Saga Team
- Platform: PC
- Format: Digital Download
- ESRB Rating: Not Rated
- Release Date: March 22, 2012
Key Features:
- Features 55 missions across two campaigns
- Includes 90 minutes of cinematic cut-scenes
- Story designed to stay faithful to the series while introducing new characters
- Free to download and play
- Unsanctioned, fan-made update to a classic series
Description:
One of the most successful space combat simulations in computer gaming history, Wing Commander, receives a free, fan-made update with the release of Wing Commander Saga. It is important to note that this is not an officially sanctioned release from publisher Electronic Arts, who owns the intellectual property rights to all things related to the sci-fi franchise.
In development for ten years, Wing Commander Saga includes two campaigns. The prologue campaign serves a five-mission tutorial aboard the TCS Wellington, while the main "Darkest Dawn" campaign has you embarking on 50 missions from aboard the TCS Hermes. You’ll play as a rookie Terran pilot as he prepares to fight overwhelming odds to save Earth and mankind.
The action is viewed from inside one of the Confederation ship’s cockpits, as you travel to various waypoints across the galaxy and engage dozens of Kilrathi fighters, bombers and capital ships. Mission types range from routine patrols in different parts of the galaxy to fleet operations. Throughout each battle you’ll hear taunts from the enemy and well as feedback from your wingmates.
The game uses a refined version of the FreeSpace 2 engine, with support for carrier landings, autopilot, and other enhancements to the flight dynamics. Both ships and weapons in Wing Commander Saga are designed to move faster, with limited afterburner fuel requiring you to be selective in your use of speed boosts. Wing Commander Saga is also a standalone game, so the original FreeSpace 2 is not required to play.
Story
The storyline of Wing Commander Saga is set prior to the beginning of 1994’s Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger and focuses on the Terran-Kilrathi War. You’ll guide 2nd Lieutenant David Markham as he begins his career in the Confederation by engaging the cat-like Kilrathi in a series of skirmishes as well as large-scale fleet battles. Markham is not alone in his journey, however, as he will be able to rely on his wingmates while patrolling the cosmos and defending humanity.
The story is designed to complement the events chronicled in Wing Commander III rather than supersede it, while retaining the same sense of Hollywood-style presentation the series is known for. Over nine hours of dialogue was recorded for the game by more than 60 actors, along with approximately 90 minutes of pre-rendered cinematics. Players will also be able to receive achievements through their overall performance at the end of each mission.