With the third episode of the Wing Commander series, Origin pushes back the limits in the computer game industry. Wing Commander 3: Heart of the Tiger, is simply stunning with nothing to envy Hollywood movies. It has everything to make it a great hit and is so far the best space combat simulation game ever designed.
Origin was not stopped by the production costs which reached over four million dollars with the wages of the stars taking up half of that amount. Hollywood's stars such as Mark Hamill (Star Wars trilogy), John Rhys-Davies (The Adventurers of the Lost Ark) and Malcolm McDowell gave a new dimension to the cinematics. Instead of the animations that were used in the two previous episodes, Wing Commander 3 now features three hours of live-action video, of movie quality, with an impressive soundtrack. Everything in the game was conceived for a total interactivity. When you converse with other characters, you can interact with them by choosing what you will say, and your responses will determine their actions and their behaviors.
The game also features SVGA graphics with a VGA option for people with machines that do not meet the high requirements of the game. A Pentium is highly recommended to play in SVGA while in flight to get the most of the high detailed graphics. Silicon Graphics stations were employed for the creation of the game which explains the graphics's quality.
Wing Commander 3 is probably the only game where playing in SVGA represents a plus, because usually high resolution means better graphics with a ridiculous frame rate. Origin achieved to design a simulation that is not only fast, but that also features a great gameplay. Through fifty missions, you will encounter many challenges that will require all of your skills and reflexes.
You will pilot up to five different types of spacecrafts fully loaded with your choice of weapons. One ship is even equipped with a cloaking device that makes you invisible to the enemy for a short period of time. The Wing Commander's fans will appreciate the new features like the shield that lights up when you hit an enemy spaceship, or the possibility to take off or land manually, if you think you can outperform your onboard computer.
Just as other space sims, Wing Commander 3 offers several camera views, an autopilot to navigate through waypoints, radar displays, communications between you and your wingman, and also a simulator where you can practice against the Kilrathi, your enemies.
Wing Commander 3 is a delight for the eyes with incredibly realistic explosions, beautifully rendered 3D images for the various rooms in the TCS Victory (the ship that you are assigned by the Admiral Tolwyn played by McDowell) and many other surprises that await you throughout the game. It also has the best introduction ever seen on a computer screen that makes you feel as if you are in a movie theater watching a science-fiction film. The music is among the best ever written for a computer game and contributes to place you in the heart of the action.
Heart of the Tiger, the third episode of the Wing Commander series out beats any game made for the PC. It brings intense action with top quality graphics and even adds adventure in what could be the scenario of a great movie.
Electronic Arts (UK) Ltd.,
GRAPHICS ------------------ 94% 90 Heron Drive, Langley,
SOUND ------------------ 92% Berkshire, SL3 8XP, England.
MUSIC ------------------ 95% Tel: +44-(0)753-549442
GAMEPLAY ------------------ 95%
INTEREST ------------------ 92%
Electronic Arts Inc.,
1450 Fashion Island Blvd.,
OVERALL ------------------- 94% San Mateo, CA 94404-2064.
Tel: 415-571-7171
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