Star Wars: Force Commander
- Force Commander is also the name of a character in the Micronauts toy line.
| Star Wars: Force Commander | |
|---|---|
 CD jewel case cover |
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| Developer(s) | LucasArts, Ronin Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | LucasArts |
| Designer(s) | Garry M. Gaber |
| Composer(s) | Peter McConnell |
| Version | 1.1 |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Real-time strategy |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) |
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| Media/distribution | CD-ROM |
System requirements
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Star Wars: Force Commander is a real-time strategy computer game released in 2000.
Contents |
[edit] Gameplay
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} |
This section requires expansion. |
The gameplay is much like any other birds eye view strategy game.
[edit] Plot
The game interweaves its story through the events of Episodes IV through VI, sometimes intersecting with known Star Wars events, while telling an original Star Wars story. It is shown from the point of view of a young officer in the Imperial Navy, Brenn Tantor, who begins as a stormtrooper, but soon enough is given his own command. The first task (from the training missions) is to search for an escape pod that landed on Tatooine, and then track the droids that were inside - which is a reference to the opening scenes of Star Wars Episode IV when C3PO and R2-D2 escape Imperial clutches via an escape pod which crashes on Tatooine.
The main character is loyal to the Empire for the first half of the game, until his brother, Dellis Tantor discovers that the Empire killed their father. Dellis is imprisoned by the Empire for revealing this information. Brenn defects to the Rebel Alliance and proceeds to fight his former commanders. As well as the Tatooine training missions, the player participates in the Battle of Hoth (from the Imperial point of view) and the Battle of Endor (as a Rebel). The game ends with the battle to capture the Imperial Palace on Coruscant, and ultimately the liberation of Dellis.
[edit] Development
Originally conceived as a 2-D strategy game, LucasArts scrapped the overall design after its first public viewing at the 1998 Electronic Gaming Expo. LucasArts decided instead to use an optimized version of a 3-D engine supplied by Ronin Entertainment. The title was jointly developed by LucasArts and Ronin Entertainment, using Ronin's programmers and engine partnered with LucasArts' project leadership, designers, and artists.
The latest and last patch for the game is version 1.1 released in March, 2000.
[edit] Reception
The critical and fan reaction to the game was mixed. Gaming Age gave a largely positive review, stating that 'Force Commander lives up to the hype and is a game that deserves a chunk of your precious hard drive space'. Later the review relates that 'the graphics in Force Commander are excellent'.[2] In another review, Gamespot related 'Because of its dated graphics, ineffective controls, and flawed gameplay, Force Commander falls short of its ambitious intent.' However, the review goes on to say that 'Force Commander has some good ideas. Its campaign has an involving plot and interesting mission objectives, as well as nice-looking 3D mission briefings. The command-point system and the balance between the stronger Imperial units and the shielded, regenerating Rebel units is original, as are some of the game's unit designs.' [3] One feature of note in Force Commander is its music, which consists of remixes of John Williams' original Star Wars scores, done by Peter McConnell;[4] however, fans are bitterly divided when it comes to offering an opinion on the matter.
PC Zone UK gave the game an 81% out of 100.[5] GameZone gave the game an 8 out of 10.[5] Electric Playground gave the game a 7 out of 10.[5] GameSpot gave the game a 6 out of 10.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Star Wars: Force Commander at GameFAQs
- ^ Star Wars: Force Commander Review - Gaming Age Online
- ^ Star Wars: Force Commander for PC Review - PC Star Wars: Force Commander Review
- ^ From Italian fan-site Lucasdelirium.it's section "Biographies" (folder of Peter McConnell): "His masterpieces come in the last two years of his career as Lucasian: the incredible soundtrack of the wonderful Grim Fandango, steeped in jazz, swing and bizarre Danny Elfman (the composer for Tim Burton), as well as rearrangements in key hard-rock / techno style of John Williams's music for the Star Wars saga, for RTS Star Wars: Force Commander."
- ^ a b c d Star Wars: Force Commander Reviews and Articles for PC - GameRankings
