Well, first off, I am a HUGE Wing Commander nut. I've always loved it since it came out back in 1990. I have to admit, it's my favorite game ever, so this review may be a bit biased. I got hooked right away on Wing Commander 1, played all the way through on the Special Missions. Same for Wing Commander 2. Wing Commander 3 was the first time they had live actors, and they did an awesome job at it.
I was hooked right away because not only do I really like science fiction flight sims, but the story to Wing Commander was one of the best I've ever seen for a game. Though the war with the Kilrathi was the main theme, they had many subplots and drama and I thought the characters were well defined. Over the years and sequels, I feel as though I've actually come to know the characters. Spirit, Angel, Paladin, Iceman and others were awesome. I've always loved games with a good story.
In addition, the game seemed to have a good foundation. The rules of the Wing Commander universe were pretty simple and easy to nail down, but they did nothing that contradicted
the rules they laid down. I especially liked the addition of capship torpedoes, because if there was one complaint I had about Wing Commander 1, it would be that a simple fighter could take on a destroyer or cruiser with no problem. In Wing Commander 2, they took that away and they had to be attacked with torpedoes.
In Wing Commander 2, the rules laid down were just as simple, the graphics improved, but it seemed only mildly. The best improvement was the storyline and drama as the plot thickens with the main character and Confed on one side and Prince Thrakhath and the Kilrathi warriors on the other. Not only that, but the addition of plotters within Confed who conspired with the Kilrathi was a good twist.
In Wing Commander 3 saw the first major jump in graphics. Which of course was a great improvement. It also introduced live actors for the series which because of the good cast, I think did a good job to promote the drama of the game and storyline. I especially like Tom Wilson who makes an excellent Maniac. But McDowell, Rhys-Davies, and company all bring the characters that everyone knows and loves to life.
My only regret is that EA bought out Origin and stopped the Wing Commander series.
