Wing Commander for SNES

Image: MobyGames

Wing Commander

My first encounter with permadeath

Genre: simulation - flight

Publisher: Mindscape

Year: 1992

System: SNES

Gameplay Score: 3

Gameplay Notes:

Simple controls. L and R slow down and accelerate while B shoots lasers and A shoots missiles. Enemies are hard to track down and evade but dogfighting isn't frustrating. Not sure how to connect with a missile though. Gameplay is a bit choppy. Slowdown happens a lot when firing lasers.

Level Design Score: 4

Level Design Notes:

I didn't see a lot of missions but each level receives a detailed mission briefings followed by conversations with other pilots and the bartender between missions. If memory serves there is lots of variety in the types of missions.

Theme Score: 5

Theme Notes:

I LOVE the story and setting in this sci-fi game. It's very cinematic, from the amazing cut scenes to the dialogue and interactions you have with your fellow pilots, commanding officers, and enemies. Permadeath is so sad when you lose a wingman. The highlight of the game, for sure.

Art Style Score: 3

Art Style Notes:

Mixed bag. The actual gameplay is only ok. Mostly just a black screen with the occasional enemy ship. The animation and scaling on the ships is good, as the ships can be seen from many different angles. Impressive for the time. But the slowdown is real.

Audio Score: 4

Audio Notes:

Love the music and the sound effects are nice as well. The fanfare after killing an enemy is pretty cool as well.

Overall Score: 69

Review ID: 690