Wing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom

The price of freedom is eternal vigilance

• Origin Systems, Inc.
• Starring Mark Hamill, Malcolm McDowell
• PC CD-ROM
• 486 DX4/75+ MHz, 2x CD-ROM
• 8MB RAM, 30MB hard drive space

he war with the Kilrathi has finally ended with humanity victorious. Colonel Christopher Blair, the ace fighter pilot who dropped the bomb that ended the war, has retired to the desolate Nephele II to become a farmer.

But violence is repeatedly flaring up in the Border Worlds. Not only military craft, but even civilian transports are being destroyed by unknown assailants. Some say pirates are to blame, but others feel this is an organized rebellion by the Border Worlds against the Confederation. Confed's senate, ready to declare war, has given Admiral Tolwyn two weeks to discover the source of the attacks. In response, Tolwyn recalls Blair to active duty, where he will once again fly a Hellcat fighter in the name of galactic peace.

Origin calls Wing Commander IV an "Interactive Movie," and for once this isn't just puffery. As in LucasArts' Rebel Assault II, this game is a strongly plotted film in which the player must do the shooting to keep the story going. The difference in this game is that the player also has choices to make which affect the course of the film. These aren't minor decisions such as open the door now or later, but true turning points in the plot. Different choices result in completely different stories unfolding on screen.

As for the actual game mechanics, veteran Wing Commanders will recognize the general format -- players are given a mission and a flight plan, which they must carry out. Missions range from relatively routine patrols to all-out attacks, taking players from one-on-one dogfights to assaults against capital ships. Origin has done a good job refining their flight system, which combines flight simulator realism and blasting arcade action. There are a fair number of keyboard commands to learn which enhance flight. Luckily these are mostly streamlined, such as Alt-T to automatically taunt opponents. (See more game tips).

In between missions are the movies that move the story along. Real movies with actors, sets, special effects and a score. It looks as good as any theater offering, although perhaps somewhat low-budget. Mark Hamill plays a convincing Colonel Blair -- an uncomfortable hero, tired of war and confused by the complexities of a humans vs. humans conflict. (More on Blair's history.) The story takes some surprising turns and tends to avoid cliche. Only when the Kilrathi appear do the seams begin to show. Melek is played by a giant animatron with three facial expressions. It's understandable that the producers would bypass using made-up actors for fear they would end up looking like refugees from Cats, but as it is, Melek is just too Disney.

This game's shoot-em-up action is really fun, and the branching plot structure is fascinating and enjoyable. For good science fiction action it's not to be missed.

I simply love freedom of going back to a saved game, remaking a key decision, and bending a new reality. -- Brooks

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