Strike Commander

I first played this title when it was brand new as part of a bundle of PC games that my dad got when he got the family a new PC for Christmas. This was the title I kept coming back to. Not because it was easy to play, far from it, but because it was awesome. Chris Roberts produced this shortly after he made Wing Commander 2. Graphically it was innovative using texture mapping on top of polygon models. Sure, today it's an obvious relic but it holds up. Recommend you download and peruse the manual and have the reference card on hand when playing. The difficulty can be tweaked to one's liking as well. You can make it punishingly hard with simulated G-forces blinding your view as well as sun glare. Your Vulcan cannon will likely be your most used weapon as the missile loadout is realistic with only a few available at a time. You can give yourself a break with unlimited gun ammo if you just want to enjoy yourself, but if you want a challenge you'll still have one. Damage to your craft is punishing. You may find yourself only able to steer by rudder and trying to splash a MIG rushing towards you with only your guns as your ailerons. The story isn’t bad either. Set (at the time) in the near future of 2011, you lead a group of F-16 equipped mercenaries in a world full of open warfare. I’m guessing the near exclusive use of the F-16 was a creative restriction, though you fight over two dozen kinds of aircraft, and near the end game (spoilers?) you steal a prototype (at the time) YF-22 and use that in the climax of the main game, and continue to use its sequel mission that comes with this edition, Tactical Operations. All-in-all its great fun if you enjoy older games and especially flight simulators.

It's a masterpiece of an action flight sim with a gripping story, great graphics and soundtrack. I don't know how often i played it trough. Also the "SUDDEN DEATH" magazin (includes the manual) is a must read!

I'd rate this 5 stars, but flares do not work i the game (making it impossible to survive later missions, especially on harder difficulty settings). Otherwise works great if you don't mind the fact you can only experience the first 6th of the game.

This game was hugely hyped, hugely delayed, and hugely disappointing upon arrival. Today, it's playable if you want a challenge and the concept is great. A combination of F-15 Strike Eagle and Privateer. But without the nostalgia factor, it may be a pass for most.

not a serious sim, not arcade either, nice balance.