So, I saw Wing Commander 4 on GOG today for $6. Is it worth that? I've only ever played Wing Commander: Prophecy, but it turned out to be one of my favorite games of all time. Is WC4 of the same caliber?

Prophecy had some awesome live action cutscenes that, while sometimes cheesy, really drew me into the game so much, and made me feel like I was there. I loved the other pilots and the character development was great.

Seeing as how WC4 is older, does it live up to WCP?

Most people consider WC4 or WC3 better than Prophecy. Personally, I think WC3 is the best although #4 is not bad and it has a good number of branching missions.

I'd say in some ways its better, obviously the graphics aren't as good as prophecy but I feel WC4 has the best story in the whole series. Gameplay wise it isn't as hectic as Prophecy because of engine limitations but its just as fun.

I'd really recommend playing the rest of the series as well because they all have an amazing storyline, 1 and 2 haven't aged as well but are still quite fun to play with a graphics style that is a bit cartoonish, which makes it easy on the eyes 20 years later. WC4 is a self contained story that has some minor roots in the previous games but on the whole can be played without prior knowledge of the characters or kilrathi storyline knowledge, whereas WC3 is the finale of a masterful trilogy and should be played in order if at all possible imho. If you liked Maniac, Hawk (kinda hard in prophecy, he's much nicer in 4) and Admiral Christopher "Maverick" Blair (who you play as in 4) in WCP, you'll really like 4.

Wing Commander 1 is still my favourite! Seriously why limit yourself? Play the whole series!

WC Prophecy has only 1 advantage over WC3/WC4 - it looks better.

IMHO Prophecy has better gameplay and graphics. WC4 has higher production values.

If it is the FMV that you liked in Prophecy, I presume you'll love WC4 because it has much more of it. I personally didn't care for the FMV that much, hence I found Prophecy refreshing because it didn't try to be a movie as much as WC3 and 4 did.

Anyway, Descent Freespace games are even better...

Personally I liked IV more than Prophecy. Also in the former, the story is self-contained and complete, while the latter is hindered by the fact that the story was put on hold forever by the fall of the developer. :(

They're both good games but for different reasons.

If it is (FMV) drama you want then Wing Commander IV is the one to go for, don't expect anything worthy of an academy award though but at least it is entertaining and the gameplay is good though nothing spectecular (these days).

Wing Commander V is more or less a return to the previous games (I, II and III), but with a new protagonist and a new enemy that tries to do the same as the Kilrathi. I think this is the reason why the story doesn't stand out at all and that is a bit of a dissappointment as that was always the driving force behind the series.
Still, with a new game engine with 3D accelleration and smoother gameplay and the incredible artwork by Syd Mead makes this by no means a bad game.

Also around the same time as Wing Commander V came out, Freespace: The Great War came out, which was very similar to Wing Commander V. Freespace tells the same story (more or less) but it is told like a chronicle, which may be better instead of a game with characters that aren't very interesting.