It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
I have been looking at this series and it only interested me because of Mark Hamill being in the third game.

But I never played a flying sim game, I played arcady flying games like Star Fox, Star Wars Rogue Squadron, Ace Combat, I would even consider flying jets in Battlefield and Arma I kinda have a fondness of Jet/flying games wether space or on a planet.

But what I do not have is a flight joytick which is a true way to play this kind of game, so is mouse and keyboard controls ok in this game?
Post edited April 06, 2013 by Elmofongo
You'll really want a joystick for this. The games can be beaten without, I've done it before, but it's a huge PITA. For Wing Commander 1-2 you may get away with using keyboard only (you'll still need a LOT of patience to get the hang of it) but as for WC3-4 don't even think about it, they are too fast paced.
I played WC1 & 2 completely without joysticks originally and it was still a lot of fun. Enjoyed them more with the joystick though. I don't think playing 3 or 4 with the keyboar is really feasible though.
The games are entirely playable without a joystick, however you will probably enjoy yourself more if you do get a joystick. Logitech makes an entry level joystick that can be had for less than $30, so it's not a particularly big expense if you do choose to spring for a stick.

Also, the games you listed suggest that you'll really like Wing Commander. Although Wing Commander has some very minor sim-like elements, it is in fact an arcade game through and through, and requires no sim or aviation background whatsoever to enjoy.
avatar
Elmofongo: But what I do not have is a flight joytick which is a true way to play this kind of game, so is mouse and keyboard controls ok in this game?
it can be done, but it is a lot harder. It is much, much better with a joystick.


They're classic games though, i'd seriously recommend giving them a shot, mark hamill or not.
I've been using joysticks ever since the Atari 800 days when they were a standard controller. The only time I went without a joystick is between the period that I got a computer without a MIDI port and when I finally broke down and got a USB joystick (SlenderSilence is quite right about the Logitech device, which is what I use today).. So with my experience using joysticks I think I can safely assure you that you -don't- need them to play the Wing Commander games. Frankly, I found mouse control to actually be a little easier in the earlier titles.

The one exception is Privateer because of the strange decision to invert the Y-axis in flight, which I found extremely counter-intuitive. Moving your mouse down (nearer to you) made your ship pitch up while moving the mouse up (away from you) pitched it down. It's a shame because Privateer is probably my favourite title in the franchise thanks to the freedom of play. I did eventually wind a workaround by getting a DosBox plugin that would re-invert the Y-axis; however, that had the effect of reversing the Y-axis when outside of space flight. Not a bad trade for the sake of a great game but this was the title that really compelled me to invest in the USB joystick.
avatar
Elmofongo: I have been looking at this series and it only interested me because of Mark Hamill being in the third game.

But I never played a flying sim game, I played arcady flying games like Star Fox, Star Wars Rogue Squadron, Ace Combat, I would even consider flying jets in Battlefield and Arma I kinda have a fondness of Jet/flying games wether space or on a planet.

But what I do not have is a flight joytick which is a true way to play this kind of game, so is mouse and keyboard controls ok in this game?
I've played the whole series with a mouse. It's not bad once you get used to it. I actually enjoy flying that way. The only one in the series you pretty much have to use a stick for though is Privateer since for whatever reason they didn't make the cursor visible so it's impossible to tell when you've recentered the mouse.
avatar
ColBashar: ... the strange decision to invert the Y-axis in flight, which I found extremely counter-intuitive. Moving your mouse down (nearer to you) made your ship pitch up while moving the mouse up (away from you) pitched it down...
Heh, I always invert the Y-axis because I used to fly radio controlled airplanes and the standard which most people like was counter-intuitive for myself. With the Y inverted the control works exactly like the stick in an aircraft. Pushing it forward pitches your nose down and you descend, pulling it back pulls the nose up and you ascend. Neither way is "right", it's purely what you like or are used to. Just figured I'd throw in the reasoning behind it.
Holy Shit these controls look clunky

http://www.wcnews.com/controls.shtml#wc4

I know this game is a space simulator but damn recognize its still a video game, are the controls rebindable? is there any use of the mouse?
avatar
Elmofongo: Holy Shit these controls look clunky

http://www.wcnews.com/controls.shtml#wc4

I know this game is a space simulator but damn recognize its still a video game, are the controls rebindable? is there any use of the mouse?
Jeez, don't ever play an actual simulator then if that control scheme "looks clunky". Half of the binds are stuff you'll never use, and most of the other half is stuff you only use occasionally. There are maybe four binds and two axes you'll use regularly. If that's too hard then stick with cellphone games.
avatar
Elmofongo: Holy Shit these controls look clunky

http://www.wcnews.com/controls.shtml#wc4

I know this game is a space simulator but damn recognize its still a video game, are the controls rebindable? is there any use of the mouse?
avatar
SlenderSilence: Jeez, don't ever play an actual simulator then if that control scheme "looks clunky". Half of the binds are stuff you'll never use, and most of the other half is stuff you only use occasionally. There are maybe four binds and two axes you'll use regularly. If that's too hard then stick with cellphone games.
I don't even have a smartphone and I beaten Ultima f##king 4 so don't accuse me of being a casual gamer, and its my first game in the series since I got Wing Commander 4 from the sale I just don't have a flight stick which I am aware that its the true way to play this game and I am well aware that its a simulator and I dabbled around other simulators like Arma 2 (and I did not bought it for DayZ)
Post edited November 19, 2013 by Elmofongo
It is highly recommended you invest in a joystick to enjoy this series. You will have a tough time using just a mouse to steer your craft.
avatar
SlenderSilence: Jeez, don't ever play an actual simulator then if that control scheme "looks clunky". Half of the binds are stuff you'll never use, and most of the other half is stuff you only use occasionally. There are maybe four binds and two axes you'll use regularly. If that's too hard then stick with cellphone games.
avatar
Elmofongo: I don't even have a smartphone and I beaten Ultima f##king 4 so don't accuse me of being a casual gamer, and its my first game in the series since I got Wing Commander 4 from the sale I just don't have a flight stick which I am aware that its the true way to play this game and I am well aware that its a simulator and I dabbled around other simulators like Arma 2 (and I did not bought it for DayZ)
Wing Commander is not a simulator: it's an action game, as is Arma2, although the latter at least has some simmy elements with its ballistic modeling. And if you could handle Ultima 4, why is that control scheme so intimidating? Like I said, you'll only be using about 4 controls regularly. And a basic Logitech joystick, which WILL BE FINE, costs like 25 bucks, so why are you still pissing and moaning about not having a joystick 7 MONTHS after asking?
avatar
Avogadro6: You'll really want a joystick for this. The games can be beaten without, I've done it before, but it's a huge PITA. For Wing Commander 1-2 you may get away with using keyboard only (you'll still need a LOT of patience to get the hang of it) but as for WC3-4 don't even think about it, they are too fast paced.
Do they work with a game this old?
Since i didn't want to buy another joystick for the games, i had good experiences using a gamepad. it can cusomized a bit in dosbox or by using xpadder