Time Commando is one of those odd games that feels like a real trip back in time to an earlier era of gaming. First of all let me get the nostalgia I have for it out of the way. When I first played the demo of it back in 1996 it was an amazing experience and it did not take me long to buy the full game. Even today I can't recall another game since that offers fights with cavemen and future soldiers in the same game. The graphics are an odd mix between prerendered FMV levels inhabited by 3D modeled characters and objects most likely due to the limited power of the computers of the time. When this game came out few games had 3D models especially ones with animation. My only real complaint in this area is Stanley's - the player character - odd method of locomotion. He never runs and always jogs everywhere. Not helpful when you have a time limit! Sound is another area this game does well in. The music as others have said is fantastic and if you can get it working with the Gravis Ultrasound emulation then you're in for a treat. Now for the downsides. My biggest complaint wthis game is no doubt the camera. Whenever you advance through a level the camera (which is actually a predone FMV movie) moves ahead. Unfortunately this means that you can't backtrack. This can result in some annoying situations. If an enemy for example manages to attack you from behind the camera will advance potentially meaning that weapon you really wanted is now out of reach! The controls are also a bit clunky though passable. If you want to change them the game has options that let you do so. All said and done though it's not a bad game. The difficulty selection should please everybody - Very Easy is well, really easy and Hard is insane. If you're willing to forgive the flaws it has then its certainly worth playing through at least once.
While probably not as much of a classic as some other strategy titles out there it is neverless still a very fun game. For the year it was released (1996) the graphics are impressive with beautifully drawn buildings and units that come in 4 cultural styles and a great variety of terrain spread across 3 tilesets. I've gotten countless hours of enjoyment out of it and I hope to continue to do so for a long time to come.
With Alpha Centauri Sid Meier and his team managed to do the impossible. They took a game that was already a classic in its own right (Civilization) and made it even more classic. A few highlights: - The game benefits from an interesting universe and backstory (which was later fleshed out in a trilogy of novels, a graphic novel and 2 stories freely available online). -The 7 (14 with Alien Crossfire) factions all act and behave differently from one another. You will grow to like some leaders and hate others. - The unit design workshop allows to design units from numerous parts for any possible task. Want flying colony pods? (this games version of the settler unit) You bet! - Like in Civilization there are many ways to win from conquering the world to transcendence (technological singularity) to economic victory (if you have enough energy you can buy out everyone else). - Many other touches that round off the experience include some great ambient music that will put you in the right mood to the very well made secret project (wonder) movies that can be either enlightening or hilarious. Alpha Centauri is a game that I've played over and over ever since it originally came out way back in 1999. Even the original on its own is great but the Alien Crossfire expansion rounds out the experience with many little improvments and additions. If you're looking for something similar to Civilization or something in the 4X genre and you've not got it already then SMAC is a must have.
