There isn't much I can say that isn't repeating what other reviewers have stated. There are a few things worth mentioning though: Ghost Recon is as approachable and fun as it is challenging. This has alot to do with a devilishly simple interface and control scheme that gives you a lot of options without a tremendous learning curve. Wide open map provide environments both Urban and Rural and allow for a seemingly infinite number of variations. On subsequent play throughs intense fire fights will erupt in new areas every time, and that provides a great deal of re-playability. It's especially well suited towards LAN parties, as it's inexpensive and fighting shoulder to shoulder with real humans adds an extra level of excitement to the game. So yes, it's a tactical action game, and it's best played at a slow methodical pace, but it's also an outstanding action game that's empirically fun to play. The expansion packs were excellent, but the sequels have never done Ghost Recon justice. If you like tactical action, but also want a viscerally pleasing, deeply fun and challenging game this is well worth checking out.
This was one of the first games I purchased for my first powerhouse PC. It's a long and challenging tactical combat game with a great setting, very good story and catchy, deceptively simple action. This is the grandaddy of World in Conflict, If you hate that game it's unlikely this will appeal to you. Missions are heavily scripted tactical combat. There is alot of need to juggle units and maneuver them so they don't destroy each other. Keep em alive and they'll get very powerful. You control no bases and reinforcements are not available. The first three levels are a little dull, but once you get past them you'll find a long and challenging tactical experience with a fantastic interface. It may be a little simple for contemporary tastes, and the expansion is insanely tough. I love this game and am happy I won't have babysit the CD's anymore! Thank you GOG!
I am a huge fan of a dead genre. Darkstar is good enough to satisfy some of those old school space sim cravings, plenty of solid action and a large variety of mission types to take part in. The dogfighting is genuinely fun, the controls and interface comfortable. If you want, you can be knee deep in combat with a cool looking, powerful ship in no time at all. Just so you know, I was a huge fan of series like Freespace, Colony Wars, G-Police and the original pc release of Crimson Skies. These were story based, action intensive dogfighting sims on both consoles and pc's. Most of them were also military and team based shooters, so I'm less into the mercenary approach. In addition I'm not so into the super specialized, economic oriented sims that trickle out of developers these days. Unfortunately I got into the genre too late for Wing Commander and X-Wing, but if anyone made a sequel to any of those series, I'd be more than a little excited. Given my tastes, the relative lack of competition, and the GOG pricetag Darkstar one is a very good game of a style I sincerely want to see more of. It might suffer in comparison to one of my old time favorites, but as things stand its an exciting and fun game to play.
