Over a decade ago a game was released for the computer that changed my life. No, not Doom. Not Duke Nukem 3D. Not Wolfenstein 3D. ...I guess there were a lot of games that changed my life.
The game I'm referring to is called Strike Commander and it's one of the greatest games I have ever played. Just check out this intro!
It's a flight simulator developed by the same guy who made the Wing Commander games. You're an F-16 pilot and a member of a mercenary squadron established in Turkey called the Wildcats. In the near future the world has changed dramatically. After a war in the middle east, oil resources are scarce and the world is fighting over what's left. Despite protests, the U.S. begins heavy drilling of Alaska. Then the stock market crashes and the Big One hits California. Interstate politics eventually leads to the succession of several states, including Alaska, which shut down the oil pipeline and declared its oil a natural resource. This provoked a war with Canada, who recognized Alaska's independence, which resulted in the destruction of most of the state's wilderness and oil fields. Bankruptcy leads to the loss of the status of superpower to both the U.S. and the Allied European nations, who are also reeling from terrorist attacks from rebellious citizens. South America erupts in civil war all across the continent. With Japan the only remaining superpower, mercenary squadrons begin forming in Turkey, accepting missions from any corporation or government willing to pay the fee. And that's the set up for Strike Commander. Phew!
The graphics were ahead of it's time, and was one of the first computer games to require a 486 processor. The music was top notch MIDI, and the game even had voice-work. Cutscenes move the story along between missions and there was even cockpit chatter to set the mood. Missions range from base attacks, to dogfights, to escorts, even an air show. Oh, and you don't just fly planes. You'll also have to manage your budget! It would behoove you to use the cheap weapons and your gun whenever possible. After all, money doesn't grow on trees, as your accountant Virgil would say.
The characters of the game all have personalities of their own, which adds to the character of the game itself. You get to choose your wingman, or wing-woman, for each mission. And the story is awesome. This is also the game which got me interested in fighter jets in the first place. I used to doodle them all the time in my school notes.
You may be wondering what got me all nostalgic about this game. I just so happened to find my copy of the game while cleaning the house today. I had to download DOSBox to install and run it because it's so old, but I want to play it a little...bring back the memories. But my joystick won't plug into this computer. That's old too.
Anyway, a great game. If you see it available for a free download somewhere give it a shot. It's totally worth it.
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