Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22563 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: UBI Soft
• Released on: 2001-03-30
• Platform: Sega Dreamcast

Amazon.co.uk Review
Space is well known as the final frontier and Starlancer takes the gamer on an electrifying journey through the cosmos. The universe as we know it has changed and is now dominated by the Eastern Coalition and the Western Alliance. After a surprise attack by the Eastern Coalition that leads to carnage, it is the gamer's duty to uphold the Alliance's defences as part of the 45th Volunteers squadron.

Starlancer gamers are quickly introduced to the excitement of cosmic dogfights. The 3-D graphics are slightly hard on the eye at first, but once gamers inure themselves to this, they are a fitting background to the combat. The gamer is given a number of missions that range from escorting marine boarding ships to freeing POWs.

The main thrust of the game, however, is destruction and a stunning array of laser weapons will satisfy the most masochistic of gamers. This is shoot 'em up in its purest form and great fun. --Paul Munford

Manufacturer's Description
StarLancer recruits space fighter pilots into the 45th Volunteers, a ragtag group of US-led Western Alliance freedom fighters tossed into the war against Russia's Eastern Coalition. It's the cold war in space.

This is the first game by Digital Anvil, the company formed by legendary game designers Chris and Erin Roberts of Wing Commander, Privateer, and Strike Commander fame. It's no surprise that StarLancer's gameplay follows standards set by its classic predecessor and obvious inspiration, Wing Commander. Players are briefed on the tactical situation of the upcoming mission, then choose a fighter and ordnance. Only a few playable ships are offered at the outset; mission performance determines how quickly you earn access to more powerful fighters.

StarLancer's ships are well balanced: some are fast and lightly armoured, while others carry powerful weaponry but can't keep up with an agile foe.

StarLancer's mission design is certainly its best feature. Mission goals often change on the wing, and frequent pilot chatter immerses players into the game's war atmosphere. Decisions made during missions can drastically alter later missions. For instance, if you fail to eliminate an enemy battleship early in the game you'll face a tough fight in a later mission when the enemy reinforces its front lines with that same battleship.

Customer Reviews

Fast Dog-fighting Action!!
For all those familiar with Wing Commander on the PC, this title will require no introduction. In essence it is a futuristic flight sim with a (slight) story line. You do not get all the glossy movie clips & decision making as you did in Wing Commander IV. However, what you do get is a lot of missions with lots of action. It is an addictive game with some tough missions (if you wish to be successful). There is some degree of control in the future depending on your mission outcome, so if you don't meet a missions full objectives & decide to carry on, you may pay the price later. As you progress up the ranks more ships become available to you as well as a variety of weapons. Unfortunately the keyboard is only comaptibale in 'Deathmatch' mode which is an option that I am not sure is available on the European version of the game but is a lovely addition in the US version. Furthermore, the controls can be quite tricky at first because certain buttons activate different on-board menu screens which are the controlled by other buttons. Nevertheless with hours of practice this issue is resolved. Overall, it is a great game to play & its only downer is that the missions can become kind of linear & in places you could do with doing something different than shooting down the bad guys. You need to take this game, mix it with a bit of Command & Conquer strategic thinking & you have an absolute Diamond!!

briliant!
starlancer is one of those rare games that you know is going to be briliant from the moment you put the disk in. i didnt no much about starlancer until i saw some gorgeous screen shots and pre orderd it. i wasnt dissapointed when it arrived, the intro is absolutely awsome (even tho it was shortend for budget reasons) and the gameplay is superb. there is a nice selection of ships too unlock and fly and a large ammount of missions to play through. although some missions do get a little repetative, when your capital ship is constantly torpedoed at the end of a 20 minute mission for example, and you have to drop what your doing to protect it or have to restart the mission as she goes up in flames! this alone isnt enough to detract from the sheer fun that is starlancer tho. the game play is just amazing, you'l find yourself truly engrosed in this game. when i first got it, i came down with quite a nasty virus and instead of going to work i had to stay in bed all week with only my dreamcast... it was unbearable...ha ha, truth be told this is quite possably the most underated and the best game i own (including a large PS2 and a very large Xbox collection) this is mainly because of the many little touches, the particle effects, the gorgeous nebulas and planets in the distance and even the way your enemies scream and swear revenge as you blast them out of space. everyone should have a copy of this in their collection. this game is as good an excuse as any to dust off your dreamcast and bring back all those good old memories:)

great
this game is one of the best for the Dreamcast and you have to have patience for this game as well because on a mission you have to search for some one and it takes a long time so if you have not got this game then run out and get it today.