Wing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom is the fourth main game in Chris Roberts' Wing Commander science fiction space combat simulator video game series, produced by Origin Systems and released by Electronic Arts for the PC in 1996 and the Sony PlayStation in 1997 (the game was also released on the PlayStation Network in 2009). At the time of its release, it was the largest and most expensive video game made yet.
The first game set after the end of the Terran-Kilrathi War, Wing Commander IV depicted a galaxy in the midst of a chaotic transition, with human civilians, Kilrathi survivors and former soldiers on both sides attempting to restabilize their lives. A novelization, by William R. Forstchen and Ben Ohlander, was published on October 1, 1996.
STORY:
Wing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom takes place after the end of a war between the Kilrathi and Terrans. You play the part of Colonel Blair, who is in the Confederation. Another war is on the verge of beginning, this time between the Confederatio and the Border Worlds.
The war between the alien Kilrathi Empire and the Terran Confederation has been over for several years. Confed is attempting to stabilize its economy and social structure, after the abrupt end to thirty-five years of war. The Kilrathi survivors, now led by Melek nar Kiranka, retainer to the late Prince Thrakhath, are having even greater problems, since so much of their racial and societal makeup revolves around hunting and killing. Tensions between the outer colonies and inner Confed worlds are higher than ever. And the Savior of the Confederation Colonel Christopher 'Maverick' Blair (Mark Hamill), retired, is trying to make out a living on a desert world as a farmer.
Salvation comes in the unlikely form of Major Todd 'Maniac' Marshall (Tom Wilson), who bears orders: Blair has been recalled to active military service by Admiral Geoffrey Tolwyn (Malcolm McDowell) . Tension between the Confederation and the Union of Border Worlds has deepened, most recently with a monstrous attack on an unarmed medical transport. This transport is destroyed by a wing of mysterious fighters equipped with a bizarre new anti-ship weapon that doesn't explode, but rather incinerates the target's contents, leaving only a burning shell behind.
GAMEPLAY:
WC4 puts you in control of a variety of spaceships armed with your choice of weapons. You can fly in arcade flight mode or customize the controls for simulation mode. Other settings allow you to turn on subtitles, choose from three difficulty levels and make your ship invulnerable.
Battle scenes are broken up with many cinematic sequences, as the game moves along similar to a movie.
This game is a mix of interactive movie and space sim. The game has a dynamic mission tree, which means that you can choose with your behaviour how the next mission will be. The videos feature real actors, like Mark Hamill, Tom Wilson, John Rhys-Davis and Malcolm McDowell. Before the start of each mission you can equip your space craft with different weapons. Sometimes the mission objectives change during flight, and you have to make decisions what you want to do next: e.g. help your friend out or destroy an enemy frighter.
Manufacturer's description:
Believe it - the BEST interactive movie has just gotten BETTER!
The Kilrathi war may be over, but back home nothing is the same. There's trouble in the Border Worlds. Civil War seems imminent. You have to decide how to save the Confederation - or if it should be saved at all!
The latest epic adventure in the Wing Commander saga applies improved cinematic techniques and photo-realistic graphics to a story of intrigue, betrayal and death. Never before has Hollywood been so completely under your control.
Ensemble cast of favorites, including Mark Hamill, Malcom McDowell, John Rhys-Davies and Tom Wilson (as Maniac)
Enhanced movie quality, including panning camera and detailed Hollywood studio sets
Shot on film!
Runs under Win 95 with a DOS reboot
Complexly woven story featuring old friends and new comrades
Photo-realistic textures on all ships
Enhanced interactivity both in and out of the cockpit - plus greater control of missions and drama
Digital music throughout the game
16-bit movies with Dolby Surround Sound
Better-than-ever gameplay
Full screen view for enhanced visibility
Features:
- First person perspective.
- 3D graphics
- SCI-FI & Futuristic themes.
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