Wing Commander: Armada
First Wing Commander game with multiplayer mode.
Wing Commander: Armada is a computer game set in the Wing Commander universe, developed by Origin Systems and distributed by Electronic Arts. Released in 1994, it was the first official game in the series to include multiplayer mode. It uses a new graphics engine capable of rendering fully 3D ship models, more powerful than the sprite-based engine of Wing Commander II.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Origin Systems
- Publisher
- Electronic Arts
- Director
- Jeff Everett
- Producer
- Chris Roberts
- Designer
- Whitney Ayres
- Jeff Everett
- Jeff Grills
- Denis R. Loubet
- Programmer
- Chuck Carpiak
- Jeff Everett
- Jeff Grills
- Artist
- Denis R. Loubet
- Composer
- Aaron Martin
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Armada offers both single-player and multiplayer modes. In single-player, the player fights computer-controlled opponents across several game types. Multiplayer allows two players to compete head-to-head or cooperatively. One multiplayer-only mode is a head-to-head dogfight where each player selects a fighter from the Confed or Kilrathi inventory and the first to destroy the opponent wins. Another mode, similar to the Gauntlet from Wing Commander: Academy, is available in both single-player and multiplayer. Two players cooperatively fight computer-controlled ships, siding with either the Terran Confederation or the Kilrathi Empire across 15 levels, each with three waves of enemy fighters. Enemy strength, number, and skill increase as the Gauntlet progresses. The game ends when the last wave is beaten or a player's ship is destroyed; in multiplayer, the game ends if either player is destroyed. Unlike Academy, Armada starts the player in an Arrow or Dralthi light fighter, then progresses to medium and heavy fighters. A patch released by Origin on their website enabled a feature not in the retail version: each level received a code allowing players to restart the Gauntlet from that level without replaying previous waves. The main game type is a strategy mode set in a randomly generated sector of space, depicted as dots (star systems) connected by lines (space lanes). Players choose a side and begin with forces on opposite sides of the sector.
Reception
Next Generation rated the PC version three stars out of five, stating that those looking for a title worth owning should wait for Wing Commander 3. James V. Trunzo, writing in White Wolf Inphobia #54, rated it 4 out of 5, saying the game gives the best of all worlds, whether for one-on-one dogfighting or ending the Kilrathi/Terran war.
Frequently Asked Questions
What platforms is Wing Commander: Armada available on?
Wing Commander: Armada was released for DOS, FM Towns and PC-98.
Who directed Wing Commander: Armada?
Wing Commander: Armada was directed by Jeff Everett.
Who designed Wing Commander: Armada?
Wing Commander: Armada was designed by Whitney Ayres, Jeff Everett, Jeff Grills and Denis R. Loubet.
Who composed the music for Wing Commander: Armada?
The music for Wing Commander: Armada was composed by Aaron Martin.
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