Wing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom

I while ago, I wasnt really into PC Gaming, I'd sit down and play solitare once and a while, but not really much anything else, it was all for work. I went to Fry's Electronics once, and started brousing around the computer game section, and I saw "Wing Commander IV" I glanced at the back, to get some general ideas as to what it looked like. "Mark Hamill, Tom Wilson, John-Rhys Davies, Malcom McDowell" These were (at the time) all big Hollywood names. I said "ahhh, hell with it." and I spent 39.99 on what I found out was one of the most well directed and produced games I'd ever play. These days, we have much more advanced games, with their 3d surround sound, and their OpenGL 3d accelleration drivers.... but this, this had a STORY. Not just "your mission. Go and kill those things" It had an immersive story line, and rather incredable graphics for it's time. I found it amazing that you could actually choose your path, you could make Colonel Blair (played by Mark Hamill) say "this" or "that" and other characters in the game would respond however he acted. The bottom line is, if you've never played this game. Get it now. Hell, it's probably 9.99 in some places. So go ahead, go out to your local store, and BUY IT! It's worth the money.

They actually spent $10 million filming the video segments in this. Film historians might be amused to note that's about what Star Wars cost. Amazingly enough, they did make their money back, and the budget certainly shows. In terms of sets, actors, and effects, this is also probably the best movie to be paired with a game. The cast is a well-made-up crew of 2nd and 3rd-tier actors who, while fine performers, never became stars in their own right. (like John Rhys-Davies and Malcolm McDowell)

Unfortunately, the game itself isn't that hot BECAUSE the movie segments were the focus. The missions are, for the most part, boring and uninspired compared to most of the other WC games. My suggestion, if you pick it up, is to just set the thing on easy, and breeze your way through the "game" to enjoy the movies and plot.

An entertainment product that has somewhat died in todays blurry textures gaming, Wing Commander IV - the price of freedom is truly the pinnacle of PC gaming - exciting, fast paced and not without some real tear jerking moments. Yes, the interactive movie that I personally loved since it began. This game brings the slendour of Hollywood and the interactivity of computer games to your home with the 0 minute (!) introduction to the electrifying ending this has you, Christopher Blair (In a role played by Mark Hamill who I think is better as this particular character than Luke Skywalker) facing your worst enemy - your own kind. This is the aspect of the amazing story and video sequences which is interesting, some video sequences will depict the second thoughts the pilots have about shooting down their own kind. With two shocking plot twists later on, this is a game to play/watch. Gameplay? Never better. This is the pinnacle of PC gaming and the movie even surpasses other sci fi movies out there.

This is the high point for the videos of the entire Wing Commander series, and the computer games in general. Films using real Hollywood techniques and an astronomical (for computer games) budget, we got the best video sequences ever seen on a computer screen, and even better on its DVD version.

This video game/movie is one of the best games, if not the best, that I have ever played. It is made up of such famous actors as Malcolm McDowell & Mark Hamill & the movie footage makes you just want to keep playing the game over & over