Galactica
So I know I said last time that we would get back to the whole Marvel Vs. Dc thing, but you're just going to have to suffer another day or two.
I want to say something about one of my favorite TV programs real quick here. Well, you know, quick for me at least. As I have said before, big sci-fi fan here, so of course I am a huge fan of Battlestar Galactica. Actually, most of us here, sans Amanda I think, are big fans of the show.
Anywho, I know that I am probably preaching to the choir on how good a show it is, so let's talk instead about the Battlestar Galactica video game that came out about the same time as the pilot. In the current show they are actually fighting the second war with the Cylons. Apparently the first war ended 40 years ago with the Cylons leaving known space not to return till now. One of the nice touches on the new series was the 40 year old Cylons looked like the ones from the first series, ships and all.
Now I must admit, I was never a fan of the original. It's not that I didn't like it, I was just really too young to know anything about it. I remember my older brother and my dad watching it, and I know my brother had some of the models, but it never really made an impression. So consider my anxiety when I pop Battlestar into my PS2 and find out it's based on the original. But wait, what's this, I'm playing as Bill "Husker" Adama?! Turns out the video game is actually based on the new show, but set in the FIRST Cylon war! You get to fly a Mark II Viper(the original), an experimental Mark III Viper, a Cylon raider, and use the point defense batteries on the Galactica in several missions.
The thing that really got me about the game though was the fact that they use real space combat physics! Need to make a strafing run on an enemy Basestar? Try this. Approach the target on a parallel course, cut your engines, and rotate 90 degrees to face the target. Your momentum will keep carrying you forward along the axis of the ship while you're free to bring a world of pain to the enemy. Now being a veteran of such campaigns as Descent: Freespace I & II, all three Colony Wars, and Freelancer, I thought I was prepared to go in and kick some major ass.
Yeah, not so much apparently. This game is tough! Not tough in the unbeatable sense, but tough in the sense that just like the show, you are routinely outnumbered something like 50 to 1. Or, as in some cases, the mission profile they give you is just insanely complex. Such as the one that I have been stuck on for the last six months or so. Yeah, this game is that much fun, that even though I've been stuck on the same mission for six f'ing months, and still come back to it at least twice a week to try again. Actually, I might have to go and try again tonight. I just know I can take that Basestar this time! In conclusion, it's cheap, it's not that hard to find, and it's one of the best space combat simulators I've ever played. Whether you're a fan of the original series or the new one this game has something for you. I have spoken, now get out there and get it.
P.S. And if you can beat the game on the hard mode, I'll buy the drinks. Bonus points for anyone who can tell me what other semi-famous ship makes a cameo in the series and what scene it's in. Here's a hint, I said semi. Good hunting!
I want to say something about one of my favorite TV programs real quick here. Well, you know, quick for me at least. As I have said before, big sci-fi fan here, so of course I am a huge fan of Battlestar Galactica. Actually, most of us here, sans Amanda I think, are big fans of the show.
Anywho, I know that I am probably preaching to the choir on how good a show it is, so let's talk instead about the Battlestar Galactica video game that came out about the same time as the pilot. In the current show they are actually fighting the second war with the Cylons. Apparently the first war ended 40 years ago with the Cylons leaving known space not to return till now. One of the nice touches on the new series was the 40 year old Cylons looked like the ones from the first series, ships and all.
Now I must admit, I was never a fan of the original. It's not that I didn't like it, I was just really too young to know anything about it. I remember my older brother and my dad watching it, and I know my brother had some of the models, but it never really made an impression. So consider my anxiety when I pop Battlestar into my PS2 and find out it's based on the original. But wait, what's this, I'm playing as Bill "Husker" Adama?! Turns out the video game is actually based on the new show, but set in the FIRST Cylon war! You get to fly a Mark II Viper(the original), an experimental Mark III Viper, a Cylon raider, and use the point defense batteries on the Galactica in several missions.
The thing that really got me about the game though was the fact that they use real space combat physics! Need to make a strafing run on an enemy Basestar? Try this. Approach the target on a parallel course, cut your engines, and rotate 90 degrees to face the target. Your momentum will keep carrying you forward along the axis of the ship while you're free to bring a world of pain to the enemy. Now being a veteran of such campaigns as Descent: Freespace I & II, all three Colony Wars, and Freelancer, I thought I was prepared to go in and kick some major ass.
Yeah, not so much apparently. This game is tough! Not tough in the unbeatable sense, but tough in the sense that just like the show, you are routinely outnumbered something like 50 to 1. Or, as in some cases, the mission profile they give you is just insanely complex. Such as the one that I have been stuck on for the last six months or so. Yeah, this game is that much fun, that even though I've been stuck on the same mission for six f'ing months, and still come back to it at least twice a week to try again. Actually, I might have to go and try again tonight. I just know I can take that Basestar this time! In conclusion, it's cheap, it's not that hard to find, and it's one of the best space combat simulators I've ever played. Whether you're a fan of the original series or the new one this game has something for you. I have spoken, now get out there and get it.
P.S. And if you can beat the game on the hard mode, I'll buy the drinks. Bonus points for anyone who can tell me what other semi-famous ship makes a cameo in the series and what scene it's in. Here's a hint, I said semi. Good hunting!
posted by Star Clipper at Monday, March 06, 2006
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