Category:Privateer 2: The Darkening

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Developed in the period following the success of Wing Commander III, Privateer 2: The Darkening was conceived as a cinematic evolution of the Privateer gameplay model. Privateer 2 was developed in the UK by Erin Roberts and his team at EA Manchester with its full-motion video cutscenes filmed on sets built at the legendary Pinewood studios. The game puts you, the player in the shoes of Ser Lev Arris, a mysterious figure in search of his past, and lets you play the game your way. Boasting an all-star cast, the game stars Clive Owen as Ser Arris, supported by Christopher Walken, David Warner, Jürgen Prochnow, Mathilda May, and John Hurt, among others.

Set in 2790, The Darkening takes place in a remote corner of the Wing Commander universe known as the Tri-System. Planet Anhur has been home to humans for some two thousand years, with the locals having independently developed faster-than-light drives from the Confederation. The futuristic setting lets players utilize advanced jump gates, short-range time travel devices and massive cargo haulers. In addition to the traditional build-up phase and story portions of the game, Privateer 2 peppers the experience with random cinematic mini-plot missions. Certain upgrades are only available once these subplots have been completed, and entire character arcs are explored with recorded video cutscenes separate from the main story.

Privateer 2: The Darkening
Bd-box3.jpg
Platform MS-DOS

Windows 95 (Deluxe Edition)

Engine BRender
Release Date December 9, 1996
  • U.S.: January 1997
  • Deluxe Edition: November 4, 1997
Format CD-ROM
Language English

French
German

Rating ESRB: M




Copy

Original U.K. Release

U.K. box, front cover
U.K. box, back cover
NAME: Ser Lev Arris
AGE: 30
DIAGNOSIS: Anterior Amnesia


RECENT HISTORY:
Ser Arris's condition was probably caused by accelerated
>depassivity from a long artificial sleep, after being
pulled from the wreckage of a recent Cargo ship disaster at
Mendra spaceport. After a satisfactory physical recovery,
the subject was kidnapped in a violent attack on the
hospital resulting in a number of fatalities. The subject
seems to have escaped his kidnappers, and is now in
possession of a spaceship, trading and fighting his way
across the galaxy, seemingly in search of his lost
identity.

  • REVOLUTIONARY 3D space
    combat engine supporting a
    vast number of fully textured
    ships, space stations and planets
    in high-detail SVGA, with phong
    shading, spotlighting and lens
    flare effects.

  • ADVENTURE is not confined
    to the cockpit - once
    planetside, the player may visit a
    multitude of locations, and meet a
    vast array of characters, realised
    through the talens of Clive Owen,
    John Hurt, Mathilda May, Jurgen
    Prochnow and Christopher
    Walken

  • The SOPHISTICATED trading
    environment allows the
    player to make money dealing in
    numerous commodities across
    three solar systems, with prices
    continually shifting according to
    planetary market situations.

  • MULTIPLE main and sub plot
    story lines require shrewd
    detective work, utilising the vast
    databases of the three systems.
  • An EXTENSIVE variety of
    ships, weapons and
    equipment are available to help
    you meet the demands of over 150
    non-linear missions.

Deluxe Edition (U.S.)

Inner flap

U.S. box (Deluxe Edition), left inner flap
U.S. box (Deluxe Edition), right inner flap
THE ULTIMATE SPACE COMBAT TRADING EXPERIENCE


You regain consciousness, and the unfamiliar
faces around you inform you that you've lost
your ship in an accident. You're new to the
cutthroat world of Tri-System privateers, and
now your only order of business is survival.
You've got just enough credits to afford a new
ship, but it's going to need upgrades if you
expect to live long. The sector is full of
people willing to do business, but who can be
trusted? Legal or not, it's time to trade, travel,
and battle your way through a place where
high risk means high yield and those with the
brass reap the rewards.

Back cover

U.S. box, back cover
A new FACE...
A new PLACE...
A new STORY...
Strap in tight and jump into
the ultimate space combat
trading experience!


In Privateer 2, there are no rules.
You can fly over 100
different missions in
18 different ships.
Check out whatever you
want ― unique planets,
space stations, bars,
prison pits and more.


But without money, you're nothing.
Ship upgrades,
loadouts, repairs,
wingmen, information
― everything here
costs money. You'll
have to hunt, trade,
and fight to get it.


Only the fastest and most savvy survive.
Incredible new space
combat engine enables
hi-speed battles between
bands of pirates, greedy
police, desperate
privateers and you.

Korean Edition

Korean Box), Front and Back


Characters

Screenshots

Box Contents

Here's something a lot of people don't know: different versions of Privateer 2 featured readically different manuals! It's strange but true - the original UK release came with a "Crius Hospital Rehabilitation Guide" and an in-universe "Guide to Space Travel"... while the American version came with a single booklet, "Your Guide to the Universe".

UK Edition

US Edition

Deluxe Edition (US)

This Box Contains:

  • (3) CDs (your game).
  • Windows 95 Installation Guide (16 pp.) which is what you are reading now and which includes Installation and Troubleshooting information.
  • Pilot's Manual (32 pp.) that introduces the cockpit and describes how to fly, navigate and fight.
  • Your Guide to the Universe (48 pp.) that explains loading and saving the game, and how the CNN booth system and your PAD work.
  • Reference Card (4 pp.) that lists all keyboard, mouse and joystick commands in the game.
  • Registration Card — we'd love to know who you are!

Korean Edition

System Requirements

Deluxe Edition

Windows 95 The Deluxe Edition of Privateer 2: The Darkening is native to Windows 95 and requires Windows 95 to install and play the game.
Computer Privateer 2: The Darkening requires at least a Pentium™ 75MHz or 100% compatible processor. A processor that is equal to or faster than a Pentium™ 90MHz processor is recommended.


This game was tested fully with Intel-based processors.
Other processors may not be compatible.

Memory A minimum of 16MB of RAM installed in your computer is required to play this game.
Video Card A 1MB (or greater) SVGA (640x480) video card that is compatible with Microsoft DirectX is required.
Hard Drive You must have a minimum of 40 MB free on your hard drive to install and play this game.
CD-ROM Drive A 4x-speed CD-ROM drive is required.
Mouse A mouse (Microsoft or 100% compatible) that works under Windows 95 is required to play this game.

Controls

Afterburner			Tab
Fire guns			Space
Fire missile			Enter
Fire mine			Backspace
Accelerate			+
Decelerate			-
Full speed			]
Full stop			[
Cycle targets forward		A
Cycle targets backward		Z
Select closest hostile		W
Select closest friendly		S
Select target in crosshairs	Q
Disable targeting		Alt-T
Toggle radar style		Alt-R
Cycle guns			G
Full guns			F
Cycle missiles			M
Cycle mines			B
Damage HUD			D
Comms HUD			C
Forward view			F1
Left view			F2
Rear view			F3
Right view			F4
Chase view			F5
External ship camera		F6
Target external view		F7
Target chase view		F8
Fixed camera			F9
Cinematic camera		F10
Toggle distress receiver	O
Enable tractor beam		T
Disable tractor beam		Y
Warp shields			Alt-W
Transmit BSE virus		Alt-B
Activate PAD (on base only)	P

Cheats

  • Open the navigation screen by pressing Alt-N. Press F. Type one of the following and press enter.
    NO TALENT (Invincibility)
    REP ME UP (Repairs armor and shields)
    NAPALM (10 nukes)
    The first 9 nukes are full nukes, lasting the normal duration of about 3-4 seconds. The 10th nuke however lasts only a second, thus it doesn't do that much damage and can kill only very weak targets (most fighters stay alive with 25-50% hull intact).
    PETY PETY (Full afterburners)
    CHILL OUT (Resets laser heat level to 0)

Manuals and Game Documentation

Credits

see Privateer 2 credits

Cinematics

see Privateer 2: The Darkening Cinematics

Music

Press

see Privateer 2 press

Strategy Guides

Behind the Screens

see Privateer 2: The Darkening: Behind the Screens

Commodities

Industrial

Plasteen-crop.png
Brikcrete-crop.png
Biopolys crop.png
Titan alloys-crop.png
Lumber-crop.png
Plasteen
Brikcrete
Biopolys
Titan Alloys
Lumber


Medical

Cybernetic limbs-crop.png
Medi kit-crop.png
Blood-crop.png
Synthi skin-crop.png
Optic nerves-crop.png
Cybernetic Limbs
Medi Kit
Blood
Synthi Skin
Optic Nerves


Food

Grain-crop.png
Fertilite-crop.png
Fresh water-crop.png
Livestock-crop.png
Synthi meat-crop.png
Grain
Fertilite
Fresh Water
Livestock
Synthi Meat


Hardware

Solar generators-crop.png
Enviro suits-crop.png
Power loaders-crop.png
Atomic chisel-crop.png
Comms unit-crop.png
Solar Generators
Enviro Suits
Power Loaders
Atomic Chisel
Comms Unit

Luxury

Bex beer-crop.png
Cerulean gemstones-crop.png
Fluffy rodents-crop.png
Sunflowers-crop.png
Warp steroids-crop.png
Bex Beer
Cerulean Gemstones
Fluffy Rodents
Sunflowers
Warp Steroids

Ores

Rhodium-crop.png
Platinum-crop.png
Iridium-crop.png
Cesium-crop.png
Lythia-crop.png
Rhodium
Platinum
Iridium
Cesium
Lythia

Black Market

Nerve toxins-crop.png
Human organs-crop.png
Firearms-crop.png
Brain implants-crop.png
Pleasure borgs-crop.png
Nerve Toxins
Human Organs
Firearms
Brain Implants
Pleasure Borgs

Companies

Equipment

Module

Mine

News

see Category:News Bulletins

People

Planets

Ships

Player Ships

Light

P2straith-vdu.gif
P2aurora-vdu.gif
P2velacia-vdu.gif
P2drakkar-vdu.gif
P2duress-vdu.gif
Straith
Aurora
Velacia
Drakkar
Duress

Medium

P2shaman-vdu.gif
P2jendevi-vdu.gif
P2skecis-vdu.gif
P2skecismkii-vdu.gif
P2kalrechi-vdu.gif
P2heretic-vdu.gif
Shaman
Jendevi
Skecis
Skecis Mk II
Kalrechi
Heretic

Heavy

P2karnenan-vdu.gif
P2icarus-vdu.gif
P2freij-vdu.gif
P2freijmkii-vdu.gif
P2danrik-vdu.gif
P2faldari-vdu.gif
P2faldarimkii-vdu.gif
Karnenan
Icarus
Freij
Freij Mk II
Danrik
Faldari
Faldari Mk II

Cargo Ships

P2geatransit-vdu.gif
P2geamkii-vdu.gif
P2ogan-vdu.gif
P2ilia-vdu.gif
P2iliamkii-vdu.gif
P2monolith-vdu.gif
Gea Transit
Gea Transit Mk II
Ogan
Ilia
Ilia Mk II
Monolith

Military Ships

P2lightcis-vdu.gif
P2mediumcis-vdu.gif
P2heavycis-vdu.gif
P2extraheavycis-vdu.gif
ML1b
ML2b
ML3b
ML4X
P2destroyercis-vdu.gif
P2prototypecis-vdu.gif
P2carriercis-vdu.gif
P2dreadnoughtcis-vdu.gif
P2transportcis-vdu.gif
Military Destroyer
Military Prototype
Military Carrier
Military Dreadnought
Military Transport

Pirate Ships

Jincilla Clan

P2skull-vdu.gif
P2veldor-vdu.gif
P2tacon-vdu.gif
P2jshuttle-vdu.gif
P2jcruiser-vdu.gif
Skull
Veldor
Tacon
Shuttle
Cruiser

Kiowan Clan

P2vector-vdu.gif
P2leighat-vdu.gif
P2krell-vdu.gif
P2kshuttle-vdu.gif
P2kcruiser-vdu.gif
Vector
Leighat
Krell
Shuttle
Cruiser

Chirichan Clan

P2demon-vdu.gif
P2heron-vdu.gif
P2testmos-vdu.gif
P2cshuttle-vdu.gif
P2ccruiser-vdu.gif
Demon
Heron
Testmos
Shuttle
Cruiser

Papagod Clan

P2tembler-vdu.gif
P2ecantona-vdu.gif
P2ashearer-vdu.gif
P2pshuttle-vdu.gif
P2pcruiser-vdu.gif
Tembler
Ecantona
Ashearer
Shuttle
Cruiser

Kindred

P2vendetta-vdu.gif
P2blade-vdu.gif
Vendetta
Blade

Neutral Ship

P2transport-vdu.gif
Transport

Fixtures

P2ss-vdu.gif
P2cs-vdu.gif
P2es-vdu.gif
P2spacelab1-vdu.gif
P2rs-vdu.gif
Super Station
Commodity Station
Equipment Station
Laboratories
Repair Station
P2kappalabs-vdu.gif
P2navbuoy-vdu.gif
P2draknor-vdu.gif
P2jumpgate-vdu.gif
P2kastagan-vdu.gif
Kappa Labs
Navigation Buoy
Chirichan Pirate Station
Jump Gate
Kiowan Pirate Station

Miscellaneous

P2lasertower-vdu.gif
P2spaceman-vdu.gif
P2satellite-vdu.gif
P2escapepod-vdu.gif
Laser Tower
Spacesuit
Satellite
Escape Pod
P2cargo1-vdu.gif
P2talon-vdu.gif
Storage Depot
Unknown Ship

Weapons

Guns

P2-StreamLaser.png
Stream Laser Mk. II
P2-VoltLaser.png
P2-FluxBeam.png
P2-FluxBeamMkII.png
P2-MassIonCannon.png
P2-KravenMkIVLaser.png
Stream Laser
Stream Laser Mk. II
Volt Laser
Flux Beam
Flux Beam MkII
Mass Ion Cannon
Kraven Mk. IV

Missiles

P2-SnipeMissile.png
Brute Mk I Missile
P2-BruteMissileMkII.png
P2-PythonMissile.png
P2-DisruptorMissile.png
P2-BansheeMissile.png
Proximity Missile
P2-StingrayTorpedo.png
P2-HellraiserTorpedo.png
Snipe Missile
Brute Mk I Missile
Brute Mk II Missile
Python Missile
Disrupter Missile
Banshee Missile
Proximity Missile
Stingray Torpedo
Hellraiser Torpedo

Turrets

Wingmen

P2cook.png
P2califaryan.png
P2mcdoozer.png
P2delores.png
P2nugget.png
P2delphinius.png
P2barsteadly.png
P2magnusson.png
P2furorum.png
P2suttilis.png
P2perdies.png
P2xi.png
P2simpson.png
Alopecia Cook
Brad Califaryan
Bruiser McDoozer
Cinquante Delores
Clevis 'Guts' Nugget
Delphinius
Eryl Barsteadly
Hengist Magnusson
Ignatius Furorum
Iuste Suttilis
Jak Perdies
Jaren Xi
Lazenby Simpson
P2simpson.png
P2duvoille.png
P2sativa.png
P2skungous.png
P2heggardly.png
P2orpheus.png
P2sturge.png
P2mykofyle.png
P2el-susse.png
P2rickardson.png
P2aureola.png
P2iuvenil.png
P2wellington.png
Leon J. Spudley
Lerissa du Voille
Liston Sativa
Monk Skungous
Norus Heggardly
Paetas Sturge
Phungid Mykofyle
Hengist Magnusson
Pinet el-Susse
Tallboy Rickardson
Vicksen Aureola
Welppe Iuvenil
Wendy Wellington