A Hardcore Look back at Wing Commander 3 (October 8, 2024)

[ChrisReid]

Earlier this week I neglected to mention that there was a huge accompanying article for the WC3 livestream. Maru Malandra has penned a thorough overview of the game in anticipation of its upcoming 30th anniversary. The article sets the stage for the rapidly evolving state of technology in the mid '90s, introduces the epic shift to interactive movies and talks about the game's stunning 3D engine. It's also another chapter in a whole series of Wing Commander retrospectives that were initially posted back in 2019. Check them all out for the full rundown!

The leap from Wing Commander II to III feels enormous, even with the ‘missing link’ that is Strike Commander. It almost feels ludicrous that we went from mute talking heads and short pre-mission cutscenes to full-motion video and a complex storyline where choices outside the cockpit can affect both story events and relationships with other characters. On release, the game felt like an incredible jump in gaming technology. Origin and EA pulled out all the stops with the box contents too, indicating their confidence that this was as momentous a game as the original Wing Commander: Ship blueprints, a manual themed as an in-flight magazine, and an enormous poster were all included. While Wing Commander III is often discussed in terms of its FMVs, it is still a space combat simulator first and foremost, and in this aspect it does not disappoint.

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Original update published on October 8, 2024