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GameSlice Daily Editorial

March 21, 2000

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Force Commander
This week brings the release of LucasArts' much-delayed real time strategy game Force Commander, set in the classic universe (i.e. not Episode I). At first blush the game sounds like a Star Wars fan's dream come true: Command and Conquer meets AT-ATs and Snowspeeders. Unfortunately what sounds like a dream is more like a nightmare once you load up the game and see an introduction sequence that tries to humanize the Stormtroopers – You never see them with their masks off in the movies, but in Force Commander you meet your pal Brent (who also doubles as a Stormtrooper). So much for suspension of belief.
But story concerns aside, Force Commander's major flaw is what some may perceive as its greatest feature, a "versatile camera" according to the box. If there ever was a case in point to illustrate why a fix camera is needed in a real time strategy game, this is it. The interface for moving the camera is Homeworld-esque but is hindered by the fact the ground terrain constantly gets in the way of the camera and often flickers to black as you move the camera through hills. There are things to like about the game, including the Star Wars theme and an interesting spin on a game tutorial – which, in a moment of drama aborts halfway through with an urgent mission – but ultimately the camera problems (coupled with low-detail polygon models that are virtually indistinguishable when you zoom out) cause Force Commander to be more toil than is worthwhile in such a competitive genre.

Star Wars Online
While Force Commander might not exactly be game of the year material, LucasArts has another game on the horizon that just might already be in the running for game of the year in 2001: Star Wars Online. What makes the game exciting – besides the fact it's a massive online RPG – is the fact that Verant Interactive (Everquest) will be creating the game. Although details on the game are still few and far between, an article in USA Today last week mentioned that two planets will be featured in the game which will center around the time-period of Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope. It's interesting that LucasArts would decide to move away from the prequel world for the online game, especially considering that Star Wars: Episode II is scheduled for release in May 2002.
It's commendable that LucasArts has decided to work with a third party to develop the online game, and especially a group as skilled as the team at Verant. The combination of LucasArts' attention to detail with Verant passion for online gaming is no doubt going to create one of the most talked about games of 2001. Still, the game is at least eighteen months away from release, and it's unlikely we will even see the first images from inside the game world until later this year. Nevertheless, it's hard to not get excited about the idea of melding Everquest's play mechanic with Star Wars lore.

Next, find out about the Command and Conquer: Tiberian Sun expansion pack >>>