Host sim: Self
Release Date: Developer: Origin Publisher: Origin In collection? Yes
Comments: Strike Commander was a revolutionary flight sim and one of the all-time best selling. The strong story line and role-playing elements meant that it's appeal extended far beyond that market segment whose main interest lay in the simulation aspects.
In Strike Commander you flew the F-16 Falcon in a campaign which had animated cut scenes and interaction with your squadron mates and other characters. As leader of a mercenary outfit you earned money for successful missions, which you then invested in supplies and upgrades.
The graphics were VGA 320 x 200 with unprecedented detail in the texture- mapped aircraft and terrain. I remember standing in the games shop with eyes boggling at the jaw dropping graphics.
"How much better can it get?"... I wondered?
Well it has gotten better as we know but this was one of the first sims which needed a 486 to run! (A 486 cost about $US 5,000 at the time). It also had a scrolling virtual cockpit with a padlock view.
The campaign had animated cut scenes and dialogue with your squadron mates. If you made it through the first campaign you were given a F-22 to play with!
The sim's lighter moments ... yes, a Combat Sim with HUMOUR !!!... included wrangling with your squadron's acountant! Was this the first "Accountancy Combat Sim"??
Strike Commander had a scripted campaign with multiple branches. The game was very atmospheric due to the storyline and features like the ability to choose your own wingman / wing-woman! There was a lot of spoken dialogue during flight and between missions.
Wing-person | I can't remember exactly who this character was!