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Space Simulation of the Year

Independence War
Publisher: Infogrames
Developer: Particle Systems

"Independence War not only provides the most detailed flight and systems modeling yet seen in a space sim, it also provides a complex, rewarding plot and a fully fleshed-out gaming world."
- Desslock, GameSpot Review

Heretofore bullied by the likes of Origin's Wing Commander and LucasArts' X-Wing series, the popular space simulation sub genre saw its two strongest 1998 candidates in the uncharacteristic form of newcomers Descent: Freespace and Independence War. Volition's Freespace drew heavily from the genre's champions and combined the best aspects of Wing Commander and X-Wing to create a superb if familiar simulation. But Particle Systems' Independence War cast aside all pretenses, abandoning traditional small-scale dogfighting for epic capital ship combat, and the end result was unique, engaging, and outstanding.

Everyone has wanted to fly capital ships all along, but game developers have been hesitant to try to fill the niche, since capital ships, while big and strong, are supposed to be slow and ungainly, according to the shows and movies. Interplay's Starfleet Academy fumbled last year by empowering Star Trek's popular space ships with all-too-convenient arcade-style flight mechanics, but Independence War got the formula right with the perfect blend of plausible physics, tactical planning, and action. Although its physics model, which emphasized the capital ships' mass and inertia, added up to a steep learning curve, mastering the intricacies of Independence War's spaceflight rewarded would-be captains with an entirely immersive and believable science-fiction atmosphere.

Independence War didn't shirk the genre's extremely high precedent for graphics either, as its colored lighting effects and memorable ship design made it amazing to behold. Add to the formula an intricate, detailed story loaded with scripted events and high-quality cinematics, and Independence War becomes not just an incredible simulation, but an incredible game altogether.

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