Select a Satisfying Style (November 20, 2010)

[ChrisReid]

Wing Commander games all have great graphics that stand up to the test of time, but even more than that, they also have awesome art styles and character that keeps them looking fresh and fun even today. Which Wing Commander game had your favorite art style? There's a big difference between Wing Commander 2 and 3, but factor in the Privateers and Arena and it's a tough choice to make!

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The last poll asked what the most was that you spend on Wing Commander in a single year. $50 and $100 grabbed the majority of the vote, but a sizable chunk of people can recall hitting $250 as well. I have a feeling the results are a little understated!


What's the most you've spent on WC in a single year?


$50
33.39%

$100
33.05%

$250
18.74%

$500
5.62%

$1000
3.07%

$2000+
6.13%

Ended on November 20, 2010 | 587 votes




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Original update published on November 20, 2010

 

[Wojo]

Tough. Hard to be subjective and avoid allowing your enjoyment of a particular game to influence the artistic side...

I hate to say it, because I didn't enjoy the game, but I have to give it to Arena. The folks at Gaia really studied the art style of the past games, and I really like the direction they went with the whole modular & colorful look - a real change from the gritty grey and black of wc4, and kind of an evolution of the prophecy style.

I think the change between wc2 & armada/wc3 was probably the most significant style change we have seen in the WC universe. Kilrathi craft went from rounded & tubby to angular and assymetrical, and confed went from the predominantly green/grey colour scheme and winged craft to the blue/grey and blocky style that has carried forward. I guess some of the reason was technical in nature (easier to render straight lines in 3d), but it did refresh things a little.

I also loved the direction it MIGHT have gone according to Feng Zhu:

https://cdn.wcnews.com/newestshots/full/C_Cruiser_01c.jpg

It almost feels as if some of this concept art influenced the Gaia folks too...

Anyways, my 2 cents.

 

[QuailPilot]

I always liked the feeling of Armada. The cockpits especially, where each computer came to life somehow.

 

[Red Baron]

That's hard. I wouldn't want to change any game's style for one i seem to like more at first view, they are all very fitting for their game style and setting.
WC3 tried to convince you that you're really on an old hunk of junk, almost about to lose the war. WC4 showed you the contrast between the polished Confederation and the backwater Border Worlds, Privateer 2 was an artform itself, and so on.
That said, i really like the gunmetal ambience of Privateer1.
Ship design wise, WC3 would be my number one, but i suppose that's another story.

 

[Mekt-Hakkikt]

Indeed, again a harc choice to make.

I have to side with the current majority and say Privateer: the character and ship models were good or great, the base, the music and sound effects very atmospheric. Armada and WC 2, and WC 1 close seconds, Arena third, I think.
It's sad I still don't know SWC well enough to have an opinon.
WC3 is easily my least favourite: I thought it completely failed to evoke the feeling of being on an old and battered ship.

 

[Dundradal]

It was a tough decision, but I also went with Privateer. The art in the game made Gemini stick in your head for a long time after you'd done your last cargo run....

 

[LeHah]

No Prophecy option?

 

[Dundradal]

It's there...Prophecy/Secret Ops

 

[Aginor]

For me it is the WC3 style, with the WC1 style as a close second. I love the worn-out, battle-hardened look.

I never liked the colourful WC2 style very much, that's my least favourite one. I even like the Arena style better (although that one is also looking a bit over the top in my opinion).

 

[Mincemeat]

I voted for Privateer 2 because it looks surreal enough to depict the far future. There is enough attention to detail to make it look consistent, and I think the cutscenes are the most movie-like of all the Wing Commander games.

 

[Bob McDob]

I also went with Privateer 2, but I'm starting to wish that I could go with "storyboard"

I never liked the colourful WC2 style very much, that's my least favourite one

I've always found that Wing Commander II looks a lot less cartoonish while you're playing it than when viewing screenshots. It's a context thing, I think - the *feel* of the game is surprisingly close to the later ones at times, even Prophecy.