Darklight Conflict

Last updated
Darklight Conflict
Darklight Conflict cover.jpg
Developer(s) Rage Software
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Platform(s) MS-DOS, PlayStation, Saturn
ReleaseMS-DOS
PlayStation
  • NA: June 30, 1997
  • EU: June 1997
Saturn
  • WW: July 1997
Genre(s) Space combat simulator
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer

Darklight Conflict is a space combat simulator video game developed by Rage Software [2] and published by Electronic Arts in 1997 for the MS-DOS, and the Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation game consoles. Players take on the part of a contemporary human fighter pilot abducted by the alien Repton species during an aerial battle, and biologically modified to become a starfighter pilot for them in their war against the Evil Ovon race.

Contents

Gameplay

Cockpit view (DOS version) Darklight Conflict screenshot.png
Cockpit view (DOS version)

The player pilots one of three different starfighters, each with different strengths and weaknesses, and occasionally a captured enemy ship, or controlling a gun turret on the Mothership (The "War Drum"). The missions include simple combat, defending the mothership, destroying an enemy Ovon mothership, clearing an asteroid field, and retrieving an object with a tractor beam. The player's ship moves between mission areas via "hyperspace portals", passing through a hyper-space environment, resembling that seen in 2001: A Space Odyssey . Often during hyperspace transit, varying streams of energy are encountered; gold energy replenishes the energy which fuels the ship, while blue energy drains it, reducing the ship's effectiveness. [3]

Darklight Conflict has several multiplayer modes, including deathmatch, team battles, and space combat variations of tag and capture the flag. [2]

Plot

After the player character completes the four campaigns and destroys the Ovon home-world for the Reptons, the Reptons send their best pilots to kill the player character. The player character escapes and jumps to Earth, where centuries have passed since the player character left. The ship is greeted by the Earth Defense Fleet, which destroys all Repton ships in hot pursuit.

Reception

Reviewing the MS-DOS version in GameSpot , Greg Kasavin commented, "Darklight Conflict packs a lot of action between its campaign, arcade, and six-player network modes, so it'll keep you occupied for a long, long time. And you can bet you'll be gawking at its visuals all the while." He lauded the peripheral vision afforded by the game's letterboxed display, the high frame rate, the special weapons, the targeting system, the quantity and variety of missions, the sleek rendering of the spaceships, the explosion and lighting effects, and the moody soundtrack. He considered the absence of licensing to be the only flaw, saying the unfamiliarity of the spacecraft makes them harder to get used to and less immediately appealing. [8]

The console versions received a mix of critical reactions, with the one commonality being praise for the lighting effects. [7] [9] [10] [12] [13] Electronic Gaming Monthly 's Dan Hsu and Next Generation said the graphics in general are superior to those of the game's closest competitor, the PlayStation version of Wing Commander IV , [7] [10] though the Next Generation reviewer added that they still come as a disappointment compared to the PC version of Darklight Conflict. [10] He and EGM's Crispin Boyer and Sushi-X found the oversensitive controls with no support for analog controllers to be an annoyance which greatly aggravates the already frustrating difficulty; Boyer elaborated that "you're forced to tap, tap, tap until you're on target." [7] [10] GamePro , however, contended that "The control is a bit twitchy at first, but is very solid once you get used to it." [13]

Critics also disagreed about the game's lack of story. Both Sushi-X and Jeff Gerstmann praised this element as enabling better enjoyment of the gameplay, and characterized Wing Commander IV's extensive cutscenes as fluff, [7] [9] while Dan Hsu and Next Generation both felt it hurt the game. [7] [10] Next Generation reasoned, "As excessive and ungameplay-focused as the FMV sequences in Wing Commander IV are, at least they give the player a face to identify with, and maybe even an emotional connection. Darklight Conflict's generic polygonal spaceships offer nothing to involve even the most hyperimaginative." [10]

Critics differed most sharply over the quality of the missions. Boyer, Hsu, and Next Generation all argued that despite the varying objectives, the missions all boil down to the same requisite skills, making for an extremely repetitive gaming experience. [7] [10] In contrast, GamePro and Sega Saturn Magazine praised the variety afforded by the missions, with SSM adding that "the action continues all the way through with some complex and well designed duties". [12] [13]

Related Research Articles

<i>Pandemonium!</i> (video game) 1996 video game

Pandemonium! is a 1996 platform video game developed by Toys for Bob and published by Crystal Dynamics for the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Microsoft Windows, N-Gage, mobile and iOS. Pandemonium! features Fargus, a joker, and Nikki, a sorceress, who unwittingly casts a spell that destroys the town. The goal of the game is to reach the Wishing Engine, where they can wish the town back to normal. For each level, the player can choose which character to be. Each has a special move – Fargus can deliver a special spinning attack, and Nikki can double jump. The game consists of a great variety of unique gameplay objects, such as watermelons, clouds, spider webs and logs. A sequel, Pandemonium 2, was released in 1997 for PlayStation and Microsoft Windows.

<i>Wipeout 2097</i> 1996 racing video game

Wipeout 2097 is a racing video game developed and published by Psygnosis. It is the second installment released in the Wipeout series and the direct sequel of the original game released the previous year. It was originally released in 1996 for the PlayStation, and in 1997 for Microsoft Windows and the Sega Saturn. It was later ported by Digital Images to the Amiga in 1999 and by Coderus to Mac OS in 2002.

<i>Saturn Bomberman</i> 1996 video game

Saturn Bomberman is an action video game by Hudson Soft for the Sega Saturn. The twelfth installment in the Bomberman series, it was first released in Japan on July 19, 1996, in Europe in May 1, 1997, and in North America in September 4, 1997. It is best known for its multiplayer functionality for up to ten players. The game received praise from critics for its enjoyable gameplay and multiplayer, but received criticism for not advancing the Bomberman series enough beyond previous installments.

<i>Madden NFL 98</i> 1997 American football video game

Madden NFL 98 is a 1997 football video game. It was the last edition of the Madden series to be released for the Super NES, Genesis and Sega Saturn platforms, as well as the last Madden game to utilize 2D sprites for the players and referee, on 3D playing fields.

<i>Syndicate Wars</i> 1996 video game

Syndicate Wars is an isometric real-time tactical and strategic game, developed by Bullfrog Productions and published by Electronic Arts. It was released for DOS in 1996 and for the PlayStation in 1997. It is the second video game title in the Syndicate series, retaining the core gameplay and perspective of the original Syndicate, but with a setting 95 years further into the future.

<i>PowerSlave</i> 1996 video game

PowerSlave, known as Exhumed in Europe and 1999 AD: Resurrection of the Pharaoh in Japan, is a first-person shooter video game developed by Lobotomy Software and published by Playmates Interactive Entertainment in North America, and BMG Interactive in Europe and Japan. It was released in North America, Europe and Japan, for the Sega Saturn, PlayStation, and MS-DOS over the course of a year from late 1996 to late 1997. On May 24, 2015, Powerslave EX, an unofficial remake of the PlayStation version appeared on GitHub. The MS-DOS version of PowerSlave was added to the GOG store on November 19, 2020.

Gungriffon is a series of video games developed by Game Arts and designed by Takeshi Miyaji. Gungriffon and Gungriffon II originally appeared for the Sega Saturn console in 1996, with more recent appearances in Gungriffon Blaze for the PlayStation 2 and Gungriffon: Allied Strike for the Xbox. The Gungriffon games are focused on piloting mecha—large, usually bipedal military vehicles. This game series refers to these machines as Armored Walking Gun Systems (AWGS). With the exception of the High-MACS design, the mecha in this series have a distinctly realistic design philosophy.

<i>Virtual On: Cyber Troopers</i> 1996 video game

Virtual On: Cyber Troopers is a 1996 video game developed and published by Sega. A 3D shooting and fighting game featuring robots, it was released in arcades and for Sega Saturn and PC, in both America and Japan. There were also two-player online versions of the game released in America and Japan for the Sega Saturn using the NetLink and XBAND services. Initially the game was to be released under the title "Virtual On" in Japan and "Cyber Troopers" in North America, but ultimately these two names were combined into a single title for both regions.

<i>MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat</i> 1995 video game

MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat is a vehicle simulation game developed and published by Activision, released in 1995 as part of the MechWarrior series of video games in the BattleTech franchise. The game is set in 3057, and is played as a tactical simulation that incorporates aspects of real-time first-person combat and the physical simulation of the player's mech. It is a game recreation of the "Refusal War." The player can join one of the clans, Clan Jade Falcon or Clan Wolf while engaging in up to 32 missions.

<i>Pro Pinball: The Web</i> 1996 video game

Pro Pinball: The Web is a pinball simulation video game developed by Cunning Developments for PlayStation, MS-DOS, Windows 95 and Sega Saturn. It is the first game in the Pro Pinball series.

<i>NHL 98</i> 1997 video game

NHL 98 is an ice hockey video game developed by EA Canada. It was released in 1997 and was the successor to NHL 97. It was the last installment of the NHL series to be released on the SNES, Sega Genesis, or Sega Saturn.

<i>Baku Baku Animal</i> 1995 video game

Baku Baku, released in Japan as Baku Baku Animal, is a falling block puzzle arcade game released by Sega in 1995. The game is dedicated as Sega's first ever Network Compatible PC Game. A Sega NetLink compatible version of the game was also announced, but never released.

<i>Maximum Force</i> 1997 arcade game

Maximum Force is a light gun shooter arcade game developed by Mesa Logic for Atari Games in 1997. In 1998, Atari Games re-released the game as part of one machine called Area 51/Maximum Force Duo that also included Area 51, and later ported the game to both the Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn game consoles.

<i>Star Fighter</i> (video game) 1994 video game

Star Fighter or Star Fighter 3000 is a 3D flight-based shoot-em-up developed and published by UK company Fendet Software, and released in 1994 for the Acorn Archimedes. The gameplay is mission based and involves elements of strategy and planning. The player can order wingmen to fly in formation and attack specific targets.

<i>Scorcher</i> (video game) 1996 video game

Scorcher is a futuristic racing video game by Danish developer Zyrinx, released in 1996 for the PC and in 1997 for the Sega Saturn. Originally announced under the name "Vertigo", the game focuses on special motorcycles that reach up to 450 km/h racing through dangerous tracks in a dystopian year 2021.

<i>Shockwave Assault</i> 1994 video game

Shockwave Assault is a science fiction combat flight simulation video game developed by Advanced Technology Group and published by Electronic Arts for various home video game consoles and PCs. The player takes control of a futuristic fighter plane to defeat extraterrestrial ships and tripods.

<i>Sky Target</i> 1995 video game

Sky Target is a 1995 arcade game by Sega. A rail shooter featuring a number of planes including the default F-14D Super Tomcat, it is best remembered for its semi-official connection to Sega's earlier hit After Burner. Although never billed as a sequel, its overt similarities to the 1987 classic were nonetheless referenced in official promotional materials and recognized by the media. Plus, it features a revised version of the "After Burner" music theme within its soundtrack.

<i>Mass Destruction</i> (video game) 1997 video game

Mass Destruction is a 1997 third-person action game developed by NMS Software and published by ASC Games and BMG Interactive. Released for MS-DOS, the Sega Saturn, and the PlayStation, the game puts players in control of a tank, and tasks them with destroying enemy forces. It has often been likened to Return Fire.

<i>Soviet Strike</i> 1996 shooter video game

Soviet Strike is a helicopter-based shooter game developed and published by Electronic Arts for the PlayStation in 1996 and the Sega Saturn in 1997. The game is a sequel to the Strike games which began on the Sega Genesis with Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf. Soviet Strike is the series' first installment for a 32-bit console and was first conceived as 32-bit Strike. Early on, it was intended for the 3DO console, before development changed to the PlayStation.

References

  1. ↑ Staff (March 26, 1997). "Even More Games Shipping". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on February 18, 1998. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
    " Electronic Arts has begun shipping...Darklight Conflict..."
  2. 1 2 "NG Alphas: Darklight Conflict". Next Generation . No. 28. Imagine Media. April 1997. p. 108.
  3. ↑ "Preview: Darklight Conflict". Sega Saturn Magazine . No. 21. Emap International Limited. July 1997. p. 28.
  4. ↑ "Darklight Conflict for Playstation". Archived from the original on 24 March 2016.
  5. ↑ "Darklight Conflict (Playstation) Review". Archived from the original on 14 November 2014.
  6. ↑ "Darklight Conflict (PC) Review". Archived from the original on 14 November 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Review Crew: Darklight Conflict". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 98. Ziff Davis. September 1997. p. 54.
  8. 1 2 Kasavin, Greg (May 2, 1997). "Darklight Conflict Review". GameSpot . Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  9. 1 2 3 Gerstmann, Jeff (August 1, 1997). "Darklight Conflict Review". GameSpot . Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Finals: Darklight Conflict". Next Generation . No. 34. Imagine Media. October 1997. p. 169.
  11. ↑ Sharpe, Peter (July 1997). "Darklight Conflict". PC PowerPlay (14): 54–55.
  12. 1 2 3 Cutlack, Gary (August 1997). "Review: Darklight Conflict". Sega Saturn Magazine . No. 22. Emap International Limited. pp. 76–77. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  13. 1 2 3 The Rookie (October 1997). "PlayStation ProReview: Darklight Conflict". GamePro . No. 109. IDG. p. 145.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.