What is this pc game?

October 21, 2008 1:35 PM

What is this old computer game that was a top-down open space shooter? Note: I am fairly confident it is not Escape Velocity.

I think this would have been about the mid-late 90's, for Windows--
It was an open space world, in which the entire map (vast) was mapped by two coordinates, vertical and horizontal. You had a standard space ship, and the game hinged upon missions which usually involved fighting, going to other areas designated by a planet to fight, etc. The things I remember vividly are: during a fight, you could allocate shield power to different areas on your ship (front, back), you could go into a hyperspace mode which was incredibly fast and necessary for long travel. Also, I remember the first cut-scenish thing after completing a certain mission had a hooded figure.

posted by stresstwig to computers & internet (6 comments total)

Sounds a lot like Solar Winds (download), but it was a DOS game. Are you misremembering the Windows part? I'm sure there are other possible games.
posted by skynxnex at 1:46 PM on October 21, 2008

Solar Winds was my thought too.

Great game, by the way.
posted by mrhaydel at 1:56 PM on October 21, 2008 [1 favorite]

The map and hyperspace mode make me think it might have been Star Control II.
posted by Metroid Baby at 2:09 PM on October 21, 2008

There was something called Shockwave, I think, that was a nearly identical copy of EV. There was also a similar FPS/flying shooter ship game that took place in a mine and it's name escapes me. it was huge post-Doom
posted by GilloD at 2:34 PM on October 21, 2008

Definitely Solar Winds-- the ship and right side UI part jogged my memory. Thanks team!
posted by stresstwig at 2:41 PM on October 21, 2008

GilloD, you're probably thinking of Descent and if you aren't you should be because that game is fantastic.
posted by Diskeater at 3:06 PM on October 21, 2008