Starglider

Game review

The premise of Starglider involves defending a planet from an invading alien force. Players navigate their spacecraft across a variety of landscapes, engaging in battles against enemy ships and ground targets. The game is notable for its early use of wireframe 3D graphics, which was quite innovative for its time. These graphics, although basic by today’s standards, were instrumental in creating an immersive space simulation experience.

Gameplay in Starglider is from a first-person perspective, giving players a direct view from the cockpit of the spacecraft. The controls are relatively straightforward, allowing players to maneuver the ship, fire weapons, and manage speed. As players progress through the game, they encounter different types of enemy crafts, each requiring specific strategies to defeat.

One of the challenges in Starglider is resource management. Players need to monitor their ammunition and energy levels, requiring them to balance aggressive tactics with conservation of resources. This strategic element adds depth to the gameplay, as players must decide when to engage in combat and when to conserve resources for more challenging encounters.

The game also includes a variety of missions with different objectives, adding to the replay value and keeping the gameplay experience fresh. These missions range from straightforward dogfights to more complex tasks like destroying specific targets or defending friendly units.