Wing Commander: Armada

Wing Commander: Armada is a video game in the strategy genre developed by ORIGIN Systems, Inc. and published by Dong Seo Interactive originally released in 1994. It is currently playable on DOS.

Wing Commander: Armada is Origin's answer to the wishes of many Wing Commander fans: mixing head-to-head multiplayer action and strategic elements in the race to conquer the galaxy.

Starting with a single aircraft carrier in an unknown part of the universe, each player must explore the system, searching for resource-rich planets with which to build a mining station, a defense fortress or a ship-building facility. The player extracts materials from the planets, transports the reserves in cargo ships or redirects the materials for use in the current planet's shipyards. Resources collected to build new spaceships continue the cycle of exploration and combat as each player strives to build and maintain a fleet to take and hold territories. The universe is randomly generated each game, allowing for an infinite variety of paths to reach that final showdown. The multiplayer aspect of the game includes three different options: modem, network and a new split-screen view that allows two players to compete on the same computer (i. e. 'hot-seating'). New features include the 'invisible cockpit', which gives the player a wider viewing area, real 3D shields that protect your ship, an intuitive 'Starmap' navigation/display interface and a 'TauntMaker' option that allows the user to customize digital taunts with other players. The game also features an enhanced 3D engine, with fully textured and light-shaded spaceships. Finally, it is also the first Wing Commander game to give you the ability to play with the formidable Kilrathi.

Overall, it's a great addition to the famous series that appeals equally to action gamers who like a bit of planning in their gameplay, and strategy gamers who don't mind a few arcade skirmishes.

Wing Commander: Armada is available at a reduced price on the following websites and is no longer abandonware.