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{{Short description|1997 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
{{Infobox video game
|title = Darklight Conflict
|title = Darklight Conflict
|image = [[File:Darklight Conflict cover.jpg|frameless]]
|image = Darklight Conflict cover.jpg
|developer = [[Rage Software]]
|developer = [[Rage Software]]
|publisher = [[Electronic Arts]]
|publisher = [[Electronic Arts]]
|distributor =
|designer =
|designer =
|engine =
|engine =
|released = '''MS-DOS'''{{vgrelease|NA|March 28, 1997<ref>{{cite web|title=Even More Games Shipping|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/news/news-1997-03-24.html|author=Staff|website=PC Gamer|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19980218070742/http://www.pcgamer.com/news/news-1997-03-24.html|archivedate=February 18, 1998|url-status=dead|date=March 26, 1997|accessdate=December 5, 2019}}<br />" Electronic Arts has begun shipping...Darklight Conflict..."</ref>|EU|1997}}'''PlayStation'''{{vgrelease|NA|June 25, 1997<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Sony PlayStation Available Software sorted by Release Date @ www.vidgames.com |url=http://www.vidgames.com/ps/software/release.html#1995 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980611181118/http://www.vidgames.com/ps/software/release.html#1995 |archive-date=June 11, 1998 |access-date=January 8, 2024 |website=PlayStation Galleria}}</ref>|EU|June 1997}}'''Saturn'''{{vgrelease|WW|July 1997}}
|released = '''PC'''{{vgrelease|NA=March 31, 1997}}'''PlayStation'''{{vgrelease|NA=June 30, 1997|EU=June 1997}}'''Saturn'''{{vgrelease|NA=1997|EU=1997}}
|genre = [[Space combat simulator]]
|genre = [[Space combat simulator]]
|modes = [[Single player]], [[Multiplayer]]
|modes = [[Single player]], [[multiplayer]]
|platforms = [[DOS]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Sega Saturn|Saturn]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
|platforms = [[MS-DOS]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Sega Saturn|Saturn]]
|media =
}}
}}
⚫
'''''Darklight Conflict''''' is a [[space combat simulator]] [[video game]] developed by [[Rage Software]] and published by [[Electronic Arts]] in 1997 for PCs running [[MS-DOS]] or versions of [[Microsoft Windows]] before [[Windows 2000]], and the [[Sega Saturn]] and [[PlayStation|Sony PlayStation]] game consoles. In this game, you play the part of a contemporary human fighter pilot abducted by the [[Extraterrestrial life in popular culture|alien]] ''Repton'' species during your aerial battle, and biologically modified to become a [[Military spacecraft in fiction|starfighter]] [[aviator|pilot]] for them in their [[war]] against the Evil Ovon race.


⚫
'''''Darklight Conflict''''' is a [[space combat simulator]] [[video game]] developed by [[Rage Software]]<ref name=NGen28>{{cite magazine |title=NG Alphas: Darklight Conflict |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=28 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=April 1997|page=108}}</ref> and published by [[Electronic Arts]] in 1997 for the [[MS-DOS]], and the [[Sega Saturn]] and [[PlayStation (console)|Sony PlayStation]] game consoles. Players take on the part of a contemporary human fighter pilot abducted by the [[Extraterrestrials in fiction|alien]] ''Repton'' species during an aerial battle, and biologically modified to become a [[Military spacecraft in fiction|starfighter]] [[aircraft pilot|pilot]] for them in their [[war]] against the Evil Ovon race.
⚫
In the game itself, you would usually pilot one of three different starfighters, each with different strengths and weaknesses, along with occasionally piloting a captured enemy ship, or controlling a [[gun turret]] on your Mothership (The "War Drum"). The missions are quite varied, ranging from simple combat missions to missions where you need to defend your [[mothership]], destroy an enemy Ovon mothership, clear an [[asteroid]] field, or retrieve an object with a [[tractor beam]]. Your 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 - yellow energy replenishing the energy which fuels the ship, while blue energy drains it, reducing the ship's effectiveness.


==Gameplay==
⚫
After you complete the four campaigns and destroy the Ovon home-world for the Reptons, they reward you by sending their best pilots to kill you in an honorable way (after all, they don't need a human in their society and war history). You manage to escape and jump to [[Earth]], where centuries have passed since you were gone. Your ship is greeted by the Earth Defense Fleet, which destroys all Repton ships in hot pursuit.
[[File:Darklight Conflict screenshot.png|thumb|left|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 (film)|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.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Preview: Darklight Conflict |magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]] |issue=21|publisher=[[Emap International Limited]] |date=July 1997|page=28}}</ref>

''Darklight Conflict'' has several multiplayer modes, including [[deathmatch (video games)|deathmatch]], team battles, and space combat variations of [[Tag (game)|tag]] and [[capture the flag]].<ref name=NGen28/>

==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==
{{Video game reviews
| EGM = 6.125/10 (PS)<ref name=EGM98>{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew: Darklight Conflict |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=98|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=September 1997 |page=54}}</ref>
| GSpot = 7.9/10 (PC)<ref name=GSPC>{{cite web |last=Kasavin |first=Greg |author-link=Greg Kasavin |title=Darklight Conflict Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/darklight-conflict-review/1900-2538509/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=27 November 2018 |date=May 2, 1997}}</ref><br />6.6/10 (PS)<ref name=GSPS>{{cite web |last=Gerstmann |first=Jeff |author-link=Jeff Gerstmann |title=Darklight Conflict Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/darklight-conflict-review/1900-2547209/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=27 November 2018 |date=August 1, 1997}}</ref>
| NGen = {{rating|2|5}} (PS)<ref name=NGen34>{{cite magazine|title=Finals: Darklight Conflict|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |issue=34 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=October 1997|page=169}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]''
| rev2Score = 86% (SAT)<ref name=SSM22>{{cite magazine |first=Gary|last=Cutlack |title=Review: Darklight Conflict |magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]] |issue=22|publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=August 1997|pages=76–77 |url= https://archive.org/stream/Official_Sega_Saturn_Magazine_022/Official_Sega_Saturn_Magazine_022_-_august_1997_UK#page/n76/mode/2up |accessdate=November 25, 2018}}</ref>
| Allgame = {{rating|3|5}} (PS)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2079&tab=review |title=Darklight Conflict (Playstation) Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114233522/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2079&tab=review |archive-date=14 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br />{{rating|3|5}} (PC)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=5458&tab=review |title=Darklight Conflict (PC) Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114230244/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=5458&tab=review |archive-date=14 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GR = 67% (PS)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197055-darklight-conflict/index.html |title=Darklight Conflict for Playstation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324154653/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197055-darklight-conflict/index.html |archive-date=24 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|PCPP=89% (PC)<ref name=PCPP>{{Cite journal|last=Sharpe|first=Peter|date=July 1997|title=Darklight Conflict|url=https://archive.org/details/PCPowerplay-014-1997-07/page/n71/mode/2up|journal=PC PowerPlay|issue=14|pages=54–55}}</ref>
}}

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 [[Letterboxing (filming)|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.<ref name=GSPC/>

The console versions received a mix of critical reactions, with the one commonality being praise for the lighting effects.<ref name=EGM98/><ref name=GSPS/><ref name=NGen34/><ref name=SSM22/><ref name=GProPS/> ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]''{{'}}s Dan Hsu and ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' said the graphics in general are superior to those of the game's closest competitor, the PlayStation version of ''[[Wing Commander IV]]'',<ref name=EGM98/><ref name=NGen34/> though the ''Next Generation'' reviewer added that they still come as a disappointment compared to the PC version of ''Darklight Conflict''.<ref name=NGen34/> 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."<ref name=EGM98/><ref name=NGen34/> ''[[GamePro]]'', however, contended that "The control is a bit twitchy at first, but is very solid once you get used to it."<ref name=GProPS>{{cite magazine |author=The Rookie|title=PlayStation ProReview: Darklight Conflict |magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=109 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=October 1997|page=145}}</ref>

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,<ref name=EGM98/><ref name=GSPS/> while Dan Hsu and ''Next Generation'' both felt it hurt the game.<ref name=EGM98/><ref name=NGen34/> ''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."<ref name=NGen34/>

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.<ref name=EGM98/><ref name=NGen34/> 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".<ref name=SSM22/><ref name=GProPS/>

==References==
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
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[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:Electronic Arts games]]
[[Category:Electronic Arts games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
⚫
[[Category:Rage Games games]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn games]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn games]]
[[Category:Space combat simulators]]
[[Category:Space combat simulators]]
[[Category:Video games about extraterrestrial life]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]
⚫
[[Category:Windows games]]


{{action-videogame-stub}}

Latest revision as of 02:53, 9 November 2024

Darklight Conflict
Developer(s)Rage Software
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
Platform(s)MS-DOS, PlayStation, Saturn
ReleaseMS-DOS
PlayStation
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[3] 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.

Gameplay

[edit]
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.[4]

Darklight Conflict has several multiplayer modes, including deathmatch, team battles, and space combat variations of tag and capture the flag.[3]

Plot

[edit]

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

[edit]

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.[6]

The console versions received a mix of critical reactions, with the one commonality being praise for the lighting effects.[5][7][8][9][14] 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,[5][8] though the Next Generation reviewer added that they still come as a disappointment compared to the PC version of Darklight Conflict.[8] 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."[5][8] GamePro, however, contended that "The control is a bit twitchy at first, but is very solid once you get used to it."[14]

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,[5][7] while Dan Hsu and Next Generation both felt it hurt the game.[5][8] 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."[8]

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.[5][8] 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".[9][14]

References

[edit]
  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. ^ "Sony PlayStation Available Software sorted by Release Date @ www.vidgames.com". PlayStation Galleria. Archived from the original on June 11, 1998. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "NG Alphas: Darklight Conflict". Next Generation. No. 28. Imagine Media. April 1997. p. 108.
  4. ^ "Preview: Darklight Conflict". Sega Saturn Magazine. No. 21. Emap International Limited. July 1997. p. 28.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Review Crew: Darklight Conflict". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 98. Ziff Davis. September 1997. p. 54.
  6. ^ a b Kasavin, Greg (May 2, 1997). "Darklight Conflict Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  7. ^ a b c Gerstmann, Jeff (August 1, 1997). "Darklight Conflict Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h "Finals: Darklight Conflict". Next Generation. No. 34. Imagine Media. October 1997. p. 169.
  9. ^ a b c Cutlack, Gary (August 1997). "Review: Darklight Conflict". Sega Saturn Magazine. No. 22. Emap International Limited. pp. 76–77. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  10. ^ "Darklight Conflict (Playstation) Review". Archived from the original on 14 November 2014.
  11. ^ "Darklight Conflict (PC) Review". Archived from the original on 14 November 2014.
  12. ^ "Darklight Conflict for Playstation". Archived from the original on 24 March 2016.
  13. ^ Sharpe, Peter (July 1997). "Darklight Conflict". PC PowerPlay (14): 54–55.
  14. ^ a b c The Rookie (October 1997). "PlayStation ProReview: Darklight Conflict". GamePro. No. 109. IDG. p. 145.
[edit]
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