Battlestar Galactica As a Game By Jack C Dean

Battlestar Galactica is a well known science-fiction series which regained momentum (from its 1978 roots) with a 2003 mini-series and 2004-2009 regular television series which followed.

For our readers who aren't familiar with the Battlestar Galactica Universe:

Battlestar Galactica takes place in a remote star system humans occupy a series of planets known as the "Twelve Colonies". The humans were at war against a cybernetic race known as the Cylons until they were sold out by a turncoat named Baltar. The Cylons, with the assistance of Baltar, were able to ambush the humans and lay waste to the Twelve Colonies. In the aftermath, the surviving humans escape in spacecraft and one of them is named the "Battlestar Galactica". The Battlestar Galactica seems to be the sole surviving military spacecraft operational in the aftermath of massive Cylon attack. The plotlines of the series progress as you follow the Battlestar Galactica and her crew as they search for a legendary refuge known simply as "Earth".

Following the success of the original 1978 series, companies such as Mattel attempted to create games built in the Battlestar universe but were unsuccessful. The values of mass production and timing which surrounded game development of the era may have been a contributing factor to the poor quality... as a matter of fact, the focus on timing as oppose to quality is probably why you can find many of the games from this era buried in a dessert in Utah somewhere...

The second major attempt to produce a Battlestar Galactica game occurred in 2003 following the renaissance surrounding the mini-series, however, again, the attempts received mediocre critical review and limited commercial success.

Since the 2003 release we've seen both mobile and 2-dimensional XBLA releases that were greeted the same general lack of enthusiasm.

So what gives?

"How can such a popular series amongst sci-fi and game fans be spawning games that keep flopping?"

In my opinion, Battlestar Galactica is a universe waiting for a successful game adaptation. However, its success would require a developer with the foresight to understand that certain games need to be produced in a genre format that properly re-creates the universe and is preferential to the fan base.

The previous failures to transform Battlestar Galactica into a successful game seem to have more to do with a lack of good judgment than some element, or set of elements, which make the universe unfit for interactive entertainment.

What is required for success would be the sincere desire on the part of a developer to put out a production quality game that can tap into a genre with innate appeal to the fan base, and a format which properly develops elements that are unique strengths of the universe.

Dark Void

Jet packs, cybernetic humanoid enemies, alien beasties … yep, that sounds like makings of a decent action-adventure title.

Dark Void brings the action in spades, from the moment you launch the title to the up-tempo shooter action of the first imperatives … err, missions.

The tutorial level prior to the launching of the main game arc makes it apparent this title is combining several different elements, and doing it flawlessly. Airtight Games, the dev team behind this Capcom release, understand that while the foundations of familiarity within the game give players a reference point, once that is established, the game can go wherever the imagination pulls it. And where it pulls it is into a compelling world that is at once mysterious, inviting and deadly.

The setting is an alternate world called ‘The Void,’ that has still has some of the trappings of Earth. There is a Bermuda Triangle, and that is precisely where the protagonists find themselves when the game actually kicks into gear. But prior to that, the players are treated to a taste of the aerial combat. Strap on those jet-packs, kiddies, it’s time to hunt big game – you know, the kind that has propellers. The aerial combat is handled well, though those that are familiar with games that sport three-dimensional control schemes (as in almost every aerial combat game on the market from World War II titles to Star Wars games) will recognize the mechanics. What makes Dark Void’s aerial sequence more surreal and a bit more urgent is that the protagonist is not wrapped up in a metal screen absorbs minor damage. Nope, it’s just him, his natty jungle attire, a couple of guns and that jet pack. George of the Jungle may have had to watch out for that tree, but the Dark Void characters have a lot more to be concerned with – like bullets, planes, floating land masses … you know, the objects you don’t want to face plant or get clipped by.

Once that portion is done, it’s on to the main course – the central story arc, which involves a crash landing, some deadly and exotic wildlife that seems to be infused with metal (holy island of Mech Dr. Moreau!) and humanoids that are very well armed. The shooter-combat elements are handled from a third-person perspective, and the controlled character can pick up ammo, use cover, fire over and around obstacles he is glued to for reasons of self-preservation, and generally goes through most of the tumbling and climbing routines that seem to have become a standard for third-person shooters.

The action, though, is tight, and the graphics are quite compelling. The game also fires smoothly on the audio cylinders. Sure, there are a few moments where the intelligence of the non-controlled characters seems a bit suspect, but it’s understandably part of driving the storyline.

There is a fair amount of hype surrounding Dark Void and even from the early burn and preview disk that is understandable. The title is slated to go retail on the 19^th of this month, and will be available on the PS3, 360 and PC platforms.