StarLancer

StarLancer (2000)

by Digital Anvil, Warthog PLC, Microsoft Game Studios
Genres:Simulator
Themes:Action, Science fiction
Game modes:Single player
Story:Starlancer is a space-based science fiction flight simulator computer game, created by Erin Roberts, Chris Roberts, and Warthog PLC under the auspices of Digital Anvil. It is the year 2160. Mankind has colonized the solar system and two political entities have emerged: the Alliance consisting of American, Australian, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, British and German forces, and The Coalition of Russian, Chinese and Middle-Eastern interests. The game begins with a surprise attack on Fort Kennedy, where a peace treaty turns into a bloodbath: all of the inner four planets are overrun, including Terra herself, and the Italian and French fleets are utterly lost. The Alliance fleet regroups at Triton, Neptune's moon, and attempts to regain lost territory. The player takes the role of a rookie pilot in the international 45th Volunteers squadron, under the command of Captain Robert Foster and Wing Commander Maria Enriquez, aboard the re-commissioned British carrier ANS Reliant. As with Wing Commander: Prophecy, the pilot's flying ability is the only meter by which success and failure is measured, though Starlancer does not feature as many branching mission paths. As in Wing Commander I the pilot may be promoted throughout the course of the campaign; unlike WCI, their rank determines which fighters and missiles they may choose to employ during each mission. The game provides a "virtual carrier" through which to navigate, including nearby crewmembers whose reaction to you depends on your current rank and standing. However, the true gem of the game lies in its textual and video news broadcasts, which keep the player informed as to the status of the rest of the war, which seems to be progressing just over the horizon. Players frequently find themselves flying alongside squadrons and pilots they have heard about on the news just recently, providing a dose of 'celebrity exposure' and also increasing the sensation that they are just one part of a much larger war effort. Starlancer's story is continued in Chris Roberts' Freelancer project, though the two belong to different subgenres (the first is purely focused on action, the latter also features trading and the player can freely move through the game's universe when they are not on a mission.)Show more
user avatarAdded by @simonfry
Vote to bring this game to GOG and help preserve it.
9 089
Trailers and screenshots
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Stories about this game (39)
What’s your memory of StarLancer?Share your favorite moments and see what others remember about this game.
user avatar@placeholder

Make sure to follow our Guidelines when adding new Stories.

If not sure what to write:
  • What made this game unforgettable?
  • Who did you play this game with?
  • What made it fun or challenging?
  • Why do you want this game on GOG?
user avatar@Privatauser avatar@Privata
January 29, 2025
A game that is forever lodged in my memory Somewhere between Top Gun and Star Wars, Starlancer just hit differently when compared to Wing Commander and Freelancer Not all aspects of the game have aged very well, however the gameplay, mission design and ambiance have only gotten better with age.
user avatar@Maxobiwanuser avatar@Maxobiwan
January 29, 2025
Prequel of Freelancer Also the best space-sim played with a joystick. You can give orders to wingmen during battles when needed. And for a military game, each mission is unique and follow a story
user avatar@Firekuser avatar@Firek
December 19, 2024
I was a huge fan of space sims as a kid, with the Wing Commander and Freespace series being one of my favorite series of all time, and StarLancer has a special place in my heart as well. I think it's the mechanical design that stole my heart, seeing as my hobby as a kid (other than games, duh) was reading about military equipment. The in-game factions' ships all had a distinct vibe to them, and I loved how they recycled some real-life fighter names like Mirage or Tempest. It was also refreshing to play a space sim which emulated a real-life East vs West human vs human conflict. Overall, for 17-year-old me it struck me as a mature game, and quite unlke any other of the genre, and I can't wait to play it again sometime.
user avatar@skybolt226user avatar@skybolt226
January 29, 2025
This was the first game I ever played, sitting on my dads lap as a very young child. Forever lodged firmly in my heart, I've wanted to go back to it year after year but find myself discouraged by the technical issues of getting it running properly. It's a gem from its era, and deserves to be experienced by more people!
user avatar@Truthansuser avatar@Truthans
January 29, 2025
I've played through this game a hundred times. I even flew through the wormhole once and tried to kill everything I could. The beginning is depressing and you grow fond of your first carrier ship. You indirectly rise in rank and can "compete" with the AI ​​based on kills. Go Flying Tigers Go
user avatar@Nero299user avatar@Nero299
February 02, 2025
I love Freespace 1 and 2, but this game has a special place in my memories of the space sim genre that nothing else quite fits into. I would not call it better than Freespace, but that's also not an apples to apples comparison. Freelancer occupied a unique niche among the space sims that was incredibly fun and absolutely deserves preservation.
user avatar@Srauuser avatar@Srau
January 30, 2025
The first post wing commander and post Origin era simulator by Roberts, prequel to Freelancer. Damn good game with hell of a chilling intro. It is really a WC look alike, with story driven missions, i highly recommand it.
user avatar@killerwayuser avatar@killerway
January 30, 2025
Real fan of this game, love the missions and dogfighting. I actually prefer this over freelancer because of the more narrative based missions. I always found it hilarious when you manage to kill the Badie while they were monologuing.
This was the first Space Sim that I ever played on our first PC that we ever bought called an Acer Aspire 5120LK. It then got me play other games like Wing Commander 1-4 and Prophecy, Decent Freespace, and Freespace 2, and then Freelancer.
user avatar@Glerannuser avatar@Glerann
January 31, 2025
One of the very first PC games I've ever play. Trying to connect to Gamespy and PVP and getting destroy because I freaking suck. Man, I miss it. The story is freaking cool too! Going from some random volunteers with no chance of getting anywhere to being top dogs is an awesome story play. I hope GOG picks this one up.
Those games also need your vote!
Gran Turismo 2000
Gran Turismo 2000Gran Turismo 2000 is the original title of the project that became Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec, with the name being used for several demonstration builds and one demo disc. It was based on Gran Turismo 2, where the physics and graphics were updated to showcase what Polyphony Digital could do with the new hardware in the PlayStation 2.
212
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
Battlefield: Bad Company 2Battlefield: Bad Company 2 brings the award-winning Battlefield gameplay to the forefront of PC gaming with best-in-class vehicular combat and unexpected "Battlefield moments." New vehicles like the ATV and a transport helicopter allow for all-new multiplayer tactics on the Battlefield. With the Frostbite-enabled Destruction 2.0 system, you can take down entire buildings and create your own fire points by blasting holes through cover. You can also compete in four-player teams in two squad-only game modes, fighting together to unlock exclusive awards and achievements. Battles are set across expansive maps, each with a different tactical focus. The game also sees the return of the B Company squad in a more mature single-player campaign.
Action
Warfare
Action
Warfare
1 218
4
Contraband Police
Contraband PoliceTake over the duties of a border guard inspector in a communist country of the 80's. Smuggling, corruption and forgery are the order of the day here. Be vigilant and earn the respect of your superiors.
Action
Action
82
Digimon World
Digimon WorldDigimon world is a game that allows a player to raise their own Digimon and teach it to battle.
Our Pick
Top
Fantasy
Science fiction
Our Pick
Top
Fantasy
Science fiction
47 584
1215
Red Dead Online
Red Dead OnlineStep into the vibrant, ever-evolving world of Red Dead Online and experience life in frontier America. Chase down bounties, battle outlaw gangs and other players, hunt, fish and trade, search for exotic treasures, run Moonshine, and much more to discover in a world of astounding depth and detail.
New
Open world
Action
New
Open world
Action
5
1
Arctic Trucker Simulator
Arctic Trucker SimulatorArctic Trucker Simulator – officially endorsed by Alex Debogorski – takes you down the world's iciest and most dangerous roads!
New
Action
New
Action
4
Yakuza 4
Yakuza 4Yakuza 4 is the fourth game in Sega's crime drama series, known as 'Ryu ga Gotoku' in Japan. As a first for the series, the story is split between the viewpoints of four different protagonists.
Open world
Action
Sandbox
Open world
Action
Sandbox
235
Yakuza 2
Yakuza 2Yakuza 2 plunges you once more into the violent Japanese underworld. In intense brutal clashes with rival gangs, the police, and the Korean mafia, you will have opportunities to dole out more brutal punishment. As the heroic Kazuma Kiryu from the original Yakuza, explore Tokyo and now Osaka. Wander through the back alleys of Japan's underworld while trying to prevent an all-out gang war in over 16 complex, cinematic chapters written by Hase Seishu, the famous Japanese author who also wrote the first Yakuza. Endless conflicts and surprise plot twists will immerse you in a dark shadowy world where only the strongest will survive.
Open world
Action
Sandbox
Open world
Action
Sandbox
788
1
Yakuza
YakuzaJust as Kazuma, a former rising star in the Yakuza, emerges from prison after a murder cover-up, 10 billion yen vanishes from the Yakuza vault, forcing him once again into their brutal, lawless world. A mysterious young girl will lead Kazuma to the answers if he can keep her alive.
Open world
Action
Sandbox
Open world
Action
Sandbox
1 061
1
Digimon Survive
Digimon SurviveThis is a story of survival in a strange new world. Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Digimon Anime, Digimon Survive presents a brand-new adventure set in a mysterious world with characters designed by Uichi Ukumo, and music by the much-acclaimed Tomoki Miyoshi. Digimon Survive sees a brand-new group of teenagers, led by Takuma Momozuka, get lost on a school camping trip, finding them transported to a strange new world of monsters and danger. As they fight their way back home through an animated world of difficult decisions and deadly battles, players’ choices throughout the game will impact the evolution of their monster allies, and the final ending. Battles in the game are fought in 2D, in a more classic SRPG style.
Fantasy
Science fiction
Survival
Fantasy
Science fiction
Survival
3 812
2