Wing Commander: Privateer

Whereas earlier games in the Wing Commander franchise focused on the military side of the Terran/Kilrathi conflict, Wing Commander: Privateer instead introduced seamy side of Chris Robert’s universe, populated by pirates, mercenaries, merchants and those who inhabit a grey area dividing the three.

And this is exactly where you will likely find your character. Privateer, like its spiritual predecessor ‘Elite,’ gives you the option of purchasing your own ship and upgrades. Missions can be accepted or denied unlike in the previous Wing Commander games.

The numerous factions in Gemini Sector (the setting for Privateer) are not monolithic entities who ignore your actions.

Should you make a habit of attacking Confed fighters, for example, you will eventually invite the wrath of the fleet upon your character. And that, to be blunt, is not something you want to do. In addition to your upgrades, you must pay for all the repairs for your vessel, not to mention any munitions you have expended. Taking on all comers in an orgy of destruction will keep your account balance low and your chances of survival lower.

And you will want to survive until you can afford a powerful ship (the Centurion, mach) to perform the ‘storyline’ missions. Kick these off in the New Detroit bar by talking to Sandoval, but be careful: once you start, you likely will find it difficult to amass enough money to purchase new upgrades. Go into the storyline missions with a decently equipped Centurion.

To start with, I recommend a Centurion with:

Level 3 Engine
Level 2 Shield
BS Omni radar
Dual missile launchers
Afterburner
Level 3 ECM
Rear turret w/tractor beam and meson blasters. Repair Droid at least 2 forward meson blasters with 2 mass drivers

Eventually, upgrade all of your guns to Tachyon Cannons (by far the best and most efficient gun in the game). The Plasma cannon make big explosions, but they drain your engine far too much. Like everything in Privateer, you’ll learn to economize: sometimes you gotta go with less than what you wish.

Still, the main attraction for Privateer are the free-form possibilities when you own little more than a garbage-heap Tarsus with laser cannon and the shirt on your back. Much like a Han Solo character in the Star Wars Universe, your character is a rogue with no loyalties other than to his empty wallet. Here’s to hoping that the expansion Righteous Fire will someday be added to this site so we can continue to enjoy this timeless (and time consuming) game.