This is where Starlancer , a space-combat simulator from Digital Anvil and Microsoft, begins. In the game's opening cinematics, a sinister Coalition admiral orders his fighters to de-cloak. They slaughter the Western Alliance diplomats gathered to sign the peace treaty. The Alliance puts out a frantic call for volunteers with flight experience. Starlancer consists of 25 missions.
Players pick a ship, including weapons.
Brief, pre-rendered graphic sequences show, for example, an enemy carrier drop out of warp drive and launch a squadron of fliers. There's also a quick-action mode that sends waves of fighters at the player. The story itself is pedestrian, although full of science fiction atmosphere. It's in the graphics that Starlancer really shines. The ships have superb textures, perhaps the best yet in a game of this type.