Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War

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Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War is a space combat simulation game developed by Volition and published by Interplay Entertainment. Released in 1998, it is the first game in the FreeSpace series. The game is set in the 24th century and features a conflict between the Galactic Terran Alliance (GTA) and the Parliamentary Vasudan Empire (PVE), which is further complicated by the sudden appearance of a mysterious and powerful alien race known as the Shivans.

Gameplay[edit | edit source]

Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War is a space combat simulator where players control a starfighter from a first-person perspective. The game features a variety of missions, including dogfights, escort missions, and reconnaissance. Players can choose from different spacecraft, each with unique attributes and weapon configurations. The game also includes a mission editor, allowing players to create custom missions.

Plot[edit | edit source]

The game's story is set in the year 2335, during a prolonged war between the Galactic Terran Alliance and the Parliamentary Vasudan Empire. The conflict is interrupted by the arrival of the Shivans, a technologically superior alien race. The GTA and PVE are forced to form an uneasy alliance to combat the Shivan threat. The player takes on the role of a GTA pilot, participating in various missions to thwart the Shivan invasion and uncover their motives.

Development[edit | edit source]

Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War was developed by Volition, a company known for its work on the Descent series. The game was built using a modified version of the Descent engine, which allowed for more complex space environments and improved graphics. The development team focused on creating a compelling narrative and immersive gameplay experience.

Reception[edit | edit source]

The game received positive reviews from critics, who praised its engaging storyline, detailed graphics, and realistic space combat mechanics. It was noted for its high level of polish and attention to detail. Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War won several awards and is considered a classic in the space combat simulation genre.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War spawned a sequel, FreeSpace 2, which was released in 1999. The game's modding community has remained active, creating numerous fan-made missions and total conversions. The source code for the game was released in 2002, leading to the development of the FreeSpace Open project, which aims to enhance and expand the original game.