It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
Community
Wing Commander seriesWing Commander Chronology(12 posts)(12 posts)
(12 posts)
Pages:
1
This is my favourite topic
Posted November 07, 2012
I've wanted to really get into this series for a while, and have played a couple hours out of a couple of the games. I really enjoy it but I realize that its pretty plot driven and I should start from the beginning.

So far I know that the following things take place (In this order:)

1. Wing Commander Academy TV Series
2. Wing Commander
3. Secret Missions 1 & 2
4. Wing Commander II: Vengence of the Kilrathi
5. Special Ops 1 & 2
6. Flight Action Novel
7. Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger
8. Wing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom
9. Wing Commander: Prophecy
10. Special Operations

From what I've read Wing Commander: Privateer, the Righteous Fire Expansions pack, Privateer II, Wing Commander Academy Game, Wing Commander Arena, Wing Commander Armada and the Wing Commander motion picture don't have anything to do with the main story.

Have I forgotten any installment in the story? Thanks!
Post edited November 08, 2012 by BobBlusoe
Posted November 07, 2012
Looks pretty complete, except for a few more novels maybe. Don't know how canonical those are, though.

The first Privateer is its own thing, but at least it takes place in the main WC universe, before the end of the Terran-Kilrathi war. I would place it before Wing Commander 3.

Privateer 2, however, is far removed from anything else in the franchise, so far in fact that it's pretty hard to even see it as a part of Wing Commander.

If you are interested in fan games, you might want to take a look at Standoff (more or less an adaptation of the Fleet Action novel, covering events between WC 2 and 3) and Wing Commander Saga, which is a companion game to WC 3.
Post edited November 07, 2012 by Nergal01
Posted November 07, 2012
avatar
Nergal01: Looks pretty complete, except for a few more novels maybe. Don't know how canonical those are, though.

The first Privateer is its own thing, but at least it takes place in the main WC universe, before the end of the Terran-Kilrathi war. I would place it before Wing Commander 3.

Privateer 2, however, is far removed from anything else in the franchise, so far in fact that it's pretty hard to even see it as a part of Wing Commander.

If you are interested in fan games, you might want to take a look at Standoff (more or less an adaptation of the Fleet Action novel, covering events between WC 2 and 3) and Wing Commander Saga, which is a companion game to WC 3.
Alright thanks! I'll look into the novels. I can get them really cheap on Amazon though.

Let me ask, do you prefer the "Standoff" fan game to the actual Fleet Action novel?
Posted November 08, 2012
I wouldn't be too worried about playing them out of order. Wing Commander 1 isn't too plot heavy. Wing Commander 2 has a more story driven game, but if you don't play the expansions, the beginning of Wing Commander 3 won't make much sense. Still I had no trouble jumping into WC3 as my first WC game. The manuals are also filled with well written background information.
Posted November 08, 2012
avatar
tbirdo: I wouldn't be too worried about playing them out of order. Wing Commander 1 isn't too plot heavy. Wing Commander 2 has a more story driven game, but if you don't play the expansions, the beginning of Wing Commander 3 won't make much sense. Still I had no trouble jumping into WC3 as my first WC game. The manuals are also filled with well written background information.
Alright cool.

Has anyone actually seen the animated series? Keeping in mind that I'm an adult, is it worth watching or was it just a run of the mill cartoon series?
Posted November 08, 2012
avatar
tbirdo: I wouldn't be too worried about playing them out of order. Wing Commander 1 isn't too plot heavy. Wing Commander 2 has a more story driven game, but if you don't play the expansions, the beginning of Wing Commander 3 won't make much sense. Still I had no trouble jumping into WC3 as my first WC game. The manuals are also filled with well written background information.
avatar
BobBlusoe: Alright cool.

Has anyone actually seen the animated series? Keeping in mind that I'm an adult, is it worth watching or was it just a run of the mill cartoon series?
I saw part of the first episode on Youtube. It's a kids cartoon, but it seems well done especially compared to USA Networks other videogame cartoons at the time, Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter. Several actors from 3 & 4 reprise their roles in the series. If the videos are still online (may be removed now that DVD copies exist) check it out.
Posted November 08, 2012
avatar
BobBlusoe: Alright cool.

Has anyone actually seen the animated series? Keeping in mind that I'm an adult, is it worth watching or was it just a run of the mill cartoon series?
avatar
tbirdo: I saw part of the first episode on Youtube. It's a kids cartoon, but it seems well done especially compared to USA Networks other videogame cartoons at the time, Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter. Several actors from 3 & 4 reprise their roles in the series. If the videos are still online (may be removed now that DVD copies exist) check it out.
Yeah they've been taken offline because of the DVD sales.

So far it looked pretty high-quality from an animation perspective, and Mark Hamill and Malcom McDowell together is always cool. I've liked a couple of cartoons, like the original 2002 "Star Wars Clone Wars" series (Not to be mistaken with the current "Star Wars The Clone Wars" which I just couldn't get into) and the Star Trek animated series. The 3 disc set is only 20 bucks so I'll probably pick it up.
Posted October 03, 2013
avatar
BobBlusoe: I've wanted to really get into this series for a while, and have played a couple hours out of a couple of the games. I really enjoy it but I realize that its pretty plot driven and I should start from the beginning.

So far I know that the following things take place (In this order:)

1. Wing Commander Academy TV Series
2. Wing Commander
3. Secret Missions 1 & 2
4. Wing Commander II: Vengence of the Kilrathi
5. Special Ops 1 & 2
6. Flight Action Novel
7. Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger
8. Wing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom
9. Wing Commander: Prophecy
10. Special Operations

From what I've read Wing Commander: Privateer, the Righteous Fire Expansions pack, Privateer II, Wing Commander Academy Game, Wing Commander Arena, Wing Commander Armada and the Wing Commander motion picture don't have anything to do with the main story.

Have I forgotten any installment in the story? Thanks!
Old post, but I just wanted to comment that Academy tv series actually was originally set in 2655 a year after Wing Commander despite have ideas that would suggest that it's before. However Star*Soldier places it more or less concurrently with WC1. But its still not without its problems in continuity errors.

For example contradictory information on who was the captain of the Tiger's Claw during that period. A different account of Maniac and Blair's academy days than was given in Wing Commander Academy game manual, the Kilrathi Saga Manual, and suggested in the Wing Commander 1 & 2 Ultimate Guide, among other sources.

Most of those sources have Blair and Maniac graduating before WC1, yet in the academy series they are still 'cadets'.

Seriously I think Academy was kind of set in its own alternate universe, but then sorta jammed into the continuity later on (but kind of haphazardly).
Posted October 11, 2013
What about Privateer ? I know your saying its a stand off bit I would still add it to the list maybe :)
Post edited October 11, 2013 by Burn666
Posted October 12, 2013
Privateer 1? It happens around the same time as Wing Commander 3 I think. Give or take a year.

2669, and 2670.
Posted June 20, 2015
Necro post:

There is also a fan-made game "Wing Commander Saga" that takes place right before Wing Commander 3, which is worth a look if you want even more of an experience for the overall story. Basically 'extended universe' type stuff - but really well done.

http://www.wcsaga.com/
Post edited June 20, 2015 by thehawkness
Posted June 24, 2015
avatar
tbirdo: I wouldn't be too worried about playing them out of order. Wing Commander 1 isn't too plot heavy. Wing Commander 2 has a more story driven game, but if you don't play the expansions, the beginning of Wing Commander 3 won't make much sense. Still I had no trouble jumping into WC3 as my first WC game. The manuals are also filled with well written background information.
I started at WC3 as well without playing the prior games. Was able to piece together the plot from the opening intro and move forward to WC4 (my personal favorite) and prophecy.
Pages:
1
This is my favourite topic
Community
Wing Commander seriesWing Commander Chronology(12 posts)(12 posts)
(12 posts)