X-Com: Interceptor

As one of two "heretical X-Coms", as Julian Gollop (X-Com creator) less-than-fondly puts it, Interceptor is actually a good attempt at spinning off from X-Com while paying homage to what the series did right. Jumping on the 3D-accelerated space-sim bandwagon that X-Wing, Tie Fighter, and Wing Commander created, Interceptor is a game that outright replaces the "Tactical" view with space sim combat and moves X-Com into a space exploration scenario where you have to expand mining facilities looking for resources around the universe, and simultaneously stand your ground and make a defense against alien invaders. It's a clever little idea, and if it had a little more polish then dropped the X-Com name, it might have worked well. Why only three stars? Well, I said "good attempt" earlier for a reason. Execution of this spinoff was mostly solid, but like Terror from the Deep, there are many gamebreaking bugs that keep the game from shining too brightly. There are issues that completely break game progression, effectively ruining your save. These issues were never fixed, not even by fans (as this game was generally hated for stepping out of line and preceding the absolutely disgusting Enforcer that put a nail in X-Com's coffin).

This could have been amazing. This could have been special. As one of the very few space sims with a dynamic campaign, this could've been legendary. But it wasn't. Instead, what we got was a pretty good campaign engine coupled with a horrific flight engine, meaning the missions you actually flew were exercises in frustration. It's a god damned shame, because this could've been a contender. Now, it's just a footnote.

This game must be nigh on 20 years old. My FF sidewinder joystick is nigh 20 years old... Both work perfectly!! The Sidewinder Force Feedback force still throws itself about if you get hit, etc! Can hardly believe it. If you still have this great stick try it with this game! Oh, and the game while a departure from standard Xcom is a pretty good space flight sim with strategy and bases developing, resource ordering details. You`ll not just be flying shooting aliens but also sorting out ships, weapons, recruits and all the rest to order.

Game files aren't original from GOG here. I know coz I had the original game and had made mods from a a decade two ago without problems. For example, name txts of soldiers can be changed but during gameplay only certain 2nd names are fixed to Goober/Dork/Akiro/Peterson/Sparger when soldiers are listed for recruitment. The txt files do no contain any of these. It is unknown where these names come from but the only suspicion lies in the internal setup files provided by GOG in their download. Those 2nd names are not removable but the rest edited are used in the game such as from 1st names and callsigns. That is such an annoyance. The game isn't. And for those who stated that it can't be played on high-end PCs, you need to check what bugs your system against the minimal sys req for this game. Perhaps a winXP-mode/virtual XP installation could help running the game from higher OSes. I've played this before on Win98 to Xp and currently again on Win 7. It does run. The only error i encounter at most times is when the enemy attacks any of my space bases. The moment I press to start battle, it closes the program with an error message relating to dummy *.... I remember having to encounter the similar errors before in XP but it wasn't quite that much compared to current newer systems. (It's funny to say current tech can't handle the older programs but that's on this generation that's perplexing.) Thankfully with option to save games, I always have the option to return and replan missions in advance to encounter the arriving enemy crafts before it reaches any of my bases. That way I could avoid the error it gives. I suspect the error comes from a graphic/memory cause as the current system tech seem more higher and capable to handle the processes in the game much faster than originally set for. Like a little too fast for the game to handle itself. Currently, I'm modding the sounds from this game. I did before but strangely I'm back doing it again after losing the originals and mods done way back then.