| Starshatter: The Gathering Storm | |
| Developer: | Destroyer Studios |
| Publisher: | Matrix Games |
| Genre: | Space combat simulator |
| Modes: | Single player |
| Platforms: | Windows |
Starshatter: The Gathering Storm is a strategy-oriented space combat simulator created by Destroyer Studios and released on 7 July 2004.[1] It is the sequel to Starshatter from 1997.
Starshatter is a result of a project begun in 1997 by creator John DiCamillo as a fusion of many space sims available at the time.
Starshatter: The Gathering Storm is the 2004 remake of the original Starshatter from 1997, and the basic gameplay style is not much different, though both graphics and sound effects have been redone with full DirectX 9 support.
In September 2011, a post in the Starshatter Mods modding forum announced that Starshatter was being released as open source by the game's original creator.[2] [3]
The main game revolves around four dynamic campaigns, which generate different events every time they are played, though major events appear in every playthrough to maintain the story. Each campaign begins with each side having a set number of ships and fighters, which are the deployed to perform missions.
The player is able to perform a wide variety of missions, such as patrols and interceptions. The missions are based on the current situation in the campaign. Missions take place mostly in space, though air missions often appear as enemy landing sites are discovered. The player also has a chance to join a ground-based squadron. Players destroyed in action may continue playing, despite their supposed "deaths".
As the player gains ranks, the ability to control capital ships becomes available. Ships range from small anti-fighter frigates to large carriers. There are usually fewer mission choices for capital ships, though earlier missions will have more unofficial objectives due to enemies between the player and the target. Eventually, the player can take control of the entire fleet, and command fighters and capital ships from a carrier. The game becomes purely tactical at this point.
The story takes place in the distant future in a galaxy known as the "Blue Drift" region where the two colonial superpowers, The Terillian Alliance and the Marakan Hegemony are gridlocked in a cold war standoff that, following a civil war in a neighbouring neutral system, escalates into open conflict.
The game story is divided into four story acts, and one tutorial act: