Terra Nova: Strike Force Centauri
- July 23, 2015
- Looking Glass Studios
Get on SteamTerra Nova: Strike Force Centauri is a combat-focused game that puts you in command of an elite fighting team. Equip your Powered Battle Armor and fight against the Earth Hegemony and a new, powerful breed of pirates on four unique worlds. Lead your team in over 30 missions, including recon, rescue, and night raids, while uncovering the dark secret behind the pirates' growing military might. Bonus content includes music from Tribe, manuals, desktop themes, and more.
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PC
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Ms Dos
Reviews
- Plays great on modern PCs with a solid mech gameplay experience that has aged well.
- Features a deep tactical squad combat system with a variety of mission objectives and equipment loadouts.
- The campy FMVs and engaging storyline add charm and entertainment value to the overall experience.
- Controls are outdated and clunky, lacking mouse look and remapping options, which can hinder gameplay.
- Some balance issues with weapons, where certain options are significantly weaker than others.
- AI squad members can be unintelligent at times, getting stuck on non-obstacles and not always following commands effectively.
- story54 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is noted for its engaging narrative and operatic sci-fi themes, providing a refreshing depth uncommon in first-person shooters of its time. Players appreciate the detailed mission briefings, character-driven cutscenes, and the extensive lore available, which enhance the immersive experience despite some cheesy elements. While the plot may be considered cliché and linear, the variety of missions and strategic gameplay contribute to a memorable storytelling experience that stands the test of time.
“Also unusual for a FPS game of the era - a real storyline at a time when most of its peers simply dumped you in a level without any narrative or clue what you're doing, expecting you to figure it out, rinse and repeat with the next level.”
“The story is cool, and there's plenty of lore in the library section talking about politics and whatnot if you like to read.”
“The story is linear and completing optional objectives doesn't affect the final outcome.”
“As far as stories go, it's a bit on the weak/cliché side but the style of storytelling was so neat, how sudden events in missions shaped what happened narratively (at least it seemed to).”
“The amount of lore put into the story - even if you have to look for it for a bit - puts this game on the list of many games that were far ahead of its time.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are described as dated and pixelated, reflecting its age as a DOS title, yet they maintain a crisp and retro aesthetic that some players appreciate. While opinions vary, many agree that the visuals, though not modern, are not distracting and still contribute positively to the overall experience. There is a consensus that the game would benefit from a reboot with updated graphics and mechanics.
“The visuals, albeit dated, are still crisp and retro looking.”
“The graphics, while obviously old, still work and are not ugly or distracting.”
“Memorable characters, devastating weapons, amazing story, and very cutting-edge graphics for the time are but a portion of why I love this game.”
“Don't be fooled by the pixel graphics... this was a big-budget 'AAA' grade game at its time.”
“This is a DOS game: very old, very pixelated graphics.”
“Graphics-crap.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise, with an excellent soundtrack that dynamically responds to player actions, enhancing the overall experience. Additionally, the inclusion of bonus features related to the music, such as scans of the manual and game art, adds value for players.
“The cinematics are excellent, and the soundtrack is even better.”
“It has a great B-side soundtrack.”
“Similarly to System Shock, Greg Lopiccolo composed and programmed the soundtrack to dynamically react to the player’s status.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during gameplay.”
“While the soundtrack has some interesting moments, it often feels disconnected from the game's atmosphere.”
“The audio mixing is poor, with music often drowning out important sound effects and dialogue.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Terra Nova is characterized by its innovative use of jump jets, enabling players to navigate diverse environments and perform complex maneuvers, reminiscent of a blend between Rainbow Six and Battlefield. Reviewers express a desire for the game to have succeeded, envisioning a refined single-player or co-op experience that balances simulation elements with engaging multiplayer mechanics. Overall, the potential for a modern reboot is highlighted, emphasizing the game's unique mechanics and multiplayer focus.
“If there were any game to reboot as a franchise with modern mechanics and graphics, this one is the one.”
“...gameplay-wise, this game is like Rainbow Six and Battlefield mixed with jump jets, or something.”
“Games like the Tribes series took this concept and implemented it in a mainly multiplayer and shooter-focused way. Playing Terra Nova makes you think about how cool it would have been to have this game succeed and perfect the single-player (maybe even co-op) experience, finding a better balance with the simulation elements of the gameplay, and fighting in much different environments (like space, cities, etc).”
“Gameplay-wise, this game is like Rainbow Six and Battlefield mixed with jump jets, or something.”
“Jump jets were integral to gameplay, allowing for mountains to be scaled with ease and impossible maneuvers to be performed.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for significant audio stuttering and the use of dos4gw instead of dos32a, which restricts its maximum performance and speed.
“The use of dos4gw instead of dos32a in the disk operating system emulator significantly impacts the performance and speed of Terra Nova.”
“The optimization techniques implemented in the game enhance the overall experience, making it smoother and more enjoyable.”
“I appreciate how the developers focused on optimization, allowing for better resource management and improved gameplay performance.”
“This game has a lot of audio stuttering.”
“Also notable is the use of dos4gw instead of dos32a in the disk operating system emulator, limiting the maximum performance and speed of Terra Nova.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a unique blend of polygonal designs and sprites, creating a visually interesting environment. Additionally, the weather effects and texturing contribute to a distinctive character for the game's landscapes.
“The design blends polygons with sprites for an interesting atmosphere, and the weather and texturing give the grounds you'll be stomping some distinctive character.”
“The immersive sound design and haunting music create a captivating atmosphere that draws you into the game's world.”
“The lighting effects and environmental details work together to establish a rich and engaging atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report that the game transitions smoothly between windowed and full screen modes using Cmd+f, even in instances where the game experiences freezing. Overall, this indicates a generally stable performance in terms of display options.
“Cmd+F transitions from windowed to full screen mode easily, even if the game freezes.”
