commonality being praise for the lighting effects. Electronic Gaming Monthlys Dan Hsu and Next Generation said the graphics in general are superior to those of the game's closest competitor, the PlayStation version of Wing Commander IV, though the Next Generation reviewer added that they still come as a disappointment compared to the PC version of Darklight Conflict. He and EGMs Crispin Boyer and Sushi-X found the oversensitive controls with no support for analog controllers to be an annoyance which greatly aggravates the already frustrating difficulty; Boyer elaborated that "you're forced to tap, tap, tap until you're on target." GamePro, however, contended that "The control is a bit twitchy at first, but is very solid once you get used to it." Critics also disagreed about the game's lack of story. Both Sushi-X and Jeff Gerstmann praised this element as enabling better enjoyment of the gameplay, and characterized Wing Commander IVs extensive cutscenes as fluff, while Dan Hsu and Next Generation both felt it hurt the game. Next Generation reasoned, "As excessive and ungameplay-focused as the FMV sequences in Wing Commander IV are, at least they give the player a face to identify with, and maybe even an emotional connection. Darklight Conflicts generic polygonal spaceships offer nothing to involve even the most hyperimaginative." Critics differed most sharply over the quality of the missions. Boyer, Hsu, and Next Generation all argued that despite the varying objectives, the missions all boil down to the same requisite skills, making for an extremely repetitive gaming experience. In contrast, GamePro and Sega Saturn Magazine praised the variety afforded by the missions, with SSM adding that "the action continues all the way through with some complex and well designed duties". References External links 1997 video games DOS games Electronic Arts games PlayStation (console) games Rage Games games Sega Saturn games Space combat simulators Video games about extraterrestrial life Video games developed in the United Kingdom Windows games Multiplayer and single-player video games