1996 · Mindscape · Racing · Shooter

Starwinder

PlayStation exclusive

In Starwinder: The Ultimate Space Race, you assume the role of Conner Rhodes, the first representative of Earth sent to compete in a galaxy-wide race. This isn't an ordinary race, however -- an unknown alien race built magnificent rails/tracks throughout the confines of space. Spanning thousands of miles in length, rails act in such a way that when pilots navigate toward one, it increases the speed of the ship.

Released: 31 October 1996
Platforms: PlayStation
Genres: Racing Shooter
Developers: Mindscape
Publishers: Mindscape
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: First person
Themes: Action
Country: United States
Age ratings: ESRB E

About

Starwinder is a sci-fi racing video game for the PlayStation. The gameplay involves obtaining power ups and slowing down opponents, in order to reach the finish line first, similar to that of the Wipeout series. There are 10 sectors containing 5 tracks each, with a total of 40 race tracks. There are 7 usable ships, with every track competed by the player unlocking a new ship. Unlike most racing games, the player can steer off the course away from the track at the cost of lowered speed.

Players step into the shoes of Connor Rhodes, ace pilot of Earth as he competes against aliens around the galaxy. Each has its own personality and ship. The game features pre-rendered cutscenes between each race.

›Story

As Conner, your overall objective is to bring home the ultimate reward -- the globe-like Starsphere. While your mission sounds fairly basic, it won't be easy; there are seven other pilots vying for the same prize. Residing in the far reaches of the Milky Way, competition includes a half man/half machine humanoid named Ko-Axe, the vengeful Tianna Stone, and an overconfident egomaniac that goes by the name of Dextor -- The Terrible. There are also drone pilots that fill in the rest of the playing field.

Broken into quadrants, there are 44 different rails/tracks in which to race on; there are ten races per quadrant. While the bulk of the game is played against computer-controlled opposition, there are times when you'll race against the clock in a true test of speed and accuracy. Prove yourself worthy and you'll race against an elite group of pilots through Epsilon Indi -- the final railway. If you manage to win this final race, the Starsphere is as good as yours!

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

The player chooses one of the two starter ships (the other three can be obtained as the sectors are completed) to race in 11 sectors with four races each, except for the last one, that only contains one.

The player can shoot with various weapons which ammunition can be obtained as one goes racing through the tracks. These shots are used to destroy the drones or to hinder the progress of the other ships. Even though there is a way to shoot and there is the possibility of being shot by other ships, there is no damage meter, nor a way of destroy the ships with pilots or be destroyed.

Story

117 million years ago, the Rails, which are narrow tracks thousands of miles long, were constructed by unknown life forms, with their purpose unclear. The Rails are half open, winding tubes with a red power strip along one side that boosts a ship's speed the closer it flies to it. They were transformed into massive race tracks, on which the 43 known civilizations of the galaxy compete for the right to be called "the champion". The prize at the end of championship is the Star Sphere, assembled from 43 stones found at each track, forming a near-perfect globe, still incomplete, as it has one piece missing.

Five centuries ago, a 44th Rail was discovered, orbiting a dying star, but it doesn't contain the missing piece. Even so, the racers must compete at this last Rail, located at Epsilon Indi. The actual championship welcomes the first racer from Earth, Connor Rhodes, as he competes for the Star Sphere.

Reception

Starwinder received mediocre reviews, with critics generally commenting that the tracks are too short and differ in little more than the background graphics, leading to gameplay which is overly easy and repetitive. While Next Generation and Electronic Gaming Monthly offered some praise for the graphics and the strategy added by the ability to leave the track at the cost of reduced speed, Tom Ham of GameSpot called the graphics mediocre and contended that staying on the track is the best strategy in every situation, making the gameplay essentially restrictive as well as repetitive. Scary Larry of GamePro called Starwinder "a mediocre, barely enjoyable race", and Next Generation concluded that "the control of the ships and play mechanics simply aren't varied or engaging enough to hold one's attention for very long."