A History of Lander''s Gameplay


The idea on which Lander''s game process is based is rooted in the distant past. Lunar Lander, a game for the Windows 3.11 platform, was a simulator of the Lunar Lander Module. The module fell to the moon, and the sole means to brake was to use a reactive thruster. If it was used rationally, the module landed successfully, and if not, then it crashed. Lander is a bearer of the ancient idea of Lunar Lander realized in a modern, 3D shooter-simulator.


Physics as a Generator of the Game Process

Usually, with the words "physical model" or "complex physical model" one associates some sort of tooth-crushing simulator which has nothing in common with the action or shooter genre, and even less with the arcade genre. However, with the appearance of a new wave of simulators such as LFS, Screamer 4x4, RC Helicopter and the like, the same word, "physics", became associated with a more arcade-like game process which was qualitatively(!) improved. Lander is the same case when powerful physics "works" on the gameplay. The game has very authentic physics, and indeed, this authenticity guarantees a quality game process.


The Conception

Conceptually, everything looks very much like Descent. One has to sneak into the same catacombs and open up tunnels. Although there are also completely above-ground missions. Even the design of the ships itself is reminiscent of Descent. The similarity with Descent extends to everything except control. The chief interest of Lander is the completely authentic physics model which creates a unique game process. Indeed, physics is its basic generator.


The Atmoshpere

The inimitable atmosphere of the game is what particularly distinguishes Lander. Alongside the physics and the unique gameplay, this is one more strong side of the design.


Lander as a New Type of Shooter

If one holds to tradition, Lander should be called a simulator. But as soon as control of the ship ceases to draw attention to itself, reflex skills appear, the comprehension comes that Lander is a shooter all the same. A shooter which remains a simulator. That is, Lander is a symbiosis of the simulator and shooter genres.


Consequences of the "Sternness" of the Game Process

Lander is a new game genre. And like anything new, Lander made increased demands on the user''s hardware. Firstly, demands on the game controller grew. If it is still possible to play with a poor-quality mouse in Quake, in Lander this is physically impossible.
In order to minimally approach the game, the necessary attributes of the pro-gamer are a ME3.0, MX500 mouse, if a trackball, then only Logitech, a high-quality cloth or plastic mouse pad, a perfect slide and positioning. Only thus is is possible to begin to learn to fly in Lander. Also desirable is an additional controller in the form of a joystick or rudder. Also counterindicated is mouse acceleration of any sort.


Specifics of Gameplay

An original property of gameplay is the identical possibility to play Lander with mice and with joysticks. In any other genre, be it a shooter or simulator, there is always a well-defined "specialization" - shooters are inclined toward mice and simulators toward joysticks. In this sense, Lander is an omnivorous animal. In Lander it is possible to play with a mouse and with a joystick with identical success, each variant has its own pluses, the principal requirement is a high quality game controller. Joint use of a mouse in combination with a joystick gives an absolutely original game process.






The Future of Lander

The gameplay of Lander is an ideal variant for such a genre as Elite-like games ("Elite", "X2", "Space Rangers", "Mechwarriors", "GTA") which are susceptible to upgrades, and the physics of the Simulator genre is combined with the Trading genre in an open-ended game universe.
The second sphere of application of Lander is the team-oriented network teamplay as in Counter-Strike, CTF, and the like. The reincarnation of Lander as a two-dimensional variation is realized in the stunning teamplay of "Soldat". It is possible to download this 10 MB madness in the style of Counter-Strike from the address http://www.soldat.pl.


Advice.

I recommend acquiring the CD version of the game. The stunning music CD tracks in the game in the style of GOA trance in combination with the game surroundings create an unbelievably captivating atmosphere of science fantasy.


Resume.

The game process of Lander is unique, it is still in store for millions to discover for themselves, to get to know the game potential hidden in it. By means of this process, it is also attractive for us. And for developers of future game best-sellers.