Developer(s) Yager Development | Publisher(s) EU: THQ
NA: Kemco | |
Designer(s) Uwe Beneke
Mathias Wiese Platform(s) Xbox, Microsoft Windows Release Xbox
EU: 23 May 2003
NA: 5 October 2004
Microsoft Windows
EU: 3 October 2003 Genre(s) Combat flight simulator | ||
Yager is a combat flight simulator video game developed by Yager Development and was first released as an Xbox exclusive before later being ported to Microsoft Windows. In this game, gamers take on the role of Magnus Tide, a freelance pilot adventurer. Yager is set over 20 levels in which the player takes possession of various weapons and ships in an effort to accomplish each mission. The game, while well-received critically, was not a commercial success, largely in part due to a delayed North American release amidst a lack of advertising.
Contents
Gameplay
Yager is set in a futuristic world where countries borders no longer exist and the earth is controlled by a number of mega corporations, most notably DST, as well as Proteus and Lobos Robotics. Although the old countries officially do not exist there are tell tale signs identifying each environment.
The Proteus Islands are a tropical paradise and the headquarters of the Proteus Corporation. The Free Trade Zone, a landscape dotted with turbines and palm trees, is the only zone not controlled by any corporation. The DST zone and surrounding fjords are connected to the Free Trade Zone by a system of caves, rivers, and deltas that run deep into DST territory. Bitterfeld is a desolate area littered with disused industrial buildings, crashed ships, abandoned machinery and other debris left behind by the old Progress Company.
Reception
Yager has received positive reviews from critics. Eurogamer gave it a 7 out of 10, praising the controls for being "simple", the visuals of the game and voice acting, but criticizing the learning curve for being "ridiculously undulating", and not having a split-screen mode. Game Informer also gave the game a 7, praising the ship's design, but cited that the controls "were frustrating". Game Revolution awarded Yager with a C+, citing the gameplay and sound effects, but criticizing it for being linear, and not having a multiplayer mode. GameSpot awarded the game a 6.7, citing the price, but criticizing it for not being "as free-form as it seems".