Ancient-Shivan War (campaign)
Ancient-Shivan War ( a.k.a. ASW ) is a mod for FreeSpace 2 Open that attempts to replicate the battles between the Shivans and the Ancients.
Contents
Mods
The campaign features many Ancient ships from Inferno R1 and Inferno SCP as well as some brand-new ships. Along with the new ships there are multiple other mods to bring you an entirely new experience, while still keeping the FreeSpace feel.
Plot
The Ancient-Shivan War takes place in the distant past, putting the player in the role of one of the many Ancients as they fight desperately, and ultimately futilely, to save their empire and home from the Shivans. The player has the opportunity to pilot numerous Ancient ships as they take their part in the epic struggle for survival.
Introductory Cutscene
Altair 3.1.2335
Personal diary of Khor-tu-khet, stranded on Altair IV. The Shivans have attacked and destroyed our outpost. With only very little cover available - we were a civilian research station after all - we started evacuating as soon as they jumped in. But it was no use. We, and Rho wing covering us, were the only ones that could make it out. The others either fell to the Shivans, or died when the station's reactor exploded.
We headed for Altair IV, an uncharted planet. Although our escape pods are not meant for atmospheric flight, they should - in theory - be able to withstand a forced landing. We wanted to get out of space as soon as possible, so the Shivans wouldn't follow us.
To us, it has been painfully proven that theory is just that, theory. During the descent, our pod became so hot that water would evaporate inside it, and it shook so violently that we didn't know when it had touched the ground. None of us came out unbruised, but luckily we were still alive.
While exploring the area and looking for the fighters - they had landed at a safe distance away from us - we found a cave. It looked like a good place for shelter. It turned out to be an incredible discovery...
Of course we knew that there had been species before our own, but we had never found any traces of them. This discovery was more than we could ever have dreamt of... It seemed as if they had come back to life.
Project Members
- FSF - Team leader, jack-of-all-trades
- Droid803 - FREDding, model converting, general modding
- ShadowGorrath - Ex-team leader, effects, general modding
- Starwolf1991 - FREDding, general modding
- Stormkeeper - FREDding, website works
- Mobius - Ideas, suggestions, testing
- FreeSpaceKing - Texturing
- Tantalus53 - FREDding
- Bigchunk1 - FREDding
- Esarai - Modelling
Special Thanks
- Hunter - Granting hosting for ASW, and making the forums
- Aldo - The original Achladia, Odigitria, Vassago and Tylisos models
- Flaming_Sword - Effects, interface templates
- Alex Navarro - Gathering sound effects
- Inferno - Exclusive Ancient models
- Blue Planet - Effects
- Nighteyes - Effects
- Freeplaymusic.com - Music
- Earth Defense - More music
- Blackhole - Even more music
- Ryan Main - Intro cutscene music
Player comments
ASW is a solid, high-quality mod with a unique atmosphere. While the plot is rather simple, it provides a much-needed background for further releases. The Ancients are portrayed as an arrogant race that views itself invincible, and that's essentially the point of Act I. Combat is slower paced than that of most FS mods, which derives primarily from the relatively underdeveloped weapons the belligerents use. The mod placed the most emphasis on graphics (including a new interface, effects, backgrounds) and it looks really good. Custom music also gives a boost to an already alien atmosphere. The only problem I can see with the re-release is the endless wave of uncounterable Aesdherian missiles in the early missions, making survival a matter of luck, not skill or clever tactics. I recommend ASW for all who seek a diversion from the original FreeSpace feel. - TopAce 18:18, 11 November 2010 (UTC)
