Description
Alpha and Beta wings must escort a transport carrying a battalion of GTA Marines to the Orion V system.

Storyline:
A simple enough story that is maintained well throughout combat is provided with Escort Service. While the simple plot of escorting a cruiser and transport isn't exactly original, the oft-used in-game messages serve to keep the player updated and happy.

Balance:
Escort Service provides a tougher challenge than most missions, with the two ships at a good 2.5 klicks apart, making defense a journey-ing prospect. Indeed, the foes faced by each ship are well-designed to cause Alpha 1 the most headaches. The cruiser must withstand Shaitan bombers, while the freighter is hit by numerous waves of Manticore Interceptor fighters. Still, a player who knows where to assign his few defensive fighters can win with the ships at about 30 percent hull.

Design:
The design in Escort Service is a mixed bag of excellent and seemingly slothful work. Events are usually used extremely well, with Delta wing entering not just when one of the ships reaches 50%, but only after that ship sends a message requesting support - which is acknowledged by command! Also, the aformentioned distribution of threats makes defending each ship a very different proposition. On the other hand, the ships don't <i>do</i> anything after reaching the "Orion V" point - they just sit there. Would a Warpout command be too much to ask? Likewise, all of the messages from the freighter (even when it is undamaged and entering the mission) are accompanied by an image of a pilot in an exploding craft. Um... why? Still, overall design is good here.

Gameplay:
Gameplay is a very strong point with Escort Service. The unique "system" of constantly whirring to and fro, going to each ship in turn and repelling its attackers, was a breath of fresh air. Indeed, it was nice to not have to run into any Nephilim or Dragons, and in general, this was a fantastially original mission in the usually predictable Escort type (my personal favorite).

Other Thoughts:
Wow. I haven't done a review in a while. Sorry, folks.