Description
This mission starts with Lt. Ash (from the intro movie) arriving at the base with the Shivans in pursuit. This is a mission I made because I was interested what it looked like when the Lucifer attacked the star base. There is nothing you can do so it is kind of fun to just sit back and watch the fireworks. However, you must follow orders and request of course. From this point you must inform Terran Command of the danger.

Storyline:
A very neat idea to recreate the introduction. However, the mission briefing has many flaws, the worst of which is that the Arcadia installation is the only ship that moves. None of the ships are named anything other than a name holder (shiv1, fighter1, etc.) or their default name. There seems to be three Alpha wings, but two of these wings are almost hidden near the edge of the screen. In addition, the briefing does little else but repeat "we have a massive force, but don't get bored." Very sloppy work.

Balance:
There is none. Your only hope is to jump out. <p> There is no weapon selection other than Disruptors and MX-10s, so it is pointless to choose from the large list of ships <u>not yet available</u> at this stage in the Great War campaign. If the object was to make the Shivans unstoppable, it would have been better to at least give the player ML-10s and set the Shivans to invulnerable. Then I could at least <u>feel</u> I was armed with something more than a slingshot.

Design:
The objectives are pointless. The only good thing I can say is that this mission sets up a gorgeous screenshot of the Lucifer destroying the Arcadia installation. That screenshot will be uncluttered by hivan fighters, which are left behind in the dust. <p> Strangely, you can score minimal damage to the (supposedly) invulnerable Lucifer. Maybe the GTA didn't have to follow the Lucifer into the Jump Nodes, rather arming every every ship in the fleet with Disruptors. <p> Worst of all, where is Lt. Ash? At least I'd expect a ship with his name on it...

Gameplay:
Hard to judge this one, since the designer confesses that there isn't much game here...the only fun is to "just sit back and watch the fireworks". <p> I suppose finding the Alt-J key to jump out is a bit difficult when you're trying to evade missiles and lasers. Did I mention that you have no shields? I suppose trying to jump without getting tagged is something of a game.

Other Thoughts:
This mission seems to be a waste of a good idea. I'd love to see someone do this right, with all the love and attention the initial encounter with the Shivans deserves. <p> And doesn't the Station in the intro scene claim that it can't send any fighters to assist Lt. Ash? So why all the ships hanging around in this mission?