Nexus: The Jupiter Incident

Nexus: The Jupiter Incident

Developer(s) Mithis Entertainment
Publisher(s) Vivendi Universal
HD Interactive
Engine Black Sun Engine
Platform(s) Windows
Release date(s) November 5, 2004
Genre(s) Real-time tactics, Space combat simulator, Science fiction
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer
Distribution CD-ROM, Download (gog.com, Steam)
Nexus: The Jupiter Incident: A supply ship with destroyer escort.

Nexus: The Jupiter Incident is a science fiction themed real-time tactics computer game developed by the Hungarian based Mithis Entertainment that focuses on tactics and ship management instead of resource collection and base construction. Previously this game was called Imperium Galactica 3.[1]

Gameplay and features

In each of the game's missions, the player is given a small number of large space ships (always less than ten, and sometimes just one or two), along with accompanying fighters and bombers. The ships are large and cumbersome, and the battles between fleets protracted, giving the game a noted cinematic feel.[2] Nexus uses the Blacksun Engine, made specifically for the game. Based on DirectX 9, it makes extensive use of vertex and pixel shaders, a parametric particle system, and other visual effects.

Story

The game is set in the 22nd Century. The player is Marcus Cromwell, a captain whose father, Richard Cromwell, the first spaceborn human, captained the colony ship Noah's Ark through a wormhole near Mars that was presumed destroyed when the wormhole collapsed. Cromwell sets out on the SpaceTech Heavy Corvette, the Stiletto, for Jupiter. The events that unfold are "The Jupiter Incident", which escalates into an intergalactic war.

After several missions, Cromwell must infiltrate an abandoned space station belonging to a rival corporation — the Kissaki Syndicate. A cruiser-sized ship of alien origin is inside. The ship's logs show the corporation has a hidden base behind Pluto. The alien cruiser, named Angelwing by the Kissaki, can make the trip in several weeks using its special IP Drive. After a battle with the Syndicate fleet for the control of the Angelwing, Cromwell is given command of the cruiser and ordered to investigate the secret base. At Pluto, an artificial intelligence, named Angel, downloads herself into the Angelwing and commands Cromwell to escape from a strange entity - later known as a Mechanoid - through a nearby wormhole, the same wormhole at Mars. Cromwell finds himself in the Noah system populated by the colonists from Noah's Ark. The Noah Colony fights as a mercenary race for an advanced but peaceful alien race, called the Vardrags, against another powerful race, the bloodthirsty, reptilian Gorgs, and a local group of renegade Vardrag elites, known as the Raptors. After a successful raid at the Raptor's base, they are then enlisted again to fight against the Gorg Empire. In fights against the Gorg, the Ghosts occasionally seem to help the Angelwing. However, all the races would soon find themselves facing their greatest threat: a virulent race of nanomachines called the Mechanoids. Nothing seems capable of stopping the Mechanoid invasion, and the Vardrag homeworld and Earth are overrun. Only an organic, insectile race, known as the energy-consuming Locusts, are immune to the Mechanoids. With technology adapted from the Locusts, Cromwell is able to shut down the Mechanoids and end the invasion.

Aliens

Vardrags One of the most advanced races in the game. Their main home system is Chakaris (which was eventually evacuated after the attack of the mechanoids on Chakaris III). They are very peaceful and have many strong allies, like the Noah colonists and the ghosts. Their squadrons are led by the fearful Raptors. Though they do not know much of war tactics, they could gather very useful information on the enemy and could subsequently defeat them. Catacalysm missile is one of the deadliest creations of this alien group.

Gorgs Terrific and blood thirsty and enemies of Vardrags and their allies. Though most of the clans of the Gorgs are brave, some, like the Raghara clan, execute many cowardly attacks. They do not even fear the Black Moon. The siege laser is one of the deadliest weapons of this alien group. Notable ships are Titan base and Warcry (ship of a ruling general).

Ghosts Terribly intelligent creatures. Their home system is Mist and generally perform stealth missions for the Vardrags. Their ships have a special ability of camouflage.

Locust Insect like creatures. Like ants or honey bees, their community is divided into warriors, workers and queen. The Energy Skeeter is their most powerful weapon.

Raptors They are actually the fearsome allies of Vardrags, but some turn rogue against their masters and revolt against them. They are subsequently massacred by the Noah colonists.

Reception

While the game received positive reviews, particularly for its visual effects, it was criticized for its steep learning curve, trial and error gameplay, and poorly designed stealth missions.[2]

Sequel

A technical demonstration video for the sequel, Nexus: The Jupiter Incident 2, was "leaked" to the Internet in 2006. On August 16, 2011 Most Wanted Entertainment announced a sequel, named Nexus 2, on the crowdfunding website GamesPlant with a funding goal of €400,000.[3] The €104,867 pledged fell short of the €400,000 goal.[4]

On September 28, 2012 a second campaign on Kickstarter.com was launched to fund the development of a sequel named Nexus 2: The Gods Awaken, but ultimately failed to raise the required amount, with only $161,731 of the $650,000 goal.[5]

References

  1. ↑ James Yee (2012-10-10). "Nexus 2 Interview". kickstarter-conversations.com. Retrieved 2013-07-26. Nexus had a long history already before it was published. The game was developed by Mithis, a Hungarian games development studio in Budapest. They had signed the game at the time with German publisher CDV. CDV decided that they wanted a license for the game and they acquired the license for Imperium Galactica. So, the game we know as Nexus would have been Imperium Galactica 3 as far as CDV was concerned.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gamespot Review
  3. ↑ "Most Wanted team up with GamesPlant to bring Nexus 2 to fans". www.bluesnews.com. 2011. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  4. ↑ Nexus2 on games-plant.com (archived)
  5. ↑ http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mostwanted/nexus-2-the-gods-awaken

External links