Interface

Where's my mouse?!

Several words come to mind when we think of Independence War 2's front-end interface, but only three of them are fit to print: clumsy, unimaginative and restrictive. Mouse control is sparse, especially outside of your home base. Most actions are accomplished by keyboard use although the mouse would be easier in many situations. The keyboard is ultimately faster once you learn the shortcuts but there are times when the game just screams for mouse control - like on the starmap or engineering screen.

The starmap is a large feature of the game and yet was obviously far behind on the testing block. Since the game deals with various scales ranging from objects orbiting a planet to interstellar distances, a variety of zoom levels are provided. However, fine control over zoom is not present. While you can zoom in around a portion of objects around a planet, the distance between them is rather vast and it is difficult to find your specific target. On the other hand, if you move up one zoom level, those various stations and asteroids in the area are shrunk and then turned invisible until your cursor stumbles upon them.

The starmap, such as it is...

Ludicrous speed, go!

Their names are all rather violent

The engineering screen is a nightmare all on its own, with power levels, optional equipment that may be turned on, and damage reports that all have to be controlled and adjusted with just the keyboard - there is no mouse option here.

The rest of the front-end is just plain. The only highlight we can think of is your base of operations, which is lively and has many options ranging from recycling cargo, manufacturing weapons and items, controlling ship loadout and communications. The on-board encyclopedia is a great resource and an easy way to lose yourself for an hour. However, while you can dock with other stations, they do not provide you with any options unless those were scripted as part of the mission. The stations are small and unimposing, like sad little afterthoughts. Landing on the actual worlds involved would be a more pleasing prospect.

Swarmed :(

But the reactor is mine!

G'job, mate

How about the game controls?

With Echelon, we strongly recommended that players have a joystick before attempting the game, as mouse controls were inferior. Independence War 2 is completely unplayable without a joystick - you need one, it's that simple. There is a keyboard only option but it is ridiculously laughable and makes us wonder yet again where our mouse control is.

Fortunately, the actual in-game interface is considerably better than the front-end. Once you learn the key controls, it becomes second nature. Everything from pre-set power management settings to targeting subsystems and weapons selection is easy. You cannot customize the control scheme, unfortunately, but it is simple enough to learn.