ESCmag: ESCape from reality...


News Reviews Features Forums Staff Downloads
Buy at GameStop.com!
Home

Star Wars: Rogue Squadron

Latest Reviews
1. Space Rangers 2: Rise of the Dominators
2. Burnout Revenge
3. Darwinia
4. Fantastic Four
5. Destroy All Humans!

advertisement
 
advertisement
  Reviewed by Grant Skokan-Guinn
January 6, 1999
 
  Type:
Publisher:
Developer:
Action
LucasArts
LucasArts
   
       
 
"A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away ..." It's here. The new release from the Star Wars universe: Rogue Squadron 3D. This new 3-dimensional adventure is a flight simulator centered around the rebel alliance's infamous Rogue Squadron. In this game, there are five available craft: X-wings, the well known rebel ship; Y-wings, a heavy bomber; A-wings, really fast; V-wings; and airspeeders. This game takes place after "The Empire Strikes Back," so there aren't any fights that ever hit the big screen, but they definitely are worthy of the name Star Wars. From protecting cargo vessels to an all-out attack on the empire, this game has everything expected of a LucasArts game.

Each craft is a little different. They all have blaster cannons as their primary weapons, but all have different secondary weapons. Namely, they all have different types of bombs (except for the airspeeder, which has a tow cable). In some levels you can find advancements for your weapons, so that your bombs can basically home in on your enemy, instead of just firing straight.

The levels, as in most games, increase in difficulty as you progress, but in this game, you can get different medals for how well you do: bronze, silver and gold. Basically, bronze is pretty easy to get, silver pretty darn hard and gold almost impossible. The better your medals, the higher your rank, but if you get a low medal, you can go back to the level later, and get a better one.

Throughout the levels, the Empire will through everything it's got against you, from sluggish but powerful TIE bombers to the quick and deadly TIE interceptor. The Empire will also send its ground assault craft, such as the AT-ST and really big and heavily armored AT-AT. The enemies’ number, skill and power increases as the game goes on, and some levels seem downright impossible.

What this game has going for it the most, besides its addictiveness, is its amazing graphics. The detail, lighting and especially special effects are downright spectacular. The explosions, the laser blasts, the enemy fighters and a lot more are more detailed than just about any other flight simulator games. The only downside to this is that this game requires a 3D accelerator card, but if your computer has one, it's well worth it.

This game has a lot going for it. It's difficult, but not impossible. Levels are extremely varied, so it doesn't seem like you're playing the same level over and over. And as I mentioned before, the graphics are amazing. An excellent game.

Screenshots
(Click to Enlarge)

Screens temporarily unavailable.
 
 
Minimum Requirements...
Pentium 166 MHz; 32MB RAM; 3D accelerator; DirectX-compatible 16-bit or better sound card; quad-speed CD-ROM drive
Nintendo 64
   

 

  Copyright 1998-2004 ESC Magazine
See additional copyright information

news | reviews | features | forums | staff | downloads | contact us

Design and Systems Development by InfoReveal Corp