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Metareview - Star Wars: Empire at War
Here's one that's all over the galactic map. While most of the gaming press acknowledges Star Wars: Empire at War as superior to its RTS predecessors (Rebellion, Force Commander, and Galactic Battlegrounds), scores still ranged from 60 to 92. It was unanimous that the land battles were less interesting than the space conflicts, due in part to repetitive environments on the ground. Additionally, many reviewers had issues with the game's lack of strategic depth. However, Petroglyph has been applauded for presenting the Star Wars universe on a much grander scale than has been seen in any of the franchise's other titles to date, and it's quite possible they simply wanted to make Empire at War as accessible as the Battle for Middle-earth series. GameSpot (87/100) was impressed with the Star Wars authenticity and overall presentation: "Logical differences in the optimal playing style between the Empire and Rebellion, as well as an epic presentation befitting of the license, contribute to a fantastic overall package that any strategy-game player can appreciate." 1UP (80/100) enjoyed the Galactic Conquest mode, but had this to say about single player: "Campaign mode moves at a sort of jerky pace, and everything moves too quickly to really enjoy. It's climactic, yes, but the abruptness cuts short your time to enjoy finally accessing your ultimate technologies." IGN (76/100) would have liked to see larger maps, but enjoyed the action: "While the galactic management of the game is satisfying, the game really doesn't take off until you actually take part in the full battles. The space battles come damn close to capturing the excitement of the films. It should be mentioned that, while heroes can play a big role in space battles, they tend to be much more effective on the ground." GameSpy (70/100) had issues with the interface and too many hidden features that should have been more obvious: "It does a wonderful job of bending, breaking, and often reinventing the normal RTS rules to create as Star Wars a feel as you could possibly hope for... But the bad news is that it's not easy to play Empire at War so that it lives up to its fullest potential." [via GameStats, Metacritic]
More pics from LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
A few more screenshots from LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy have been posted for our viewing pleasure. Move along quickly, as these very well may be the droids you've been looking for (especially if you've had the privilege of playing the first game, as millions already have). We were originally going to link to an IGN developer diary on the title by director Tom Stone of TT Games and producer David Perkinson of LucasArts, but it turns out that most of the info given was actually spilled by David in an interview we covered near the middle of last month. Which leads us back to those lovely new LEGO screenshots--three they may be, but they do cover all the bases: Luke and Obi-Wan takin' in the town, the Millennium Falcon doin' its best speedy getaway, and the Dark Lord of the Sith chokin' up some Rebel scum. Lovely... truly lovely. [Via Eurogamer] See also: LEGO Star Wars II: Developer Diary LEGO Star Wars II: Return of the Original Trilogy
The Jar Jar effect: "games do sci-fi best"
Clive Thompson has an essay up at Wired called, "Forget Film, Games Do Sci-Fi Best." Thompson's argument is that LucasArts' Star Wars games are better realized works of science fiction than Lucas' Star Wars prequels, a not altogether controversial claim. Thompson writes, "In the last 20 years, Lucas' vision has arguably been far better expressed in video games than in movies."Citing games like Rogue Squadron, Knights of the Old Republic, and Battlefront, he identifies the similarities that allow gaming to do sci-fi best: "Part of the fun of watching a sci-fi movie is mentally inhabiting a new world and imagining what it feels like to be inside. But now there's a medium that actually puts you in."Thompson is quick to temper his claims, saying, "Even the best 'narrative' games can't replicate the emotional undertow of a good film," though his basic point remains valid: that Lucas, specifically, is being outdone by his games. Fellow sci-fi movie maker James Cameron plans on creating an MMO that introduces players to the universe before the film comes out, so you can mentally visit somewhere you've already been.
Empire at War - a force to be reckoned with
LucasArts is taking a big step back into the RTS genre with this week's release of Star Wars: Empire at War. To commemorate the occasion, Ferrago has put together a preview that discusses the game's synergy between ground and space combat, including the Civ4-esque bird's-eye view with tactical zooming. You can also check out GameSpot's new Designer Diary with Petroglyph president and lead programmer Michael Legg. He discusses the Alamo graphics engine and the three major features of Empire that sets it apart from other strategy games. It looks and sounds impressive, and had a positive reception at last year's E3. But will Empire offer enough to make us forget the foul stench of Force Commander and the mediocrity of Galactic Battlegrounds? If not, you can always dust off your old Kenner AT-ATs and stomp on your buddy's rebel scum action figures.
LEGO Star Wars II: Return of the Original Trilogy
IGN has netted an interview with David Perkinson of LucasArts to discuss--brace yourself--LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy. If you loved the first game, you may be equally enthralled by the sequel. Key highlights from the interview include: The game is set in the world of the Original Trilogy (Episodes IV-VI). For those of you who don't know about the first 3 Star Wars films, shame on you. Over 50 new characters, plus the ability to import characters from the original LEGO Star Wars, bringing the total to just over 100 choices. Character creation: mix-and-match LEGO body parts from all of your unlocked characters. 2-player Co-Op mode, no online multiplayer, and DS players can enjoy 4-player Co-Op as well as a single-cart versus mode. Completely reworked vehicle system; non-droids can now enter and exit any vehicle they see at any time, and are free to roam about: "If you want to do the trench run in the Millennium Falcon, or even on a landspeeder, you now can." Sweet. Chewbacca can now rip off LEGO arms as a melee attack. Super Sweet. The title is being developed by Traveller's Tales, who worked on the original (and just recently began development on Super Monkey Ball Adventures), and should be released this fall for PS2, Xbox, GameCube, GBA, PSP, Nintendo DS, and the PC. [Thanks, Princess Zelda] [Update: Forgot a word; thought I'd add it back in.]
Single-player Star Wars: Empire at War demo online
The single-player demo of Star Wars: Empire at War is now available online, which means we can all get our SW RTS freak on, well... by ourselves. The nice-looking Empire at War is quite a step up from previous strategy incarnations of the seminal sci-fi series (at least visually), so now we can marvel at how many differently-colored laser blasts can fill one screen on your computer at a time. After watching one of the most exciting opening sequences to a Star Wars movie in years last summer, we're pumped to try anything that'll replicate that massive space-battle feeling. We've been waiting quite a while for word on this game (in a near-final format), so would any early brave demo downloaders care to share about the experience? [Thanks, Matt T.]
Metareview - Star Wars: Battlefront II (Xbox)
Do the additions of playable Jedi and space combat make Star Wars: Battlefront II a worthy sequel? Tough question. If you're a Star Wars fan and enjoyed the predecessor, then yes. If you weren't sold on the first Battlefront, then (probably) no. Still, Battlefront II could give your Live account a much needed workout-at least it should carry you through the next two weeks... Review highlights: Computer and Video Games (90/100) - "A walloping, beautiful example of what Xbox Live can do." Gaming Age (83/100) - "[A] good sequel, but it's got too much in common with the first game to make the upgrade a no-brainer." IGN (70/100) - "[The] faults and quirks of Battlefront II stand out and become glaring because the new adds feel unpolished while the old gripes manage to rear their heads for a second time." [via Metacritic; also available for PC, PS2, & PSP]
Disturbance in the force: Battlefront II early?
One of our force-sensitive readers from Highland, IN claims to have seen an empty (but price labeled) slot at his local Target where a few advanced copies of Star Wars: Battlefront II for the PC recently sat. The clerk confirmed that they had copies on Tuesday and sold out quickly. The official arrival date is Oct. 31, but has anyone else seen evidence of an early release? Last week, we talked about the extras that Pandemic has promised PC users, so it might be worth a phone call to your local vendor of choice. Hurry, man! The imperial troops have boarded the Tantive IV and you-know-who is about to get a bun stun! [Thanks, Mack]
Battlefront II: Extra force for PC
Pandemic has some pleasant surprises in store for PC users who expected more from the original Star Wars Battlefront. Associate Producer Dave Baker talked with 1UP about some features in Battlefront II that will be exclusive to the desktop crowd. For starters, they've beefed up the visuals over the console counterparts by leveraging the PC's pixel shading prowess and ability to support environment mapping. There's also an improved HUD, a first-person perspective option, and support for up to 64 players online (improving on the LAN limitations of the first game). With the PSP release also getting the bonus treatment, one has to wonder if Pandemic will maintain balance in the force by providing some console goodies.
Ewoks and Gungans now in season
"You can kill Ewoks! And Gungans!", boasts Pandemic producer Phil Hong when discussing one of three game modes exclusive to the PSP release of the upcoming Star Wars Battlefront II. Hong believes it is the dream of many gamers to exterminate those furry little denizens of Endor and as an Imperial Enforcer that dream will be realized. Gungans, Wookies, and other species from the Lucas realm are also ripe for the pickin'. Other exclusive modes include Rebel Raider (a capture-the-flag style shooter) and Rogue Assassin where you can hone your mercenary skills. WiFi support allows 4 of your buddies to join in and go on a Gungan killing spree. "Ouch time" begins Oct. 31.
Star Wars: Empire at War trailer
Gamespot have a nice, new trailer up for Star Wars: Empire at War, featuring some spectacular battle footage. Or at least that's what it says. My system decided to say "Video? What video?" and choked spectacularly on it, so if I've directed you to a trailer that doesn't deliver what it promises, well, at least you got to see something that sounds better than Phantom Menace.
Star Wars: Empire at War screenies
Okay, so we know that the pretty pictures companies put out are a complete pack of lies in many cases. We also know that game visuals will, invariably, be turned down somewhat. But man, check out that Imperial Star Destroyer! Plus there's a good shot of some Jawa Sandcrawler being owned, albeit with one particularly creative Jawa looking like he's about to shoot Darth in the back. Man, wouldn't that stink. The greatest evil in the universe, shot in the back by a Jawa.
Star Wars Battlefront II preview
The first Battlefront wasn't a bad game. It certainly came closest to capturing the dramatic battles of the movies. Too bad the AI had the IQ of a bar of soap. The ship to ship battles were pretty pathetic as well. Still, as a Star Wars fan, it was that or nothing. Until the inevitable sequel. Which is now. Well, soon anyway. The build they played in the preview still had pretty pitiful AI, but they don't know if that's genuinely the case, if the difficulty level was on low, or if the bots weren't finished. Regardless, for those with no interest in playing online with the ravening hordes, it's a concern. Gunning down Ewoks is not without it's appeal, but a challenging AI would elevate the title to the next level. Guess we'll have to wait and see.
Star Wars Battlefront 2 E3 clip, in case you like Star Wars in the morning
Yup, my second Star Wars post in a row. Perhaps the hype has gotten to my head. This clip of Battlefront's sequel was playing at E3, and it was a genuine rubbernecker. The improvements to the game include a single player mode with "open-ended, mission based objectives" so you can sink your teeth into some AI action. You'll also get space combat, Jedi powers and the chance to fight inside the Death Star. What more could you want? Love the skirts on the troopers.
Star Wars Empire at War delayed
Word on the Lucas Arts site is that Star Wars Empire at War is getting bumped by a few months. The original launch period was Fall 2005, but the official game site now lists Spring 2006. It's an ambitious project that could help set the quality of post-film Star Wars games for years to come. Take all the time you need folks. [via GameGossip]
Star Wars Battlefront 2 announced for PSP
LucasArts revealed that Battlefront 2 would be released for the PSP alongside its console counterparts. The portable version will be developed by Savage Entertainment and will feature stripped-down one-player "mini" campaigns. You'll take the role of a Rebellion smuggler, mercenary for hire, or an Imperial soldier. And of course, what would Battlefront by without multiplayer? The PSP version is reported to support both competitive and co-op play via wireless networking. Sadly, only four players will be able to link-up.
Star Wars Battlefront 2 screenies
There's still a few weeks until Revenge of the Sith gets the H and IT transposed by fans. So while we're all deluding ourselves that Lucas has gotten it right for once, how about a look at a Star Wars game? Battlefront 2 is, unsurprisingly, the sequel to the mostly great Battlefront. What can you expect from the sequel? More of the same. More Ewok massacres, we hope! If we can just get Jar-Jar in there and blow the bastards head off, all will be right with the world. Go check the screenshots for some hot, imperial lovin'. Troopers all the way, baby!
New Star Wars: Empire at War screenshots to lust over
Another day, another Star Wars game. There's, what? About a thousand of them now? Sure seems that way. Unlike other franchises *cough*startrek*cough*, Star Wars games tend to be more hit than miss. Empire at War is looking good. Note the wording. LOOKING good. No idea on the gameplay. The one thing that concerns us is on one screenshot. Check out that lovely AT-AT. Nice! Then check out the X-Wing doing peculiar things in the bottom right. Hmmm...
Star Wars Battlefront 2 gets its lid lifted
The ever-scooping giant we call Gamespot has dug up a late night story. They have a preview of Star Wars Battlefront 2 on the homepage. The piece includes some really sweet pics and a video interview with Shara Miller, the game's producer. She seems genuinely excited about the game, and we can see why. The title will be just like the first in the series...only bigger. Among the additions that stand out in the preview: 1) Seamless space to battleship action - you can hop in a small fighter and fly out of massive battleships into the stars. The space combat is impressive in the clip. You can also land your ship in the enemy's hangar and man their own turrets to weaken the ship's shields. 2) Storyline for single player - you'll be able to play as a character in a story mode that lets you experience a little bit of everything that the main game offers. 3) Episode 3 content - of course... 4) 64 simultaneous players on the PC version (there will also be PS2 and Xbox versions) 5) Release date is in the Fall of this year.
Star Wars Battlefront 2 gets a mention in mag
PC Gamer has let it slip that there will be a Star Wars Battlefront 2 for the PC and a bunch of consoles. Some tidbits include improved AI, refined goal-based missions and a battle around the Death Star. There aren't many more details at the moment, but expect them at E3. Speaking of battles around the Death Star, I have a question. Which game has the best Death Star battle scene? I know a number of Lucas titles have had some semblance of a Death Star presence, but which one stands out?
