Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds

"Underrated? Maybe there are reasons why"

Since Age of Empires II's success, developers of Age of Kings and The Conquerors have created a Star Wars real-time strategy version of it, Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds. In many ways, this game is similar to Age of Empires II in game modes. But, there are also new additions, as well as parallels. So
how does this game fare?

GRAPHICS (9/10)
This game may be LucasArts' version of Starcraft, but the graphics of Galactic Battlegrounds are much better. There has been some improvement of graphics since Age of Empires II. Galactic Battlegrounds keeps a simple, 2D terrain and layout with small units. High points of the graphics noted include the architecture of the buildings, the Naboo style buildings are impressive. Also, the maps are more realistic, and buildings are highly detailed. Units of the game are easily noticable. Thus, this game does not need high quality 3D graphics to impress first-time players.

AUDIO(5/10)
At times, the sound effects of this game get annoying. If you have been playing for a while, you'll notice the irritable squeaks and buzzers of robotic units. Somehow, this may affect your gameplay, making you want to turn off sound effects. All units have a reply to your every command, they may speak in words or a galactic language. Music in this game can be ignored, since it isn't annoying nor helpful. So, the music may not affect you at all as much as the annoying sound effects.

FEATURES(10/10)
The features of this game were mostly transferred from Age of Empires II and The Conquerors expansion. For many who love to edit and create scenarios and campaigns, you're in luck because the Custom Editor is back! With new units and a Star Wars feel, you'll definitely be addicted to creating new challenges, if you are bored of the normal Random Map and Deathmatch modes. This time around, the Custom Map Editor contains certain units for certain races. So, if you are using the Galactic Empire as your civilization, you can only get heroes and units the Galactic Empire has, such as Darth Vader, and Dark Troopers.

The basic Random Map and Deathmatch game modes are back, and still possess the fun they had before in Age of Empires II. With new resource names, units, maps, and even space, you can experience more interest in this game. Now, you can wage war in the air or space, which you couldn't do in the medieval Age of Empires. Sounds fun? Yes, since there are now even a bigger variety of units.

There are a few other scrimmage modes you can play. ''Terminate the Commander'' is like ''Regicide'' back in Age of Empires II, where you must kill the great leader of your enemy to win. Also, there is ''Monument Race,'' where the first person to complete a Monument wins. You can also play custom scenarios you have made. Finally, there is ''Defend the Monument,'' where Player 1 has a Monument and all other opposing players must destroy it to win.

CONTROLS(10/10)
For playing the game, you can use the simple mouse, and even the delicate keyboard, where you can ''hotkey'' your commands to speed up the game. The keyboard is very useful for this game, instead of just clicking in your every command. Things can go twice or triple speed if you use the keyboard to build and scroll through units. It helps tremendously in multiplayer, as you must make quick decisions or rush your enemy.

FUN FACTOR(7/10)
For this game, fun levels vary, depending on if you are a strategy game player. It may be boring to you after playing for a week, or after months, or you still play for as long as you game! Frustrations involving losing, or no challenge will cause you to never touch this game again. However, with multiplayer you can prevent that from happening, as you play against other humans or friends on the Zone.com. Loving to explore new strategies and tactics in this game contribute to addictiveness!

CHALLENGE(9/10)
Not everything is conquerable in Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds. Whether you are a beginner or not, you can't beat everything, maybe not the computer on the Hardest difficulty, it also takes much practice and experience to get better on multiplayer. Being the best is the longest struggle, to learn war strategies and counters. Usually those who have gotten advanced at Age of Empires II have an easier time playing this game. Since the games are closely linked, it's almost like you can carry your strategies on to Galactic Battlegrounds. There's new units to learn however.

Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds has many overall pros, but falls to flaws. Too bad it isn't 100% original, over 50% of the game is like Age of Empires II. Sounds in this game become gradually annoying, and some people expect the graphics to be much better. Yet, it is still fun and addictive, to fight the computer or battle your friends on multiplayer. Although Starcraft is thought to be greater, you should still try Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds if you loved Age of Empires II. The expansion pack for SW: GB is coming out soon too...

Miss out or not, it's up to you...

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 05/05/02, Updated 05/05/02