Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire

""Dash, I am your father!" "NOOOO!!!!!!!!""

First off, I'd like to say that I'm a big Star Wars fan. But, just because I may be one, doesn't mean that I will praise every Star Wars game that comes along. Now, this game was a launch game. And to me, I thought it was just an awesome game.

Sounds:
I think the sounds are just awesome. You can hear everything real well. The blasters have great sounds to it and such. So, since the sounds are great, you can't move much more further. So, for sounds, it shall get a perfect 10 out of 10. 10/10

Music:
Whoa!!!! The music is just terrific in this game! The music is taken from the movies. So, that's why it's so great. I think there's like two songs that isn't original. Which is the theme for the last level, I think. And one other one, but, I can't remember it. Anyhow, the music here will get a perfect 10 out of 10! 10/10

Graphics:
For 1996, these graphics were like FFX graphics I guess you could say. I think the level graphics are great. The character design is great. And when you're doing the Asteroid Field level, if you look in a distance, you can see ships getting blown up. So, here, the graphics will get a perfect 10! 10/10

Story:
Well, the story is based between the Empire Strikes Back (ESB) and Return of the Jedi (ROFJ). Here, you have Dash Rendar. That's the character that you will use. And also, the bad guy is evil Prince Xexor (correct spelling?). And you're just going through the ESB and ROTJ storylines. Well, there's a few original levels. But, other than, it's movie storylines. So, I think the story is great here. So, I shall give the story a 10 out of 10. 10/10

Gameplay:
Well, the gameplay is sorta lacking here. This is one of the downfalls of the game. You just have the levels to do and that's it. Although, if you want some fun, look for the cheats for the game and you can use the Wampa in some levels and you can use other characters too. That helps out the gameplay. Cause it's fun using the Wampa. So, check that out. But, other than that, the gameplay will get a sorta bad rating here. But, the lengthy levels will help out the score. See, the levels can be long. So, I will give the gameplay a 8 out of 10. 8/10

Fun Factor:
This game is VERY fun! Extremely fun, just very very fun. Have I stressed this enough? I don't think I have. . . .the game is fun! The 1st level, which is the Battle of Hoth, is awesome went it comes to fun. And the 2nd level, IF you make it fun and don't run through it, can be extremely fun. And so forth. I can't really stress this enough. So, here, the fun factor will get a perfect 10! 10/10

Replay Value:
Well, sad here, there's nothing to unlock or anything after you done with the game. But, that won't keep ME from playing it. Cause it's just a flat right out great game. So, even though there's nothing to do here as far as unlocking stuff, I'll still give it a good score cause the game is fun. So, I'll give it a 8 out of 10. 8/10

OVERALL:
Sounds - 10/10
Music - 10/10
Graphics - 10/10
Story - 10/10
Gameplay - 8/10
Fun Factor - 10/10
Replay Value - 8/10
OVERALL SCORE - 9.4
FINAL - 9

RENT or BUY?
Well, only real old video stores would probably still carry this game. But, in my book, trust me, BUY this game. It's a great game. But, I don't know if you'd be able to find the game. If you can find it, BUY it. Trust me, you'll love it. Plus, the game would be real cheap too. So, that's another reason to buy the game. BUY it! Chop chop!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/23/02, Updated 10/23/02