Star Wars Starfighter

"This is no Rogue Squadron. Hear that? No Rogue Squadron!"

Surely every Star Wars shooter fans knows what Star Wars: Rogue Squadron is. For the people who don't know (and ought to put their head in a bag in shame), Rogue Squadron was the first proper Star Wars game in the seat of a starfighter. Released on the N64, the game replicated the Death Star approach, Hoth battle and other battles in the Star Wars films with amazing detail. Well, LucasArts tried the same thing and have failed in making a better game.

Star Wars: Starfighter is based during the events of Episode I (The Phantom Menace). The hero of the game, Rhys Dallows, is a trainee pilots with Naboo's Bravo Flight crew. Unfortunately, during a mission to protect the Queen of Naboo, his mentor, Essara, is killed from fire from Trade Federation starfighters. Lost in space, Rhys meets Reti, a Toydarian wandering round space. He introduces you to Vana Sage, a Trade Federation training pilot who got attacked from TF ships. And then you're off, destroying ships, rescuing planets...

In control of your starfighter, you have to perform tasks during levels to beat the game. These can vary from destroying freighters to knocking out control centres, protecting your base while evacuations are taking place to destroying mines in orbit round planets...literally, you have to be ready to do anything. Also there are several bonus tasks in each level, completing them will unlock new abilities and new bonus levels.

But the main problem with this game is the fact it's slightly too short. You could probably complete this game in about a werek if you played it every day, especially hardcore gamers, who are experienced. It doesn't have much replay value, and there's absolutely no multiplayer mode whatsoever.

Well, Rogue Squadron didn't have multiplayer, but at least LucasArts could have made the game the first to have one. I mean, who imagined two-player combat in the middle of space? Well, obviously LucasArts hasn't included any of that at all. Oh, come on.

GRAPHICS: 6/10

Not much to see, as you really only see the dark vastness of space, other fighters and planets. Your starfighter is more of a aiming cursor and health bars.

SOUND: 1/10

Awful. I mean, the only sounds you here are the firing of your lasers. LucasArts, make an effort. You could have included music sequences of the Star Wars films. See, even I have some better ideas.

REPLAYABILITY: 4/10

And I'm being generous. Apart from those bonus levels, there is not much else to do when the game is completed. Oh dear...

VERDICT: 5/10

+ Good fun at first
+ Inventive missions
- Too short
- Needs more sound
- No replay value

Probably, this will work out a lot cheaper if you rent it instead of buying. I mean you'll probably finish the game in a few weeks and its generally not worth buying. Otherwise, buy a GameCube and Rogue Leader.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 05/09/08

Game Release: Star Wars: Starfighter (EU, 03/23/01)