Star Wars: Empire at War: Information from Answers.com Mobile

Star Wars: Empire at War

Platform: IBM PC Compatible
Release Date: February 16, 2006
Genre: Strategy
Style: 3D Real-Time Strategy
Similar Games: Homeworld 2 (IBM PC Compatible), Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War -- Winter Assault (IBM PC Compatible), Earth 2150 Trilogy (IBM PC Compatible)

Game Description

LucasArts and its most popular license from a galaxy far, far away explore the real-time strategy genre for a third time with Star Wars: Empire at War. Set a few years before the events in Episode IV, the game distinguishes itself by letting players take command of the Rebel Alliance or Galactic Empire throughout the entire galaxy, offering a wider assortment of strategic possibilities. Instead of concentrating on one particular region, players must also consider the ramifications of their actions on other planets as well as in space. Each faction makes real-time choices on a galactic map using available ground troops, fleets, and other units from the Star Wars universe, including such iconic characters as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Han Solo, Darth Vader, and Boba Fett. The goal is to defeat the opposing side by gradually taking control of as many star systems and strategic points as possible.

The more star systems under control of the Empire or Rebellion, the more resources it will have to build defense systems, bases, and units. Yet before players can set foot on one of the over 40 featured planets, including Tatooine, Hoth, and Dagobah, players must first gain orbital control of each planet through space combat. Surviving units can then be deployed to the planet's surface to engage in tactical ground battles influenced by both weather and terrain. An assortment of familiar vessels, troop types, and structures are available to command, from AT-ATs and speeder bikes to X-wings and TIE fighters. Victories and defeats will persist throughout the game, causing players on both sides to rethink their strategies as the galaxy changes. Three play modes include a galactic conquest mode, a story-driven campaign mode, and an online skirmish mode supporting up to eight players.

~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Review: Overall

Though the Star Wars license has seen its fair share of strategy games, none has evolved into a bankable franchise for LucasArts. Star Wars: Empire at War tries to rectify this situation, combining positive aspects from earlier Star Wars titles, borrowing elements from other strategy games, and incorporating some newly created features for better or worse.

Empire at War takes place on a star system map with real-time events. The map's size ranges from 8 to 43 planets, depending on the difficulty, as players decide which units to create and what worlds to conquer or defend. Having both space and land battles is an ambitious design element, but there are some drawbacks to both phases.

In land battles, the game restricts how many units you can use at any one time. This keeps battles to a fairly small size -- not what you would expect from a movie series with "wars" in the title. Land maps are also extremely small, which diminishes the strategic options, as there is typically only one direction to travel. The secret to success is making sure you have enough units in space that can be called upon for reinforcements.

Space combat offers a few more options. Space stations can be built to help defend a planet and increase the total population cap. Space battles are similar to land battles in that you are limited to the number of onscreen units at any given time. There isn't much maneuvering in space, either; nearly every battle begins with both sides in close proximity to each other. Hazards like asteroid fields may alter your course, but in most cases you simply move forward.

One interesting element is that larger ships have individual points you can attack. A Star Destroyer alone has engines, a tractor beam, individual weapons, a hangar, and shields to target. Unfortunately, you often don't have time to select each attack point. Destroying the hangar helps, since it stops TIE fighters from being deployed. Yet it can be more beneficial just to destroy ships as fast as possible by overwhelming them with units.

Empire at War includes most of the major vehicles from the films along with some original designs. The game also features heroes from the movies, books, and games, such as Mara Jade and Kyle Katarn. Hero units are the most fun to control in land battles. Darth Vader can crush soldiers and tanks with the Dark Side of the Force, while Chewbacca can commandeer vehicles. The hero units aren't as entertaining in space since they just sit inside cockpits.

With the film's characters, ships, and vehicles as playable units, Empire at War makes you feel part of the Star Wars universe. Although sometimes more challenging than it should be, controlling all of the aspects on the galactic map is enjoyable. Unfortunately, the battles just aren't very interesting to play. While the game is a notch above previous Star Wars strategy titles in most areas, it still falls short of other entries in the genre. Take away the Star Wars license and you take away the incentive to keep playing.