- Platform: IBM PC Compatible
- Release Date: November 13, 2001
- Genre: Strategy
- Style: 2D Real-Time Strategy
- Similar Games: Age of Empires (IBM PC Compatible), Command & Conquer (IBM PC Compatible), StarCraft (IBM PC Compatible)
Game Description
Guide the Rebel Alliance to fend off the invading Empire or lead the Trade Federation to conquer the Naboo in this Star Wars real-time strategy built on Ensemble Studio's Age of Empires II game engine. Though the fundamentals and mechanics of play are similar to those of Ensemble's popular 1999 war game, LucasArts brings a new look and style to the structure, with a developed single-player campaign and units, civilizations, and settings taken directly from the Star Wars stories.The player begins in an untamed land with a small number of worker units, then must guide the faction to develop thriving communities and eventually a powerful military to defend the realm and conquer those of his or her rivals. As in Age of Empires and most other real-time strategies, computer and human opponents begin under similar circumstances and players race together to develop and expand their territories while keeping them defensible against one another's encroachment. As players gain control over more territory they find new sources of raw materials, which in turn provide them the means for further expansion and larger armies.
Six civilizations from the Star Wars universe are available for play, including the Wookies and the Gungans. While there is more apparent diversity in unit types between the various factions than in Age of Empires II, each Galactic Battlegrounds civ has its own equally powerful versions of infantry, aircraft, and siege weapons to maintain balance. The variety among the different cultures is evident in the distinct artwork used for each, but similar buildings have similar silhouette shapes, allowing players familiar with one civilization to quickly recognize the facilities of any of the other five races.
~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide
Roots & Influences
Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds brings single and multiplayer campaigns, units, civilizations, and settings directly from the Star Wars universe. Gameplay is built using the Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings game engine.~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Overall
Despite Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds' use of the Age of Empires II game engine to provide fluid gameplay, some Star Wars fans may not enjoy finding Tauntauns on Tatooine or other similar slips in continuity. While the RTS game takes good advantage of the Star Wars license, the plot doesn't follow the movies' stories very closely and focuses instead on the fights between and after, giving you control of characters like Darth Vader,The single-player games are side stories that usually take place before or after movie events. For example, the Galactic Empire scenario occurs between destruction of the first and second Death Stars, the Wookiee episode happens after the battle of Endor, and Trade Federation follows the war against the Naboo and Gungans. The Gungan campaigns include the struggle of their ancestors' to unite the clans and battle the Trade Federation, while the Rebel Alliance scenario features Princess Leia asking the Wookiees for help in finding an ancient artifact. Bonus missions let you replay events from the movies and even change history. How would life have been if the Empire had conquered Endor, or if the Rebels had saved Hoth?
The six available races have unique advantages and disadvantages and are fairly even. For instance, the Royal Naboo collect nova crystals faster, the mechanized Trade Federation builds structures without houses, and Wookiees regenerate hit points. Each race can build a special unit, such as Galactic Empire's Dark Stormtrooper or the Gungans' Fambaa Shield Generator. The units, however diverse, are essentially the same types with troopers, mechs, aircraft, watercraft or heavy weapons, and upgrades require either research or new structures.
There are few hand-to-hand fighters since Galactic Battlegrounds deals with lasers rather than swords and pikes. Ground units have ranged attacks and the infantry tends to end up as cannon fodder. Some units are more effective against others, and a system of colored lasers helps you plan strategy. Red is good against infantry, blue is best against vehicles, and green destroys buildings.
Unlike traditional RTS games where stealth is limited to having scouts gather information on enemy activities and forces, Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds offers much more. Upgrading Jedi and Sith knights adds a solid layer to the game, as they can only be detected by turrets and bounty hunters, while everyone else is subjected to the old mind tricks. Thus, deploying a master to take control of the enemy's buildings and people is a strategic option. To even out the use of these powerful hand-to-hand light saber fighters, all six races can acquire Jedi and bounty hunters. The Gungans' stealth option, submarines, isn't too effective since they're easily detected by most other boats.
Shield generators protect offensive weapons from attack until the power core is destroyed. Squeezing as many units as possible under a shield and marching forth virtually untouched is a great battle option. The use of spacecraft (TIE fighters, X-Wings, Naboo fighters and many more) changes how the game is played since they can breach any type of wall and wreak havoc on a city. So in addition to ground troops and ships, you also need to develop anti-air units, which are available one level before the spacecraft.
You can adjust difficulty levels to suit your skill, and the tutorial is an option to reading the entire 80-page manual. Though the AI is fairly good, you'll occasionally find that units are bit on the dumb side, as they might try to cross rivers on broken or even incomplete bridges, or have trouble getting out of each other's way when they're in cramped spaces.
Details of buildings, units and landscapes are superb, and cities have a unique appearance true to original designs. The spaceships, while not built to scale, look good but have no type of motion, moving only when told. Hovering motions or shadows to give the illusion of flying would have been nice, and the animations and explosions aren't as polished as you'd expect. But, with good use of the license and a solid game engine, fans of RTS-style games and Star Wars in particular will find Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds irresistible.
~ Jason White, All Game Guide
Review: Enjoyment
The power to command your favorite Star Wars race and characters is great fun, and the chance to rewrite history is bound to excite diehard fans, though the lack of continuity may be disconcerting at times.~ Jason White, All Game Guide
Review: Graphics
Some of the special effects fail to excite but the attention to detail on units (e.g., storm troopers and rebel ships) is superb. Details of buildings and landscapes create an immersive feel, and each race is distinctive in appearance.~ Jason White, All Game Guide
Review: Sound
Sound effects, music and voice acting are nicely done. Most voices are dead on except for Lando, which is not even close. Laser blasts and ship noises are straight from the movies.~ Jason White, All Game Guide
Review: Replay Value
After the story scenarios, other styles of gameplay include random map mode, a full scenario designer, monument construction, capture, and defense, terminate the commander, and death match. In the latter, you start with a ton of resources and have to destroy your opponents almost immediately. With six different races and the mix of gameplay styles, replay value is almost unlimited.~ Jason White, All Game Guide
Review: Documentation
The manual explains most aspects of the game in full detail, and includes information on nearly every element (e.g., troops, buildings).~ Jason White, All Game Guide
Production Credits
Director: Garry M. Gaber; Lead Artist: Christopher Williams; Artist: Allison Purdy, Bernard Eral, Bryan Erck, Carl Wattenberg, Daryl Smolen, James Michael Gutierrez, Jeffrey Kember, Jennifer Sheldon, Jerril Yoo, Jonathan Sgro, Josan Russo, Josef Richardson, Kristen Russell, Livia Knight, Marcia Thomas, Martin Yee, Michael Licht, Paul Murphy, Paul Pierce, Peter Tieryas Lim, Rob Nitsch, Scot Brew, Sean Marr, Shinichiro Hara; Lead Concept Artist: Greg Knight; Concept Artist: Ashot Melkumov, Ian Berry, Ti-Ning Kwa; Lead Animation: Marc Overney; Animation: Cathy Feraday, Joe White, Lisa Wong, Mike Dacko, Yu Hon Ng; Lead Level Designer: Reed Knight; Level Designer: Brandy Childs, Don Sielke, John Stafford, Kevin Schmitt, Matthew McManus, Ryan Kaufman, Stephen McManus; Balancing Level Design: John Stafford, Stephen McManus; Engineer: George Ruof, Jenny Huang, Vernon Harmon; Tools Engineer: Charlie W. Smith; Producer: Isa Anne Stamos; Assistant Producer: Nate Schaumberg; Lead Quality Assurance Tester: Chane Hollander; Assistant Lead Quality Assurance Tester: David Silverstein, Matthew Keast; Quality Assurance Tester: Alice Henderson, Brad Grantham, Bryan Finoki, Chris Susen, David Felton, Eric Brummel, Henry Hall, Hugh Moore, James Barton, Jeffrey Gullett, Jeremy Campbell, Jim Diaz, Matthew McManus, Matt Rubenstein, Maximillian Alexander Roghi, Nick Eberle, Phillip Berry, Roger Romero, Ryan Bond, Sean Thomson, Toby Mast; Compatibility Supervisor: Lynn Taylor; Compatibility Technician: Dan-Mar Tinez, Eric Knudson, G.W. Childs IV, John Carsey, John von Eichhorn; Lead Network Compatibility: Darryl Cobb; Senior Network Compatibility Technician: Jim Davison; International Testing Lead: Jeff Sanders; Manager of International Production: Darren Hedges; International Producer: Karen Finch; Manager of Quality Services: Paul Purdy; Quality Assurance Supervisor: Chip Hinnenberg; Product Support Supervisor: Jay Geraci; Lead Sound Design: Larry the O; Sound Design: Andrew Cheney; Additional Sound Design: Michael Frayne; Sound Design Supervisor: Dave Levison; Sound Department Coordinator: Malena Slettom; Music Editor: J. White; Voice Director: Darragh O'Farrell; Voice Producer: Darragh O'Farrell; Voice Department Coordinator: Peggy Bartlett; Lead Voice Editor: Cindy Wong; Voice Editing Intern: Burke Pemberton; Voice Editor: Hans Larson, Will Beckman; Composer Original Star Wars Music: John Williams; Original Star Wars Sound Effects: Ben Burtt; Voice of 2-1B: Charles Martinet; Voice of AT-AT Driver: Charles Martinet; Voice of OOM-9: Charles Martinet; Voice of Airspeeder Pilot: Michael Gough; Voice of Battle Droid: Michael Gough; Voice of Rebel Hovercraft Captain: Michael Gough; Voice of Sith Knight: Michael Gough; Voice of Udopal Fast Bike Driver: Michael Gough; Voice of Zalor Minister: Michael Gough; Voice of Anakin Skywalker: Jake Lloyd; Voice of AT-AA Driver: Nick Jameson; Voice of Darth Sidious: Nick Jameson; Voice of Emperor Palpatine: Nick Jameson; Voice of AT-PT Driver: Jamie Alcroft; Voice of Javelin Submarine Captain: Jamie Alcroft; Voice of Sio Bibble: Jamie Alcroft; Voice of AT-ST Driver: Jarion Monroe; Voice of E-STAP Pilot: Jarion Monroe; Voice of General Jan Dodonna: Jarion Monroe; Voice of Attack Tank Driver: Douglas Rye; Voice of X-Wing Pilot: Douglas Rye; Voice of Aurra Sing: Tasia Valenza; Voice of Empire Hovercraft Captain: Tasia Valenza; Voice of Rebel Blaster Cannon: Tasia Valenza; Voice of A-Wing Pilot: Carol Bach-Y-Rita; Voice of Missile Launcher Driver: Carol Bach-Y-Rita; Voice of Boba Fett: Tom Kane; Voice of C-3PO: Tom Kane; Voice of Empire Missile Destroyer Captain: Tom Kane; Voice of Vilmarh Grahrk: Tom Kane; Voice of Yoda: Tom Kane; Voice of Naboo Destroyer Captain: Tom Kane; Voice of Boss Gallo: James Horan; Voice of Combat Speeder Driver: James Horan; Voice of Missile Stormtrooper: James Horan; Voice of Reytha Governor: James Horan; Voice of Boss Ganne: Neil Kapland; Voice of Goonga Trooper: Neil Kapland; Voice of Grenade Battle Droid: Neil Kapland; Voice of Gungan Trooper: Neil Kapland; Voice of Missile Battle Droid: Neil Kapland; Voice of Boss Nass: Kevin Michael Richardson; Voice of Rebel Trooper: Kevin Michael Richardson; Voice of Boushh: Amanda Moody; Voice of Gungan Hovercraft Captain: Amanda Moody; Voice of Naboo Hovercraft Captain: Amanda Moody; Voice of Captain Marsune: David Jeremiah; Voice of Rebel Missile Trooper: David Jeremiah; Voice of Trade Federation Hovercraft Captain: David Jeremiah; Voice of Captain Panaka: Jeff Coopwood; Voice of Rebel Trawler Captain: Jeff Coopwood; Voice of Captain Tarpals: Rob Paulsen; Voice of Grenade Trooper: Rob Paulsen; Voice of Gungan Villager 1: Rob Paulsen; Voice of Naboo Missile Destroyer Captain: Rob Paulsen; Voice of Royal Trooper: Rob Paulsen; Voice of Champion Driver: Rachel Reenstra; Voice of Hover Tank Driver: Rachel Reenstra; Voice of Swoop Bike Driver: Rachel Reenstra; Voice of Darth Maul: Jess Harnell; Voice of Gungan Bolo Trooper: Jess Harnell; Voice of Hannoon Soldier: Jess Harnell; Voice of STAP Driver: Jess Harnell; Voice of Darth Vader: Scott Lawrence; Voice of Echuu Shen-Jon: Roger L. Jackson; Voice of Jedi Padawan: Roger L. Jackson; Voice of Mahwi Lihnn: Roger L. Jackson; Voice of EEK-176: Murphy Dunn; Voice of Naboo Cruiser Captain: Murphy Dunn; Voice of Empire Cruiser Captain: Phil Proctor; Voice of Jedi Master: Phil Proctor; Voice of Viceroy Nute Gunray: Phil Proctor; Voice of Empire Destroyer Captain: Carolyn Seymore; Voice of Gungan Medic: Carolyn Seymore; Voice of Starbomber Pilot: Carolyn Seymore; Voice of Empire Medical Droid: Ethan Phillips; Voice of Krantian Governor: Ethan Phillips; Voice of Royal Grenade Trooper: Ethan Phillips; Voice of Empire Scout Captain: Victor Raider-Wexler; Voice of Prowler Submarine Captain: Victor Raider-Wexler; Voice of Empire Transport Ship Captain: Harvey Jason; Voice of Royal Lifter Pilot: Harvey Jason; Voice of Flash Speeder Driver: Heidi Shannon; Voice of Heavy Lifter Pilot: Heidi Shannon; Voice of Mara Jade: Heidi Shannon; Voice of General Maximillian Veers: Guy Siner; Voice of Trade Federation Medical Droid: Guy Siner; Voice of Gian Speeder Driver: Robert Foster; Voice of Speeder Bike Driver: Robert Foster; Voice of Wedge Antilles: Robert Foster; Voice of Gungan Missile Trooper: Lewis Macleod; Voice of Imperial Carrier Pilot: Lewis Macleod; Voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Padawan): Lewis Macleod; Voice of Gungan Villager 2: Grey Delisle; Voice of Queen Amidala: Grey Delisle; Voice of Rebel Scout Captain: Grey Delisle; Voice of Royal Missile Trooper: Grey Delisle; Voice of Han Solo: David Esch; Voice of Hannoon Leader: Kath Soucie; Voice of Hunter Submarine Captain: Charity James; Voice of Naboo Trawler Captain: Charity James; Voice of Neimodian Lifter Pilot: Charity James; Voice of Jar Jar Binks: Ahmed Best; Voice of Jedi Knight: Terry McGovern; Voice of Stormtrooper: Terry McGovern; Voice of Krantian Soldier: Lizzie Murray; Voice of Naboo Medical Droid: Lizzie Murray; Voice of Naboo Transport Ship Captain: Lizzie Murray; Voice of Lando Calrissian: Obba Baba Tunde; Voice of Luke Skywalker: Bob Bergen; Voice of Reytha Soldier: Bob Bergen; Voice of Moff Yittreas: Joe Paulino; Voice of Sith Apprentice: Joe Paulino; Voice of Starfighter Pilot: Joe Paulino; Voice of Naboo Scout Captain: Kimberly Brooks; Voice of Y-Wing Pilot: Kimberly Brooks; Voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Knight): David Davies; Voice of OOM-14: Robert Pike Daniel; Voice of Royal Knight: Robert Pike Daniel; Voice of TIE Fighter Pilot: Robert Pike Daniel; Voice of Pekt: Frank Welker; Voice of Sith Master: Frank Welker; Voice of Utric Sandov: Frank Welker; Voice of Princess Leia: Lisa Fuson; Voice of Rebel Grenade Trooper: Lisa Fuson; Voice of Qui-Gon Jinn: James Warwick; Voice of Zalor Militiaman: James Warwick; Voice of Rebel Transport Ship Captain: Susan Boyo; Voice of Royal Cannon: Susan Boyo; Voice of Rune Haaku: Hamilton Camp; Voice of TIE Bomber Pilot: Hamilton Camp; Voice of Steadfast Driver: Michael Ralph; Voice of Torpedo Launcher Driver: Michael Ralph; Voice Recordings At: Chicago Recording Company, Pomann Sound, ScreenMusic Studios, The Sound Company, Studio 300, LucasArts Entertainment Company; Licensing: Chris Gollaher, Kristi Kaufman, Stacy Cheregotis; Continuity Expert: Haden Blackman; Product Marketing: Joel Dreskin; Public Relations: Alexis Mervin, Heather Twist Phillips, Tom Sarris; Manual Writer: Kevin G. Graas, Alice Henderson; International Marketing/PR: Kathy Apostoli-Greene; Manual Editor: Mollie Boero; Poster Editor: Logan Parr; Manual Design: Cassia Dominguez, Patty Hill; Poster Design: Cassia Dominguez, Patty Hill; Lead Technical Writer: Lynn Taylor; Technical Writer: Chip Hinnenberg, Darryl Cobb, John von Eichhorn; Package Design: Blind Mice Studio; CD Burning: Kellie Walker, Wendy Kaplan
~ Mark Hoogland, All Game Guide
