- Platform: IBM PC Compatible
- Release Date: 1993
- Genre: Simulation
- Style: Space Combat Sim
- Similar Games: Battle of Britain (Commodore 64/128), Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter (IBM PC Compatible), Star Wars: TIE Fighter (IBM PC Compatible), Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance (IBM PC Compatible), Star Wars: X-Wing -- B-Wing (IBM PC Compatible), Star Wars: X-Wing -- Imperial Pursuit (IBM PC Compatible)
Game Description
The Star Wars universe comes to life in Star Wars: X-Wing. Flying for the Rebel Alliance against the evil Galactic Empire, you pilot X-wings, Y-wings and A-wings through many missions as you advance in rank.Missions range in difficulty, featuring everything from the simplicity of destroying enemy frigates to the complexity of defeating a Star Destroyer, or even the Death Star itself. The training grounds and historical missions will help you hone your skills as you prepare for your three tours of duty.
From the cockpit you must monitor your shield and laser power, pilot your ship, and of course, blow away Imperial ships such as TIE fighters, TIE bombers and TIE interceptors. You'll even encounter the occasional Star Destroyer!
Communications are possible with your wingman, as you tell him to cover you or to attack/ignore a target. A camera feature is also included, which enables you to replay your dogfights and watch from a third-person perspective. With the full-screen cinematic sequences, you might just think you've stepped into Star Wars movie.
X-Wing was a best-selling game of 1993 and the recipient of many awards. It spawned several sequels, such as Star Wars: TIE Fighter, Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter and Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance. It is available on CD-ROM with improved graphics and sound in Star Wars: X-Wing Collector's CD-ROM, as well as in compilations such as Star Wars: X-Wing Collector Series.
~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Roots & Influences
You might call X-Wing a complicated version of the classic coin-op, Star Wars. As with Star Wars, your basic objective is to blow away enemy TIE fighters. Also influencing this game were earlier flight simulation games, not necessarily set in space. Finally, the Star Wars movies themselves were a major influence regarding premise and plot.~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Review: Overall
Star Wars: X-Wing is an excellent game, especially if you're among the legions of Star Wars fans out there who have ever wished they too could step into the cockpit of a Rebel Alliance fighter. This game offers you the chance to do just that.The missions are fun, although they can get tedious when you're trying to chase down that last elusive TIE fighter. It's easy to get disoriented as well, especially if your sense of direction is as bad as mine. There's a scope, however, which will show you where your enemies and allies are to help get you back on track. You'll even hear your wingmen radio helpful comments to you.
X-Wing's training stage is helpful. However, it can be hard to stay on-track during the series of platforms with barriers, which make up each course. You must maneuver around these barriers and destroy targets while still following the path. A good joystick is a necessity in this game; a cheap one will make it extremely frustrating.
The graphics are great and diehard fans will have fun picking out the moments taken from the films. The cut-scenes are fun as well and they give the game the sense of a storyline supposedly taking place before A New Hope. Either
In addition to the three tours of duty, there are classic missions, which you can recreate. These are missions which are supposed to have happened in the early days of the Rebellion, and you are given the chance to see if you can replicate the previous pilot's success (think of the first scene in Star Trek II for an idea of this).
Overall, X-Wing is a game which, while perhaps tame compared to what followed, caused quite a stir when it was released in 1993 with its complexity and stunning graphics. It still holds up, and that's what's really important.
~ Brad Cook, All Game Guide
Review: Enjoyment
Lots of fun.~ Brad Cook, All Game Guide
Review: Graphics
State-of-the-art when compared to what else 1993 had to offer.~ Brad Cook, All Game Guide
Review: Sound
Really immerses you into the Star Wars universe.~ Brad Cook, All Game Guide
Review: Replay Value
The depth of the game means long-term play. There are add-on missions available as well: {*B-Wing} and {*Imperial Pursuit}.~ Brad Cook, All Game Guide
Review: Documentation
The first prints of the game came with an exclusive {#Star Wars} novella, some of which details {%Palpatine}'s rise to power through the eyes of Mon Mothma. It's too bad that not everyone got to enjoy this.~ Brad Cook, All Game Guide
Production Credits
Creators/Designers/Project Leaders: Lawrence Holland, Edward Kilham; 3D Polygon Programming: Peter Lincroft; Cincematic Engine programming: Edward Kilham; Mission AI programming: Lawrence Holland; Background Art: Jon Knoles, Jim McLeod; 3D Animation and Rendering: Martin Cameron; 3D Flight Engine Models: Wade Lady; Additional Models: Jon Bell, Dan Colon; Theme Music: John Williams; Additional Music: Peter McConnell, Micheal Z. Land, Clint Bajakian; Sound efects: Clint Bajakian, Robin Goldstein; iMuse Electronic Music System: Micheal Z. Land, Peter McConnell; Producers: Kalani Streicher, Lawrence Holland; Lead Tester: Dave Wessman; LucasArts QA Supervisor: Wayne Cline; Testers: David Maxwell, Chip Hinnenberg, Mark Cartwright, Michael Levine; Creative Contributors: Wayne Cline, gregory Hammond, Peter Lincroft, Dave Maxwell, Kalani Streicher, David Wessman; Product Marketing Manager: Mary Bihr; Public Rleations Manager: Sue Seserman; Manual Reference Card Design and Layout: Mark Shepard; Manual Reference Card Writers: Klalani Streicher, Dave Wessman; Package Design: Terri Soo Hoo; Cover Art: Martin Cameron; Special Thanks: George Lucas
~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
