Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter

• Platform: IBM PC Compatible
• Release Date: 1997
• Genre: Simulation
• Style: Space Combat Sim
• Similar Games: Darklight Conflict (IBM PC Compatible), Wing Commander: Prophecy (IBM PC Compatible), Star Trek: Starfleet Command -- Gold Edition (IBM PC Compatible)

Game Description

"A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away..." is the mantra of the famous original Star Wars trilogy. The main emphasis in Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter is the space-based dog fighting in that far away galaxy -- part of the reason for the series' success. As you begin the many missions of the game, you're introduced to the fighting abilities of your ship via a training mode. After you master this aspect, you're able to move on to the battles and combat situations.

In Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter, you choose to be an Imperial or Rebel pilot. Either side has a variety of different ships from which to choose. In addition to the familiar X-Wing and TIE Fighters, there are a few more spacecraft available that might not be as well known. Fly solo and take on the Imperial Empire or Rebel Alliance by yourself or join a game over the Internet to compete in dog fights with others! You can also host your own game and wait for other gamers to join you.

The two factions each have separate missions. After choosing which side to play, there are five different options: Exercise, Melee, Tournament, Combat and Battles. Exercise takes you on training missions to hone your skills prior to engaging in battles. Melee combat simulations are designed as arenas in which pilots test their abilities against one another. This mode supports one player or up to eight in multi-player mode. Tournaments combine three or five melee missions and are designed to find the greatest all-around pilot. The pilot or team that scores the most points wins, just as in melee combat. If you're more interested in the missions depicted in the Star Wars movies, Combat mode fits the bill. It follows the original situations where the Rebel Alliance is up against the Imperial fleet in certain missions. These are single missions that include hit-and-fade attacks, raids, convoy escorts, support of boarding operations and capital ship engagements. Lastly, Battle mode is a combination of three or four combat missions with two battles available from which to choose: Quick Strike and Imperial Fleet Operation or Clean Sweep.

The many ships available include the TIE Fighter, TIE Interceptor, TIE Advanced, TIE Bomber, Assault Gunboat, X--Wing, A-Wing, Z-95 Interceptor and Y-Wing, the latter four being Rebel ships and the other five Imperial. Every ship has basic front lasers as well as warheads, beam weapons and countermeasures. Warheads include Concussion Missiles, Advanced Missiles, Mag Pulse, Proton Torpedoes, Advanced Torpedoes, Heavy Rockets and Space Bombs. Decoy, tractor and jamming beam weapons are also available while countermeasures are either chaff or flare.

In addition to weapons control, the crafts have a plethora of shield, power, throttle, steering and wingman commands. During combat, you can adjust your speed, increase shields and direct your wingmen. In multi-player games, an option is available to communicate with gamers playing on your side.

Roots & Influences

The game's roots lie within the vast Star Wars franchise itself, including the references to the warring factions (Empire and Rebellion) as well as the plethora of space age star fighters and environs portrayed in the related films and books. Certainly games such as Star Wars: Rebel Assault and the many Star Wars: TIE Fighter titles influenced the substance, if not structure, of this game.

Review: Overall

Enemies to the left, enemies to the right, enemies behind and in front of you! The chaos is mind boggling and the action never stops. Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter is a space dog fighting game like no other. Fly a multitude of different ships and destroy as many as possible! Although a difficult game, it's so very rewarding when you destroy Imperial flag ships! This is the most accurate representation of the Star Wars movies I've ever played. The music and graphics combined make a killer game!

Few games with dogfights have the sheer amount of action this title possesses. Lasers are much more difficult to evade than guns, after all, and far more deadly. However, you are given a certain number of lives during combat, so being killed isn't the end. When an enemy shoots you down, a screen appears showing your ship exploding and which enemy destroyed you (so you can get revenge). Your ship then appears right outside the fighting area where you first started.

Tired of playing with the same old Rebel Fleet? Switch sides and become an Imperial fighter pilot in a TIE Fighter. Each side has different missions, making it difficult to get bored with the game. Not only can you fight for both sides but, in Melee combat mode, you can fight against anybody and everyone! If you go online, you can battle up to seven players. The options are endless and the game consistently pleases. Whether you're going up against a multitude of TIE Fighters or an Imperial Star Destroyer, the space combat is always fierce.

So many missions exist, it's most difficult to defeat this game in a few sittings. In Battle mode, you basically enact the missions of a full-fledged war scenario with the Rebel and Imperial fleets. If you're an Imperial fighter, you can even go after the Millennium Falcon!

Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter is a very complex and difficult game. In fact, that's one of the only negative points about it. Even if you have played other space combat simulations and beaten them, don't expect this one to be a walk in the park. Conversely, though, the difficulty just adds to the addictive nature of the game. Once you start playing and gradually improve, you want to keep playing in order to win missions and destroy more fighters.

The key is to not just use your weapons of offense but employ defense as well. Your fighter has maneuvering capabilities, countermeasures and beam weapons. And the option to summon some of your friends to help you out shouldn't be forgotten, either! If you're fighting in a single player battle scenario, you can summon your wingmen and they'll automatically come to your assistance. If you're engaged in multi-player action, you can still summon your friends but, of course, they have to accept the invitation to help you out.

In order to play Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter, you must have a joystick installed on your computer. In this regard, I don't understand the reasons for not making the game keyboard compatible. While it's true that it's easier to play with a joystick or game pad, the choice of not providing keyboard capability is a bad one.

The game is very long and requires you to figure out the little eccentricities of combat. The synergy between gameplay and the ambient sounds is very impressive. If you've watched the movies (not many people haven't), now you can be a part of the action. So, decide which side you want to join and get ready for the best space combat simulation of your life!

Review: Enjoyment

Although very difficult, the game is a lot of fun to play. Perhaps, due to the difficulty, it makes you want to play more and more to master it. The simulation is very well done and makes you feel like you're a part of the game.

Review: Graphics

Although certainly not top of the line in the industry, the graphics are great for this game. The various spacecraft visually emulate those seen in the movies as do the lasers.

Review: Sound

Of course, with the John Williams soundtrack, one can't find a much better background to a game. Also, the laser sounds and the voices of your wingmen are fantastic. The music fits gameplay to the extent that music excitement complements the on-screen action as it occurs.

Review: Replay Value

Playing a few times will not satisfy you. The various options, both ships and factions, ensure high replay value.

Review: Documentation

The manual explains all the maneuvers, weapons, commands and most everything else.

Production Credits

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