Platform: PC

Genre: Strategy

Publisher: LucasArts

Developer: Petroglyph

ETA: Spring 2006
Related Links:

Review: Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds (PC)

Review: Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds: Clone Campaigns (PC)

Review: Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (PC)

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Quite possibly the most impressive game at E3 – at least when it came to stoking my inner Star Wars fanboy – Star Wars Empire at War’s biggest draw is the fact gamers will actually be able to utilize the Death Star.  And while being able to destroy a planet is small potatoes in comparison to the power of the Force, it’s a whole lot more explosive.

It could be seen as a sequel of sorts to Galactic Battlegrounds, but Empire at War is a wholly separate entity.  Empire at War features not only an assortment of strategic ground battles, but the action can be moved into space!  On top of that, previously fought battles will have an effect on present and future battles.  In the words of LucasArts, results will be “persistent” meaning that if you blow up Tatooine with the Death Star, that’s it, it’s gone.  Totally blown away.  Of course, it swings the other way, too.  You may lose a battle but ultimately win the war if you manage your resources properly.

Here’s the official line from LcuasArts and Petroglyph:

Star Wars Empire at War puts the power to command an entire war for the Star Wars galaxy in the hands of players, giving them the freedom to determine how they play the game within the completely scalable and accessible gameplay. Set a few years before the events of Episode IV A New Hope, LucasArts’ new PC game lets players wage war on ground and in space, as well as experience the creation of the Rebel Alliance, the strengthening of the Empire and the beginnings of the Galactic Civil War.

Using an entirely new game engine created by the Las Vegas-based developer Petroglyph, Star Wars Empire at War features beautifully rendered land and space battles set on memorable planets such as Yavin IV, Tatooine and Dagobah, as well as never-before-seen environments taken directly from the Star Wars films and expanded universe novels. In the game, players choose to join either the Rebel Alliance or the Galactic Empire, building and setting up tactical forces to unleash upon the enemy in real-time 3D. Memorable Star Wars hero characters can be brought into the action to help turn the tide of the battle as players build, manage and upgrade their space and ground-based units, vehicles, troops and base structures.

All of the gameplay and action within Star Wars Empire at War is persistent, meaning that strategic and tactical elements from previous events will have a permanent effect on the galaxy. In addition to the single-player campaign mode, the game includes a two-player campaign mode and online skirmish modes for up to eight players.

Features:

Wage war on ground and in space – battle it out in space and then send down your remaining forces to invade the planet.

All action is persistent – every decision affects the next battle and, ultimately, the fate of the galaxy. Play out your own personal version of Episode IV: A New Hope.

Real-time strategy (RTS) 3D gameplay set in more than 40 ground and space locations including Yavin IV, Tatooine and Dagobah - each has its own specific advantage and/or resource.

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Construct ground and space structures, including space stations, factories and ion cannons

Deploy ground and space vehicles from giant Star Destroyers and AT-ATs to swift speeder bikes and X-wings.

Access a variety of ground troops including stormtroopers and Rebel soldiers. Hero characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader can be brought into key battles.

Unique mission objectives such as rescues, sabotage, blockades and destruction. 

Begins several years before the events of Episode IV: A New Hope, including vehicles and locations from both the classic timeframe and Episode III.

Play as the Rebels as they amass their forces and work to thwart the plans of the Empire, or serve the Empire and crush the Rebellion at its roots.

Destroy the Death Star or use it as the ultimate power in the universe.

Innovative multiplayer campaign mode lets two players battle for the galaxy and save games in progress. Up to eight players can compete in online skirmish modes.

All-new game engine created by Las Vegas-based developer Petroglyph, composed of industry veterans responsible for classic RTS titles, including the Command & Conquer series.

In case you hadn’t noticed, the graphics are stunning.  There’s a level of detail here not encountered with previous Star Wars strategy titles (check out the reflections on the water), and the shear amount of action on-screen at one time – particularly during space battles – is amazing.  Unfortunately, a quick demo didn’t allow me to really get a feel for how the action is controlled, but considering the pedigree of the some of the members of the development team I would expect it to be pretty solid if not accessible and familiar.

It was good to see that the game starts in the period between Episode III and Episode IV, and will incorporate locations from the expanded universe.  This allows Petrogylph some freedom when it comes to the story and combat elements.

With a promised 8-player skirmish and two-player campaign modes, Empire at War has just about everything gamers demand of a strategy game.

Empire at War is still a long way off – estimated release is Spring 2006 – but from what I’ve seen, strategy and Star Wars fans alike should be all over this when it ships.  And based on the detail level, it gives you enough time to upgrade your PC.

- Omni

(July 22, 2005)