Star Wars: Starfighter

aka: Star Wars: Starfighter SE, Star Wars: Starfighter Special Edition
Moby ID: 3545

PlayStation 2 version

Stay in that cockpit!

The Good
Starfighter was released during what is arguably called the dark times of LucasArts. Many considered their Episode I work to be some of their worst after having a long standing success rate from Day of the Tentacle all the way through to X-Wing Alliance. There were, however, two saving graces during this time. One was Episode I Racer. The other is Starfighter, a game that takes the best elements of the X-Wing franchise on PC and turns it around into an arcade style action title.

For the most part, it does the job well. There's an original storyline that takes an ordinary young man and puts him behind the flightstick of a Naboo Starfighter, as the Trade Federation battles for control of Naboo trading routes. While the said X-Wing franchise had its own story, as did the N64/Gamecube Rogue Squadron franchise, Starfighter was the first title to really delve into a true tale behind the action, as three characters learn to get along with each other for the better of the Galaxy.

Between the nice cutscenes is a solid flight sim. It's easy to say the game has been dumbed down somewhat from, say, X-Wing Alliance, but since this aimed at a different crowd compared to the PC title, that would be a little harsh to suggest. Instead, it's far more action based and that helps in the long run.

The Bad
There are a few obvious downsides to Starfighter. For one, there isn't as much replayability compared to Rogue Squadron. There are medals to win and one or two other ships to unlock, etc., but it doesn't really seem as detailed to me. Thankfully, though, the single player missions are strong enough to keep the game afloat for a good deal of playtime.

Secondly, there's no real meat to the multiplayer options. In fact, you have to unlock it first before you can play it. Yes, that's an incentive to play the game out, but even when you do there isn't that much to it. A few dogfighting levels, and that's all you get. Far more could have been achieved here, all things considered.

The Bottom Line
Starfighter, in my eyes, was what LucasArts should have worked on in the first place instead of the terrible Episode I title that dragged them down from such high heights. They've been up and down ever since, but Starfighter ranks as one of the highs ... thankfully.

by Kartanym (12418) on March 12, 2006

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