Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire

Shadows of the Empire is the first port of a Nintendo 64 game to the PC platform. However, despite the great disparity of graphics performances between the two systems, both versions are quasi similar, with a light advantage surprisingly going to the PC version. This of course is not without raising a question. How can a PC game be better than its counterpart on the Nintendo's 64-bit console? The answer is simple, the game relies on the power of 3D graphics cards. Consequently, only the owners of such cards will be able to enjoy the newest Star Wars title from LucasArts.

Although this game mostly focuses on killing, there are also different ways to finish the game, although the most effective way was blasting through each level. There is no blood, but plenty of Stormtroopers flying backwards, and some very mean animals that attack you also die. They are aliens, though, and that does ease the pain a bit&.just kidding. Really, though, the violence in this game is for a good cause: you are trying to rescue the Princess, save the most famous Jedi-in-training in the galaxy, and save a y pilot from certain annihilation from Jabba the Hutt. There is no cussing, just a lot of fantasy-themed action. Also, no magic is used, no spell casting&so no fear of that. This is a game that deserves the rating it got, so listen to it. Just don't hesitate if you see this at the store.

If you enjoy a good console/arcade game, Shadows of the Empire will show you how the PC can handle this kind of action. It should give you hours of playtime, especially if you replay the game on harder levels. Those sophisticated PC gamers who like a little more than non-stop action in their games should probably look elsewhere, though. I have a feeling that this game will appeal to the teenage gamer more than the gamer with a few extra years of gaming under his/her belt. For what Shadows of the Empire offers, and that's pure arcade action, it delivers.

It isn't Jedi Knight, and nor is it X-Wing Vs TIE Fighter. To go in expecting such depth, such detail and such long-term appeal will naturally result in you being a disappointed chappie (or chappette). Shadows is LucasArts being light and fluffy and shouldn't be regarded as anything but. Should you lower your financial standing by purchasing the game? That's not for me to say - you'll have to make your own mind up on that point. All I can do is slap a Recommended label on the gameplay, cock a snook towards the sneers of Nintendo owners and wonder if LucasArts will ever manage to screw up a Star Wars game. So far, not counting data disks, they're eight for eight.

Shadows of the Empire is just a great game all around. It would be an instant classic if it came out three years ago (before the multiplayer revolution), but is arguably the best single-player game on the market. The only significant flaw is the lack of replayability. Once I completed the game, I felt a sense of closure (like a good movie) and had no urge to go back and replay my experience. So I will give Shadows of the Empire an 88 and a recommendation to any gamer looking for a riveting single-player experience.

Shadows of the Empire is een spel dat er grafisch fantastisch uitziet.Het eerste level is ronduit schitterend, de meeste andere redelijk en sommige levels zijn ronduit irritant. Al bij al maakt dit dat Shadows of the Empire geen spel is dat je dagen achter je computer gekluisterd zal houden. Het is echter wel een spel dat je geregeld eens terug zal opstarten om nog een leveltje te spelen.

Jeśli lubisz szybką akcję i niewymagającą fabułę - koniecznie kup Shadows of the Empire. Jeśli jednak wolisz bardziej ambitną rozrywkę, w SotE jej nie znajdziesz. "Artyści Lucasa" poszli tym razem wyraźnie w stronę popularnego gustu.

Meine Meinung zu Shadows of the Empire ist zwiegespalten. Zum einen bin ich ein echter Star-Wars-Fan, zum anderen mag ich aber gerne 3D-Shooter. Und gerade dieses Element des Spiels ist nur mangelhaft umgesetzt. Mit einer Kameraeinstellung, die à la Tomb Raider den Rücken des Freizeitrebellen Dash zeigt, erweist sich die Steuerung als ungenau.

Die einzelnen Levels sind solide, aber ohne neue Ideen aufgebaut, die Fadenkreuzballerei und das Jetbiken spielen sich sogar extrem öde. Und die zwar hübsche und mit allem 3D-Schnickschnack versehene Grafik ruckelt schon mal, wenn viele komplexe Strukturen auf engem Raum zu finden sind. Trotzdem habe ich Stunde um Stunde mit Dash Rendar gezittert und manchmal (wenn z. B. nach dem ersten Endgegner unvermutet ein zweiter auftaucht) laut fluchend das Joypad in die Ecke gefeuert, nur um wenige Minuten später einen erneuten Versuch zu starten. Die Challenge- Point-Idee macht Lust, das bereits gelöste Spiel noch einmal zu bestreiten. Wenn Sie kein 25-Frames-Fetischist sind und eine Beschleunigerkarte besitzen, ist Shadows aber nicht nur für Star-Wars-Fans sein Geld wert.

Strange. I find myself applauding the variety put into SotE, but at the same time, the only level in the game that I truly enjoyed was the Snow Speeder Stage (the gem of this cart). All of the - if you will - Doom levels really bored me. They didn't offer anything that I haven't experienced before, and the fog shading was poured on a tad thick. I was mildly entertained in the Asteroid and Skyhook areas, but I found myself only wanting to refight the snowy Battle of Hoth. Fans of the movies should check this game out; the prevalent Star Wars theme masks much of the game's short-comings. Non-Star Wars fans need not apply.

Shadows looks impressive but has its share of control problems. First, the touchy analog stick makes in difficult to navigate narrow ledges without sliding off. Also, the aiming controls for firing upward are not good. If you can deal with these issues however, Shadows provides a very satisfying and original Star Wars adventure.

If Shadows of the Empire had lived up to its first inspiring level, it would certainly have been in the running for game of the year. As it stands, the control, camera angles, and frustrating save feature keep it from reaching its full potential. Programming for the Nintendo 64 is reportedly a daunting challenge, and perfecting the use of a true 3-D environment and analog controller will certainly take some time. Hopefully, the next Star Wars title for the Nintendo 64 will come closer to what Shadows of the Empire aspires to be.

Even with all these problems, Shadows is great fun. If you're a Star Wars fan you've got to buy it! The challenge points that are hidden in every level makes you want to play SotE again, even after you've beaten it. Unfortunately Shadows of the Empire comes across as trying to be too many games at the same time. Games, LucasArts has already done better in terms of control and gameplay. There's a little bit of Rebel Assault, a little bit of Dark Forces and a little bit of X-Wing and Super Star Wars here. And while Shadows is certainly not on par with Tie Fighter in terms of gameplay, it surpasses Rebel Assault and Super Star Wars by far.,And the incredible graphics of the space battles raise hopes for an X-Wing vs. Tie Fighter 64. C'mon, LucasArts! We know you want to...

Uma dezena de níveis para explorar, a ausência estúpida de um save, herança das consolas, a obrigar-nos a começar do fim do nível ou desistir e recomeçar tudo, conduzem-nos até ao encontro com o Príncipe Xizor, servo sinistro do Lado Negro. Bah, não me chateiem...

What's strange about Shadows is that the storyline is compelling enough for most gamers to want to play until the end -- despite all of its problems. You actually get accustomed to the poor level design and horrifying movement just to reach the ending. But not because it gets better, but because the Star Wars itself universe is so fantastic. Again, oddly, the game as a whole is just slightly better than its mediocre, individual parts. If you like Star Wars, you'll like this, but if you like Star Wars and you love games, you're in for disappointment and disbelief.

Still, the game should have been better. The most disappointing aspect is the third-person levels, which make up the bulk of the game. Had LucasArts attempted a first-person shooter closer to their Star Wars: Dark Forces on the PC, the result would have been something more deserving of the Force. Fans of Star Wars will still want to check this game out if only to get a taste for the opening and ending sequences (the only two flying segments in the game), but the rest ends up being passable entertainment that doesn't really deserve a permanent spot in your library.

It’s not difficult to understand why Shadows of the Empire was one of the most eagerly anticipated N64 titles. The combination of the formidable “Star Wars” licence with arguably the most accomplished PC development talent in the US (LucasArts, of course) and the most powerful console currently available has led many to expect a near-perfect game. They are going to be disappointed.

All in all, this version of Shadows is much improved over the original N64 game, with the possible exception of control. The N64's analog stick was perfectly suited for the game, but PC players with digital pads will occasionally have trouble drawing a bead on targets. All the components for a great game are here, but it just doesn't mesh. Unless you really want to take on the AT-ATs, your best bet is to save your money for the obviously better (and more focused) Jedi Knight.

Unfortunately, the rest of the game leaves quite a bit of room for improvement. It has a lot of levels and tremendous variation. But this is quantity rather than quality; graphics rather than gameplay. I am very disappointed in you, young Jedi.

Кто же мог подумать, что демонстрационная версия игры может быть столь коварна? После трех довольно симпатичных эпизодов мы ожидали еще дюжину столь же оригинальных и веселых этапов. Но, потратив много времени на повторное прохождение первой тройки, мы стали клевать носом уже на четвертом (не говоря уж о пятом!) этапе. Оказывается, наконец-то сработала сигнализация, реагирующая на спортивные игры. В нашем случае это прямая противоположность будильничка - засыпальничек.

We're talking a soundtrack for a book: a swollen orchestral John Williams-wannabe score by Joel McNeely tied to the latest SW hardcover. The enhanced section is strictly for bug-eyed completists, with publicity bios of the creative parties (George Lucas included), paperback cover art, storyboards, and information on Star Wars comic books, toys, and videogames. My advice: Wait until Lucas delivers the next movie.

Shadows of the Empire could have been a great game. The graphics, which require a 3D accelerator, are excellent and considerably better than the Nintendo version, and the production values are high all around. Yet in many ways, this seems like nothing more than a 3D-version of Rebel Assault - lots of flash and little substance.