Star Wars: X-Wing

The Good
When I first heard that X-Wing was being released, I knew that it would be a revolutionary game. Any kid who saw any of the Star Wars movies, always pretended to be a pilot for the Rebel Alliance.

The graphics in this game, when running on a good machine, are outstanding. Although the detail level is not as high as it is in X-Wing Alliance, for the time that it was released, the games graphical detail was incredible. This game, in both graphics and sound, surpassed the other space fighter simulation, Wing Commander, by leaps and bounds. The detail that went into recreating the Star Wars ships was amazing. From the glow of the X-wings engines, to the detail of the Death Star trench run, this game was incredible.

The sound in this game is phenomenal. Using the Sound Blaster's capability of reproducing sounds using wave files, the immersion of sound is really cool. Sampled sounds of the lasers, both Rebel and Imperial, make it sounds like you're actually in the star fighter. Even the iMuse score, adapted from John Williams classic Star Wars score, makes it feels like you're in the movie. Besides, the sound of a Tie Fighter, screaming by your cockpit, can be unnerving in a dog fight.

The controls are very easy to use to. Everything is mapped out on your keyboard, very intuitively. After playing for a while, it almost becomes second nature. Especially in the middle of a dog fight, you really can't afford to glance at a reference card, or else you become bantha fodder. If you have a decent joystick, it's the best way to play. You can use a mouse, but is like flying with a bar of soap. The keyboard may also be used if you do not have a joystick port, but it still not quite the same.

The artificial intelligence, can be either stupid or downright ruthless. In the beginning historical missions, the AI is fairly stupid. This way you can get a feel for the games mechanics, and still gets the pleasure of blowing an Imperial Trooper to dust. However, once you get into the tour of duties, the AI is basically, seek and destroy.

The Bad
There is not a lot that I dislike with this game. Being a Star Wars fan myself, I immediately took to the game. Although I must say, that a few of missions are extremely difficult to accomplish.

The Bottom Line
If you like Star Wars, or even if you don't, you really need to check this game out. Don't check it out for the Star Wars license, rather check it out if you really like an excellent space combat similar.