DAY 139 / GAME 139
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
One of the first opening levels in Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire was a recreation of the Battle of Hoth. Here you find yourself defending Echo base against a group of Imperial Walkers while piloting a Rebel Snowspeeder from a third-person view. I remember playing those levels over and over again thinking to myself, if they made a whole game just like this, I would be very happy. Then, about two years later LucasArts and Factor 5 released Rogue Squadron, which was exactly that.
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron came out in 1998, I remember downloading the demo for my PC which consisted of an early level in the game where you are flying around Tatooine in a T-16 Skyhopper completing various minor missions. The game felt so advanced, portions of this demo felt somewhat sandbox as you could fly openly around the level and both the look and design of the game felt like the kind of game I'd been waiting for. As a game the revolves around dogfighting and otherwise controlling the spacecraft of the Star Wars universe, Rogue Squadron was much more of an arcade title than the simulator feel of X-Wing from previous years. The third-person view and generally slower speed allowed for levels that were close to the ground or required more ridiculous maneuvering.
With about 16 levels that range from Tatooine to deep space, Rogue Squadron felt like those childhood memories of running around your yard with an X-Wing toy in hand, blasting imaginary AT-ATs as they made their way across the grass. The third-person view, and the inclusion of a number of favorite crafts really solidified the whole 'virtually controlling childhood toys' feeling. You are given the opportunity to control the X-Wing, A-Wing, Y-Wing, Snowspeeder, T-16, Millenium Falcon and Tie Interceptor as well as a very hidden unlockable Naboo Starfighter. (Included before Episode 1's release.)
Although the PC version felt like it featured richer graphics at the time, I ended up with the Nintendo 64 version instead. Which is just as well I suppose since I also purchased both sequels on console as well. Though the sequels featured better graphics and overall improved gameplay, Rogue Squadron still has a special place with me simply because it came out when I had dreaming about such a concept. There's nothing quite like imagining an amazing game idea, only to find out that someone else had the same dream and that that person worked pitched it to LucasArts; and succeeded.
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
One of the first opening levels in Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire was a recreation of the Battle of Hoth. Here you find yourself defending Echo base against a group of Imperial Walkers while piloting a Rebel Snowspeeder from a third-person view. I remember playing those levels over and over again thinking to myself, if they made a whole game just like this, I would be very happy. Then, about two years later LucasArts and Factor 5 released Rogue Squadron, which was exactly that. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron came out in 1998, I remember downloading the demo for my PC which consisted of an early level in the game where you are flying around Tatooine in a T-16 Skyhopper completing various minor missions. The game felt so advanced, portions of this demo felt somewhat sandbox as you could fly openly around the level and both the look and design of the game felt like the kind of game I'd been waiting for. As a game the revolves around dogfighting and otherwise controlling the spacecraft of the Star Wars universe, Rogue Squadron was much more of an arcade title than the simulator feel of X-Wing from previous years. The third-person view and generally slower speed allowed for levels that were close to the ground or required more ridiculous maneuvering. With about 16 levels that range from Tatooine to deep space, Rogue Squadron felt like those childhood memories of running around your yard with an X-Wing toy in hand, blasting imaginary AT-ATs as they made their way across the grass. The third-person view, and the inclusion of a number of favorite crafts really solidified the whole 'virtually controlling childhood toys' feeling. You are given the opportunity to control the X-Wing, A-Wing, Y-Wing, Snowspeeder, T-16, Millenium Falcon and Tie Interceptor as well as a very hidden unlockable Naboo Starfighter. (Included before Episode 1's release.)Although the PC version felt like it featured richer graphics at the time, I ended up with the Nintendo 64 version instead. Which is just as well I suppose since I also purchased both sequels on console as well. Though the sequels featured better graphics and overall improved gameplay, Rogue Squadron still has a special place with me simply because it came out when I had dreaming about such a concept. There's nothing quite like imagining an amazing game idea, only to find out that someone else had the same dream and that that person worked pitched it to LucasArts; and succeeded.
No comments:
Post a Comment