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We were finally able to get up close
with the first Lucasarts title for 2006, Star Wars:
Empire at War. A brief introduction showed that whilst the game was
still in pre-alpha stages of development, it already has signs of being the Biggest Selling Star Wars PC Game of all Time.
(Mousedroid Prediction). The graphics were breathtaking, the units reflecting a
true Star Wars flavor and best of all, Resource Gathering/Asset Management
was nowhere to be seen. As Jason Anderson put it, " You won't see Droids and Ewoks chopping wood or gathering berries". All-in-all it sounds as if Lucasarts
has learnt from its sins of the past, (MSE-6: anyone remember Star Wars:
Rebellion?) with Empire at War being touted as the "RTS
for the Rest of Us". This is aimed at the total PC market and not
just hardcore gamers or Star Wars fans. A very welcome and refreshing direction
form Lucasarts.
Whilst gameplay, unit balance, storyline
and some more delicate code structure needs work, the version on show was truly
amazing. In the EA Theatre Demo Lucasarts walking guests thru an 'accelerated
planet assault', beginning with construction of an Imperial Fleet. Typically a
fleet consists of a space capable battle force with supporting transports to
land a ground assault army to take over the planet, thus acquiring resources to
construct more troops. But since we were short on time (and because it is cool) a Death Star Was added to the mix.
Upon entering the rebel system it was
simply a matter of delaying the enemy fighters from reaching the Death Star and
hence repeating its Episode 4 destruction. With the rebels tied up the Death
Stars gun was unleashed upon an unsuspecting Alderaan. Gameplay can switch
between strategy mode and the eye-candy cinematic mode, where you can watch your
plans unfold just like a movie. Impressive...you bet!!!
But it is the small details that are
equally impressive. Whilst playing a Hoth assault our AT-AT and tanks were
slowed down by the rebels defense shield, with the shields shimmering as the
vehicles slowly forced their way thru but not allowing any of our lazer fire to
hit the rebel forces. The shields themselves looking remarkably like the Gungan
energy shield but only an a much larger scale. Also available to add to
your army are Heroes and Villains. Have Darth Vader, Tarkin, or even Mara Jade
lead your forces against Obi-Wan, Luke and their rebel friends.
The final release is still long way off,
9th February 2006, but this game is going to well worth the wait. It will be the
Rebirth of True Real Time Strategy that will make you feel more like movie
director than a r frustrated resource manager.
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