Star Wars Starfighter: Special Edition

With its amazing graphics capability, it was only a matter of time – albeit a short time – before some publisher put the Xbox to the test by designing an incredible flight/combat simulation.

That publisher was LucasArts, and the game is Star Wars Starfighter Special Edition.

The game setup is much like Star Wars: Episode I. The Trade Federation has some nefarious schemes in the works, and the princess of Naboo is in peril. Three Starfighter pilots – Rhys Dallows, Vana Sage and the pirate captain Nym – are determined to face off against the Trade Federation.

Three pilots, three ships: Rhys flies the Starfighter, Vana pilots the Guardian Mantis, and Nym (a Feeorin) is in command of an experimental bomber, aptly named The Havoc. There are 14 missions on three worlds, and all manner of obstructions and targets to test your flying skills. Though the game features three different ships, they all have the same general player interface.

Controls are the key to this game, and Starfighter makes the most of the Xbox controller. The left trigger is the brake, the right is the acceleration; the right thumbstick allows players to roll the craft, the left thumbstick governs directional turning; the A and B buttons are primary and secondary fire buttons; the X button is to zoom; and the Y button is for manual targeting. Pushing straight down on either the right or left thumbsticks will center the ship. This can be extremely handy, especially if you are in a tight environment, concentrating on the targeting display, and are complete disoriented. But remember, there is no up or down in space.

Sounds simple, but wait until you are zipping down a tight canyon laced with mines that will explode if you get too close to them – not to mention droid fighters waiting to test your skill. And that is just in the training area – wait until you are involved in a dogfight over an alien planet.

This program does allow for two-player gaming – though these options are not mission-based. There are five player-versus-player games that have some intrigue, including Hunter (one player is the hunter, the other is the prey who has to get away) and Detonator (akin to ‘hot potato,’ except with a thermal detonator).

Graphically this game is stunning. The three-dimensional environments are incredible; the HUD (heads-up display) is smooth and responsive; and the ships, mines, droids and other rendered equipment are finely detailed. Special effects are also very well done, from explosions to the laser blasts zipping by your hull. One expects a certain level of graphical quality from LucasArts, and this game delivers every bit of it.

The sound elements do a terrific job of supporting the graphics – from the chatter over the headset to the blast sounds, musical score and even the vocalizations of the R2 unit, this game has it all. If there is a drawback, it would be that some of the human vocal acting is a little dry – smooth, but with forced emotion.

Star Wars Starfighter Special Edition is a dynamic, well-crafted combat flight simulator. The action is stunning, and the game is an absolute joy to play.

This game is rated Teen for violence, however that may be overrated. You are, after all, talking about a combat flight sim with imaginary craft in a fantastic, but not yet realized, setting.

Gameplay: 9
The game boards are huge, and the action is flawless.

Graphics: 9.4
The three-dimensional terrains and craft are incredible; the special effects are amazing; and overall effect will draw anyone who is a Star Wars fan, or isn’t, into these fantastic realms.

Sound: 9
Every bit of sound one would expect from the Star Wars universe is here. The vocal acting of the humanoids could have been stronger, but still it is enough to propel the game along at hyper-speed.

Difficulty: 8.5
The controls will take some getting used to, and the initial tendency is to hit the brakes and wait for the target to come into range. Does the term “sitting duck” ring a bell? However, once you get the controls down, this game is an incredible adventure. The player interface is very accessible. There are three difficulty levels to challenge just about anyone.

Concept: 8.8
Some of the storyline seems drawn from Episode I, but it works with this game. And there is enough of a storyline to drive the game. If the game advertises itself as a member of the Star Wars universe, it better have all the elements. This game does.

Multiplayer: 8
Nothing too unusual here, but still it is supported with some nice variations on the ‘capture-the-flag’ theme.

Overall: 9.4
This is what a flight sim should be. The first-person perspective is incredible, as are the graphics. Star Wars games on the PC were a joy to play – this platform merely adds to the legacy of fine games built on a wonderful universe.