Here's a review...

[Guest vrb]

Here's the web link: http://www.jsonline.com/enter/homeenter/videos//nov01/auth13111201.asp

 

'Battlegrounds' familiar, but still fun

By Matt Stanton

Journal Interactive Design Editor

Last Updated: Nov. 12, 2001

Review

 

 

Think Darth Vader's troops could have done a better job defending the Endor shield generator from pesky Ewoks and rebellion commandos? Here's your chance to find out.

 

"Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds" is LucasArts' latest Jedi-flavored version of another company's best-seller - in this case, Microsoft's "Age of Empires II". While the core engine behind Battlegrounds is based on "AoE," fans of the real-time strategy genre will recognize Battlegrounds as closer to Blizzard Entertainment's "Starcraft" series of games.

 

In "Battlegrounds," players take command of small military forces juggling logistics and tactics against neighboring rivals. Sending out troops, tanks and starfighters is only possible after the player has spent enough time harvesting resources and building factories needed to support such units. Orders are made by clicking on menu icons: move here, build this, attack that.

 

Players choose to lead one of six groups. The Galactic Empire, Rebel Alliance, and Wookiees forces draw from the original "Star Wars" film trilogy, while Royal Naboo, Gungan, and Trade Federation options come from "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace." Each side has its own advantages, special units, and preferred set of tactics. Rival groups left to computer control can become allies or enemies based on interactions with the player.

 

Super-gadgets and the Force replace magic spells from other fantasy-themed products. Practically no ship seen in the "Star Wars" series has been omitted from the game; given the right set-up of technology, players can built Gungan submersibles, exotic mounted cavalry, AT-AT walkers, TIE fighters, X-Wings, and much more. LucasArts even references its own previous work by including units of Imperial dark troopers from the "Star Wars Dark Forces" game.

 

Well-known names also pop up frequently throughout the various scenarios. Major "Star Wars" characters making guest appearances range from superstars such as bounty hunter Boba Fett to obscure figures such as Chewabacca's father, Attichitcuk. (Thanks to name-brand character units, a quickly edited custom mission can fulfill fans' Dark Side longing to watch Sith warriors cut down Jar Jar Binks again and again.)

 

Training scenarios put a beginner in charge of such benign tasks as farming and nerf-herding, leading later to search-and-destroy operations and all-out war. Single-player games include campaign scenarios based on specific eras from the "Star Wars" universe and random missions combining new settings and characters. With both an online multi-player module and custom campaign editor built into the version, "Battlegrounds" promises a wide variety of play.

 

While the unit graphics in "Battlegrounds" are good, the various buildings illustrating background terrain give the game its rich feel. Structures drawn from the Naboo and Bespin settings are particularly nice. There is a troubling downside to the scenery, however -- it often gets in the way. Unlike LucasArts' previous real-time strategy game, "Star Wars Force Commander," the player's point of view cannot rotate or zoom. As a result, units can end up literally hidden in the bushes and left behind when the rest of a squad moves on.

 

Although lacking in originality, LucasArts has tapped the best ideas from earlier strategy games and put them together in a stable package.

 

"Battlegrounds" deserves a place on every "Star Wars" gaming fan's holiday wish list.

[Guest Bobio]

[darthfergie]

LOL!!!

THAT IS HALERIOUS!!!

[EndSub]

ROTFLMAO!

[Jedi_Knight]

noooooooo jar jar don't die:jarjar:

[Com Raven]

Wow, the ground on that screen looks great ....