24-Nov-2003 If you could use the Force, what would you do with it? Make your mate's trousers fall down in a public place? Levitate bogeys and send them pinging into the grumpy bus driver's hair? Or, like us, would it involve Atomic Kitten, a tub of lard and three corn on the cobs?
As fun as all those things would be, it would be a waste to use such an amazing power for such simple ends. A bit like Rogue Squadron III - a game that is clearly powered by a fantastic engine but never quite harnesses its full potential.
The Force is still strong in this one, though. As far as basic button-bashing, laser-spewing, pyrotechnic-billowing shooters go, Rebel Strike is as effective as an Imperial Destroyer on bombardment duty.
Tie Me Up Everyone loves Star Wars because the movies make you feel like you're playing a game: screaming down the Death Star trench in an X-Wing or thundering through canyons in a pod race. Rebel Strike captures that adrenaline-soaked sensation brilliantly. Dogfighting TIEs as they howl across laser-scorched skies is one of the purest shoot 'em up experiences this year.
There are literally tons of TIEs, tanks and troop carriers to be blown up and Imperial installations to be bombed. You won't need to rely on just your wings, though. For the first time in the series, Rebel Strike takes the battle to terra firma. The assortment of land vehicles is genuinely impressive and it's wicked getting to command an AT-AT or ride a grunting Tauntaun.
Luke Groundwalker Unfortunately, the on-foot sections are a real disappointment. Nothing spoils the illusion of being inside the Star Wars universe more than seeing Luke shuffling around like he's dropped a steamer in his pants, randomly blasting off his laser at dumbass Imperials. It's not a huge part of the game, but when the vehicle combat is so tight you wonder why they bothered to sully it with this mince.
Apart from that, Rebel Strike is beautiful to look at, exciting to play, and does a fine job of capturing the epic feel of the movies. But at the end of the day it's still a very basic game concept glossed up with fancy GameCube technology. It's like using the power of the Force to get an extra-large portion of chips with your fish - satisfying, but such power deserves more respect.
It's vacuum-packed with lightspeed dogfights and hardcore fans will lap up the new vehicles, but some quality additions to the formula are desperately needed.
Rogue Squadron gives you the opportunity to do the things that looked so cool in the movies, such as crippling Imperial AT-ATs. Like our art editor Jaime they've got a powerful upper body teetering on long baby-deer legs. What to do?
...admire your work as it topples. It worked on Jaime too, but he skinned his knees and
we felt bad
Circle the beast, lassoing its skinny beanpoles and keeping an eye out for incoming fire. Get ready now for the big moment and…
You need to get in close to launch your tow-rope but you don’t want to hit the legs. Over the top and down, that’s what you need to do…
// Hey, Nice Wheels
Checking out the vehicle list is like opening up a toy box full of vintage Star Wars models and getting to leap into the cockpit of them all! Check these out...
Hop on a speeder bike and track down Imperial soldiers as you whizz past trees. That’s a nice-looking forest
Or take a test drive in a captured TIE Hunter, using it to spring a nasty surprise on the Empire
Have a go with an Imperial AT-ST, firing off missiles at tanks and squishing soldiers underfoot
// You Star!
One of the most memorable moments from The Empire Strikes Back is the Imperial assault on Hoth. Rebel Strike lets you play out the scene, taking control of Luke Skywalker after his Snowspeeder is taken down by an AT-AT.
Then take out the Imperial gun emplacements and hoof it over to the base on a Tauntaun
Take out the attacking AT-ATs. Climb up, slice open their bellies and fill them with grenade!
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