Shadows of the Empire--Game Review

Alright, it's time for round two of my massive Shadows of the Empire review. Today, I've set my sights on the Nintendo 64 launch title. But before I start commenting on the game itself, let's set up a little background on gaming at the time.

It was 1996, 3D graphics were still in it's early stages of development, and few games outside the PC had done it right. Another N64 launch title, Super Mario 64, displayed great promise in what could be done with 3D graphics on the console, so expectations were high right from the start. However, the N64 was notoriously difficult to develop for, due to Nintendo keeping the cartridge format alive for another generation, and the complexity of the hardware architecture. These problems plagued the N64 throughout it's entire lifespan, causing many A-list titles to be developed for the weaker, yet still capable Sony Playstation, giving it the edge on the console wars, and putting Nintendo behind for the first time since they made the NES back in the 1980's.

Shadows of the Empire was one of those launch games that didn't exactly have the best control of what it was trying to do. It was an ambitious title, attempting to blend platforming, third and first person shooter elements, and flight combat all into one game. It hadn't been done before, but it felt like an evolution from the Super Star Wars games for the Super Nintendo. Those games were focused on run-and-gun Contra-esque gameplay, and had amazing Mode-7 driven flight stages spread throughout. However, the 2D and false 3D gameplay worked better than on the N64, even though the games were still far more difficult than any of their action game contemporaries. Shadows suffered from poor controls, a murky 3D engine, and some moments of poor level design. But, in my opinion, the game is still a blast to play.

The flight levels steal the show right from the beginning. The game starts with a stellar Battle of Hoth level which developers would rip off any time a Galactic Civil War era game was developed. Shooting down probe droids and sinking AT-AT's proved to be a smooth and exciting moment for the game. This level was executed well it was the single inspiration for Factor 5's Rogue Squadron series three years later. Other flight levels include an attack on Prince Xizor's SkyHook and a slew of Virago fighters, and a trip through the Hoth asteroid field. The only example of a bad vehicular stage is the Swoop Bike chase through Mos Eisley and into Beggars Canyon. It's a bit of a mixed bag, as the level is difficult to navigate, and the swoop gang is a stunning example of poor AI.

With brilliantly executed flight levels, where did this game go wrong during the ground missions? This is where the poor 3D engine comes into play. Platforming in 3D was still new, as I said, and this is an example of a poor effort. The escape from Echo Base in level two doesn't fare as poorly as later missions such as Gall Spaceport, but it all feels repetitious and weak throughout. The mission on Gall is probably the worst sequence in the game; long drawn out sections of jet pack driven platforming over foggy canyons to small indistinguishable rocks while being shot at by stormtroopers you can't even see. Without doubt, you'd need the patience of several Jedi to not scream at your sixteenth death trying to navigate this mess of a level. Pass this, however, and you get the game's most rewarding boss fight: Boba Fett.

Sadly, other boss fights aren't as inspired as this. The AT-ST battles that occur frequently throughout the game equate to running in a circle and shooting. The battle with IG-88 doesn't even come across as particularly inspired. The only remaining battles are with droids or a giant dianoga, and the latter is more frustrating than it is fun.

Without any doubt, Dash Rendar, the game's main character, is a massive disappointment. He's a poor mans Han Solo, right down to his ship, the Outrider. I get that the Corellian shipyards would have constructed more than one model of YT-#### frigate, but I seriously doubt that all smugglers and mercenaries that the Rebel Alliance would talk to flies just that series of ship! If you can swallow this guy's participation in the game, then you are okay to sludge through the rest.

You must be asking now why I look at this game so kindly when asked about it. The answer is simple: it's a Star Wars game that actually feels like I'm in the Star Wars universe. Many games that have come out since the prequel films don't have the same feeling, and to me, that is vital to the experience. The musical score and epic feel of the game provide everything that is necessary to make this a Star Wars experience, even if the gameplay falls flat. I give the same explanation as to why I enjoyed Rebel Assault 2 as well, and that game is as cheesy and dated as games could possibly be at this point.

As for the games place in the Shadows of the Empire story, it basically fills in all of those spots that are missing from the book. Recovering the plans for the second Death Star from the Imperial Freighter Suprosa, Dash saving Luke from Jabba's swoop gang, and other gaps in the story are filled in sufficiently, even though they were done needlessly. The two books that tell the story around the game do so better than the in game text based cut scenes. For the N64 to use a method of storytelling such as this is also a bit disappointing, because we were all expecting video cutscenes such as the Playstation was giving at the time. For the weaker system to deliver the higher quality cutscenes, LucasArts wasn't doing the Nintendo any favors. Especially since they had the video cutscenes from the PC version, this is somewhat inexcusable.

Overall, I still enjoy the game, but I realize it's flaws. If you aren't so obsessed with modern graphics, and can get around the messiness of the experience, go out and pick this one up. It's cheap enough and there are several hundred thousand copies floating around in used bins at game shops everywhere. It's definitely an example of where video games were then, and how far they have come.

3.5/5

Tommorow, I'm going to review the soundtrack CD, as I don't have the cash to pick up my Wednesday books yet. Look for that review on Thursday, and the finale to the Shadows of the Empire review on Friday, where I will take a look at the comic book mini-series that fills in the rest of the gaps.

Screenshots courtesy of www.ign.com