Star Wars Battlefront 2
Star Wars Battlefront 2 expands upon the idea established in the first game of putting players on the front lines of the battles in a galaxy far, far away. The biggest addition was hero characters. Not only did storm troopers and droids charge into battle, but Jedi and other powerful characters got some screen time as well.
The galactic conquest mode was one of the highlights of the title, offering both strategic and close quarters gameplay. Sprinting across massive maps from every corner of the Star Wars universe, piloting some of the toughest machines in the galaxy, and cutting through enemies with a lightsaber has never felt as good as it did in 2005.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
When Bioware announced that they were developing an RPG set in the Star Wars universe, many were skeptical. Not only did Bioware create a great game, they created an absolute classic. Set thousands of years before the events of the films, seeing an ancient, vibrant era of Star Wars was more than enough to draw players in.
But there was even more to add to the experience. The player character was essentially a blank slate, allowing the player to mold them into any kind of warrior, be it bounty hunter, Jedi, or Sith.
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
The space battles have always been a joy to watch in Star Wars. Rogue Squadron gave us the chance to jump into the fray, tearing through the void of space, gunning down enemy ships and braving dangerous trench runs.
Every ship handled differently, causing each mission to play out differently. The excellent mission structure and variety of locales you could soar through kept things fresh. Even though it was released in 1998, it still holds up today.
Star Wars: Republic Commando
The Star Wars prequels aren’t loved by many, but a couple of good games did come out of the films. The most notable title was by far Star Wars: Republic Commando. Players got the chance to step into the replicated boots of the clone soldiers. You and your squad tore through battlefields, working to turn the tide of the Clone Wars.
Combining first-person shooting and squad tactics, working with teammates and gunning down waves of enemies was both simple and engaging. The story and combat were top notch, taking full advantage of the lore created by the prequels and crafting a fantastic game within it.
Super Star Wars
The Super Star Wars trilogy of games adapted the original three films into side-scrolling action platformers for the Super Nintendo. They are a bit strange, featuring enemies and levels that never appeared in the original films, but flipping, blasting and slicing your way across Tatooine, Hoth and Endor still feels great.
All three games are incredibly tough and throw enemies at you without a second thought. The titles each contain beautiful 16-bit graphics, capturing the look and feel of Star Wars and giving players a fantastic campaign to work their way through.
Lego Star Wars
Lego has always been a great children’s toy, but creating an entire Star Wars game featuring the blocky characters did seem a bit odd. It wasn’t until the title hit store shelves that the true potential was realized. From that point on, fans and newcomers were both thrown into the beloved universe that had an extra dose of humor added on top.
Every scene from the movies were recreated using Legos and the simple combat made it accessible to all ages. Building Lego constructs and figuring out how to beat each level is equal parts fun and nostalgic, making the most of the combination of the two brands.
Star Wars the Force Unleashed
The majority of Star Wars titles rely heavily on action but the Force Unleashed takes the cake. Protagonist Star Killer is a proficient force wielder, sending storm troopers flying, rolling and flipping out of the way of attacks, and sinking his saber into enemy droids.
What’s so great about this game is that it expands the lore, creating plenty of new scenarios for Star Wars based action to take place in. The story was filled with emotion and plenty of great action, pushing players through a variety of beautiful levels featuring fantastic combat and tough choices.
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy not only lets players experience what it’s like to be a Jedi, but expands the narratives of previous Star Wars games at the same time. The mix of lightsaber combat and third-person shooting keeps you on your toes.
It built upon the great combat and exploration of the previous title and gave players a sense of discovery by putting them in the shoes of a Jedi in training. As he discovered the mysteries of the galaxy and the force, players were treated to new powers and breathtaking moments. All anybody wants from a Star Wars game is good lightsaber combat, and Jedi Academy delivers.
Star Wars Empire at War
The battles in Star Wars are massive. Empire at War capitalizes this and puts players in charge of the vast amount of forces that hurl lasers and screech across the sky. It turns out that the series is a perfect fit for a strategy game, making it easier for developers to portray the massive conflicts that erupt in the stars.
The game is set between the third and fourth films and explores battles between the Empire and the Rebels. This simple setup allows for plenty of unique situations that really test a player’s ability to adapt and learn on the fly, making the most of the technology at their fingertips.
Star Wars Shadows of the Empire
Shadows of the Empire is remembered as fondly as it is for several reasons. The combat is fluid and fun and Dash Rendar is a fantastic character who is incredibly different from anyone else in the series long history.
Rendar works his way through the series’ expansive universe, doing his best to rescue the likes of Han Solo and Princess Leia, proving that he is a formidable threat to the empire. The story is incredibly engrossing and a joy to experience, and the rock solid gameplay doesn’t hurt things either.
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