In this edition of the history of Star Wars video games, we are covering the years 1995-1999 Part 1.
Dark Forces came out for the PC in 1995 and PlayStation in 1996. Dark Forces is a first person shooter game, and is the first of its kind for Star Wars video games. This game style is based off the popular games of that time like DOOM and Duke Nukem 3D. You are Kyle Katarn, a brand new character, which once was a part of the Galactic Empire and now is a mercenary for hire. Taking jobs for the Alliance, you help assist in acquiring the plans to the Death Star and investigating the Dark Trooper Project. Dark Troopers are the Empire’s new advanced battle droids that resemble Stormtroopers in black armor. The level designs in this game are all different types of Star Wars sets like imperial detention level, Jabba’s ship and Nar Shaddar, among others. This game was very successful and produced novels, sequels and spinoffs.
Rebel Assault 2: The Hidden Empire came out in 1995, two years after the original Rebel Assault game. This game, once again, is a flight simulator on rails, with some third person shooter levels. The character of “Rookie One” returns from the first game, but this time is only shown as a male pilot. The new feature that this game offers is original acting for the cut scenes. Props and costumes were borrowed from Lucasfilm. This was the first live action scenes for Star Wars since Return of the Jedi. Even though this game is an improvement from the original, to me it still falls short of the X-Wing and TIE Fighter games.
Shadows of the Empire came out exclusively for the Nintendo 64 in 1996. The Shadows of the Empire game was part of a multimedia event that included books, comics and toys to tell a story that took place between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. You are Dash Render, a smuggler and longtime friend of Han Solo, with a personality that is often compared to Hon. This game is divided into four parts. Part one takes place before the Battle of Hoth with a cameo by Han Solo, who mentions that the Rebels are short on pilots. You must take on AT-ATs, AT-STs and Wampas as you make your way to your ship. Once you find the Outrider you must take off and fly though an asteroid field and battle TIE fighters. The second act takes place after Empire Strikes Back. You are searching for Boba Fett and the frozen Han Solo. Tracking down bounty hunter IG-88, you land on Ord Mantell. After you fight IG-88, he gives you the location of Fett. Receiving a jet pack, you fight Boba Fett as he escapes in Slave 1. Part three takes place on Tatooine where you hear that a swoop biker gang is after Luke Skywalker. Driving a swoop bike though Mos Eisley and Beggars Canyon, you fight off the members of the gang. Part four has to do with the main villain of the Shadows of the Empire series, the leader of Black Sun, Prince Xizor. Princess Leia has been taken prisoner by Prince Xizor. Along with Luke and Lando Calrissian, you travel to his royal palace. After destroying the connection between his palace and his space station, you take on the space station in a space battle. The ending of the game is a little different than the book and comics, and has a better all-around feel to it. Shadows of the Empire was a big success and was a top selling game of 1997.
In 1997 Star Wars: Masters of Teräs Käsi came out for the PlayStation. This is a one-on-one fighting game, in the style of Mortal Kombat. The story of the game is that the Empire has hired unknown assassin Arden Lyn to kill known members of the Rebel Alliance in a fighting tournament. Most of the known characters from episode 4 are in this game and also a few new characters that are available to fight with. Unlock-able secret characters include Darth Vader, a Stormtrooper, slave Leia and Mara Jade. The level choices include Hoth, Cloud City, the Throne Room and the Carbonite Freezing Chamber. This game was not met with good reception from the critics, and is the only Star Wars video game of its kind.
The second game of 1997, X-Wing vs TIE Fighter was released and is the third game in the X-Wing franchise. This time around you get to pick whether you fight for the Rebel Alliance or the Galactic Empire. When choosing missions, you are also given the choice of what ship/squad you fight in. Say you choose to fight for the rebels, you can pick an X- wing or a Y-wing, and will be given different tasks for each ship. The game had better upgrades in graphics and controls than previous games. Multiplayer is the main focus of this game, and the single player game suffered because of that. The game lacked a main single player story mode, cut scenes and ships that the previous games had offered.
Later in 1997, the expansion for X-Wing vs TIE Fighter was put out. Balance of Power answered most of the complaints of the core game. Adding fifteen missions to both factions that now included cut scenes that helped progressed a main story. X-Wing vs TIE Fighter: Flight School also came out in 1997. This was a special edition CD-ROM that included X-Wing, TIE Fighter and X-Wing vs TIE Fighter. All the games, once again, were given upgraded graphics and game engine.
Yoda Stories came out for the PC in 1997 and Game Boy Color in 1999. This game takes place between the movies Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. You are Luke Skywalker continuing your training with Jedi Master Yoda. This game has no overall story, but is made up of a bunch of little games and challenges. Yoda Stories was advertised as a short time killing game, kind of like Solitaire. Every time you played the game it would be a little different, planets and quests would be random each time.
Well, that wraps up this edition of the history of Star Wars video games. Next issues will be Part 2 of 1995-1999. With The Phantom Menace coming out in 1999, we will have plenty of new games to discuss. Until next time, turn off your targeting computer and let the force guide you.
History of Star Wars Video Games 1995 – 1999 Part One review. For more gaming reviews, click here.