This is, quite simply, the best space combat sim of all time, and that's not a statement I make lightly. This game is set in the classic Star Wars trilogy, which depicts the struggle of a rebel uprising against a totalitarian empire that spans the stars. In this game, you play as an up-an-coming pilot in the Imperial Navy, rising through the ranks by fighting rebels, pirates, insurgent factions, and other ne'er-do-wells. There is a story here, but it's rather light, so it's not worth mentioning. What's truly on display here is the gameplay. The flight engine in this game is just perfect. It's a nice mixture of realism and arcade-style combat that gives you the depth of control of a sim, but the speed and feel of an arcade game. The lasers travel at just the right speed to make hitting foes simple, and missiles travel at an equally ideal pace. Fast enough to hit targets, but slow enough to where you can evade or shoot them down. Aside from that, there is a TON of content. There are thirteen campaigns (or Battles) in this game when both the main game and the expansions are accounted for, comprising about five to six missions each. In addition, you can play through the campaigns in a non-linear fashion, choosing which battles to fight at what time (within limits). This gives the game some flexibility in how you approach it. This doesn't even take into account the secondary and bonus objectives you can do to boost your rank. Finally, the soundtrack. The DOS version of this game has a stellar MIDI soundtrack, enhanced by the IMUSE sound system. It adapts the music to the situation during the battle. New ships will arrive with musical jingles indicating which faction it is, and the soundtrack will change depending on whether you're doing well or poorly. Put simply, it's awesome. You owe it to yourself to check this game out. Even if you're not a Star Wars fan, you can appreciate just how well the game plays and the depth it offers. Buy now.
