This comment is for the N64 version of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire!
When Nintendo launched its 64 bit system in 1996, the world at the time seen some of the greatest graphics ever on a video game console and even though Sony's Playstation and Sega's Saturn were competing, this new competitor in the gaming arena quickly became a superstar! With it's unique analog controllers, unbelievable games, and it's Nintendo Expansion Pak, Nintendo clearly had a system that would remain champion in the console stadium for years!
My Take: As a huge Star Wars fan and big gamer this was a must to play! The graphics are excellent and the ships look like they do the films and even the ones that wasn't still look very real! It has great characters, incredible action, game play, and music! Read below for more!
The Story: In between Episodes V & VI, It is yet still a dark time in the galaxy, Prince Xizor has a terrible plan. The green skinned leader of Black Sun is at his most powerful state. While Han Solo is frozen in carbonite and being taken by the legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett, Solo's good friend Dash Rendar comes on to the scene to not to only rescue him but also must achieve many other deadly obstacles such as the deadly android bounty hunter IG-88, the Swoop Gang, meat eating Wampas, the Empire's Tie-Fighters and Star Destroyers. Will Dash succeed and defeat the odds or will the universe be covered by a very dark shadow?
Game Play: The game play is hard at first but give it a bit of time and it becomes natural. It has many camera angles including first person. The controls are smooth. There are several types of modes being Dash in action, flying his Outrider, driving an extremely fast swoop bike, and more!
Graphics: The graphics, while not flawless is excellent and is some of the greatest ever put in a game. The AT-AT and the AT-ST Walkers look nearly identical like their counter parts. The Snowspeeders, Probe Droids, Boba Fett's Slave I, Tie-Fighters, Ties Bombers, and Star Destroyers look very real as well! The Storm Troopers and Snow Troopers look good also! The cut scenes really look awesome with the pictures of the characters! Very cool art! The whole graphics category is tremendous!
Difficulty: The game has many difficult stages and has many options for the novice players to the experts!
Music: Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire has one of the most explosive scores ever! Its all performed by an orchestra and underrated composer Joel McNeely takes this to new heights! Some of John Williams composing is here from the original films but most of it is new music. In My opinion some of McNeely's score sounds similar like the music James Horner has composed in the past but that doesn't mean anything bad by a long shot and that means its that great! In the last level the music even has a choir! There are only a handful of games that can compete with this epic monster when it comes to music in a video game! Its simply amazing!
Sound: The sound is great and clear! Very realistic Tie-Fighter, Probe Droid, AT-AT and AT-ST Walker sounds! The game really has dynamic sound!
Overall: In My opinion this one of the greatest Star Wars games ever and with its plot, characters, and musical score it could have easily been a motion picture! Its a great fun game and even if you have beaten it on all difficult modes its still worth playing simply because of the marvelous score! If you are a Star Wars fan and have an N64 get this game now! I strongly recommend it!
To purchase Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire for the Nintendo 64 stop by Amazon.com!
