FIRST LOOK STAR WARS: SQUADRONS
[ Words Alan Wen ]
PS4, XB1, PC
After making our Jedi fantasies come true, the next
Star Wars
game is set to fulfil our dreams of being starfighter pilots.
Sure, dogfighting made an appearance in Battlefront 2, but Squadrons puts you right in the pilot’s seat in intense first-person battles across the galaxy, in a bid to recapture the halcyon days of X-Wing vs TIE Fighter.
Letting you control pilots from both the New Republic and the Galactic Empire, the main focus is on 5v5 multiplayer battles, from traditional deathmatches to large-scale fleet battles, the latter requiring you to destroy the other team’s flagship. You’ll be able to plan your skirmishes with your squadron in the briefing room before take-off, so there’ll be time for strategy and camaraderie.
You’ll also be able to customise your ship, from component upgrades to purely cosmetic changes. Fortunately, EA has learned its lesson from the Battlefront 2 lootbox poo-storm so it’s all earned and unlocked through gameplay.
There’s also a single-player campaign taking place shortly after the events of Return of the Jedi, adding a host of diverse and original characters, and you can expect cameos from familiar faces too. Similarly, your battles across the galaxy will feature past locations such as the gas giant of Yavin Prime as well as new destinations.
The game is already available to pre-order for £35, the price suggesting a lighter package compared to the scale of Battlefront 2; but it may prove the most immersive experience of them all, as it will fully support VR on both PS4 and PC.