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Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue
Leader
[November 26,
2001]
Rebel pilots, report to
duty! It’s time to suit up, strap in, and fly off as a pilot
in Rouge Squadron II, the rebel alliances most elite
group of fighter pilots. When the mission is tough, and the
outlook is grim, Rouge squadron is the team responsible for
making sure the balance of power doesn’t forever sway in
favor of the empire. Rouge Leader takes you into the heart of
imperial territory, including a one way ticket into the
trenches of the death star, near an imperial star destroyer,
across Bespin’s Cloud City, and many more.
Features
- Return to the classic
universe of the Star Wars trilogy movies
- Pilot a wide selection of
classic ships as heroes Luke Skywalker or Wedge Antilles
- Fly in third-person view or
view the action from inside the cockpits of the crafts
- Play through more than 10
regular missions including Attack on the Death Star and
Battle of Hoth
- Master the skills needed to
become Rogue Leader in a training course based on Tatooine
- Unlock several secret
levels, ships and modes of play
- Beautiful graphics include
detailed ship and object models, lighting effects,
extensive geometry and advanced texture effects
- MusyX-powered Dolby Pro
Logic II Surround Sound experience
- Commendable DVD-like extras
including a behind-the-scenes documentary and level
commentary
- Streamlined, spectacular
interface blends FMV cut-scenes from the movies seamlessly
into the menus
- Runs in progressive scan
mode if your television supports it
- Single-player game
Gameplay
Like its predecessor, Rouge Squadron II
follows closely to the Star Wars trilogy. Overall, ships
handle fast and furious and the level of control is
consistently tight and responsive. But that's not to suggest
that uber-developer Factor 5 has attended to all of the
original Rogue Squadron's shortcomings. Some issues remain.
For example, the ships in the game don't often feel as if they
have any deep physics to them. When one turns, it happens on a
dime, without hesitation, and not always with an accurate
sensation that a hulking, metal craft is soaring through
space. But occasionally the fighters do run into a limit
where it can’t turn properly. At this limit its impossible
to chase a TIE fighter because the camera tries to correct
itself. Also the radar setup is a bet confusing. Although it
is quite evident that Rogue Leader isn’t a simulation by and
sort, it doesn’t have to follow any real world physics. But
you should note that these oversights do somewhat
significantly affect the experience of the game, but the fun
part of the game out weigh and of these complaints. But you
should still consider them. Gamers can also fight
against huge Star Destroyers in space, war over a beautiful
ocean on Kothlis, sneak by Imperial forces under a thick fog,
relive the Battle of Endor -- and much, much more! Each level
becomes progressively more difficult so that by the Battle of
Hoth, the missions are moderately hard to beat and near
impossible to master and score gold medals on.
Graphics
Definitely
something to drool over! From the Intimately designed Bespin
City, Death Star, Ison corridor, and many many more! Players
control characters Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles through a
series of awe-inspiring missions -- 10 standard and more bonus
-- ripped straight out of the classic franchise films. The
title rockets the squadron immediately into the Attack on the
Death Star scene from the original Star Wars. In it gamers
must actually first pilot an X-Wing over the giant structure
whilst shooting down enemy TIEs and then into the trenches for
the explosive finale. It's here that one first becomes aware
of the immensity Rogue Leader delivers. A vast, detailed plane
of geometry stretches before players as they dodge laser fire
and shoot down gun towers even while tens of TIEs soar here
and there in an intense demonstration of system power. Just
the sheer amount of activity is eye widening, and the visual
presentation
Its simply
unequaled by any Star Wars game before it. From the
explosions, to the ground troops on the ground, to the
well-proportioned aspects, the graphics in this game are the
best I have seen.
Sound
What's there to expect in a Star wars game
besides Star Wars music? Though the soundtrack is relatively
the same, the sound quality is EXTRAORDINARY! The roaring of
the TIEs gets you going! The cannon fire makes your heart
race! And the explosion sends your mind spiraling into the
vast world of Star Wars. The dynamic music is a welcomed
addition as it reacts perfectly to situations in the game. For
example, during the trench run, the music intensifies as Luke
prepares to fire a torpedo into the unprotected hole of the
structure. Bringing all of this together into one neat little
package, Rogue Leader runs in Dolby Pro Logic II for 5.1
surround sound -- despite the fact that GameCube has no
digital out. A matrix developed by Jim Fosgate takes
GameCube's analog signal and filters it appropriately. The
result is a simulated, but nonetheless effective 5.1 listening
experience complete with clear separation in the front and
rear speakers, not to mention sub-woofer output. Trust us on
this -- it sounds amazing. The only problem is that gamers
will need to buy a Dolby Pro Logic II capable receiver to take
full advantage of the technology.
Control
The very complex design of the Gamecube
controller puts the player in the game. “Wow, I actually
feel like I’m piloting the X-Wing myself!” Says Steven
Picone, another GameCube addict. The R and L buttons located
in the relatively same position as on N64 allow acceleration
and deceleration of your craft. This is what allows the aspect
of the great “dogfight” with the imperial fighters. The Z
button, located just below the R button has one use in this
game…Barrel Rolls. Although not that useful in game play,
the whole look of watching your craft spin endlessly into the
galaxy is great! The analog stick is located in the left
portion of the controller. However, the joystick on GameCube
is made of a rubbery material, much more comfortable than
it’s Nintendo 64 counterpart. Also located on the left
portion of the GCN controller is the classic D-Pad. This is my
favorite feature of Rouge Leader. Now YOU are in control of
the squadron, tell your two wingmen their assignments (e.g.:
Right: Ties, Left: Guns, Up: Form, Down: Flee). The Y and X
buttons are located over the A button. X controls the
targeting computer while Y changes into the inner cockpit
view. Nintendo made a bold move by turning the C buttons into
a more compact analog stick. Yet bold, very smart. The C stick
isn’t used much in the game, but sure does show the cubes
graphic power while exploring the cockpit. And last but not
least, the B button. Located southwest of the A button, B
controls the firing of missiles, torpedoes, harpoons, bombs,
and any other projectiles besides the traditional lasers you
may fire. And I will be honest with you. When your hands are
on the controller, you pick up one mean ambition to kick some
imperial ass!
Replay
Value
Shoot and Kill, Shoot and Kill, Shoot
and Kill…The never ending story behind Rouge Leader.
Although a great game with exceedingly challenging missions
the basis behind every mission is the same. I would have liked
to see some ground fighting, where you controlled your
character on land. However, I still find myself at the cube
for at least 2 hours a day hounding over some of the many
missions. For a great time every now and then, I would
definitely make this a top purchase.
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