Let’s just say Star Wars is the whole reason why I love science-fiction, video games and comic books. If it weren’t for George Lucas’ creation, I probably wouldn’t have this job right now and would be doing a normal desk job just like everyone else. The first role-playing game I ever fell in love with was Star Wars: Knights of The Old Republic and the first science fiction book that got me into reading was the Thrawn Trilogy. Ever since I saw the X-Wings in the first Star Wars movie, I always imagined flying one by myself. While Star Wars: Squadron is not the first game to flirt with the space-opera lore, it is the first game that comes close to replicating that feeling. 

© Electronic Arts

What makes the game great is its control scheme which can be customised to your liking. You can fly X-wings, A-Wings, and the TIE fighters with custom load-outs as well. Even smaller details such as transferring power to your weapons or your shields have been incorporated in the gameplay. In the movies, we would just hear Luke or Obi-Wan take certain actions in the cockpit, but in Squadrons, you actually have to do it yourself. For example, you need to transfer all of your spaceship’s power to your weapons if you are about to get into a dogfight. Or when trying to destroy ‘Star Destroyers,’ you need to transfer all of your power to your shields as you will get bombarded with lasers as you try to approach them.

© Electronic Arts

If you want to take your experience to the next level, you can even play this game in VR mode on the PC and the PlayStation 4. I don’t personally own a VR headset but I’ve been told by peers that the game truly shines in VR mode. You can turn and look at the side out of the cockpit as if you are flying an X-Wing or a TIE fighter. The game is already highly detailed and one can only imagine how the simulation is taken to the next level in VR mode. 

© Electronic Arts

Having said that, we did not like how some of the interactions with NPC take place in the game. There aren’t’ many cutscenes in the game and instead, you interact with characters in a one-sided expositional conversation. These conversations feel quite out of place almost as if it was phoned in by the voice actors. While the gameplay and missions provide you with a great experience you expect from a space combat simulator, the immersion is soon suspended by these NPC characters reminding you how EA did not follow through with high production values in this department. 

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