Star Wars: Empire at War preview at 1Up

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<a href="http://www.computergamingworld.com/">1Up.com</a> recently posted a preview for the upcoming <a href="http://www.lucasarts.com/games/swempireatwar/">Star Wars: Empire at War</a>.

Here's a bit of it:

<blockquote>Reducing Alderran to rubble does have its drawbacks. For one, you won't be able to build mines to fuel your economy, or anything for that matter, on the asteroid field that remains. In campaign mode, where you're following the storyline for your side, that won't be such an issue. But it's a much more difficult decision in galactic conquest mode. This may be the most appealing way to play the game for many fans. Basically you get to write your own version of Star Wars history, leading either the Empire or the Rebels in an attempt to takeover the entire galaxy.

It's in this mode that the strategic elements of the managing the galactic map and the tactical side of battling it out in space and on planets comes together best. In most cases you need to secure the space around a planet in order to begin your invasion, unless you happen to be the Rebels. Their counterbalance to the Death Star is an ability to blockade run a small force (up to four units) bypassing orbit and landing directly on a planet. It's sort of a guerilla warfare tactic that forces the Empire to devote a number of its forces to holding the planets it occupies, and it feels exactly like something you'd expect the Rebels to do.

Land battles work a little differently from the normal RTS. The invaders begin at a reinforcement point where a certain number of forces may be landed (a counter displays in a hologram above the point). A popup box comes up with the available units you have in orbit and then you drag and drop them into a green deployment circle around the point. If you've reached your limit, the ghost of what you're trying to deploy will turn red. So, one of your first priorities on the offensive is to capture more reinforcement points and increase the force you can bring down to the surface. A successful land grab attack can tip the scales in your favor, but you always have to be on the watch for the defenders circling behind you to recapture a reinforcement point and reduce your population cap.</blockquote>

This game just might be alright if there is strategy in the battles (instead of 'hurrhurr I smash my units into his!11'). It's a shame there is no campaign map for multiplayer mode, because I think that'd be pretty darn fun. Sorta like an RTS/Star Wars version of MOO2.

Read the rest <a href="http://www.computergamingworld.com/do/previewPage?cId=3146583&did=1">here.</a>

Well, after seeing some of those in-game movies on the site I am a bit disappointed. It doesn't have to be a new Dawn of War but those unit animations almost look as terrible and monotone as those of Force Commander.

Concept sounds alright though idd.

I know this is a bit off-topic, but I'd just like to add that Ryuken has the coolest avatar ever.

Hehe, thx, I can point out a wallpaper of it too if you'd like.

Jedi Academy was pretty fun, and what about Tie Fighter? You saying those weren't good, huh? Huh punk?