When internet gaming became hot, so did the number of companies practically tripping over themselves trying to release online multi-player games for people to play. So what happens when LucasArts wants a piece of the action? Enter X-Wing vs. Tie Fighter.
There is literally no story here. You either play against other people on-line or you fly missions that have no story to back them up. It gets pretty damn tedious after a while, with no reason other than the fact that it's there for you to even want to play the next mission. Granted, the add-on fixes this problem but correct me if I'm wrong, isn't the story one of the most important aspects of the Star Wars Universe?
Since the very first X-Wing game, there hasn't been much improvement for the graphics, and this game continues the tradition (and continues still in the newly released X-Wing Alliance). Still, its not too bad, but there is much, much better out there. Makes you wish someone like Christopher Roberts (Wing Commander, Starlancer) would take a hand at crafting the next X-Wing game.
Again, not much improvement in the sound department either. Same tunes, same audio effects. Hey, when do we get some new material dammit? I realize it's hard to mess with the classic soundtrack (even though Shadows of the Empire managed to contribute something new), but come on! At least re-record the audio effects for the higher end sound cards so they don't sound like they're being filtered through a Gameboy speaker.
If you've played one good flight simulator, then you've played them all as far as control schemes are concerned. But I must again mention that a good flight stick is a must if you truly want to get the whole experience that a game like this has to offer. The tighter, more realistic controls that a good flight stick offers are second to none when you're trying to submerge yourself in a game.
Design-wise, it's a great game for multi- player but it sucks as far as a single player game goes. Why couldn't they give us some story, any story, rather than a random string of missions that are kinda thrown at you as an after thought? The interface itself is easy enough to navigate and for the most part fits in with the Star Wars theme. For the most part.
If you play a game to unlock hidden little goodies like extra ships or secret missions then keep looking. X-Wing vs. Tie Fighter offers absolutely nothing but what you see when you first load the game to your hard drive.
Okay, so it isn't the great game in the world, but it is
a good multi-player game, plus there is an add-on that offers
more multi-player missions and a single player story. If you're
a Star Wars nut, then chances are
you already have it. If you're a space-sim nut, look elsewhere
unless you've played everything else.
More PC Reviews
PC
Version
Domestic
Genre
Space Combat
Publisher
LucasArts
Players
One - Eight
Hardware
Joystick
Pluses
Multi-Player
Good Control
Minuses
No Story
So-So Missions
Missing B-Wing
in control rating