Star Wars fans rejoice, Squadrons is both a visual and gameplay feast that will thrill players with it's excellent campaign, especially in VR. The game strikes the perfect balance between simulation and arcade gameplay to produce an authentic feeling of actually piloting the iconic Star Wars fighters.
Introduction
Star Wars: Squadrons allows gamers to control all of the ships that make up the epic battle between the Galactic Empire and Rebel Alliance. It takes the most beloved and iconic ships from the Star Wars universe and lets you experience the excitement of being in the cockpit of an X-Wing or Tie Fighter. It also features an excellent VR experience, putting you right in the cockpit.
How is the gameplay?
While the campaign is a bit short, it still packs a lot of content in. While we were able to complete the single player campaign in about 7 hours, we've yet to see how hard or easy the online modes are to master. The game boasts numerous game modes, including Quick-Play, Arcade, Mission Challenge, Training and Event mode, where players can take part in side-missions, challenges or get involved in a multiplayer tournament. However, Star Wars: Squadrons has a little more than just simple gameplay. In addition to the above, there is also multiplayer leaderboards, rankings, and a mode where players can engage in a tournament. The game features standard multiplayer gameplay, where players may engage each other with a variety of ships, which are randomized at the start of each match.
What about the graphics?
The game features incredible graphical fidelity, with some stunning rendered backgrounds. I mean, I can't actually describe how cool the cockpit looked, but I had to see it for myself. Now, to be clear, Star Wars: Squadrons is not a "VR first" game but it will support both PC VR and roomscale VR. The VR mode has also been fully optimized for the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and the PlayStation VR, making for a more immersive experience.
The graphics are immersive to the point where the setting immediately transports players into the Star Wars universe and gives them an exciting thrill to experience. What happens next is nothing short of breathtaking, especially if you are a VR fan as this game takes full advantage of VR, allowing players to pilot in the deepest settings of the Empire and Rebels.
The cinematics and characters are well-rounded, bringing them to life to create a compelling experience, even from just behind the controller. The unit mechanics of the game are also enjoyable to play around with. To sum it all up, Squadrons is a visually stunning game that combines simulation and arcade in a way that will allow Star Wars fans to fully immerse themselves in the universe of Star Wars.
Conclusion
Star Wars: Squadrons is a must play for any Star Wars fan. It manages to both blend authentic piloting action with a challenging arcade experience while adding a brilliant campaign with several major plot points to unlock. The combat is amazing, flying an X-wing never felt more real, this truly is an immersive VR piloting delight!