If you haven't seen any GameCube
games that interest you yet, then you either a) haven't really seen any GameCube games, or
b) are dead. But now's your chance to finally get exciting, because one of the most
impressive titles thus far is coming out on the November 18 launch.
That's right, LucasArt is teaming up with Factor
5 to make Rogue Leader, the sequel to the highly acclaimed Rogue Squadron for the Nintendo
64 - After all, it wouldn't be a Nintendo system without a Star Wars game, right? And
don't worry, this is based on the classic Star Wars movies so you don't have to worry
about that Jar Jar Binks fellow from Episode I.
Yes, that's from the actual gameplay. Pretty, isn't it?
Like Rogue Squadron, Rogue Leader is a fight
game where you take control of various aircraft from the movie and use them to complete
different objectives. In fact, there are eleven total missions in Rogue Leader, not to
mention several secret missions and vehicles. Also back is the medal system from the first
game - You'll earn medals based on your performance which can be used to earn the secret
missions. But you don't have to wait to beat the original eleven either; you can skip
right to the new stage as soon as you have enough medals. Cool, huh?
The L and R buttons are used to control your
craft's speed, which take advantage of the analog buttons. Hold L all the way down to come
to a near stop or R to zoom at maximum speed. The gigantic A button fires your primary
weapon, and you can shoot in a different pattern depending on how you hit it. B fires the
secondary weapon. X changes view between the cockpit and outside (and you can rotate the
camera with the C stick), and Y goes into the targeting to find your mark with ease. Roll
the ship with the funky Z button.
Use the joystick to change the direction that
you move, obviously, but the D-pad has a more advanced use. You see, the AI is very
developed in this game and you can give commands to your fleet. The different orders are
shown on the top left corner of the screen, and press the corresponding D-pad button to
execute the command. You can have them go ahead and do the dirty work, or stay behind to
guard you - just be careful not to let them die too, because you will lose points (and not
get a medal) if too many people on your team die.
Another awesome feature is all the graphical
effects that Factor 5 has crammed in. After all, they've had the GameCube's development
kits almost as long as Nintendo! Several things from the actual movie have been
implemented, including the textures of the vehicles. It's identical to the smallest
details, and it some cases you'd have a hard time differentiating between the game and the
movie. Other effects, like using the Sun as the actual light source, make for some pretty
graphics.
The sound is good, too, especially since we're
no longer stuck on the N64 carts. Star Wars music accompanies the battles, of course, plus
they've been able to take voice samples from the movie and put them in the right place. "Great shot, kid!"
Missions include destroying the Death Star and
dog fighting in the Battle of Hoth, and they should keep you entertained for quite a
while, even though the game doesn't have any multiplayer support. Be sure to check it out
this GameCube launch!
.:. miffo - October 6,
2001
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