My Ten Most Memorable Star Wars Video Game Moments
May 4, 2021 14:57:56 GMT
Rey Kahuka, Oh My Aching Ackbar-Raddus!, and 1 more like this
Post by jammer81386 on May 4, 2021 14:57:56 GMT
Happy Star Wars Day everybody. Today I continue my tradition of creating an unnecessarily long post in celebration of the holiday. This year I am picking my ten most memorable moments from Star Wars video games. Here they are in no particular order. I hope you enjoy.
(NOTE: None of the gameplay footage is mine. I only added the links to give a visual aid)
Super Star Wars - SNES - Platform jumping - Link
Setting: A New Hope - While Luke is searching for Ben Kenobi.
This is one of my earlies cases of video game PTSD. This part requires the player to jump from narrow crumbling platform to narrow platform while mynocks swoop down to knock you off. This caused my a lot of stress as a kids as dying would revert your weapon to a weaker state, making further attempts all the more difficult. A few years ago, I dusted off my old SNES, replayed the game and still experienced the same stress and dread I did as a ten year old.
Knights of the Old Republic - XBOX - First Encounter With Darth Malak - Link(Major Spoilers)
Setting: Four thousand years before the films during a massive war between Jedi & Sith
I jumped out of my seat. That is all I am going to say about it. If you played the game you know what I am talking about. If you haven't I wouldn't dream of spoiling it for you here.
The Force Unleashed - Xbox 360 - Final Farewell - Link
Setting: One year before A New Hope
It may just be a cutscene, but it was certainly the scene that held the most resonance for me. The game did a good job of developing the relationship between Galen and Juno making this final farewell an effective and satisfying payoff. Simple, but sweet. Quite literally.
X-Wing - PC - Trench Run
Setting: A New Hope - Battle of Yavin
While not an accurate depiction of the Trench Run in A New Hope, this level did provide an exciting and challenging experience. Here you have to fly, at high speeds, down the trench while dodging and endless number of obstacles in front of you. Playing through this bit requires a lot of focus and quick reflexes to get through, thus making the final torpedo shot all the more nerve wreaking and rewarding when successful.
Republic Commando - XBOX - Last Stand on the Prosecutor - Link
Setting: Clone Wars
In this level you and your squad are investigating a seemingly abandon Acclamator starship that mysteriously vanished weeks prior, only to find it has been overtaken by forces of the CIS. Towards the end of the level a Command ship appears to finish off the ship with you in it. Leading to a climatic and frantic final stand as you fight your way to a turbo laser battery to fight off the command ship, all the while holding off an endless wave of battle droids. It is an absolutely desperate and chaotic final stand that forces to player to use his weapons, squad, and times very wisely. Surviving this bit truly pulse pounding experience.
Fallen Order - XBOX One - Ninth Sister - Link
Setting: Five years after Revenge of the Sith
There were many great moments in this game, but this boss battle with the inquisitor is distinct in being the first real saber duel in the game. Prior to this you were a lowly ex-Padawan who only took on stormtroopers and various beasts. However, the game progresses the character of Cal Ketsis well, thus when you reach the Ninth Sister you feel worthy of taking on this challenge. Narrative wise, it marked the point when you cease being a lowly ex-Jedi trying to survive and become a genuine threat to the forces of both the Empire and the Dark side.
Starfighter - XBOX - Final Battle - Link
Setting: The Phantom Menace - Final Space Battle
This is what the finale of The Phantom Menace should have been like. Here you, like Anakin, fly into the Hangar of the Trade Federation Command Ship at the climax of the battle. Unlike Anakin, however, you do not go on to accidentally the entire station, saving the day in the process. Instead, you engage in a dogfight against a mercenary commander and numerous Federal fighters and tanks. What makes this bit most unique is that is a more slow and methodical instead of standard fast paced brawl. You are required to carefully worm your way through the many corridors of the ship to get the drop onto the Commander and the various other enemies you encounter. That is until you finish off your enemy and need to speed you way to an exit before entire ship goes up. Exciting, unique, and oddly, even better than the film.
Shadows of the Empire - Nintendo 64 - Asteroid Field - Link
Setting: Empire Strikes Back - Escape from Hoth
Simple, but very effective. This level takes place during the escape from the planet Hoth, and you (Dash Rendar) have to seize the turrets of you ship tp fend off the numerous waves of TIE Fighters and Bombers until you make make you escape. While this level is little more than a rail shooter, it make up for its simplicity with great visuals, atmosphere, and use of the classical Asteroid chase music from Empire.
Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast - PC - Academy Battle - Link
Setting: Eight Years After Return of the Jedi
In my humble opinion Jedi Outcast, and its sequel Jedi Academy, remains the ultimate Jedi experience with its excellent implementation of swordplay and force powers. The penultimate level has the player, Kyle Katarn, arriving at Luke reestablished Jedi Academy a Yavin IV as it is under attack by the forces of the Imperial Remnant. The level genuinely feel like an epic "Battle of the Jedi" as you, and your fellow Jedi, go up against both the stormtroopers and the Dark Side Reborn Warriors and Shadow Troopers. The familiar setting from A New Hope also creates a sense of continuity with the films, making this truly feel like a continuation of the Star Wars saga.
Dark Forces - PC - Final Three Levels - Link
Setting: One Year After A New Hope
It is certainly a stretch to call three levels a moment, but they are all part of a continuing operation, so I am going to include it. Here you (Kyle Katarn) are tasked with destroying the Empire's new Dark Trooper project, requiring you to infiltrate docking station to smuggle yourself aboard a cargo ship to sneak your way to the Executor, and then the Arc Hammer production platform. The reason I added all three level is because it added an endurance element to the gameplay making it more satisfying when you finish it. Going up against the Dark Troopers does truly feel like an epic clash that requires the player to react quickly in order to beat them. The Final boss area is particularly tense as you are force to take on multiple Dark Troopers at once. All of this makes beating the game all the more rewarding.
Thanks for reading. If you have any Star Wars video moments of your own, or have any commentary on my picks please share them.
(NOTE: None of the gameplay footage is mine. I only added the links to give a visual aid)
Super Star Wars - SNES - Platform jumping - Link
Setting: A New Hope - While Luke is searching for Ben Kenobi.
This is one of my earlies cases of video game PTSD. This part requires the player to jump from narrow crumbling platform to narrow platform while mynocks swoop down to knock you off. This caused my a lot of stress as a kids as dying would revert your weapon to a weaker state, making further attempts all the more difficult. A few years ago, I dusted off my old SNES, replayed the game and still experienced the same stress and dread I did as a ten year old.
Knights of the Old Republic - XBOX - First Encounter With Darth Malak - Link(Major Spoilers)
Setting: Four thousand years before the films during a massive war between Jedi & Sith
I jumped out of my seat. That is all I am going to say about it. If you played the game you know what I am talking about. If you haven't I wouldn't dream of spoiling it for you here.
The Force Unleashed - Xbox 360 - Final Farewell - Link
Setting: One year before A New Hope
It may just be a cutscene, but it was certainly the scene that held the most resonance for me. The game did a good job of developing the relationship between Galen and Juno making this final farewell an effective and satisfying payoff. Simple, but sweet. Quite literally.
X-Wing - PC - Trench Run
Setting: A New Hope - Battle of Yavin
While not an accurate depiction of the Trench Run in A New Hope, this level did provide an exciting and challenging experience. Here you have to fly, at high speeds, down the trench while dodging and endless number of obstacles in front of you. Playing through this bit requires a lot of focus and quick reflexes to get through, thus making the final torpedo shot all the more nerve wreaking and rewarding when successful.
Republic Commando - XBOX - Last Stand on the Prosecutor - Link
Setting: Clone Wars
In this level you and your squad are investigating a seemingly abandon Acclamator starship that mysteriously vanished weeks prior, only to find it has been overtaken by forces of the CIS. Towards the end of the level a Command ship appears to finish off the ship with you in it. Leading to a climatic and frantic final stand as you fight your way to a turbo laser battery to fight off the command ship, all the while holding off an endless wave of battle droids. It is an absolutely desperate and chaotic final stand that forces to player to use his weapons, squad, and times very wisely. Surviving this bit truly pulse pounding experience.
Fallen Order - XBOX One - Ninth Sister - Link
Setting: Five years after Revenge of the Sith
There were many great moments in this game, but this boss battle with the inquisitor is distinct in being the first real saber duel in the game. Prior to this you were a lowly ex-Padawan who only took on stormtroopers and various beasts. However, the game progresses the character of Cal Ketsis well, thus when you reach the Ninth Sister you feel worthy of taking on this challenge. Narrative wise, it marked the point when you cease being a lowly ex-Jedi trying to survive and become a genuine threat to the forces of both the Empire and the Dark side.
Starfighter - XBOX - Final Battle - Link
Setting: The Phantom Menace - Final Space Battle
This is what the finale of The Phantom Menace should have been like. Here you, like Anakin, fly into the Hangar of the Trade Federation Command Ship at the climax of the battle. Unlike Anakin, however, you do not go on to accidentally the entire station, saving the day in the process. Instead, you engage in a dogfight against a mercenary commander and numerous Federal fighters and tanks. What makes this bit most unique is that is a more slow and methodical instead of standard fast paced brawl. You are required to carefully worm your way through the many corridors of the ship to get the drop onto the Commander and the various other enemies you encounter. That is until you finish off your enemy and need to speed you way to an exit before entire ship goes up. Exciting, unique, and oddly, even better than the film.
Shadows of the Empire - Nintendo 64 - Asteroid Field - Link
Setting: Empire Strikes Back - Escape from Hoth
Simple, but very effective. This level takes place during the escape from the planet Hoth, and you (Dash Rendar) have to seize the turrets of you ship tp fend off the numerous waves of TIE Fighters and Bombers until you make make you escape. While this level is little more than a rail shooter, it make up for its simplicity with great visuals, atmosphere, and use of the classical Asteroid chase music from Empire.
Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast - PC - Academy Battle - Link
Setting: Eight Years After Return of the Jedi
In my humble opinion Jedi Outcast, and its sequel Jedi Academy, remains the ultimate Jedi experience with its excellent implementation of swordplay and force powers. The penultimate level has the player, Kyle Katarn, arriving at Luke reestablished Jedi Academy a Yavin IV as it is under attack by the forces of the Imperial Remnant. The level genuinely feel like an epic "Battle of the Jedi" as you, and your fellow Jedi, go up against both the stormtroopers and the Dark Side Reborn Warriors and Shadow Troopers. The familiar setting from A New Hope also creates a sense of continuity with the films, making this truly feel like a continuation of the Star Wars saga.
Dark Forces - PC - Final Three Levels - Link
Setting: One Year After A New Hope
It is certainly a stretch to call three levels a moment, but they are all part of a continuing operation, so I am going to include it. Here you (Kyle Katarn) are tasked with destroying the Empire's new Dark Trooper project, requiring you to infiltrate docking station to smuggle yourself aboard a cargo ship to sneak your way to the Executor, and then the Arc Hammer production platform. The reason I added all three level is because it added an endurance element to the gameplay making it more satisfying when you finish it. Going up against the Dark Troopers does truly feel like an epic clash that requires the player to react quickly in order to beat them. The Final boss area is particularly tense as you are force to take on multiple Dark Troopers at once. All of this makes beating the game all the more rewarding.
Thanks for reading. If you have any Star Wars video moments of your own, or have any commentary on my picks please share them.
