Star Wars: Rogue Squadron

Star Wars: Rogue Squadron (Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 3D for PC) is a video game that was first released for the Nintendo 64 video game console and the PC on December 7, 1998. It was one of the first Nintendo 64 games to support the console's Expansion Pak, which allowed higher-quality graphics to be displayed while playing.

The story is set between Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope and Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, beginning six months after the Battle of Yavin (with the exception of the final and secret levels), and shows the missions set during the formation of Rogue Squadron, led by Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles.

In 1999, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron won the Origins Award for Best Action Computer Game of 1998.

SynopsisEdit

SettingEdit

Star Wars: Rogue Squadron is set during the war between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance.^[1] Six months after the Battle of Yavin,^[3] the fliers of Rogue Squadron are engaged in a desperate battle for the survival of the Rebellion. As the Empire gathers strength for an all-out assault on the Rebel forces, Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles form Rogue Squadron, a group comprising twelve of the most skilled X-wing pilots from the Rebel Alliance.^[4]

Six years after the Battle of Endor, the Rebel Alliance has established the New Republic, which now controls three quarters of the galaxy. After the deaths of Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader, the Galactic Empire collapsed, but was reborn under a mysterious new leader. Rogue Squadron, now under the command of Wedge Antilles, continues to fight the Empire to protect the newly formed Republic.^[5]

Plot summaryEdit

Six months after the Battle of Yavin,^[3] Rogue Squadron briefly encounters the Empire at the Mos Eisley spaceport on Tatooine. The team is then assigned to escort supplies on Barkhesh. Soon after, Rogue Squadron helps search for the Nonnah^[1] and extract its crew on Chorax.^[6]

Later, the Rebels learn that Imperial officer Crix Madine wishes to defect to the Rebel Alliance.^[7] In response, the Empire launches an attack on Corellia, where Madine is hiding, to prevent his departure.^[8] Rogue Squadron, with the help of Han Solo and Chewbacca in the Millennium Falcon, fought off the Empire and escorted Madine safely off the planet. Soon after, Rogue Squadron is joined by Gold Squadron, a group of Y-wings now led by Crix Madine; they are dispatched to the moon of Gerrard V to aid its quest for independence from the Empire.^[9] While disabling Imperial yachts over Gerrard V, the Rebel force encountered the 128th TIE Interceptor Squadron. Imperial pilot Kasan Moor's TIE fighter was disabled by Gold Squadron during the battle.^[10][11] When Rogue Squadron informed Moor that she has been taken prisoner, she offered to defect and provide the Rebel Alliance with intelligence on Imperial targets.^[12]

With the help of Kasan Moor's intelligence, the Alliance launched three consecutive attacks on Imperial bases throughout the galaxy. After an assault on the Imperial Enclave, a facility on Kile II supporting the Empire's Naval operations, Wedge Antilles was ambushed by a group of TIE fighters and was taken captive.^[13][14] The Rebel Alliance tracked Antilles to an Imperial prison complex on the planet of Kessel.^[15] Rogue Squadron organized a rescue on Kessel, liberating Wedge Antilles before he could be transferred to an Imperial prison.^[1]

With Wedge Antilles free and Rogue Squadron again at full strength, the Rebel Alliance turned its attention to a new Imperial threat—Moff Kohl Seerdon. Seerdon was consolidating Imperial power in preparation for an attack aimed at capturing Thyferra, a planet producing the healing substance bacta. Rogue Squadron was ordered to disrupt his operation with hit-and-run missions against key targets on Taloraan and Fest.^[16]

In retaliation, Seerdon blockaded a city on the planet of Chandrila.^[17] Rogue Squadron and the Alliance struck back by initiating a Kasan Moor–engineered raid on an Imperial base located inside a volcano on Sullust.^[18] While on Sullust, however, General Carlist Rieekan informed Rogue Squadron that Moff Seerdon used their raid as a diversion and began his attack on Thyferra.^[19] With Seerdon in control of the planet's bacta and their own supply threatened, Rogue Squadron quickly reached Thyferra, killed Seerdon, and freed the planet from Seerdon's control.^[1]

Six years after the Battle of Endor, Rogue Squadron, now under the command of Wedge Antilles, continued to fight the wounded Empire. On the planet of Dac, new Imperial weapons called World Devastators were destroying the planet.^[5] Rogue Squadron assisted in disabling all three Devastators and destroying the Imperial presence.^[1]

Main charactersEdit

Luke SkywalkerEdit

Main article: Luke Skywalker

Luke Skywalker is Rogue Leader and a fledgling Jedi Knight. He formed Rogue Squadron and led it up until the Battle of Hoth.^[20]

Wedge AntillesEdit

Main article: Wedge Antilles

Wedge Antilles is a Corellian who was orphaned^[21] and later joined the Rebellion. He survived the first Death Star and flew with Rogue Squadron. He became Rogue Leader after the Battle of Hoth.^[1]

Crix MadineEdit

Main article: Crix Madine

Crix Madine is an Imperial defector who led commando forces on missions for the Rebellion alongside Rogue Squadron.^[1]

LevelsEdit

Chapter IEdit

Six months have passed since
the Battle of Yavin. The Death
Star has been destroyed,
but the fight for freedom
is far from over.

As the war against the Empire
rages across the vastness
of space, Luke Skywalker
forms the legendary Rogue
Squadron from the Rebel
Alliance's most skilled X-Wing
pilots.

Their mission: to defend the
struggling Rebel Alliance
against a still powerful and
battle hardened Imperial
foe, in a last ditch effort
to control the galaxy...

Ambush at Mos EisleyEdit

This mission serves as a training area for players to jump into the action and practice aiming and targeting skills.

• Briefing: This mission takes place on Luke Skywalker's home planet of Tatooine, a bleak, forbidding desert world scorched by twin suns in the Outer Rim. Tatooine has recently been colonized due to its strategic location near several hyperspace routes. Its largest spaceport city, Mos Eisley, is a crossroads for interstellar commerce, and is populated with pirates, thieves, and smugglers.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Protect the homesteads
2. Destroy the probe droids
3. Protect Mos Eisley
4. Eliminate the Imperial forces

• Requirements for Gold

1. Completion Time: 3:00
2. Enemies Destroyed: 31
3. Accuracy: 15%
4. Friendly Saves: 50
5. Bonus Collected: 0

Rendezvous on BarkheshEdit

This mission introduces major enemies such as the AT-ST. It also introduces a moving target to protect.

• Briefing: You'll fly this mission on Barkhesh, a planet noted for its hot, humid, tropical jungles in its southern regions. The local resistance there is transporting supplies desperately needed by the Rebellion. The Empire will do everything in its power to stop the transfer, and has posted Imperial scout walkers in the planet's canyons.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Escort supply convoy to safety

• Requirements for Gold:

1. Completion Time: 5:45
2. Enemies Destroyed: 30
3. Accuracy: 40%
4. Friendly Saves: 19
5. Bonus Collected: 0

The Search for the NonnahEdit

This mission introduces large protection missions which revolve around defending a certain target.

• Briefing: In this mission, you'll be flying over the lakes of Chorax, trying to locate a downed Rebel ship in a race against the Imperials looking for the ship as well. The Chorax system is located in the Rachuk sector, and contains one medium-sized star and one planet. It is a haven for pirates and smugglers.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Locate crashed Rebel ship
2. Protect the ship from invading Imperial Forces

• Requirements for Gold

1. Completion Time: 10:00
2. Enemies Destroyed: 38
3. Accuracy: 20%
4. Friendly Saves: 1
5. Bonus Collected: 0

Defection at CorelliaEdit

Here, the player is subjected to their first major challenge: the AT-AT.

• Briefing: The planet is home to Han Solo, General Crix Madine, and Rogue Squadron's own Wedge Antilles. With its rolling hills, immense oceans, and cities with wide-open spaces, Corellia is a pleasant spot in the galaxy. The Corellian system is known for its fast ships, wily traders, and pirates. The planet's extensive shipyards attracted the attention of the Empire, who then invaded and occupied it.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Investigate strange readings
2. Protect the Capitol Tower
3. Protect the Tech Center
4. Protect the Evacuation Shuttles

• Requirements for Gold

1. Completion Time: 10:00
2. Enemies Destroyed: 50
3. Accuracy: 20%
4. Friendly Saves: 95
5. Bonus Collected: 1 (Advanced Proton Torpedoes)

Liberation of Gerrard VEdit

Another level of destroying the enemy ships brings this introductory chapter to a close.

Briefing: This mission pits you against a skilled Imperial ace, Kasan Moor. You'll be flying over Gerrard V, a planet whose surface is covered by deserts and oceans. Its topography is dominated by steep raised areas, called towers, and low-lying depressions, known as saddles. Populated by Rebel supporters, Gerrard V once revolted against the Empire, but this insurrection was crushed by orbital bombings from Imperial Star Destroyers.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Escort Y-Wings to their targets
2. Disable civilian yachts
3. Destroy the big gun turret

• Requirements for Gold

1. Completion Time: 5:15
2. Enemies Destroyed: 33
3. Accuracy: 30%
4. Friendly Saves: 6
5. Bonus Collected: 0

Chapter IIEdit

Kasan Moor, Imperial Ace and
leader of the dreaded 128th
TIE Interceptor Squadron has
now defected to the Rebel
Alliance.

As a loyal soldier for the
Empire, Moor witnessed both
its cruelty and hypocrisy in
the destruction of her home
world, Alderaan.

Convinced to join Rogue
Squadron, Moor offers her
flight expertise in addition
to knowledge of hidden
Imperial strongholds...

The Jade MoonEdit

This mission ups the ante for more experienced players to exercise their newly developed skills by involving larger targets, speed, protection, and evasion.

• Briefing: You'll begin your next mission on a moon of Loronar, home to construction facilities where the Empire's biggest warships and special weapons platforms are built. This moon's surface is punctured by rocky valleys, deep canyons, and craters.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Use trench to avoid missile turrets
2. Locate and destroy the shield generator
3. Escort and protect Madine's troops

• Requirements for Gold

1. Completion Time: 6:00
2. Enemies Destroyed: 45
3. Accuracy: 40%
4. Friendly Saves: 7
5. Bonus Collected: 1 (Advanced Shields)

Imperial Construction YardsEdit

Here, players must traverse stealth and a difficult sneak attack to succeed in this mission.

• Briefing: This mission sends you over the facilities of Balmorra, a factory planet that builds advanced weapons of destruction for the Imperial forces. Located at the Outer Edge of the Galactic Core in the Balmorra system, Balmorra's plains are marked with numerous canyons and mountains and, of course, industrial buildings. Although occupied by the Empire, the inhabitants of Balmorra long for independence and free markets for their renowned weapons technology.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Approach the base undetected by radars
2. Locate and destroy the AT-ST factory
3. Locate and destroy the AT-AT factory

• Requirements for Gold

1. Completion Time: 6:30
2. Enemies Destroyed: 80
3. Accuracy: 45%
4. Friendly Saves: 0
5. Bonus Collected: 1 (Advanced Bombs)

Assault on Kile IIEdit

The pilot is introduced to the Y-wing, giving more diversity for the player to enjoy.

• Briefing: On this planet, you'll be attacking the Imperial Enclave, an enormous facility that supports the Empire's naval operations in that sector of the galaxy. The surface of Kile II is marked by canyons and large, enclosed areas, where you'll find the Imperial spaceport, a long-range sensor post, and troop barracks. Towards the end of the mission, Rogue Squadron's second-in-command, Wedge Antilles is shot down and captured by the Imperials.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Locate and destroy the sensor array
2. Locate and destroy the Imperial Spaceport
3. Locate and destroy the Imperial garrisons

• Requirements for Gold

1. Completion Time: 6:00
2. Enemies Destroyed: 65
3. Accuracy: 60%
4. Friendly Saves: 0
5. Bonus Collected: 0

Rescue on KesselEdit

The first of two levels taking place on Kessel, this mission tests the player's ability to use the secondary weapon: the ion cannon.

• Briefing:

This mission takes you to the reddish, potato-shaped planet of Kessel, where the Empire has a notorious prison facility. Kessel's surface is covered with salt flats and pockmarked by deep craters and mines. The thin atmosphere of this inhospitable planet is barely breathable, so special factories have been built to generate oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Rescue Wedge
2. Locate and disable the train

• Requirements for Gold

1. Completion Time: 4:30
2. Enemies Destroyed: 26
3. Accuracy: 40%
4. Friendly Saves: 5
5. Bonus Collected: 0

Prisons of KesselEdit

The second of two levels taking place on Kessel, this mission tests the player's ability for protection missions and dogfighting.

• Briefing: In this mission, you'll once again fly over Kessel, one of the few planet where glitterstim spice is produced. This valuable substance is prized for giving telepathic abilities to anyone who consumes it, although users can become addicted to it. Before joining the Rebel forces, Han Solo used to smuggle glitterstim spice from Kessel. The Empire uses forced labor to mine this spice, and guards it heavily.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Protect and escort Madine's shuttle
2. Destroy the power generator

• Requirements for Gold

1. Completion Time: 10:30
2. Enemies Destroyed: 103
3. Accuracy: 40%
4. Friendly Saves: 35
5. Bonus Collected: 1 (Advanced Seeker Missiles)

Chapter IIIEdit

With the rescue of Wedge
Antilles and Rogue Squadron
at full strength, the Rebel
Alliance turns its attention
to a new Imperial threat—Moff
Kohl Seerdon.

Preparing to capture Thyferra,
with its precious supply of
the healing bacta, Seerdon
is now consolidating his
power for a massive attack.
His success could very well
break the fledgling Rebellion
and surely doom the galaxy to
Imperial rule.

Luke Skywalker and Rogue
Squadron are assigned to
disrupt his operations with
swift hit-and-run missions
against key targets such as
the Imperial mining operation
near Taloraan...

Battle above TaloraanEdit

A mix in the terrain, that is, the lack of it. Here, more freedoms are given for flight, which can be challenging as much as it is an advantage. Dogfighting is key in this mission.

• Briefing: In this high-altitude mission, you'll be flying in the cloudy atmosphere of Taloraan, an enormous gas planet with a strong magnetic field in the Kelavine system of the Expansion Region. The planet's tibanna is breathable at high altitudes, and is also used in the production of weapons.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Locate and destroy the Imperial tibanna gas containers
2. Avoid civilian casualties

• Requirements for Gold

1. Completion Time: 7:00
2. Enemies Destroyed: 90
3. Accuracy: 70%
4. Friendly Saves: 1
5. Bonus Collected: 1 (Advanced Blasters)

Escape from FestEdit

A notoriously difficult level where players must take on AT-AT, TIE fighters, and TIE bombers, all the while protecting a trio of extremely fragile rogue AT-PTs.

• Briefing: This mission takes you to a planet in the Atrivis sector of the Outer Rim near the Mantooine system. Enormous, steep mountains and valleys punctuate Fest's landscape. Atop one of these mountains, the Empire has a top secret Weapons Research Facility, where experiments are conducted to create new metal alloys. Among the inhabitants of Fest are a resistance group who opposes the Empire.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Locate captured AT-PTs
2. Free the AT-PTs
3. Escort the AT-PTs to the landing zone
4. Destroy the Imperial Research Facility

• Requirements for Gold

1. Completion Time: 6:30
2. Enemies Destroyed: 65
3. Accuracy: 25%
4. Friendly Saves: 7
5. Bonus Collected: 1 (Seeker Torpedoes)

Blockade on ChandrilaEdit

Chandrila involves protecting another train and a city from Imperial forces.

• Briefing: You and Rogue Squadron will call on the rural agricultural planet of Chandrila, in the Bormea sector of the Core Worlds. This sparsely populated, naturally beautiful planet has two large continents surrounded by oceans, with vast plains covered by grasses and forests. While the inhabitants of Chandrila are peace-loving, they have openly supported the Rebels against the Empire.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Escort and protect supply train
2. Protect the city

• Requirements for Gold

1. Completion Time: 5:45
2. Enemies Destroyed: 35
3. Accuracy: 20%
4. Friendly Saves: 4
5. Bonus Collected: 1 (Advanced Bombs)

Raid on SullustEdit

Difficult dogfights, a large amount of defensive measures, and difficult terrain make Sullust a difficult mission. The Y-wing is an easy target, but players must navigate through Imperial forces to bomb their targets.

• Briefing: In this mission, you'll fly through the thick, hot, dark clouds over Sullust, a bleak, volcanic planet in the Sullust system. With the planet's surface shrouded in toxic gases, the millions of native Sullustans have created a large underground network of caves and cities. These beautiful sub-surface sites are popular tourist attractions. Sullustans are friendly, outgoing creatures with jowls, mouse-like ears, and large round eyes, who are prized as navigators, since they never forget a path they've traveled.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Destroy the transmitters
2. Destroy the capacitor

• Requirements for Gold

1. Completion Time: 4:00
2. Enemies Destroyed: 40
3. Accuracy: 75%
4. Friendly Saves: 0
5. Bonus Collected: 1 (Seeker Torpedoes)

Moff Seerdon's RevengeEdit

This mission involves protecting bacta tanks and dogfighting Imperials on a much higher level of difficulty. Thyferra also offers players a chance to fight against Moff Seerdon, a boss.

• Briefing: The locale of this mission is Thyferra, a foggy, humid world with thick, tropical rain forests. This Polith system planet is inhabited by the insect-like Vratix, who developed a remarkable fluid called bacta. This miracle liquid can heal every medical condition from a scratch to a life-threatening emergency. Not surprisingly, bacta has become much sought-after by medical clinics throughout the galaxy, and by cartels that seek to control the galactic bacta industry to reap huge profits.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Protect the bacta containers
2. Avoid civilian casualties
3. Destroy all Imperial bunkers, fighters and bombers
4. Locate and destroy Moff Seerdon

• Requirements for Gold

1. Completion Time: 6:00
2. Enemies Destroyed: 45
3. Accuracy: 30%
4. Friendly Saves: 55
5. Bonus Collected: 1 (Seeker Cluster Missiles)

Chapter IVEdit

Six years after the Battle of
Endor, the fight for freedom
continues. Even without the
thousands of Jedi Knights who
formed the backbone of the Old
Republic, the Rebel Alliance
has managed to control three
quarters of the galaxy.

Darth Vader is dead but a
reborn Empire, under a
mysterious new leader, strikes
back at the struggling Rebel
Alliance, hoping to crush the
fledgling New Republic.

Massive World Devastators,
more powerful and unstoppable
than the Death Star, ravage
entire planets.

Rogue Squadron, which is now
commanded by Wedge Antilles,
persists in mounting daring
missions throughout the
galaxy...

The Battle of CalamariEdit

The final true "mission" involves tricky dogfighting in V-wing craft and an all-out battle with massive World Devastators.

• Briefing: In this all-out encounter with the Empire, Rogue Squadron will do battle on Mon Calamari, a planet almost completely covered by water. This marine world is inhabited by two species, the peaceful Mon Calamari, who live on islands and floating cities, and the wary Quarren, who live deep beneath the sea and can breathe both air and water. The Mon Calamari build enormous starships and warships from their orbiting shipbuilding docks, and are valuable members of the Rebel Alliance.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Destroy the World Devastators
2. Protect the city

• Requirements for Gold

1. Completion Time: 5:30
2. Enemies Destroyed: 24
3. Accuracy: 25%
4. Friendly Saves: 87
5. Bonus Collected: 0

Secret levelsEdit

Beggar's CanyonEdit

The first bonus level is almost a type of mini-game, involving a race rather than variations of dogfighting.

• Unlock Method:

Earn bronze medals on all previous levels.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Win the race

• Requirements for Gold

1. Competitor Beaten: Wedge

The Death Star Trench RunEdit

The second bonus level puts players in control of the Rogues' first victory: the Battle of Yavin.

• Unlock Method:

Earn silver medals on all previous levels.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Chase the Imperials through the trench
2. Destroy the power plant at the end of the trench

• Requirements for Gold

1. Completion Time: 2:45
2. Enemies Destroyed: 30
3. Accuracy: 70%
4. Friendly Saves: 0
5. Bonus Collected: 0

The Battle of HothEdit

The third bonus level puts players in control of the Rogues' costly mission: the Battle of Hoth.

• Unlock Method:

Earn gold medals on all previous levels.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Destroy probe droids
2. Defend Rogue Ten from AT-ST attack
3. Defend the generator from the Imperial attack

• Requirements for Gold

1. Completion Time: 3:45
2. Enemies Destroyed: 29
3. Accuracy: 60%
4. Friendly Saves: 0
5. Bonus Collected: 0

ChickenEdit

The secret bonus level of the Nintendo 64 version puts players in control of an Imperial AT-ST, in a rather odd mini-game of "Destroy Everything in Sight." This includes destroying an Imperial base consisting of a radar array, guarded by Probe droids, Turbolasers, and Stormtroopers, destroying a Jawa encampment, destroying a small town, and destroying a Rebel base guarded by tanks and laser turrets.

• Unlock Method

Type CHICKEN for the passcode.

• Mission Objectives:

1. Destroy everything

GameplayEdit

Unlike the Star Wars: X-Wing computer game series that emphasizes space combat simulation, Rogue Squadron is a fast-paced, arcade-style action game.^[22] Each of the game's sixteen levels introduces mission objectives that must be completed to progress to the next level. These objectives are divided into four categories: search and destroy, reconnaissance, rescue and protect.^[23] Enemy aircraft are primarily composed of TIE fighters and probe droids. Ground defenses are more varied and include three different walkers, laser and missile turrets, stormtroopers and speeder bikes.^[24]

The player can control five craft without the use of cheat codes: X-wing, A-wing, Y-wing, Snowspeeder and V-wing.^[25] Each vehicle offers a unique armament arrangement, as well as varying degrees of speed and maneuverability.^[26] The game initially restricts the player to a particular craft for each level; however, after the player has completed a level, he or she can replay it with any available craft.^[27] Levels set on non-atmospheric moons expose the player's craft to space, but as on other levels, the craft is vertically confined.^[23] Nine bonus power-ups are hidden in different levels throughout the game. These bonuses improve a craft's weapons or durability and are applied to each eligible craft for the remainder of the game.^[26]

The player's performance is measured throughout the game, and performance statistics are checked after each level against three medal benchmarks. Each benchmark contains five categories: completion time, number of enemies destroyed, shot accuracy, number of friendly craft and structures saved and number of bonuses collected. If a player's performance exceeds one of the level's three benchmarks in all five categories, a medal—bronze, silver or gold—is awarded upon completion. Acquiring these medals promotes the player's rank and helps unlock hidden content.^[28]

Unlockable contentEdit

Several unlockable vehicles appear in Star Wars: Rogue Squadron. By inputting certain text-based cheat codes, the player could unlock the Millennium Falcon, a TIE/IN interceptor, an AT-ST (available only in a secret bonus mission on the Nintendo, but on PC can be used on all levels except Taloraan), a 1969 Buick Electra (replacing the V-wing airspeeder, although it still was handled and used as a V-Wing), a T-16 skyhopper (available only in an unlockable bonus mission), and an N-1 starfighter. When The Phantom Menace was released, Naboo Starfighters were unveiled to the public for the first time. Factor 5, anticipating the movie's release in 1999, programmed in the unlockable extra and released the code in conjunction with the movie. During the five months between the game's release and that of Episode I, fans of the game discovered many of the secret vehicles, but the Naboo Starfighter remained unknown due to its unusual method of unlocking. The former two vehicles became playable when a clever or witty password was entered and R2-D2's beeps affirmed it, but the Naboo Starfighter required two consecutive codes made up of seemingly random alphanumerics, and R2-D2's sounds did not play after the first code.

In PC version the Naboo Starfighter is available only through installing the Rogue Squadron Update 1.2. Many cheat codes differ from those in Nintendo version. Some of them were discovered by joint efforts of fans of the game using the RogueSpy mod available at the Secrets of Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, which also hosts a handful of original PC utilities for the game.

DevelopmentEdit

After the success of Shadows of the Empire on the Nintendo 64 in 1996, LucasArts began planning a follow-up. At the time, Factor 5 was developing a game engine to create large terrain maps. LucasArts, pleased with earlier collaborations with the company, decided to use Factor 5's engine for its new game.^[29] The game's focus would be space combat; this direction was inspired by a level of Shadows of the Empire in which the player flies a Snowspeeder during the Battle of Hoth. Rogue Squadron and Factor 5 production manager Brett Tosti stated, "That whole scene was actually the genesis for Rogue Squadron because everybody said, 'why don't you do a whole game like that?' So we did."^[30] Factor 5 initially pitched a concept to allow gamers to play through missions similar to the fans' favorite action sequences from the Star Wars films. This proposal was rejected, however. At that time, Lucasfilm Ltd. was not comfortable with video games drawing directly from the films.^[29] Factor 5 originally wanted to put Wedge Antilles as the primary player, but Howard Roffman of Lucasfilm felt players would feel more comfortable with a more important Star Wars character. Factor 5 agreed to make Luke Skywalker the protagonist.^[31]

During the early stages of development, designers came across Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron, a series of comics set during the years of the original film trilogy. With these comics as a guide, Factor 5 began developing a game with a similar setting and including characters from the films flying original missions. In May 1998, a demo of the game was displayed at E3, but the game was so incomplete at the time that Tosti considered it a tech demo. It rendered a basic heightmap and an immobile AT-AT model, while TIE fighters lacking artificial intelligence flew and fired in a predetermined path. When "playing" the demo for audiences, Tosti followed a very specific flight path of his own to give the illusion that he was actually battling with the TIEs. Despite the demo's bare-bones presentation, response from gamers was largely positive.^[29]

Factor 5 appealed to Nintendo to use the Nintendo 64's newly developed memory Expansion Pak. Nintendo was reluctant, expecting the technology to be reserved solely for hardware peripherals. However, after Iguana Entertainment used the Expansion Pak to achieve a higher display resolution for Turok 2: Seeds of Evil, Factor 5 was given the green light. The Expansion Pak is used to increase Rogue Squadron's Nintendo resolution from 320 × 240 to 640 × 480.^[29][23]

Lucasfilm was hesitant to grant access to the Star Wars library of sound effects for the game's sound designer, Rudolph Stember. As a compromise, the company provided Stember with sounds sampled at the relatively low rate of 22 kHz, half the standard rate. Stember objected, claiming that the clips sounded worse than effects he had lifted from VHS tapes for a previous Star Wars project.^[29] The game includes voice work from several notable persons, including screen actors Olivia Hussey and Raphael Sbarge as well as voice actors Bob Bergen, Neil Ross and Terence McGovern.^[32] Instead of using Nintendo's default sound drivers, Factor 5 developed its own tool called MOsys FX Surround. The Factor 5 drivers use Nintendo 64 processors, but tax them less; advanced compression techniques were also employed. As a result, the game includes over 80 minutes of high-quality stereo sound.^[33][34]

In November 1998, a month before the game's scheduled release, LucasArts signed a worldwide agreement with Nintendo concerning three new Star Wars video games. It granted Nintendo the rights to market the games and hold exclusive, worldwide distribution rights for five years following each release. Rogue Squadron was the first game released under this agreement.^[35]

ContinuityEdit

During most of the game, players will hear the distance of "one-seven-decimal-two-eight" (during Blockade on Chandrila, Kasan Moor says, "Enemy fighters at one-seven-decimal-two-eight!").^[1] During the battle of Hoth, General Veers asks, "Distance to power generator?," and the AT-AT pilot answers, "one-seven-decimal-two-eight."^[20] This is a subtle reference to The Empire Strikes Back.

During the Battle of Mon Calamari, Wedge leads Rogue Squadron in V-Wings to the surface of Mon Calamari, and destroys three World Devastators by knocking our their shields and destroying the "legs" of the ship.^[1] However, in Dark Empire, Wedge serves with Lando Calrissian on board a Star Destroyer, while Tycho Celchu commanded Rogue Squadron.^[36] Also, V-wings are depicted descending onto Mon Calamari from orbit^[1] despite their being incapable of space flight.^[37] Also, the World Devastators lack detail;^[1] one is supposed to be large enough to destroy a Star Destroyer with its "jaw,"^[36] but in the game, the "jaw" is only big enough to swallow what could be a Corellian Corvette. Wedge also calls his R5 unit "Mynock,"^[1] but during the Bacta War in 7 ABY, Mynock's factory code name was discovered and renamed "Gate."^[38]

In their review of Star Wars: Episode I: Battle for Naboo, GameSpot mistakenly claimed that Mark Hamill voiced Luke Skywalker in Rogue Squadron.

ReceptionEdit

Many reviews compared Star Wars: Rogue Squadron to one of its inspirations, the Battle of Hoth flight combat level in Shadows of the Empire, considered one of that game's best elements.^[23][39] GamePro remarked that Rogue Squadron "enhanced the flight model with true pitch, roll, and bank mechanics."^[33] IGN praised its inclusion of "upgrades, more enemies, better sound, and stunning second-generation graphics."^[23] The Nintendo 64 version received mostly positive reviews, and received an aggregate score of 85% from both Game Rankings and Metacritic.^[40][41] GamePro named it one of the best games released in 1998.^[33] In a 2008 retrospective, IGN's Levi Buchanan stated that the game revived the Star Wars license on consoles through well-paced gameplay, a story tied into the Star Wars canon and visuals that made it "one of the generation's top stunners."^[42]

The game's technical aspects were singled out for acclaim. Its visuals were called "respectable"^[23] in the standard resolution, but highly praised in high-resolution mode (achieved via the Nintendo 64's Expansion Pak). GameSpot remarked that in a higher resolution, "[the] textures of the landscapes, the ships, the lighting effects—everything looks so much better,"^[39] while IGN's Peer Schneider said, "After playing the game in the optional high resolution mode (640 × 480) once, it's impossible to go back to the still respectable standard resolution." Citing details such as decals, Rebel markings, R2 units, cockpit views and exhaust flames, Schneider described the game's 3D ship models as "gorgeous." IGN's Matt Casamassina said that the game was the best-looking Nintendo 64 game to date.^[23]

Reviewers also praised the game's sound design. Powered by the new Factor 5 audio drivers, Rogue Squadron features about 40 minutes of speech and 40 minutes of music.^[33] GameSpot's Ryan Mac Donald believed that the game's inclusion of extended voice work helped create a "movie-like" atmosphere.^[39] IGN noted that in addition to being technically impressive, the game's Dolby Pro Logic surround sound was an important gameplay element. The audio signals helped players determine enemy positions and direction of travel. IGN awarded the game three sound awards, including Sound Effects, Best Voice and Best Overall Sound of 1998 on the Nintendo 64.^[34]

Some reviewers complained about aspects of the game's visuals; critics disliked the heavy reliance on distance fog.^[23][39] Another common criticism of the game was the lack of multiplayer modes. GamePro's review called the omission a "serious, unforgivable sin";^[33] Schneider believed that while adding these modes would have extended Rogue Squadron's replay value, the game was still enjoyable for its medal reward system and large number of secrets and unlockables.^[23]

Although nearly identical,^[43] the game's PC version garnered lower review scores than its Nintendo 64 counterpart, with an aggregated Game Rankings score of 80%.^[44] This version enjoyed many of the same praises for its gameplay,^[45] but handling and graphics were cited as problematic. Directly comparing the two versions, Allgame's Brad Cook wrote that the PC version's handling is more difficult than the Nintendo version. He believed the PC's "choppy" feel made it difficult to target enemies.^[43] In contrast to its opinion of the Nintendo version, IGN's PC review was not enthusiastic about the game's visuals. IGN staff remarked that Rogue Squadron's "graphics and special effects aren't spectacular" and that they had "seen better graphics" on the PC.^[45]

SalesEdit

When Rogue Squadron was released in early December 1998, the title's Nintendo 64 incarnation was the second-highest-selling video game for the first half of the month (behind Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time)^[46] and the holiday season.^[47] Delayed until after Christmas in the United Kingdom, the game was released mid-January and debuted as the second-best-selling game of the month, ahead of Ocarina of Time.^[48] In August 1999, Nintendo added the title to its best-selling Player's Choice collection.^[49] Rogue Squadron's retail success was not anticipated by the game's producer Julian Eggebrecht, who said that the game sold "about 100 times better than anybody expected."^[29] The game was so popular that media sources were not sent spare copies and had to rush to find the game to review it.^[31]

CreditsEdit

AppearancesEdit

BibliographyEdit

• "Star News"—Star Wars Insider 42
•  Star Wars: Rogue Squadron official site on LucasArts.com (backup link)
•  The Best Star Wars Games of the 64-Bit Era on StarWars.com
•  Star Wars: Force for Change Announces New Star Wars Humble Bundle III to Benefit UNICEF on StarWars.com
•  Replaying the Classics: Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 3D on StarWars.com

Notes and referencesEdit

External linksEdit

•  Official Site on LucasArts.com
• Official Nintendo Japan Star Wars: Rogue Squadron site
• Star Wars: Rogue Squadron on Wikipedia
• Rogue Squadron at SWGames Wiki
• Rogue Squadron 3D - GameSpot PC Review
• Rogue Squadron - GameSpot N64 Review
• Rogue Squadron - N64 at Metacritic
• Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 3D on MobyGames
• Secrets of Star Wars: Rogue Squadron