Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance

Last updated

Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance
Star Wars - X-Wing Alliance Coverart.png
Developer(s) Totally Games
Publisher(s) LucasArts
Designer(s) Lawrence Holland
Series Star Wars: X-Wing
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
Release
Genre(s) Space simulation
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance is a 1999 space simulation video game, the sequel to both Star Wars: TIE Fighter and Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter . X-Wing Alliance presents the story of the Azzameen family, a family of space traders. The player assumes the role of Ace Azzameen, the youngest of the Azzameen children, juggling military duty as a fighter pilot for the Rebel Alliance, and allegiance to his family, flying larger heavily armed freighters for the family business, amid a bloody family feud and in the larger context of a galactic civil war. It received favorable reviews.

Contents

Features

Screenshot featuring the second Death Star, the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon, and a few starships and starfighters. Star Wars X-Wing Alliance screenshot.png
Screenshot featuring the second Death Star, the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon, and a few starships and starfighters.

Apart from the usual badges and medals for winning missions – a feature shared by the other games of the X-Wing computer game series – progress is also indicated by the number of souvenirs collected in Ace's room. There is also a "mail" delivery between missions that helps to evolve Ace's background story while also providing a deeper look into his personal relationships and his family's whereabouts.

XWA is the first game of the series to offer a full voiceover soundtrack and full in-flight dialogue. Flight control is marginally updated from the previous games of the series, allowing the player to link different energy weapons to fire together, as well as the addition of rudder support. Graphics are also overhauled in this game; high resolution textures, more complex models, and full three dimensional cockpits were added. However, the cockpits are not faithful to the other games; indicators and screens are separated from the cockpit, depicted as floating windows as part of the in-flight heads-up display. The player also has three "mission skips" that allow them to proceed through the linear storyline without having to complete a particular mission. "Family missions," however, cannot be skipped.

The ability to fly multi-crew craft like the Millennium Falcon was a major new feature because the player could freely choose to be the pilot or operate one of the turrets. The AI would take over any position not controlled by the player, but could be given orders by the player. X-Wing Alliance also introduced multi-part missions that involved making hyperjumps from one region to the next; in previous games, any hyperjumps the player experienced were either to start or end the mission. [3] Additionally, players could now enter a starship's hangar bay to rearm and/or receive repairs before rejoining the fight. They could even witness the battle continuing to unfold outside the hangar. Finally, X-Wing Alliance added a much-desired custom mission builder feature. This allowed players to quickly set up a variety of battle scenarios involving almost every vessel in the game, including dozens of fighters and combat transports that had been fought against in the single-player game and were now flyable in this mode.

Story

The game's prologue (and tutorial) concerns Ace's "family missions" in which his elder family members and Emkay instruct him in the flying of Corellian transports so that he can begin working for the family.

These missions reveal that the Azzameen family are in heated competition with the Viraxo and are generally sympathetic to the Rebel Alliance. Due to their sympathies, the patriarch of the family, Tomaas Azzameen, smuggles bacta for the Alliance in the aftermath of the Battle of Hoth. This causes them to pay dearly as the Galactic Empire raids their home station for running bacta to an Alliance outpost. Tomaas and Ace's older brother are killed and the family subsequently seeks asylum with a Rebel task force.

As a Rebel pilot, Ace participates in a variety of missions for the Rebellion while also helping his family fight the Viraxo. During his tour with the Rebel Alliance, he proves himself to be a significant pilot as he participates in missions that uncover new Imperial projects, such as experimental TIE fighters and the second Death Star.

Some events connect the game to the movies The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi , such as sequences that track the Rebellion's situation after the Battle of Hoth, [3] as well as the theft of the shuttle Tydirium. The game also concludes with the climactic Battle of Endor. [3] Several events connect to the Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire story, such as a mission to assist Dash Rendar in the capture of the Imperial freighter Suprosa, which carries the plans to the second Death Star.

Release

Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance was released in 1999, [1] and it was released on Steam and GOG.com in 2015 along with other games in the series. [4]

Reception

The game received favorable reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings. [5]

Tal Blevins of IGN praised the ability to hyperjump from area to area and the space battles for being much larger than the game's predecessors, with up to 96 ships in space. He also praised the game's graphics and called the game "the best-looking Star Wars title from Totally Games", but criticized its software mode when 3D hardware mode is set off. Blevins felt that the game's improved details added cinematic elements that make players feel as if they are Rebels fighting in a never-to-be-released movie. [3]

The game's sales reached 143,371 copies in the U.S. during 1999. [16]

The game was a finalist for the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' "Computer Simulation Game of the Year" award, which ultimately went to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000 . [17] It was also nominated for CNET Gamecenter 's "Best Sci-Fi Simulation" award and for PC PowerPlay 's "Best Fantasy Sim" award, but lost both to MechWarrior 3 . [18] [19] Likewise, the game was nominated for Computer Gaming World 's 1999 "Science Fiction Simulator of the Year" award, which went to Freespace 2 . [20]

Related Research Articles

<i>Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter</i> 1997 video game

Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter is a 1997 space combat game developed by Totally Games for LucasArts. It is the third installment of the X-Wing series.

<i>Star Trek: Starfleet Command</i> 1999 video game

Star Trek: Starfleet Command is a computer game based on the table-top wargame Star Fleet Battles. It was developed by 14° East and Quicksilver Software and published by Interplay Entertainment. It was released in 1999 for Microsoft Windows. It simulates starship operations, ship-to-ship combat, and fleet warfare in the Star Trek universe. An expanded version was released in 2000 titled Star Trek: Starfleet Command - Gold Edition. It includes the latest patch and all the missions that were downloadable from the official website.

<i>Star Wars: Force Commander</i> 2000 video game

Star Wars: Force Commander is a real-time strategy video game released for the Microsoft Windows platform in 2000. It was co-developed by Ronin Entertainment and LucasArts, and published by LucasArts. Its plot interweaves between Star Wars: A New Hope and Return of the Jedi, taking place in key battles. Peter McConnell created remixed tracks of John Williams's original score with influences from hard rock and techno music.

<i>Starlancer</i> 2000 video game

Starlancer is a space-based science fiction flight simulator computer game, created by Erin and Chris Roberts, and developed by Warthog Games under the auspices of Digital Anvil.

<i>Star Wars: X-Wing</i> (video game) 1993 video game

Star Wars: X-Wing is a space simulation video game, the first of the X-Wing combat flight simulation games series. The player's character flies starfighters, including the X-wing, for the Rebel Alliance. The narrative precedes and parallels the events of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.

<i>Future Cop: LAPD</i> 1998 video game

Future Cop: LAPD is a third-person shooter developed by EA Redwood Shores and published by Electronic Arts and released first for the PlayStation, then Mac OS and Windows. Future Cop was originally developed as an installment of the Strike series.

<i>X-COM: Interceptor</i> 1998 video game

X-COM: Interceptor is the fourth main game in the X-COM series, developed by MicroProse's Chapel Hill development studio and released in 1998. The game is a combination of many genres, including space flight simulation, business simulation game and strategy game elements. More specifically, the player's role includes managing a number of X-COM space stations, piloting starfighters during hostile encounters whilst co-ordinating wingmen, and managing resources and research. X-COM Interceptor, although released as the fourth game, is actually set before X-COM: Apocalypse, thus making it the third game in the chronological order. The game was re-released in 2008 for Steam and GamersGate, and again in 2016 on GOG.com.

<i>European Air War</i> 1998 video game

European Air War is a combat flight simulator developed and published by MicroProse and published for Microsoft Windows in 1998. It is a sequel to 1942: The Pacific Air War. It simulates the Battle of Britain, and the Allied Air offensives in Western Europe during World War II in 1943–1945.

<i>Wing Commander: Prophecy</i> 1997 video game

Wing Commander: Prophecy is the fifth installment in the Wing Commander science fiction space combat simulator franchise of computer games. The game was released in 1997 for Windows, produced by Origin Systems and distributed by Electronic Arts. In 2003, a Game Boy Advance conversion with added multiplayer was produced by Italy-based Raylight Studios and distributed by Destination Software.

<i>Seven Kingdoms</i> (video game) 1997 video game

Seven Kingdoms is a real-time strategy (RTS) video game developed by Trevor Chan of Enlight Software. The game enables players to compete against up to six other kingdoms allowing players to conquer opponents by defeating them in war, capturing their buildings with spies, or offering opponents money for their kingdom. The Seven Kingdoms series went on to include a sequel, Seven Kingdoms II: The Fryhtan Wars. In 2007, Enlight released a further title in the Seven Kingdoms series, Seven Kingdoms: Conquest.

<i>Star Wars: Rogue Squadron</i> 1998 video game

Star Wars: Rogue Squadron is an arcade-style flight action game co-developed by Factor 5 and LucasArts. The first of three games in the Rogue Squadron series, it was published by LucasArts and Nintendo and released for Microsoft Windows and Nintendo 64 in December 1998. The game's story was influenced by the Star Wars: X-wing – Rogue Squadron comics and is set in the fictional Star Wars galaxy, taking place primarily between events in the films Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. The player controls Luke Skywalker, commander of the elite X-wing pilots known as Rogue Squadron. As the game progresses, Skywalker and Rogue Squadron fight the Galactic Empire in 16 missions across various planets.

<i>MechWarrior 3</i> 1999 video game

MechWarrior 3 is a vehicle simulation game, part of the MechWarrior series. It featured a new 3D accelerated graphics engine at the time of its release. The game contains over 20 missions, with access to 18 different mechs. A novelization called Trial Under Fire was written by Loren L. Coleman.

<i>Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace</i> (video game) 1999 video game

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is a 1999 action-adventure video game developed by Big Ape Productions and published by LucasArts for Windows and the PlayStation. An adaptation of the film of the same title, players take on the role of Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi and several other characters in a near-identical retelling of the film. Each playable character has a unique weapon and ability.

<i>Rage of Mages</i> 1998 video game

Rage of Mages is a PC game that combines role-playing and real-time strategy. Produced by Nival Interactive it was first released in Russia under the name of Allods: The Seal of Mystery. The game was published in April 1998 in the EU by Buka Entertainment and on October 13, 1998 in the US. It was re-released in 2016 on GOG.com.

<i>Janes WWII Fighters</i> 1998 video game

Jane's World War II Fighters is the 1998 combat flight simulation video game. Set in the European theatre of operations during World War II, it is part of the Jane's Combat Simulations franchise. The game was considered a commercial failure, and contributed to the end of the Jane's Combat Simulations line.

<i>Peoples General</i> 1998 video game

People's General is a turn-based computer wargame developed by Strategic Simulations, Inc (SSI). It was released in September 1998 in North America and Europe. The game focuses on early 21st century warfare in Asia. People's General, or PeG as it is commonly known, followed SSI's successful 5 Star General Series of World War II war games and their sequel, Panzer General II (PG2). It uses the same game dynamics as these earlier games—turn-based movement & fighting with military units on a hex based map. PeG uses substantially the same "Living Battlefield" game engine as PG2 but features higher quality graphics and many new features.

<i>Star Wars: TIE Fighter</i> 1994 video game

Star Wars: TIE Fighter is a 1994 Star Wars space flight simulator and space combat video game, a sequel in the Star Wars: X-Wing series. It places the player in the role of an Imperial starfighter pilot during events that occur between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

<i>Janes Longbow 2</i> 1997 video game

Longbow 2 is the sequel to Jane's AH-64D Longbow from Jane's Combat Simulations. The game was developed by Origin Systems with executive producer Andy Hollis on board, and released by Electronic Arts on November 13, 1997.

Star Wars: X-Wing is a series of space flight simulator video games based in the Star Wars media franchise that attempts to simulate the fictional experience of starfighter combat, while remaining faithful to the movies. The player took the role of a pilot of the Rebel Alliance, and, in later games, the Galactic Empire. To complete the games, players must complete missions such as simple dogfights with opposition starfighters, reconnaissance and inspection tasks, escort duty for freighters or capital ships, or attacks on larger opposition ships. In addition to dogfighting designed to resemble the free-wheeling duels of World War I, the games also offered the challenge of managing power resources and wingmen, and using weapons effectively.

<i>Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness</i> 1995 video game

Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness is a fantasy real-time strategy computer game developed by Blizzard Entertainment and released for MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows in 1995 and Mac OS in 1996 by Blizzard's parent, Davidson & Associates. A sequel to Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, the game was met with positive reviews and won most of the major PC gaming awards in 1996. In 1996, Blizzard released an expansion pack, Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal, for DOS and Mac OS, and a compilation, Warcraft II: The Dark Saga, for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn. The Battle.net edition, released in 1999, included Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal, provided Blizzard's online gaming service, and replaced the MS-DOS version with a Windows one.

References

  1. 1 2 I. G. N. Staff (12 March 1999). "Marching Into a Store Near You". IGN. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  2. "Gone Gold : EuroGold". 10 February 2001. Archived from the original on 10 February 2001. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Blevins, Tal (31 March 1999). "Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  4. Chalk, Andy (28 April 2015). "X-Wing and TIE Fighter now available on Steam". PC Gamer . Future plc . Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance for PC". GameRankings . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 20 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  6. Ocampo, Jason (30 March 1999). "X-Wing Alliance". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on 16 August 2000. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  7. Sones, Benjamin E. (5 April 1999). "X-Wing Alliance". Computer Games Strategy Plus . Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on 18 May 2003. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  8. Nguyen, Thierry (July 1999). "Death Star Duel (X-Wing Alliance Review)" (PDF). Computer Gaming World . No. 180. Ziff Davis. pp. 134–35. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  9. Edge staff (May 1999). "X-Wing Alliance". Edge . No. 71. Future Publishing. pp. 76–77. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  10. Bergren, Paul (June 1999). "X-Wing Alliance". Game Informer . No. 74. FuncoLand.
  11. Sterbakov, Hugh (1999). "X-Wing Alliance Review for PC on GamePro.com". GamePro . IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on 26 October 2004. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  12. Johnny B. (May 1999). "Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance Review". GameRevolution . CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  13. Janicki, P. Stefan "Desslock" (6 April 1999). "X-Wing Alliance Review [date mislabeled as "April 29, 2000"]". GameSpot . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 27 January 2005. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  14. Lee, Ed (June 1999). "X-Wing: Alliance [sic]". PC Accelerator . No. 10. Imagine Media. pp. 76–77. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  15. Whitta, Gary (June 1999). "X-Wing Alliance". PC Gamer. Vol. 6, no. 6. Imagine Media. pp. 118–19. Archived from the original on 5 March 2000. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  16. "PC Gamer Editors' Choice Winners: Does Quality Matter?". PC Gamer. Vol. 7, no. 4. Imagine Media. April 2000. p. 33. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  17. "Third Interactive Achievement Awards: Personal Computer". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences . Archived from the original on 3 September 2000.
  18. Gamecenter staff (21 January 2000). "The Gamecenter Awards for 1999! (Sci-Fi Sims)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on 7 June 2000. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  19. "Game of the Year 1999". PC PowerPlay . No. 47. Next Media Pty Ltd. April 2000. p. 30. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  20. CGW staff (March 2000). "The 2000 Premier Awards (Science Fiction Simulator of the Year)" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 188. Ziff Davis. p. 73. Retrieved 11 June 2021.