User Reviews (1 - 11 of 123)

Show these reviews first:

Highest Rated
Lowest Rated Newest
Oldest Most Helpful
Least Helpful

What Force Commander Should Have Been

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 18 / 18
Date: June 17, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Those of you that had the displeasure of playing LucasArts' first attempt at Star Wars real time strategy might be disinclined to take the bait a second time. You would be missing out, however, as Galactic Battlegrounds goes a good way towards making up for its abominable predecessor. While GB is definitely not an attempt to create a unique RTS system, at least it works, which is far better than can be said about FC.

Galactic Battlegrounds uses the AOE 2 engine, and it plays a lot like Age of Kings. If you're experienced with the medieval-era strategy game, you probably won't even need to play the tutorial or read the manual. Now, before you run off and dismiss this game as Age of Kings with Star Wars sprites, you should know that the Star Wars sprites are really quite cool. Also, the game actually does play quite a bit differently, owing to the fact that almost all the units are ranged and there are air units. If you discount the last fact (as I did at least once) you risk the nasty surprise of having your opponent flatten your base with bombers.

Another one of the best things about Battlegrounds is that it runs very smoothly over even a mediocre internet connection, much like AOE 2 does. It also enjoys rock-solid stability and a few useful improvements over the old game engine. For example, when you build a harvesting center, the workers you used to make it will automatically start harvesting when they're done building. Also, the 'idle villager' button flashes when there is one, so you don't have to keep clicking on it to find out.

Of course, nothing is perfect, and although Battlegrounds sure seems perfect in the light of its predecessor, it could have been better. The graphics are only so-so. I really think LucasArts could have done a better job with the blaster shots and explosions. They are all non-antialiased colored lines and white flashes- the sort of thing you'd expect a 3 year old with crayons to draw. This wouldn't be so bad if you weren't always staring at them. I should also note here, however, that the graphics (aside from scaling) are arguably better than Force Commander's. This says a lot when you consider the fact that that game was 3-D. On another aesthetic note, but hardly the least important one, the original John Williams soundtrack is retained in this game. If there is any immediate indicator that LucasArts has learned from FC and worked to amend its deficiencies, this is it. Also, I'm sure many will agree that there could hardly be a be a better tune for playing against your best friend or kid brother than 'Duel of the Fates.'

Another probable defficiency is that the game plays too much like Age of Kings. This goes down all the way to the scenarios, which aside from different heroes, run in a VERY similar fashion to the AOE 2 single player missions. The only real difference in the campaign is that each mission line has a 'bonus mission' that plays out a hypothetical alternate battle. Some of them are quite fun- say, the big slaughter of Gungans, including everyone's favorite, Jar-Jar Binks. If you've ever sadistically wondered how Darth Maul stacks up against him, here's your chance to find out. You can also (if you're good) win the battle of Hoth and generally make hay out of the canonical storyline. This is never a boring thing for a Star Wars fan to do.

The established game engine certainly carries more advantages than disadvantages when you add them all up. It was definitely a good idea for LucasArts to license it. In fact, it's such a good idea that you'll inevitably wonder why they didn't do this in the first place, instead of going through all the trouble of making their own 3-D engine (no simple task) only to have it eat the floorboards on store shelves. For those who played Force Commander and wish they hadn't, I encourage you to give Galactic Battlegrounds a try. Especially if you haven't played Age of Empires before, it'll go a good way's towards fulfilling an aching need for some good Star Wars strategy gaming.

Blows me away....

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 9
Date: December 06, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Way better than I could have imagined. Yes, I am a rts fan, and a Star Wars addict, so when I heard about this game I was thrilled. Still it blew me away.
1) The graphics are way better than standard RTS. The AT-ATs and AT-STs are perfect. I have heard people complain they look mechanical when they walk. Have those people seen the movies???
2) The music is great. Hearing Vader's theme while you are crushing wookies....can't be beat.
3) The heroes are a joy. Vader, Solo, Skywalker....can't be better. The only problem is Maul is somehow rated as Vader's only equal. Vader would kill the puny TPM clone.
4) Finally, the technologies. Jedi invisibility. Shields. Subs. What more could any SW fan ask for?

This game will rock!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 15 / 20
Date: September 10, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Ok, what is there not to love about this game? The tried and true Age of Kings engine that was so much fun, plus, all our favorite star wars units and vessels that we see in the movies, and many that we haven't. The game has 6 unique civs, count ,em, 6, they are totally unique, each having totally different art, unlike AOKs civs. Each civ has 50 unique units, include one special unit. Plus, they have air units, which are a new addition to the AOK engine, and are shaping up very nicely. The art in the game has been redone several times, and is nearing perfection. Yet, all this greatness will run on the average joe's comuter, requiring only about 166mhz minimum. Also, the gameplay has been created to much more fastpaced than AOK, which will make for some great games, and great strategies to go along with them. Were shall these battles take place you ask? Why, for a start, you could fight in the swamps of naboo, the barren wastelands of tatooine, the frozen desert of Hoth, or at the ancient Massassi temples on Yavin IV. Other areas include space platforms, and the famous floating city of Bespin. What other places would make a better story, a better battle, or a better game than those mentioned above? Even if you aren't a star wars fan, you can still fight in the desert, the forest, the swamp, the city, or the artic.

Also, having spoken over the interenet with the game's director, Garry Gaber, he has assured us that the game is going to be out on time, and is everything he exected, and then some. He has told us about many new features that weren't in AOK, but will grace your screen in the epic battles that will unfold in Galactic Battlegrounds. So, with great art, incredible gameply, and tested engine, and all your favorite star wars vehicles and charcters, this game is shaping up to the be the greatest rts game to date, whether your a star wars fan or not, this game is a must buy for all rts lovers.

Star Wars plus AOEII - What can be better?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: November 15, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game and it is incredible. I have fully enjoyed it so far. If you are familiar with AOEII, then this game will be easy for you. It is exciting to learn all the new technologies and units but more fun to see the civilizations come alive on the screen. The only down-side is that there are only currently 6 civs to play or fight against so your options are limited but I expect this to be increased with expansion packs in the future (I hope!!). However, the number of options for units, maps, and techs will keep your interest. Play style is identical to AOEII, graphics and sound are fine, and overall this game combines one of the best genres of games with one of the best sci-fi/fantasy worlds of all time. If you are a RTS gamer or a fan of Star Wars then this game is for you. If you enjoy both, then what are you waiting for!

Good game but could be better

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: November 26, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This is a solid RTS game. However it simply copies too much from AGE OF EMPIRES. I Like AOE but there are times when your playing the game and you will be thinking, 'Man they didn't change anything'. Contrary to popular belief the graphics are good. The different races they have are intersting, especially for a STAR WARS fan. However, there is one serious problem that also affected AOE. The problem is the races don't vary enough for long term playabilty. Sure they tweek the races here and there so that one may gather a certain resource faster or one has better pilots, but there is no real difference in the various troops from race to race. LISTEN UP RTS MANUFACTURERS ALL RTS GAMES SHOULD TAKE A CUE FROM STARCRAFT and take on the challenge of making the races truely distinct at every level but at the same time keeping them balanced. That is the only way to make a classic RTS game. This is solid game but it is no classic

AWESOME GAME

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 10
Date: September 09, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Unlike the above reviewer I have thoroughly reviewed everything I can find about GB. It in fact DOES NOT require a "special" video card. It is in fact designed to run on relatively low end computers. Garry Gaber (Developer) has stated that the development team wants the game to be very accessible. The game borrows the game engine from Age of Kings, which was a big success. You can see the multitude of screenshots at www.lucasarts.com/products/battlegrounds. As you can tell the above reviewer obviously had NO idea what he was talking about. Please ignore him. I give the game a 5 star rating. It is going to be excellant! Thank you for your time. : )

for fanatics only...

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 9 / 10
Date: December 08, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Make no mistake - this game IS 90% Age of Empires II: Age of Kings. The designers tweaked the engine in a few ways, borrowing a few plays from Star Craft's playbook, like power cores, floating units, and shield generators. It's actually kind of sad at times reading the explanations the designers cooked up to keep from changing the AOK gameplay. (Ex: Instead of cutting timber to build structures, your workers "collect carbon" from trees...to build structures). That said, more of a good thing isn't necessarily bad. If you loved AOK and want more, you will be right at home here. Furthermore, if you're a Star Wars Fanatic like me, you will love this game and the opportunity match characters and vessels in ways that the movies and books just can't do. (Personally, I will never get tired of sending Boba Fett, Bossk, and a division of AT-AT's to assassinate Jar Jar Binks).

However, if you are just a passing Star Wars fan, stick with Age of Empires.

Micromanagement Hell...

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 22 / 39
Date: November 23, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This game is based on the Age of Empires engine, and it shows. The excellent graphics and sound, unfortunately, are overcome by the same tedious micromanagement and endless click-repetition, that spoiled the fun of the original AOE games. By the time the first mission was over, I was so sick of herding stray men back to the group (while my main group stood passively by, absorbing and being cut down by enemy fire), that I uninstalled it. The thing that set Starcraft apart from the group was its ease of play, smooth interface and balance - you could experience the thrill of building a base and then crushing your opponent with overwhelming firepower, without worrying about endlessly sending the same man out to harvest food over and over. A single click with a Starcraft character would send it harvesting minerals until you told it otherwise. In SWGB (and AoE), you have to keep clicking over and over to harvest food and other necessities. Enemy (and friendly) AI, is essentially nonexistent, as your men depend entirely upon you for direction to do even the simplest tasks. It's unfortunate, too, because I've been waiting along time for a decent Star Wars RTS. Guess I'll have to keep waiting.

StarCraft Plus!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: January 12, 2002
Author: Amazon User

If you like StarCraft (or Warcraft, or Civ.) than you will LOVE this game, especially if you like the Star Wars movies! It has all the basic gameplay of the previous games, but this time you are playing with iconic favorite characters!
There are 6 species to choose from (there are 3 very different ones in starcraft), but the difference between each one in this game is barely any. If you can play one, you can basically play all. Personally, I think the "Empire" is the most fullfilling for a Star Wars fan to choose as it has At-At's, Tie-fighters, Tie-interceptors, tie-bombers, speederbikes, and more! The rebels are missing the B-wing, A-wing, and the Millenium Falcon itself is even missing as far as I can tell! ...
The other thing that is really nice about this game is the variety of ways you can win a battle: by destroying your enemy, collecting jedi holicons, or building a monument with mined resources. This, along with the jedi characters alone, open several options and potential strategies to this game.
The campaigns are great and you get to role play as your favorite characters and see the story from that team's POV(the evil empire isnt so evil when you are vader!); but the true fun of the game is multi-player! The game even comes with movie audio clips that you can use to taunt your friends during play. "I have you now!" "I'd rather kiss a wookiee!"

Galactic Battlegrounds

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 10 / 13
Date: April 27, 2002
Author: Amazon User

When I saw the game in the shops, I thought WOW!!! I got it for Christmas and played on it. I like it because it shows you lots of cool things about the films that you don't know, and how it is different to the films but links with them along the way.
If you like star wars and you you like other games like Age of Empires, then this game is a must.
You can be any of six civilisations. The Galactic Empire, the Rebel Alliance, Wookies, Royal Naboo and the Trade Federation. You can command battles like the Grassy Plains battle on Naboo, from Episode 1, You can control Characters like, Darth Maul, Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Queen Amidala, Princess Leia, Anakin Skywalker, R2D2 etc. I find it funny to kill them by pressing delete. You fail the mission but hey, you can always restart it right? Battling other players with huge armies is fun too, becuseits all destruction and explosions.
The graphics are really good and as you upgrade your base you see creatures, ships, people and machines that you recognise from the films. You can get vehicles that travel on land, in sea and in the air.
You can play skirmishes, campaigns, you can make your own game with the scenario editor and play against or with your friends over the Internet.
I can't wait till the add-on pack for it comes out. It's called 'Clone Campaigns' and there are two new civilisations.
I personally like all games that Lucasarts make.
If you like star wars and you have not got it yet,
GET YOURSELF TO THE SHOPS!!!

Review Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next 

Actions