Last week EA Motive officially revealed Star Wars: Squadrons. The game is a dog fighting, ship piloting, Star Wars universe expanding game that is set to be at the top of every Star Wars fan’s must play list this October. The game looks to tell an original story in the Star Wars universe, set just after the destruction of the second Death Star in Return of the Jedi. The Empire are on the run, but the fleets that are still lurking out there are still very much a threat. Players will take on the role of one of five characters in a squad for both the Empire and the Rebellion, telling a story from both perspectives.
I don’t think I need to tell you that this game looks epic, but it really does. EA Motive has done a really great job of distilling the experience of being a pilot within the Star Wars universe, discovering what that means, and presenting it to players in this cinematic trailer. The gameplay sounds as if it will reflect this same level of action, because it’s going to be available on PC, Xbox One, PS4 and PSVR with cross-play.
The game will have a single player story, through which you can learn the basics, but it also has a multiplayer that I can see becoming the defining dog fighting experience of the end of this console generation. The game won’t have microtransactions either, that’s a promise from EA, allegedly.
You’ll be able to earn new ship parts and customisation options as you progress through the story and multiplayer modes. Personally I can’t wait to get into the pilot’s seat and go absolutely nuts flying around in the most iconic Star Wars ships ever created. The game looks to build upon what we already know by introducing new locations in the universe, but we’ve yet to hear if the game will actually be cannon.
This is an interesting time period to be a pilot in the Star Wars universe. I imagine that while the Empire is running around trying to regroup and form the First Order, the Republic are just seeking them out and destroying them where they can. I think the game will have a very bounty hunter-like feel to it, with pilots out to enjoy themselves rather that simply trying to survive the next fight for a daring and desperate escape.