Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire
Reviewed by Scott McCall
One of the questions I asked myself several times when
playing this game was, "Am I reviewing the same game as
everyone else?" Shadows of the Empire is one of the most
thoroughly enjoyable video game experiences I've had in a
long time. Many action games often just get left on the shelf
after playing them only part way through, but that was not
the case with Shadows of the Empire. I needed to play this
one to the end.
You may have heard elsewhere that multiple gameplay modes
hurt the game. I whole-heartedly disagree with that. As a
matter of fact, it's the multiple gameplay modes that keep
this game fresh going from level-to-level. Obviously,
everyone will have their favorite type of level, but each
mode is done well enough that most gamers won't complain.
Plus, some of the levels have some killer boss battles with
a clearly visible boss damage meter.
Although much has been said about Shadows of the Empire,
there are two things that I haven't seen mentioned before.
First off, this game has an interface that puts other games
to shame! The game easily saves your progress via Game Pak
memory. No need for a Controller Pak here. It saves all your
weapons, lives, best times for a level, challenge points on
each level, etc., and you have the option if you want to overwrite
the existing data or not. Another thing is how you can easily go
back and pick any level you want to play again from the main
menu (assuming you have completed it).
Also, and I think this is very important, you are never more
than 5 or 10 seconds away from the spot you perished when
you lose a life. Remember those frustrating days when you
had to start from the beginning of a level if you died? This
is not the case in Shadows of the Empire, and the designers
should be commended for that.
There is one gripe I do have to get off my chest, though.
Although the music in the game is composed amazingly well
and sounds exact to the original tunes, it is in MONO. Ack!
Although I'm sure the music is in monaural for valid reasons,
it's just painful to hear that infamous Star Wars tune not
coming out in full stereo sound. Fortunately, when you actually
start playing the game, the sound effects, which are in full
stereo, make you forget about the music. Other than that, there's
othing really to complain about (no, not even the looping music).
Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire is an enjoyable experience
that can truly be ranked in the upper-echelon of Nintendo 64
games for 1996, along with Super Mario 64 and Wave Race 64.
The graphics are very solid with no clipping or pop-up. The
sound is exceptional, although the music is in mono. And the
control is pretty good once you get the hang of it. Add some
lastability elements like challenge points, which can be fun to
find if you liked finding stars in Mario 64, and four levels of
difficulty, and you've got a true winner -- and a game that will
sell systems to boot.
Graphics: 4.4 out of 5
Sound: 4.4 out of 5
Control: 4.0 out of 5
Gameplay: 4.4 out of 5
Lastability: 4.1 out of 5
Overall: 4.4 out of 5