The COVID-19 lockdown has been getting really unbearable. Even though some cities have unlocked, including Mumbai, I prefer staying indoors and stepping out only when absolutely necessary.?
And with the pandemic still wreaking havoc around the world, I have been seeking solace in a game that many might find boring -- Microsoft Flight Simulator.?
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The beautiful landscapes and the ability to fly anywhere in the world had me mesmerized. It was a nice way to quench my thirst for a vacation without really stepping out of my home.?
So when I stumbled upon Star Wars Squadrons, my excitement spiked tenfold. Not only do I love the franchise, but the ability to fly the spacecraft once flown by Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader or Kylo Ren was an opportunity I didn¡¯t want to miss. But I truly didn¡¯t know what I was ready to get myself into.??
That¡¯s how the game started and it was enough to get me truly excited. The game is set after the movie Return of the Jedi ends when the Galactic Empire is still trying to maintain a stronghold while the Republic is getting stronger than ever.?
The story is running parallel where you play as a pilot in both the Republic as well as the Galactic Empire. The 14-mission campaign mode will make you experience each and every spacecraft you¡¯ve seen in the Star Wars franchise whether it¡¯s the X-Wing, the Tie Interceptor, the classic Tie Fighter or the U Wings -- you name it. Characters in the game help add to the story and give you some cool inside information that isn¡¯t really important, but for a Star Wars fan, it is nothing short of gold.
I won¡¯t dive deeper into the story as it¡¯ll ruin the build-up, but one thing to note here is that the story is only a small part of this otherwise gargantuan game. The true essence is in the online multiplayer aspect, more on that later.?
Whether it is sitting inside the insanely detailed cockpit or whether it¡¯s looking through the window into the colourful yet haunting space, each frame of the game is nothing short of brilliant. The mission takes you from broken space debris or through acid-like atmosphere or nebulas that would make you miss your targets, this is surely one beautiful game.?
Even though I played this on my 55-inch 4K TV, the game is designed keeping VR in mind, so if you have a Vive or an Oculus lying around, you¡¯re in for a treat.?
Coming from Microsoft Flight Simulator, I assumed this game to be arcade-like and expected it to be far simpler in comparison, but boy was I wrong. While taking control of the spacecraft was one challenge, targeting flying opponents as they¡¯re blasting straight at your shields was something I wasn¡¯t prepared for. I tried different key bindings for my controller to see what felt more comfortable but each combo made the experience more complicated.?
Even on Story Mode difficulty, clearing the level was getting challenging. At that moment, I¡¯ll be honest, the experience became less joyous and more painful. I eventually did get used to the flying mechanics but by the time the charm and excitement had completely vanished. Maybe it was my incompetence or maybe I should have tried harder, but I would have loved if the flying mechanics could have been a tad bit simpler.
As I said, single-player campaigns are just a small part of the game, the main fun lies in the online multiplayer and there are two multiplayer modes -- Dogfights and Fleet Battles. In Dogfights, deathmatch-like gameplay involving 5 players in each team (Republic and The Empire) where the main goal is to get 30 kills as soon as possible.?
Fleet battles, on the other hand, is a battle involving 10 players in each team to take down opponents and finally see which team survives till the end -- something like CounterStrike or Valorant. These games offer you the ability to truly make the most of your skills, evading attacks, threading the needle through asteroid belts or space debris while attacking players from the opposite team. The end result is an exhilarating and action-packed space combat that will keep you hooked for hours.?
Star Wars: Squadrons is a game that would make the fanboys of the franchise really happy. Whether it is taking down Star Destroyers or flying the majestic X-Wing, this game is really fun to play. Sure, there is a steep learning curve that you¡¯ll have to invest some time in to get used to, but after that, this game is something you won¡¯t be able to easily let go.?
Although I¡¯d recommend you play this using a controller, rather than a keyboard, its experience is best enjoyed on a HOTAS system like the ones used for Flight Simulator to have better control on the spacecraft¡¯s movement. In the end, all I can say is, ¡°May the Force be with you!¡±