The late nineties was a very exciting time for Star Wars fans. But did one of the most anticipated video games of that era live up to the hype?
The year was 1999, and it was one banner year for Star Wars…
Years of rumors an anticipation would lead to the release of Episode I: The Phantom Menace on May 25th. But prior to that day was another important launch – March 15th saw the release of X-Wing: Alliance – the final game in the original X-Wing series. X-Wing, Imperial Pursuit, and B-Wing had followed the course of rebel pilot Keyan Farlander through Episode IV and tiptoed up to Episode V.
TIE Fighter, Defender of the Empire, and Enemies of the Empire followed the course of imperial pilot Maarek Steele beginning at the Battle of Hoth and beyond. X-Wing vs TIE Fighter and Balance of Power allowed you to choose sides and missions in the period leading up to Return of the Jedi. But X-Wing Alliance sought to do something different – placing you in the role of Ace Azameen, of Twin Suns shipping. While the Azaemeens were sympathetic to the rebellion, it placed the family business in jeapordy, and led to disputes between Aces’ father and uncle. While leaving Hoths gravity well after a shipment of bacta is dropped, the Star Destroyer Corrupter exits hyperspace and attacks the family veseel, damaging it in the process. Ace and his father escape and make for a rebuilding platform that his Uncle Antan operates, but is refused a berth due to the fathers perceived recklessness, and the danger of the imperial pursuit. Limping home to the family space station, the Empire is not far behind – soon the Azameens will need to escape with their lives, and try to survive and rebuild their business while trying to avoid entanglements with the Imperials, or their shipping rivals the Viraxo.
The central concept of X-Wing Alliance was showing a (sort-of) non-aligned parties perspective on the Galactic Civil War, and how the depredations of the Empire could lead one to join the Rebellion and restore peace and justice to the galaxy. That the game was wrapped in a Shakespearean rivalry between shipping families was icing on the cake. Even better, this game was the first opportunity to fly Corellian Freigters (both YT-1300s and the family YT-2000). The game boasted upgraded graphics, lighting, and shading, and the ability to have a second player control gunner stations on the freighters. Also new was the ability to jump between hyperspace points.
Missions were given to the player from the family droid, MK-09, in an area of the ship that resembled the players personal bunk area. Completion of missions led to trophies and keepsakes that were shown in this area. Missions were larger in scope and deadlier than in previous games, and ended with the Battle of Endor and the destruction of the second Death Star. Unfortunately for me, it was my least favorite game in the series.
Why?
I think it was a few things, not all the fault of the game. X-Wing Alliance came out shortly before I was to move out of my parents’ house. At the time, I had been commuting between my hometown and my job each day, and was finally able to save enough to prepare for the move. That summer saw me pack up everything I owned and move to a new city. I was working hard, making new friends, and didn’t have the time that I’d once had to devote to my favorite series. While the flight mechanics felt much the same as in previous games, the interface looked much different. Part of the reason for this was that the old bitmap overlays of cockpit interiors had been replaced with fully 3d analogues. Targeting computers and mission update screens had changed – some features were customizable, but to me the new cockpits looked garish and were a distraction.
I suspect I’m in the minority in my opinion on this game, but I never got the same feeling returning to it as I did when playing any of the previous games in the series. X-Wing: Alliance was the only game in the series to not receive expansion packs, and the series lay dormant except in memory or the modding community afterwards…until a surprise new entry released on October 1st, 2020 with the release of the spiritual succesor – Star Wars: Squadrons.
Did you play X-Wing: Alliance back in 1999? How did it stack up for you? Tell me some of your favorite dogfighting memories below! And feel free to disagree if this was one of your favorite games.
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