Star Wars Galaxies Review (no fat)

Game Description

Much was expected from a popular franchise such as the Star Wars. Sony Online Entertainment and Lucas Arts have been the first to recreate the Star Wars universe in an MMORPG

The game boasts futuristic environments, strange new races (which are, of course, already known to Star Wars fans), revolutionary weapons and gameplay that caters to both PvP and non combat characters

Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided- Storyline

The setting of An Empire Divided is right after Episode IV: A New Hope, which means players are entitled to expect some heavy action. Although the Empire took a serious blow when the Death Star was destroyed, it is still the dominant force in the Universe...and not intending to let things change.

Star Wars Galaxies- Gameplay

The rebellion has been gathering strength, and bounty hunters and freelancers roam the Universe, while playing both sides of the fence in the Empire and Rebellion tension. However, within the game, combat scales are pretty much tilted in favor of the Empire. The Rebellion fighters don’t have much going in their favor for the moment. So that’s one aspect where combat can improve to make it more of a ‘fair fight’

In the combat system you have to declare your loyalty to either the Empire or the Rebellion to fight. Otherwise, you can take up a covert job and you’ll only be attacked by NPCs.

Even as combat is the main drive of SWG, the developers have not ignored the non combat characters. As a result they can level up just as quickly as the combat classes and contribute to the game through the economy. However, the requirement to make an item 400 times to proceed to the next skill level isn't the kind of fun most gamers are looking for.

Star Wars Galaxies- Characterization

At the time of release, there are eight races to choose from: Human, Bothan, Mon Calamari, Rodian, Trandoshan, Twi’Lek, Wookie and Zabrak. Each race has its strengths and weaknesses, depending on the nine basic attributes: health, strength, constitution, action, quickness, stamina, mind, focus and willpower.

Although you develop these attributes further as you play on, you should give the choice of the character some attention because this will effect the character development later on. Also, you are only allowed only one character per server so players would want to make it count.

You also get to customize the appearance of your character: eyes, hair and so on. Although you’re allowed to set the name of your character, don’t get your hopes high; you won’t be able to name it after any of the important characters in the Star Wars series.

Another option is the profession. You get to choose between five professions: brawler, entertainer, marksman, medic and scout. Obviously, the brawler and the marksman will have better fighting skills, that is, melee and ranged combat respectively. The scout, the brawler and the marksman are known to be the most popular of choices.

Star Wars Galaxies- The Walk!

You’d expect them to have vehicles in an environment dedicated to high tech stuff, but astonishingly, Star Wars Galaxies contains no land vehicles to aid traveling (.. no wonder there is a rebellion!)

Even as you can travel to all ten planets of SWG, being too adventurous can really dent your pocket. While inter city shuttle travel will cost you 150 credits per trip, a one way ticket to another planet would cost a whopping 4000 credits.

Star Wars Galaxies-The Economy

The economy in the game is basically player driven and players are not likely to find many top quality items in the NPC shops. Rather, the Bazaars do the trick by putting up things on auction. Other players can buy from these Bazaars and put up their own items for auction as well.

Star Wars Galaxies- The Expected XP Grind

Once you actually start playing the game, depending on your combat style, you’ll get to improve your skills. For instance, if you choose to use your bare hands to take on the enemies, you’ll improve your unarmed combat skills. Depending on which skills you develop, you’ll be assigned one of the 20+ advanced professions in the game. Bottom line, you get four professions for each class, plus another four for elite and hybrid classes.

Although, developing the skills may not seem hard to do at first, reaching the higher ranks of a certain skill will take a lot of work, especially if you intend to become a top bracket player.

Star Wars Galaxies- A word on Graphics

Seemingly, the part worked on most in Star War Galaxies is the graphics. These are impressive considering the genre of MMORPG. Although you may experience some lag when getting close to a town, and you might look like sitting in mid air when you move around in a chair, overall the graphics are detailed and well worked on.

Star Wars Galaxies - Sound

Although, there are different soundtracks for each planet and a change of music when things get violent, the sound track doesn’t come close to what the graphics set out to achieve.

The sound effects in the game; birds and creaks of chairs, and the reality of the sound effects, on the whole, is impressive and creates the desired effect of the environment.

Star Wars Galaxies – The Sum up

All in all, Star War Galaxies promises a lot but ends up looking like an unfinished title. It doesn’t feel complete and if feelings are anything to go by, it is bound to depend a lot on subsequent patches and expansion packs for improvement… still worth a shot for Star War fans, and space game addicts

Star Wars Galaxies - The Cost

The game currently retails for $25 with a monthly subscription of $15 / month. Like most MMORPGs there is a free trial period on offer as well.

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