Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 45 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 154 Ratings

  • Summary: Set a few years before the events of "Episode IV A New Hope," the game lets players rewrite history as well as experience the aftermath of "Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith," the creation of the Rebel Alliance, and Darth Vader's rise to power. Using an entirely new game engine created by the Las Vegas-based developer Petroglyph, Star Wars: Empire at War features beautifully rendered land and space battles set on memorable planets such as Hoth, Tatooine and Dagobah as well as never-before-seen environments taken directly from the Star Wars films and expanded universe novels. In the game, players can choose to join either the Rebel Alliance or the Galactic Empire, building and setting up tactical forces that can be unleashed on the enemy in real-time 3D. All of the gameplay and action within Star Wars: Empire at War is a persistent, meaning that strategic and tactical elements from previous events will have a permanent effect on the galaxy. As players build, manage and progress their space and ground-based units, troops and vehicles, memorable Star Wars hero characters will begin playing a role in key situations. In addition to the single player campaign mode, the game includes a two-player Empire vs. Rebellion mode and up to eight player online skirmish modes. [LucasArts] Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 45
  2. Negative: 0 out of 45
  1. Finally a Star Wars strategy game that got it right. Everything works the way it should, and that is no mean feat.
  2. The gameplay is smooth and streamlined, making it easy for noobs and deep for veterans.
  3. It is the first strategy game to really capture the feel of Star Wars, and is a must buy for anyone who is a fan of the classic trilogy.
  4. While Empire at War does have an overall decent gameplay system that requires a mix of strategies, as well as a story-based campaign that can be played from the side of either the Rebels or the Empire, there's just not enough here to pull you away from the many great strategy games that are available today.

See all 45 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 49
  2. Negative: 3 out of 49
  1. KravinM.
    9
    Star Wars Empire at War is one of the best Star Wars RTS games for the PC. With good game play you'll be playing for hours.
  2. JC
    8
    Probably the best strategy game of the Star Wars series since Rebellion. This game makes for both ground and space based warfare, making it an interesting change from past games. The Single Player Campaigns were interesting. 1 Con about this game is its A.I. The AI of this game is pretty bad and easily defeatable. Online play is ok, but generates loads of lag and poor online design. Expand
  3. This game wasn't too bad. The close up camera of the battle was really good and the maps were okay. I was however disappointed with the lack of variation within vehicles and infantry, and all the buttons and menus in the battle were too visually confusing. I'm sure someone who likes playing tactically would like this game, but for me, I moved onto a different game after about 10 minutes. Expand
  4. JakeK.
    3
    I can't believe how anyone could give this game a 10 or a 9. I thought this was one of the worst star wars games ever. They have almost no different kinds of troops or veicles and the maps are very small. The only good part of this game was when i played the first 10 minutes of it. Expand

See all 49 User Reviews