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Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided

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5.4 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 33 critic reviews
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Based on 64 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: LucasArts

Developer: Sony Online Entertainment

Genre(s): Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game

Players: Thousands

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: June 25, 2003

Summary

Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided for Windows PC simultaneously immerses thousands of players into a persistent online recreation of the Star Wars universe, as portrayed in the classic Star Wars film trilogy. The series features dynamic adventures throughout the galaxy during the classic Star Wars timeframe. Game play offers a unique combination of combat, exploration, social interaction, specialized missions, and daring quests. [LucasArts]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Star Wars Galaxies: Episode III Rage of the Wookiees Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed Star Wars Galaxies: Trials of Obi-Wan

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central GameSpot Guide

Also On The Web: "New" Official Site Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Cinescape

This game really shines with its environment models. Every part of the environment seems real, from the grass swaying in the breeze or the ripples on the water as you run through it.

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100

GamePro

Easily the most gorgeous and immersive game in the genre. Huge cities, vibrant wildernesses, and highly detailed player character models help nail home the sheer Star-Warsiness of the game, while the Star Wars sound suite does its usual awesome job of grounding you in the world of the films.

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100

GameNow

One of the great things about this MMORPG is that it's just massive. [Grade = A+]

Game Informer

The development team has put together a diamond in Galaxies that surpassed my lofty expectations. In short, even if this game had nothing to do with "Star Wars" whatsoever, it would still be amazing. [June 2003, p.115]

GameZone

A gem in the galaxy of MMORPGs. It has a way to go to work out the kinks, but this is a game with depth of play and will likely have staying power.

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VIA Gamers Arena

Not only are bugs being fixed but extra creatures, vehicles, game play and locations are always being added. I will never have finished exploring the SWG worlds.

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Game Chronicles

It truly makes you feel like you are living in the world that you have come to know and love through the movies and books and that alone has been what makes this MMO stand out from others for me.

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IGN

Fantastic city architecture, lush outdoors environments and some terrifically unique character models make this one of the best-looking MMOs around.

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Cheat Code Central

Skills are easy to pick up but very difficult to master. This frustration may lead a lot of players to just pick up their lasers and start blasting. At least it feels like your doing something. But it all gets incredibly repetitive if you don’t level-up.

Gamer.tv

Things have definitely moved along since launch... It's still quite a daunting place for a newbie though.

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2404.org

This game has a lot of life in it and am excited to see it expand.

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Gamer's Hell

The possibilities are not countless but so numerous that I doubt that more than a handful of selected SWG players could really name them all. But this is at the same time the game’s weakest point – the diversity and depth of gameplay you have to master to make any real progress is breathtaking in the beginning and maybe even too much.

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PC Gamer

Galaxies has a few annoying aspects that seem endemic to MMORPGs - with tedious cross-country treks and features that are broken upon initial release - but it still delivers a lot of varied and innovative gameplay. [Oct 2003, p.92]

GameSpot

A short while after the game's release, there's a lot of breadth to Star Wars Galaxies, but there isn't a lot of depth.

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GameSpy

When it came time to score Galaxies, I initially thought of all the bugs and broken areas, the steep subscription fee and poor customer service, the often slow-paced gameplay and as-yet unrealized potential of the game. And yet, even with all these drawbacks, I find myself hooked -- there's fun to be had, if you're willing to dig through the frustrations.

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ActionTrip

Great graphics and sound. Almost all classes and professions are interesting to play... In all, I have been pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable Star Wars Galaxies is.

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AtomicGamer

Star Wars Galaxies could be a great MMORPG in time, as it has some excellent potential and a solid technology base. But if you want a balanced combination of exciting combat, quick progress, and fun PvP, and you want it right now, then SWG is not the game for you.

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Eurogamer

Sony has done a great job of holding new players by the hand and introducing Star Wars Galaxies in a way that makes you feel part of the action - much more so than before.

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GMR Magazine

The whole game is a bit too complex for its own good - the skill system itself might put off those who have never played an MMORPG. [Oct 2003, p.71]

1UP

Personally I've had a lot of fun in the game, and I don't want to be starting from scratch when the game is rocking. But that, my friends, is truly up to you. May the Force be with your decision.

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PC Format

Stormtroopers shouldn’t be easier to kill than llamas, and Rodians shouldn’t wear hotpants and start dancing in campsites.

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Play Magazine

While the social aspect is very interesting in Galaxies, the combat is relatively boring and uninspiring. If I have to shoot one more hopping rodent (to gain experience) I'm going to scream! [Sept 2003, p.85]

Armchair Empire

Though Star Wars Galaxies does have the potential of becoming a better MMORPG, the current version of the game is dull and lacks in quality.

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Gamer's Pulse

The current lack of content, unbalanced professions and broken quests and missions still in the game will drive you away if you do not have the patience to wait for the next 2 or 3 months of major updates.

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GamerFeed

The game has gotten a lot better since its initial release, enough to warrant that early players who left in anger should check back in to see the new game. But new players be forewarned - this game is really tough to understand if you've had little experience with real RPG's.

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Game Revolution

Star Wars Galaxies just doesn't offer anything new to the MMORPG genre and it never really feels much like Star Wars. Watch a group of brawlers running around hitting creatures with axes and sticks and you might never even guess it's a Star Wars game at all, unless you notice that one of them is a Wookiee.

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Edge Magazine

Star Wars: Galaxies does not offer fans of the franchise any heroics. There is nothing dramatic or cinematic about the MMRPG game model as defined by Everquest, and Galaxies does very little to break that mould. [Oct 2003, p.100]

Computer Games Magazine

This game might be the foundation of a large scale, ultimately satisfying Star Wars universe. But it's not that universe yet. [Oct 2003, p.82]

Adrenaline Vault

Yet the experience, for all its addictive qualities, still feels lacking due to its slow pace and the absence of vehicles and space travel.

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netjak

A guy can only sample for minerals, craft Mighty Rods of Fishing + 1, and shoot the same crap for so long before they realize that it's just freaking boring.

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G4 TV

Combat looks patently ridiculous. How many shots from a blaster does it take to kill a fluffy space bunny, anyway?

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Yahoo! Games

Its Star Wars atmosphere is minimal, and its advancement is riddled with repetitive, boring, time-consuming experience-grind busywork... As it stands, Galaxies is little more than a buggy, incomplete time sink.

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Computer Gaming World

What stinks more than anything is SOE's treatment of the game's devoted fans, who find themselves spurned by the developer's hope that a dumbed-down gaming experience will appeal to a wider audience. [Feb 2006, p.76]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 5.4 (out of 10) based on 64 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Doug D. gave it a10:
Like any other MMO, it really depends on your tastes. I love this game, some people, obviosly, dont. I find it fun and if you like the star wars genre the pvp space battles are exciting and fun, as are the legacy missions.

Christopher S. gave it a0:
A Beautiful and potentially epic game, completely ruined by money hungering developers. It is horrifically sad to see how far this could have went, all to be destroyed by a team of unworthy devs ignoring their most important resource - the fans. Don't play unless you really, really want to be let down.

Jago gave it an8:
To all the people giving this game 1 or 2, i say to you, did you really give the game a chance? I do agree it has a fair few kinks that need to be addressed, however the game is still a very good MMORPG that does have alot to keep people interested. If your a Star Wars fan then this makes the game that whole lot better. You can really build a community in this game, making your own cities, shops and ships. You can become a bounty hunter and fly across the whole galaxy hunting down those imperials and rebels that have pissed off the wrong people, you can become a jedi and live out that Skywalker fantasy, you can become a simple merchant and make your own weapons, armor and even star ships. There is ALOT to do in this game, and if you look past its minor flaws it really does have alot to offer. Even if you just spend your time flying from planet to planet exploring as much of the Star Wars universe as you can it is something that will be both fun, and also a treat for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the star wars galaxie! Give it a try before you dismiss it completely.

Chris A. gave it a10:
Amazing game, dont forget the other expansions to ,including the new Trials Of Obiwan!

Willy Manilly gave it a1:
Terrible game ... released to early.... buggy... boring... ... nerferifific...... waste of money.......DEVS don't even know what to do with such a crappy game...... and.... it ranks bottom of the barrel for MMOG! SOE should be ashamed.

Very Disgusted gave it a1:
So far, with a VERY loudly heard and felt first impression... This is one of the most horrible games. ever. This is rubbish. It might have been okay as a high school computing project, if it had an original world and character set, but it's supposed to be Star Wars. It's not. It's awful. I'd rather spend the cash on a multiple toenail extration. Pure bantha poodoo.

J gave it a3:
Define the word horrible and then use this game as an example. Star Wars galaxies has to be one of the worst user-friendly systems. I had to google everything that didnt come naturally. Like because yu cant click on a unit to attack it. I really believe that a 2 1/2 meter wookie can kill a butterfly, if only mine hadnt been killed. It was a very strange and unappealing game. After 5 hours of trying to understand, I took the CD and broke it in half cause I couldnt return it to the store. This game would need a total overhaul before I attempt it again.

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Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided

Game Info

Summary

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What The Critics Said

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