Star Wars: Empire at War

 PC
Star Wars: Empire at War Image
Metascore
79

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

User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 339 Ratings

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  • 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 engineSet 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
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 45
  3. Negative: 0 out of 45
  1. GamerFeed
    90
    Empire at War has everything. The graphics, sound, and overall presentation are each near perfect. Gameplay is fast-paced and fun, with very little repetition, and fans of the setting will be amazed with the attention to details.
  2. Computer Games Magazine
    90
    Who would have guessed that some of the most seasoned real-time strategy veterans on the planet would take one of the most well-worn licenses in gaming and turn it into one of the most inventive game in years? [May 2006, p.45]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. PC Gamer
    85
    Empire at War finally delivers a truly satisfying Star Wars strategy experience. [Apr 2006, p.62]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Game Chronicles
    82
    For me, this was like having the world’s biggest Star Wars play set and getting to play ‘army”, only with cool special effects and explosions and authentic sounds.
  5. DailyGame
    79
    The thing of it is, though, all but the most hardcore RTS junkies will play only one-fourth of the game (only the Empire half, and within that half, only the space battles). That doesn't mean the other three-fourths of the game is wasted content, but if LucasArts had balanced things out a bit more, there's little that could've stopped this game from being a must-buy.
  6. Detroit Free Press
    75
    The day-to-day ground conflicts that make up most of the game are not particularly inspiring. The full-on space wars are a real thrill to behold.
  7. AceGamez
    60
    As much I hate to say it, Star Wars: Empire At War isn't worth the entry fee. This is a terrible shame, since it had such promise from the pre-launch screenshots, but sadly the repetitive and shallow gameplay, combined with the below par presentation and ludicrously high difficulty level, simply can't compete with the best of the genre.
    All this publication's reviews

See all 45 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 71
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 71
  3. Negative: 4 out of 71
  1. MikeO.
    Feb 15, 2006
    10
    Awesome! This game is soo much fun to play. They actually have made a fun RTS without having to stick to the same old outdated gameplay style Awesome! This game is soo much fun to play. They actually have made a fun RTS without having to stick to the same old outdated gameplay style like (BFME 2, AOE 3). This game is a must have for any RTS fan.… Expand
  2. NateW.
    May 30, 2006
    10
    it's totally awesome. the sound and graphics are the best for a RTS game.
  4. JacobCleveland
    Apr 3, 2014
    10
    This game is one of the best RTS games I've ever played, and gives you a satisfying Star Wars experience. While the initial game isn't tooThis game is one of the best RTS games I've ever played, and gives you a satisfying Star Wars experience. While the initial game isn't too large in scale by today's standards, the great modding community gives us even more depth into the Star Wars canon, and gives us a truly fantastic experience. The only fault i could give for this game is that there isn't more of it out there.… Expand
  5. ThrawnM.
    Apr 10, 2006
    9
    The game is great and sports some awesome graphics and at least 30+ hours of single-player game play. Multiplayer is where the game is at The game is great and sports some awesome graphics and at least 30+ hours of single-player game play. Multiplayer is where the game is at with a cool team mode for land and space maps; the game also has tons of options to choose from. There is also a neat online campaign mode for those who want to play a … Expand
  6. SewAwOw
    Jul 19, 2020
    8
    Отличная стратегия по Звездным войнам, в детстве тащился от нее, хотя не являюсь любителем стратегий. Плюс интересное дополнение Forces ofОтличная стратегия по Звездным войнам, в детстве тащился от нее, хотя не являюсь любителем стратегий. Плюс интересное дополнение Forces of Corruption, которое добавляет много контента. Фанатам ЗВ мастхэв.… Expand
  7. J42Hmusic
    Apr 5, 2011
    7
    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 lackThis 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
  8. TobyD.
    Feb 18, 2006
    1
    I thought this was the worst game I've ever been conned into buying by overzealous reviews by people I don't think have even played I thought this was the worst game I've ever been conned into buying by overzealous reviews by people I don't think have even played this game. do like starwars, but we've had some problems with Star wars games, Battlefront 2 sucked like a £5 whore. I.e - badly. This is worse. This is, quite possibly the WORST game I have EVER played. The graphics are appalling. They are irritating and cutesy, while lacking in detail, the only thing that looks good is the explosions in the space battles. Don't get me started on the inconsistencies. Just trust me, if you're a star wars fan this game will irritate you. Perfect example - During the formative years of the Rebellion, acccording to EAW the SOLE method the Rebel Alliance had for gathering intelligence was.... wait for it... R2D2 & C3P0. "Many camp droids died to bring you this information..." Also, apparently the Rebellion is just as strong as the empire. No, really. Click single player, click the SUPPOSEDLY freeform conquest mode that - MAKES YOU PICK A LINEAR SCENARIO. Pick Galactic conquest (the only relatively freeform one, although if you replay it, they always attack the same places) try starting it from BOTH sides. Compare fleets and troops. Lucasarts? I wish I could defenestrate whoever was responsible for this pile of s**t. And the ground combat...? No, I can't. I'll cry. I'd say find out for yourself, but... Ok, one quick thing, all combat, both ground and orbital reminds me of warcraft 2 without the charm. You have a set square map, with predefined "terrain" like asteroid fields. You can't alter the camera angle at all, although you do have a very limited zoom function. except you can't Build units. Use pre-built - hammer the crap out of stuff. Very command and conquer but with even less strategy and charm (and I AM talking the FIRST C&C!)… Expand

See all 71 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Best PC Game of 2006
23
#23 Most Discussed PC Game of 2006
14
#14 Most Shared PC Game of 2006

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