It’s hard to express just how big of a deal Shadows of the Empire was back in 1996. Even though we were years removed from the original trilogy Star Wars was still one of the most popular properties around. So when Lucas Arts announced a new game that was officially part of the cannon exclusively for the N64 people took notice. The hype was huge; almost too huge. I question whether any game could live up to that hype. But that is neither nor here nor there. Shadows of the Empire should have turned out better.
Set between the events of the Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi Shadows of the Empire stars Dash Rendar, a Han Solo expy. Dash Rendar helps the Rebel Alliance as they face both the Empire and a new player, The Black Sun Syndicate. Its leader, Prince Xizor, plots to defame Darth Vader and take his place as the Emperor’s right hand and you must stop him. The events of the game retell key moments from both movies from Dash’s perspective while also allowing it to use their best set pieces. What could go wrong?
On paper Shadows of the Empire should have been a Star Wars fans wet dream. This was the first official new adventure within the Star Wars timeline and one of the first games in the series to go full 3d. With a comic book adaptation and novelization behind it alongside releasing on the red hot N64 Shadows of the Empire seemed set to take the world by storm. But in the end the game is a disappointment, let down by a myriad number of flaws.
As first impressions go Shadows of the Empire starts off strong. The Battle of Hoth is recreated in 3d for the first time and it is spectacular. The feeling of roping AT ATs is exhilarating, awkward camera aside. Super Empire Strikes Back captured some of the excitement but doesn’t compare to this. The framerate is a problem but still manages to get the job done. There are three more vehicle stages and in an odd twist they are the best in the game. Whereas these were mere diversions in the SNES games here they largely avoid most of the game’s problems. Except that stupid swoop bike level, I don’t know what they were thinking with that.
If only the first level didn’t set the bar so high! The majority of the game’s levels are action platforming stages that can be played in first or third person. And this is where the problems start. To put it simply the controls are terrible. Dash Rendar is an unwieldy hero, floaty, unresponsive and slippery at best. I’m honestly shocked the game released like this; after playing Mario 64 and seeing how nimble Mario was to control this is a mess in comparison. Dash Rendar will constantly fall into pits as you try to make the simplest jumps. He’s slow to turn and it never “feels” like you are in the environment.
There are four camera options and I’ve already gone over the third person view. If you can believe it the movie camera is worse. It switches angles every few steps and is worthless. I question why the overhead view was even added as there is no point that it is playable. Playing in first person is the most optimal but as anyone who played Turok knows platforming in that viewpoint is not ideal. Sadly the game is full of it. But in a sea of terrible choices the first person view at least makes the game tolerable.
Shadows of the Empire’s level design is mostly hit or miss. When it weaves around the events of the movie’s it is fine. The game is certainly ambitious and when it hits it can be fun. Jumping from hover car to hover car in the Ord Mantell Junkyard is nerve wracking but fun. The problem is nearly every level drags on way too long. And the longer the level the more time the game’s flaws stick out. Because of limited cartridge space they heavily recycle assets within the same level. When you’ve seen the exact same corridor and hallways six or seven times in less than ten minutes there is a problem. The boss battles should have been the highlight but are insanely easy if you circle strafe. Boba Fett is the lone exception; prepare to lose quite a few lives in that encounter.
In Closing
I wanted to like Shadows of the Empire. In some ways I do. But there is no way that I can’t classify it as a huge disappointment. It has decent production values for its time but that isn’t enough to salvage its mediocre gameplay. There are various Star Wars games across multiple platforms better than this, play those instead.
