Super Star Wars: the Empire Strikes Back

Developer: Sculptured Software    Publisher: JVC    Released: June 1, 1993    Genre: Action

Super Star Wars was a sensation when it released. For the first time the Star Wars license was an excellent run and gun action platformer. It went on to big critical and financial success and paved the way for a guaranteed sequel. The Empire Strikes Back is still the most beloved film in the Star Wars cannon and I’m sure many expected its video game counterpart to follow suit. But despite a number of improvements Super Empire Strikes Back is let down by numerous design flaws. This is still a decent game but could have been so much more.

Super Empire Strikes Back is slavishly devoted to its source material. Where the first game deviated at points to make a more well-rounded game this follows the film’s plot to a tee. You begin on Hoth as the rebels fight a losing battle against the Empire. Luke then travels to Dagobah to train with Yoda in the force before traveling to Cloud City on Bespin for the finale. There are still a few side adventures but they add to the game. Since the game follows the movie you can no longer freely choose characters for each level. But the game does a great job making each more distinct.

There are numerous changes for each character, some subtle and others major. Luke has his lightsaber from the start in addition to a blaster. Unfortunately his blaster starts off at the weakest level.  Han and Chewie by default start at blaster level two. All characters can double jump which is a god send for platforming. Han performs a defensive roll rather than sliding like Luke and has an infinite supply of grenades. Chewbacca isn’t left out as he can perform an invincible spinning clothesline. Luke has the most growth once he earns his force powers however. Some of these abilities are too powerful, like invisibility and healing. Even though there is a separate force meter it replenishes at a decent clip.

Aside from its mechanical changes there are other gameplay changes as well. There is no time limit thankfully as it served little purpose. Power-ups are not as frequent and hearts restore less health. This has a massive effect on the game’s difficulty which I’ll get to shortly. Even though the challenge is higher there are passwords to save progress. This was the biggest oversight of Super Star Wars and much needed here as Super Empire Strikes Back is almost twice as long.

For all of its surface level improvements Super Empire Strikes Back feels sloppier than its predecessor. It was already annoying to have enemies and objects produce debris that damages you. That has become worse. Nearly every level in the game has traps like ice crystals, turrets and the like that inflict absurd amounts of damage. These appear everywhere without warning to the point of ridiculousness. Boss battles have become even more drawn out due to their massive life bars and multiple forms. Your attacks inflict little damage as well which makes it worse. Even the platforming feels like a step back with many blind leaps of faith. It is surprising as Super Star Wars had a solid base and this sequel magnifies its flaws.

It may sound like an exaggeration but Super Empire Strikes Back may be one of the SNES’ most difficult games. Enemies respawn infinitely, and with the debris left behind you are almost always at low health. They are surprisingly resilient too. Blind jumps, airborne enemies, and odd jumping controls make the platforming hard. Since blaster power-ups aren’t as frequent the game is heavily Luke’s favor. Between his lightsaber and force powers he has an easier time of it. But that is relative. Han and Chewie feel underpowered in comparison, especially since they can’t levitate or avoid enemies altogether. Add to that nightmarish bosses and you have a game that is harder than most titles on their highest setting even on easy.

The pacing of Super Empire Strikes Back is also questionable. The game is longer than Super Star Wars and I’m not one to complain about more content. But the game needlessly lingers in one area too long. There was really no reason to have thirteen stages on Hoth, especially when they are so similar. you search multiple identical ice caves for no reason. Was it really necessary to exit the rebel base with Luke than retread the same ground with Han? To be fair that is the movie’s fault but still. Even some of the new areas drag too long like the Furnace. If the pacing were better than maybe the high difficulty could be overlooked. But it’s not and only adds to the game’s frustrations.

In Closing

It’s a damn shame too as the production values are some of the best on the system. But to appreciate them you’ll have to overlook far too many faults. Super Empire Strikes Back isn’t a bad game but is let down by its huge flaws. Still enjoyable in the right conditions but there are better titles available.