Get ready to jump into a fighter and blow something up!
Just days after EA set tongues wagging with the incredible announcement trailer for Star Wars: Squadrons, today the developer has upped the ante by releasing the gameplay trailer for what is expected to be one of the hottest games of the year.
As expected, the trailer reveals a rollercoaster ride of Star Wars awesomeness and gives us just a taste of what we can expect when the game launches in October. After selecting either The New Republic or the remnants of the Galactic Empire, players are prompted to jump into a fighter of their choice and embark on some of the most daring missions in Star Wars history. Whether it’s taking on a Star Destroyer or bombing a New Republic supply ship – the game offers everything a Star Wars fan could want.
Check out the trailer below:
He’s the official line. Which side will you choose?
PROTECT THE GALAXY:
Plan every skirmish with your squadron in the briefing room before taking off to the evolving battlefields across the galaxy. Pilots will triumph as a team in known and never-before-seen locations, including the gas giant of Yavin Prime and the shattered moon of Galitan.
MASTER LEGENDARY STARFIGHTERS:
Take full control of different starfighter classes from both the New Republic and Imperial fleets, such as the X-wing and TIE fighter. Modify your ship, divert the power between its systems, and destroy your opponents in strategic space dogfights.
STAY ON TARGET:
Compete in intense 5v5 dogfights, unite with your squadron to tip the scales in monumental fleet battles, and take off in a thrilling Star Wars™ single-player story. Immerse yourself in the pilot’s seat completely with the option to play the entirety of Star Wars™: Squadrons in virtual reality (VR) on PlayStation®4 and PC with cross-play support.
And if that isn’t enough to have you igniting your X-Wing engines in anticipation, the developer also confirmed which planets we can expect to venture to during the course of the game. Some are old favorites, however the majority are all-new locations yet to be explored in Star Wars lore. Check them out below:
YAVIN PRIME
ESSELES
NADIRI DOCKYARDS
SISSUBO
GALITAN
ZAVIAN ABYSS
The game modes themselves vary between multiplayer and single player against the AI and focus on building the perfect team with the best battle strategy – meaning Squadrons will much more than just the ordinary piloting game. Check out the modes below:
STORY
Learn what it means to be a pilot in a thrilling Star Wars™ single-player story. Seen from alternating perspectives between the New Republic and the Empire, iconic and emerging leaders on both sides are battling for the galaxy. Set near the conclusion of the Galactic Civil War, this is a time when ace pilots will make all the difference.
DOGFIGHT
Challenge the galaxy’s finest in 5v5 dogfights. The mission is simple, but the execution requires skill. Finetune your loadouts for speed and accuracy, compose your squadron with different starfighter classes, and eliminate the enemy to claim your glory.
FLEET BATTLES
Unite with your squadron online or play against bots to tip the scales in monumental fleet battles – a multi-stage, objective-based contest between two squadrons of five. Advance the frontline by dominating the enemy in intense dogfights and carry out bombing runs to take out capital ships protecting your ultimate goal: the destruction of the massive, enemy flagship.
If fighters are your thing, here’s the list of ships you can expect to deploy in:
THE NEW REPUBLIC:
T-65 X-WING STARFIGHTER
Manufacturer: Incom Corporation
The workhorse of the New Republic, the Incom X-wing starfighter is a great all-rounder, packing a good balance of firepower, durability, and maneuverability into its distinctive frame. This is the most versatile and easiest to handle of the New Republic starfighters and is effective against both enemy starfighters and capital ships. This is the ideal ship for rookies, but is also well-suited to experienced pilots, as it can adapt to any situation that may arise.
RZ-1 A-WING INTERCEPTOR
Manufacturer: Kuat Systems Engineering
By far the fastest and most agile starfighter in the New Republic’s lineup, the A-wing interceptor is built for dogfighting. While it is handy at taking out turrets on capital ships to clear the way for the heavy-hitters, the A-wing is better suited for forging ahead and tearing through enemy starfighters. Its weak hull and shields mean that it can’t endure much damage, but its speed and maneuverability make it a difficult target to hit and allow it to fly circles around its opponents.
UT-60D U-WING SUPPORT CRAFT
Manufacturer: Incom Corporation
Sporting four massive thrusters that lend it surprising speed and mobility, the U-wing support craft is a welcome addition to any squadron. While it is difficult to kill in a dogfight, its true value is in supporting the squadron with life-saving supplies and repairs, allowing fellow pilots to operate more effectively. The U-wing can also disrupt enemy systems, making them easy targets for allies.
BTL Y-WING BOMBER
Manufacturer: Koensayr Manufacturing
The heavy hitter of any New Republic squadron, the multi-role Y-wing bomber may be sluggish compared to other ships in the New Republic’s roster. But what it lacks in speed, it more than makes up for in stamina and firepower. While its loadout makes it formidable in a dogfight, the Y-wing shines during assaults on capital ships, where its toughened hull, powerful shields, and devastating loadout can be the deciding factors in fleet engagements.
The Empire:
TIE/LN FIGHTER
Manufacturer: Sienar Fleet Systems
The standard starfighter of the Imperial Navy, the TIE (Twin Ion Engine) fighter is sturdy (despite a lack of deflector shields), faster, and more agile than its Rebel X-wing counterpart, and versatile enough to serve in multiple roles. Its speed, maneuverability, tiny silhouette, and good forward visibility give it an edge in a dogfight, while its armor and payload options make it useful against enemy capital ships as well.
TIE/IN INTERCEPTOR
Manufacturer: Sienar Fleet Systems
The TIE interceptor is the lightest, fastest, and most responsive starfighter in space. It can use its high acceleration and turn rates to outmaneuver an enemy fighter, evade missiles, and dodge incoming cannon fire from capital ship turrets. This manoeuvrability is essential, because while it is the fastest, it is also the most fragile – sacrificing armor and shields for speed and agility. The TIE interceptor is an excellent choice for taking out enemy fighters and bombers, and for strafing turrets and subsystems on capital ships. The TIE interceptor is, however, not likely to put much of a dent in a capital ship’s hull.
TIE/SA BOMBER
Manufacturer: Sienar Fleet Systems
A heavily armored tank of a ship, the TIE surface assault bomber is the slowest and least responsive ship in the Imperial roster, but that thick armor allows it to hang tough in a firefight against the faster ship classes. In a head-to-head joust with any other ship, the bomber – with its powerful loadout – will always come out on top. As the name implies, it is primarily designed for bombing runs, particularly on large capital ships. It can weather a storm of turbolaser fire to lay down a swath of destruction across heavily armored hulls, hampering or destroying escorts and flagships alike.
TIE/RP REAPER
Manufacturer: Sienar Fleet Systems
Surprisingly nimble for a ship of its bulk, the TIE reaper support craft brings many advantages to a squadron, and many disadvantages to that squadron’s opponents. One of the few Imperial starfighters equipped with deflector shields, it trades some firepower for squadron force-multiplying abilities, reloading allies and providing repair droids in the thick of battle.
Aside from harnessing the very best graphics of the current game engines, the immersive gameplay looks incredible and promises to give the fans an experience like never before. The Rogue Squadron games of yesteryear delivered what many fans consider to be the definitive Star Wars flight simulator – but Star Wars Squadrons appears to be re-writing the rulebook.
Star Wars Squadrons will hit store shelves this October and will be available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Steam.
The Future of the Force. The future of pop culture writing.
Phil Roberts is the Owner, Daily Content Manager, and Editor-In-Chief of The Future of the Force. He is passionate about Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Follow him on Twitter @philthecool where he uses the force and babbles frequently!
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
(Source: EA Star Wars)
Author
Phil Roberts is the Owner, Daily Content Manager, and Editor-In-Chief of The Future of the Force. He is passionate about Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Follow him on Twitter where he uses the force and babbles frequently!
