7 Ways To Get Into Star Wars Expanded Universe

3. Empire at War (video game)

empireatwar I imagine some Star Wars fans might disagree on this one, but hear me out. Empire at War is a real-time strategy game released in 2006. It is set slightly before Episode IV and allows you to take the helm of either the Rebel Alliance or the Empire in a galaxy-wide struggle for domination. I love this game. There are diverse types of combat, with cool tactics like Y-wing bombardment of ground forces and immobilization of orbital ships through ground-based ion cannons. You get to think strategically, planning your attacks with care and fortifying key planets. And units include characters from the movies, including Admiral Ackbar, Darth Vader, and Han Solo. Moreover, if you prefer a bit of a story there are campaigns for both the Rebels and the Empire you can work your way through. Fans of the movies will find this game to be familiar ground. Most of the planets mentioned in the movies are here. The movies€™ heroes are represented. And aspects of battles are reminiscent of the movies, including the ground-based ion cannons, speeders€™ tow cable attacks, and the Death Star€™s destruction of an entire planet. But it also gives you information on the EU. You can fight on Kessel--and liberate Imperial prisons--which was briefly mentioned in the movies. Wondering what Corellia is? You can find out. And what were those little fighter craft some of the Rebels flew in Episode VI? They were A-Wings, fast and maneuverable€”but very weak€”interceptors. I€™m not sure how canonical the campaign storylines are, but this game can put a €œface to the name€ for a lot of the off-hand references in the films.
In this post: 
Star Wars
 
Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

Peter Henne hasn't written a bio just yet, but if they had... it would appear here.