STAR WARS: SQUADRONS

EA goes rogue for one of PS VR’s best games yet

- Ian Dean

INFO

FORMAT PS VR

ETA OUT NOW

PUB EA

DEV EA MOTIVE

Despite some hysterically on-the-nose moments, including the time a character grins from the screen as he introduces Wedge Antilles, his eyes saying ‘look, it’s this guy,’ away from the functional campaign this dogfighter shines.

Though varied and fairly lengthy (it takes around eight hours), the campaign acts as a introduction to the core mechanics of Star Wars: Squadrons. Often literally, as you meet up with your engineer to customise loadouts across one of five ship classes. But despite having some highs as you switch sides between New Republic and Empire squadrons – we love skimming the surface of a Star Destroyer – there’s little in the way of emotional engagement unless you enjoy spotting Star Wars Easter eggs: Thrawn, Rae Sloane, the Dragon Void Race and so on.

Characters appear on-screen like old FMV walk-ons (the Rebel Assault II reference may be too subtle) and deliver monologues about why they fight and the moral greys of war. The better lines, as you might expect, are delivered by your Empire comrades, whose selfish motives prove more engaging than the warm hugs of the New Republic’s crew.