DESCRIPTION

The Star Wars flight combat series that began on the Nintendo 64 in 1998 continues with the exclusive GameCube release of Rebel Strike — Rogue Squadron III . Unlike previous titles in the Factor 5-developed series, players can now leave their spacecraft to continue missions on foot. The worlds and characters from the original trilogy once again shape the game's storyline, so players will explore snow-covered Hoth, the forest planet Endor, and the sand dunes of Tattooine, and even trudge through the boggy swamps of Dagobah. For the first time in a Rogue Squadron game, players can participate in third-person shooting and driving stages in addition to space combat.

The game features a total of 13 missions and seven bonus stages, the latter unlocked after earning coveted gold medals for top performances on certain levels. Luke Skywalker will weave through trees on a speeder bike, Chewbacca will hijack an AT-ST to fight alongside Ewoks, Han Solo must protect Leia while trying to escape from Hoth, and Luke can ride a Tauntaun or latch onto the bellies of advancing AT-ATs before bringing them down with well-placed thermal detonators. None of the main game's missions have been duplicated from its 2001 predecessor, only expanded upon. Players, as Luke, will rescue Leia on the original Death Star, for example, but will not go on the offensive strike to destroy it.

The main narrative has players choosing between two different campaigns following characters Luke Skywalker or Wedge Antilles. The latter character offers an entire campaign of flight missions inspired by the original trilogy but not based on specific film scenes. Choosing Luke Skywalker will offer the complete Star Wars experience for movie fans. As a special bonus, all missions included in 2001's Star Wars: Rogue Leader are playable in a two-player cooperative mode. Viewed in a horizontal split-screen, these missions allow one player to complete one objective while a friend works on fulfilling another. Versus and Capture-the-Base multiplayer modes are also available for competition. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide