Star Wars: TIE Fighter
| Star Wars: TIE Fighter | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Totally Games |
| Publisher(s) | LucasArts |
| Platform(s) | PC, Macintosh |
| Release | 1994, 1995 |
| Genre(s) | Space simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
TIE Fighter is the sequel to Star Wars: X-wing and the first game of the series which puts the player on the side of the Galactic Empire. A notable improvement is the flight engine which supports Gouraud shading, an effect that makes curves and mass appear more realistic. There are many flight options added, like flight dialogues and messages, a message log, a list of objectives, ships' status and behaviour, a three dimensional HUD, a sub-target system, and other improvements.
The briefings are now richer as well. Apart from the standard schematic map, the player has the ability to 'talk' to an Imperial officer and a cloaked figure in a dialogue menu.
Plot
The game begins soon after the Battle of Hoth. The player assumes the role of a rookie TIE pilot. Although the position of an Imperial has enstranged many players, the pilot's role becomes a bit sympathetic since he lives with fear under the shadow of Darth Vader and other superiors.
Instead of the (universally sympathetic) Rebels, many missions have to do with the elimination of pirates and other criminals, civil wars, traitor Imperials, and others, in order to mantain peace in the Galaxy.
Apart from the standard briefing, there is a secondary briefing in some missions, given from a Sith belonging to the Emperor's Inner Circle. This person briefs the pilot on the Secondary and optional objectives. Success on them doesn't alter the scenario or the success, but initiates the pilot in other ranks. It can also provide more information about the plot, such as Evidence of Harkov's Treason.
The story evolves in 7 different systems, separated in 7 Tours of Duty, of 5 missions each.
- "Aftermath of Hoth" (Hoth system) - Pursue Rebels fleeing from Hoth.
- "The Sepan Civil War" (Sepan system) - End a prolonged civil war.
- "Battle on the Frontier" (Newland system) - Establish a new Imperial base.
- "Conflict at Mylok IV" (Mylok system) - Battle pirates in outer Rim.
- "Battle for Honor" (Parmel system) - Capture a defecting officer.
- "Arms race" (Parmic system) - Zaarin builds new technology.
- "Treachery at Ottega" (Parmel system) - Stop a revolt by rogue Imperials.
The orignal game ended with the Player preventing a Coup againest the Emperor and being rewarded personally during a large ceremony remincist of the one on Yavin. However, Zaarin was still out there.
Expansion pack
One additional campaign was sold separately, Defender of the Empire which added 3 new Tours of Duty:
- "Strategic Warfare" (Omar system) - Zaarin attempts sabotage.
- "T/D Technology" (Parmel system) - Secure TIE Defender technology.
- "New threats" (Eva-T system) - Counter-Attack!
The scenario ends abruptly since we don't know what happened to the defect Zaarin. A new planned expansion pack that concluded the plot was never sold separately, but only included in the Collector's CD-rom.
Collector's edition
Like X-Wing, TIE Fighter was also re-released in a reenhanced version.
Like the previous CD-ROM, it offered full voice-over soundtrack, an improved flight engine (this time ported from X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter that supported textures and hi-res), a completely redone introduction cutscene and the Campaign Enemies of the Empire with 3 brand new Tours of Duty that conclude the scenario.
- "Hunt for Zaarin" (Semag system) - Thrawn seeks the traitor Zaarin.
- "Prelude to Endor" (Yllotat system) - Investigate Bothan connection.
- "The Emperor's will" (Iast system) - Final triumph...?
Other games in the X-wing computer game series
- Star Wars: X-wing (1993)
- X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter (1997)
- X-Wing Collector Series (1998)
- X-Wing Alliance (1999)