Star Wars: Squadrons Campaign VR Game Review

I looked down at my readouts. The enemy starfighter was directly ahead. The only problem was the hull of the massive space station in my way. I pulled back on my throttle, jerked back on the stick to kick my nimble TIE Fighter up the side of the station. I spun to the side to avoid an incoming piece of space wreckage, narrowly avoiding damage to my TIE. Zooming over the top of the station, I took my ship into a nose dive just as the Rebel Fighter ducked to the left as the pilot realized I was closing in. I diverted power from my engines to my twin lasers, ready to close in on the X-Wing. “Not yet,” I thought to myself as my instruments counted down until I could pull the trigger.

I pulled a quick spin for style points, lined up the shot, and opened fire. The X-Wing tried to escape, but it was too late. The bolt struck the X-Wing and the ship burst into flames. This was the first moment in Star Wars: Squadrons that made me feel overwhelmed with joy and completely immersed in a galaxy far, far away. Squadrons is a small, but enjoyable flight game that puts you in the cockpit of some of the most iconic starfighters in sci-fi. In VR, it becomes the best Star Wars game of the generation.

I have you now.

The History of Star Wars Flight Games

Star Wars flight games and the rise of gaming have gone hand in hand. The original Star Wars Arcade Cabinet from 1983 saw players flying the X-Wing in the final assault on the Death Star from the first film. On the PC in the mid-1990s, the X-Wing and TIE Fighter games simulated what it would be like to fly the ships if they were real. With tons of buttons for various functions, to missions that forced pilots to use every trick up their sleeve. On console, you could look no further than Nintendo 64 and GameCube’s Rogue Squadron and Rogue Leader. Those games put you directly in some of the iconic scenes from the original trilogy, with Jedi Starfighter filling in for the prequel era.

Realistic or arcade, there has been a Star Wars flight game for everyone. The only problem is, it has been a while since we’ve seen one. The modern Battlefront games let you fly ships, but it was only one small part of the larger multiplayer experience. Squadrons is the first real attempt in ages to create an immersive flight experience. While the missions and storytelling aren’t quite as creative as the PC classics like TIE Fighter, it is often an amazing experience no matter what the objective is.

X-Wing (1993) vs SW: Squadrons (2020).

Best Ways to Play

Squadrons can be enjoyed in several ways. You can use a controller, a keyboard and mouse, and a flight joystick. Out of all of these, the best mode is either controller or flight stick if you have one. The main issue with using a flight stick controller is having to memorize all the different buttons. It is fairly easy when a game tells you to “press the Triangle” button on a controller. But, when the game pops up with “press button 11” for a flight stick it takes a lot longer to memorize your ship’s functions. That makes it all the more rewarding when you do become comfortable in the cockpit, though.

The game also has full VR support, which is when the game truly shines. Being able to look around the cockpit with your actual head enhances the flying tremendously. When playing the game with a stick, the action feels incredibly immersive as your actions line up almost exactly with what the in-game pilot does. If you have access to a VR headset (PSVR is supported on PlayStation!) and a flight stick, it is by far the best way to play the game. The scale of the Star Wars galaxy is brought fully to life this way, and it turns flying into an exhilarating thrill (as long as you don’t get sick). Turning your head behind your shoulder, seeing your R2 Unit beep and buzz while massive lasers fly toward you from a massive enemy Star Destroyer is a one of a kind experience. If you do not have a VR headset, there is still a great game here, just not nearly on the same level.

Learning the cockpit's systems takes time, but feels natural after a few missions.

The Story

Squadrons takes place after Return of the Jedi when the newly founded New Republic takes on the Empire that is slowly losing their grip on the galaxy. An Imperial pilot betrays the Empire and goes to the other side, which leads to the New Republic beginning to build a massive starship of their own to match the Empire’s best superweapons. Caught in the middle are two Squadrons, the New Republic’s Vanguard Squadron, and the Empire’s Titan Squadron. The characters you meet on each side mostly all feel engaging and fleshed out, and are fun to listen to. My favorite character was Shen, a grizzled TIE Fighter pilot who refuses to take his helmet off because of so many bad landings. 

You create two pilots, one for each Squadron. The Rebel pilot has access to more options like playable alien races. Both sides have so many uniform options to unlock for the multiplayer mode. Different helmets, gloves, flight suits, and more help you make your pilots your own, even if the only people that will see your look is other players. Your pilots’ role in the story is left as a blank avatar, with characters mostly talking at you. Every so often, your pilot will mutter a line in the middle of flight, but that is about it. It is okay since what you’re here for is the fantastic flying. In between missions, you spend time in each side’s hanger. You can interact with droids, look at your fighter, and listen to characters talk. It is just a shame that you cannot freely walk around the hanger. It makes sense in VR where your control is limited but would go a long way toward making the space feel real if you could explore it at your leisure.

Vanguard and Titan Squadrons.

Lock S-Foils in Attack Position

Each ship feels unique. In the thick of flight, you have to manage your starfighter's energy between engines for speed, attack power, and shields. You can adjust whether to keep your shields balanced or in the front/rear for direct protection against incoming blaster fire. The constant tug of war of your limited energy makes the missions feel strategic rather than just a shootout. You have to change tactics on the fly and work to your ship’s strengths to get the job done. It might sound like a lot, but in the moment once you get used to it, flying is incredibly natural to control. There are eight fighters total, four for each faction.

All wings report in!

The New Republic Fighters

X-Wing, A-Wing, Y-Wing, U-Wing

Imperial Fighters

TIE Fighter, TIE Interceptor, TIE Bomber, TIE Reaper

Each ship’s cockpit has been lovingly created and feels unique. The New Republic ships are easier to see out of, while the TIEs’ instruments are clearer to read. Since the game is entirely in first person, visibility between ship types has a big factor in gameplay. Each has its strengths and weaknesses in its design and handling. Bombers have high armor and damage but are tougher to move. Interceptors zip around other fighters at a rapid speed but can be shot down easily if you aren’t careful. The campaign makes you fly each, so by the time you enter the multiplayer, you will have plenty of experience with each ship and how to use it best. I love the speed of the A-Wing and Interceptor, the massive heft of the support ships like the U-Wing, and coming in for bombing runs as your teammates fly around you all feels great. And you cannot go wrong with the iconic X-Wing and classic TIE Fighter.

The detail in how these ships look and feel goes a long way toward making this game the most immersive Star Wars title yet. It almost didn’t matter what the mission I was sent out on was, just controlling these craft made them fun. Some missions see your Squadron escorting large frigates through enemy territory, others have you knocking out a Star Destroyers’ main weapons so your Rebel comrades can take over the massive ship. The only time the campaign felt stale for me was in the between mission briefing segments, mainly because you can’t interact with your crew in a meaningful way.

The space battles are visually dazzling at times.

Final Thoughts

Star Wars: Squadrons is a good flight game on its own, with an enjoyable cast of characters, beautiful visuals, and in-depth gameplay. In VR, it is an absolute must-play. Each ship has been lovingly brought to life, and simply flying around is a blast. If you always loved watching X-Wings and TIE Fighters clash in the films and want to experience it firsthand, it is a no-brainer. When the game is at its best, it is complete Star Wars piloting fantasy fulfilment. 

This game puts you in the boots of a pilot like no other.

Pros

• Authentic Star Wars feel
• In-depth flight controls
• Diverse cast of characters

Cons

• Storytelling isn't as sharp as classic games
• Needs dialogue options
• No B-Wings 

Star Wars: Squadrons (VR) Game Rating:

The game's box art.

Available Now on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

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What do you think of Star Wars: Squadrons? Do you want to become a brave pilot in the Star Wars galaxy? Let us know below!