Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2555 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Lucas Arts
• Released on: 2002-05-03
• Platform: GameCube

Amazon.co.uk Review
Rogue Leader has some of the best graphics ever seen on a home console and it's proper, old-fashioned, Star Wars--if that doesn't raise at least an eyebrow of your interest then there's probably not much in the world of video games that will. Thankfully, the jaw-dropping graphics are matched up to a very playable shoot 'em-up that works as a slightly more in-depth version of the PS2's Starfighter, except without any of that Episode I nonsense; instead it recreates everything from the Death Star trench run to the Battle of Hoth.

The game is actually a sequel to Rogue Squadron on the N64--an excellent game that many only remember from the rather lacklustre PC version. It's structurally very similar to the original, with a dozen or so levels and a Star Destroyer full of secret levels and ships. There are a few new ideas, such as controllable wingman and ground troops, and some of the levels are set in deep space instead of just planetside, but at its heart this is still Rogue Squadron Deluxe.

What elevates the game to an object of worship is the graphics--they really do look almost identical to the movies, with several scenes being copied exactly, and move with a fluidity and grace you wouldn't have thought possible from a £150 console. The only flaw is that the missions are needlessly short, but there's plenty of replayability, and by gosh there's those graphics...--David Jenkins

NGC Magazine
"The most memorable--and certainly the best-looking--Star Wars game yet. 87%."

Manufacturer's Description
Luke Skywalker and the elite X-wing unit of the galaxy's most daring pilots return for duty in the flight action game Star Wars: Rogue Leader--Rogue Squadron II. As in the N64's acclaimed Rogue Squadron, players will once again jump into exhilarating flight combat against the worst evil the Galactic Empire has to offer. Rogue Leader--Rogue Squadron II showcases the stunning technological capabilities of the GameCube. The game includes crisp movie-like visuals that complement the intense action arcade experience with eye-popping detail such as a decaying Podracing track and Jabba the Hutt's palace.

Rogue Leader--Rogue Squadron II features 11 exhilarating air-to-ground and air-to-air mission scenarios over planets and in space including the perilous Death Star trench run and the legendary battle on the ice planet Hoth. The game also includes numerous bonus missions which players can unlock by completing various goals throughout the game. Players choose from numerous legendary Star Wars crafts including the legendary X-wing, A-wing, B-wing and many others.

Customer Reviews

Immerse yourself in the Star Wars Universe
The first thing you will notice about this game is that it looks about as close to watching the films as you could possibly expect. The next thing you will notice is the number of enemies that it throws at you on screen.

If you played Star Wars Rogue Squadron on the N64 then the gameplay here is essentially the same, with a few additions, such as the ability to switch to different craft in the middle of certain missions, and the fact that it requires you to use the D-Pad to give your wingmen instructions on what they should do (although these usually consist of 'Stay in Formation' or 'Go After the Ties').

Although there are not many missions in this game, you will want to go back and replay them to earn more medals and also to see how you would do with the different craft you unlock as you play the game. Even so, you will not finish this game quickly as the missions are in general very hard and herein lies the main problem with the game. The vast majority of gamers will struggle to get gold medals on completing the missions and will have to settle for bronze or silver at best. This difficulty level may put a number of gamers off.

Despite the difficulty of the game, I would strongly recommend this to any fans of the Star Wars series. The graphics and sound effects are astounding, and you really do feel as if you are 'in the films' at times. This is helped by the fact that you either play as Luke Skywalker or Wedge Antilles depending on the mission, and that famous scenes from the movies are used in the game, including the two Death Star Attacks and the Battle on Hoth. In fact its worth playing just to laugh at the number of Tie Fighters that assault you on the second Death Star attack later in the game.

To sum it up, it might be a little too hard in places, but I was always left wanting to try again, and it certainly is an impressive game.

Sick of watching the films, try playing them instead
Rogue Leader is the sequel to the fantastic Rogue Squadron on N64. If you were a fan of the original game, then you are almost certainly going to love this game.

Rogue Leader is, in my opinion, the first Star Wars game to really feel like Star Wars. You are placed into the heat of dangerous battles over various terrains and environments, some based on settings from the film, some completly new.
Whatever your favourite space battle from the film, chances are you will be able to experience it in this game.

The first thing that will stand out is, of course, the graphics. Anyone whos played the game, seen a screenshot or a watched video clip cannot deny that Rogue Leader looks the business. It plays smoothly without a hint of slowdown, and never fails to impress from start to finish. It seems Lucasarts have gone all out to demonsrate the capabilities of gamecube, and have succeeded in this area, no arguments there.
Its a shame though, that it seems Lucasarts have overlooked the fact that Rogue Leader is in alot of ways, too familiar to its N64 prequel. Many levels seem like an exact copy of the N64's, and you will immediatly know what to do, and how to do it. Dont get me wrong, they're still a joy to play, especially with the breathtaking graphics but it would be nice to have a new experience on some levels. Maybe this is because the best levels are ones from the film. The Battle Of Endor, for instance is simply amazing, and you cant believe what your're seeing as hundereds of tie fighters attack you with a barrage of green laser fire! So its another shame that the levels not from the film are just variations of the same missions from the N64 game.
The next flaw is in the difficulty. Lucasarts dont appear to have any concept of the term
'learning curve'. The game goes from fairly challenging to what feels like impossible with no warning at all. You will most likely be completly stuck for ages on the fourth or fifth level. If you have never played Rogue Squadron on the N64, and are just getting the hang of the controls, then this is going to cause real problems.
However those are the only real problems in Rogue leader. The small amount of missions are made up for in the games replay value, as earning all medals will test even the best gamers skills.
You can choose from a range of crafts from the film, all perfectly reconstructed for the game, and can even unlock the Millenium Falcon or Darth Vaders Tie Advanced. All the ships have a range of abilities and choosing the right craft for your mission is vital if you are to succeed.
If you are a fan of the films or the original game on N64, then this game is definatly for you. Rogue Leader will appeal to a wide range of gamers, old or young, and you almost certainly
wont be dissapointed.

I finally played it!
I never owned a Gamecube, so I never got to play this game. I loved the prequal on the N64, and always thought that this game looked good, but just never got around to it. Now I own a Wii, the gateway to a plethora of retor games has opened before me and this is the first title checked off my "to buy" list. Of course, I had to buy a Gamecube remote and memory card - don't forget to grap those!

Anyway, this game looks fantastic (even now) and plays well. The controls are a little convoluted and tricky (I've no idea what my targetting computer efficiency score means and I've no idea how to improve it) but you get used to them. And this feels like Star Wars. It feels like your in the movies and it feels good.

In short, if you've bagged yourself a Wii, grab this game too. It's dirt cheap and I reckon you'll enjoy it!