| Description:
At times fun, but more often frustrating, Star Wars Episode I: Battle for Naboo has plenty going for it. Unfortunately, the good is overshadowed by a darker side. Were you one of the millions that enjoyed the very popular Rogue Squadron? If you were, then get ready for more of the same--only this time wrapped around a lucrative Episode I license. This should appeal to newly initiated fans and hardball line-campers alike, as there's more of a concrete storyline to follow than the sidelined plot of RS. Just as in the aforementioned classic, Battle for Naboo revolves around the collection of Gold Medals. New vehicles abound, and there's more than enough variety in the game's locales. The ability to switch craft at any time during the missions doesn't hurt the replay factor, either. If you discover the flash speeder doesn't have enough firepower to finish off that ATAT tank, you can just enter a different hanger and take control of a police cruiser. The graphics are astounding, even better than what RS showcased. The game deals fantastic details everywhere--even the explosions are incredible. The sound, though, is very disappointing, especially when you consider that Factor 5 is behind this. The control and manoeuvring should have been giving some more fine-tuning, too. This type of game relies on precise controls, but Battle for Naboo suffers some sloppy movements and inaccurate targeting problems. This, combined with simplistic backgrounds and missions that are too straightforward, helps deflate what could have been a great game into merely an OK one. There's plenty of replay value here, but this game's certainly not for everyone. --Todd Mowatt
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