This is what gamers look out for, revolution with a very familiar touch.
Graphics will be fast, they're really good. Not the best around, but great still. Better than most wil sum it up.
Sound, well it's a Star Wars game, what do you expect???? Great sounds in the Star Wars universe just need to be duplicated and approved by LucasArts and the job is done.
Gameplay???? Old thought patterns coupled with new thought patterns make a rolling wheel, the definition of revolution. New elements like providing two tactical fields (space and land) to every battle and making them affect one another is a not so new as a move but its the scale that counts. Well its like Starcraft's lurkers could attack marines and ships could blow out lurkers from air. Separate yet tied. Sure we all seen ground vs air, airstrikes, under the ground surprise attack. But what of ground battles containing those elements and a space battle that is another world completly. Well you have to see it to understand, the feel of huge armies crushing one another while having to control landing zones and small pop caps. Restriction for strategy, overwhelmingly powerful units for fun. New ideas orbit around the old stuff (most of the elements here are old, they just feel different) strenghts and weaknesses, counter this with that, use that to get him to do that.... Well why change whats good??????
Multiplayer? Well it's entirely based on : Are you a galactic conquest fan???
Basic skirmish is on my standards very average. New elements but its still gather ressources and overpower the other. Most gamers out there are on a very similar level, so battles are either dull or unfair. Sometimes it can be fun but its not very challenging, ground or space is just defines where one side rules and one side crashes. The real challenge is the conquest mode on multiplayer. No more predictable AI that will go for tactital choke points or strike you relentlessly till you just drop dead. Now sure I must confess the expension adds a lot to the package. Empire vs Rebels is in conquest like a chess game where the small moves count and the big moves are just small moves put together. Decisions like making a rear planet a credits provider instead of a unit churner are crucials. Sometimes the decision is less clearer but on most multiplayer maps, the decision is obvious. Sometimes all you need is an Ion cannon on a chokepoint to win. Sometimes its loads of troops created with the credits you made comprosing defense. The point is you will be put to the test, if only your opponents doesnt leave after 10 mins because you are just too smart.
Because here smart means something, rushing garantees nothing. Because overly defensiveplayers are not always meant to win a war. Offense is valued because without offense there is no war. Imperial arsenal vs rebel forces created legends in movies. They do the same in this game. This is Lucas Arts gift to the fans: take these toys and have fun, you guys deserve it....
Fun, for fans or non-fans, but lets be cleary either you like Star Wars (a little or a lot) or you dont in that case you might either be a non-sci fi fan or a Star Trek geek. Let me just say that if your not a fan you might think the game is a bit short on the lifespan.
Try the expansion, it's even better!!!!!!!!!!!!!