Mildly entertaining for Star Wars fans. ...but outright BAD if you stripped off the Star Wars universe.
A game like Rebel Strike should really have two reviews: one for fans of the Star Wars series who will appreciate the subtle touches, and one for those who are just in it for a good gaming experience.
First, a review for the latter:
If you don't care what a Bantha herd is, you probably won't find much here. Avoid this game. It has some enjoyable flying missions, that don't have much depth, and several clunky, on-foot missions that are only difficult because you're fighting the control.
Now, for the Star Wars geeks, like myself:
If you enjoyed the first two installments of the Rogue Squadron series, you're likely to enjoy much of what Rebel Strike has to offer, while the core of the game is modeled after the same flight-based missions popularized it the earlier games.
This time around, Rebel Strike has added on-foot missions to go along with their flying counterparts. While it lets much more of the original trilogy to be explored, the control system is absolutely clunky and awkward, and only makes you want to get back into your X-Wing again. Fans of the series will appreciate the details in these on-foot sections and how it feels like you're playing through the movies, sometimes scene by scene. However, none of the sections are done particularly well.
The flying missions are good, for the most part, but feel exactly as they did it the launch title for the Gamecube. Welcome additions come in segments where you pilot some new vehicles to the Rogue Squadron series, namely speeder bikes and AT-ST walkers. There are also some interesting new features, including a few new ways to take down AT-AT walkers and such. Die hard Star Wars fans will want to train with Yoda in Dagobah, fight on skiffs above the Sarlaac pit, and pilot speeder bikes through the thick forrest of Endor, but after they've seen everything, they'll put it down for good.
The game offers hidden boards for those that can unlock medals by beating levels with certain stats, but you'll likely find the task of unlocking them a chore. What saves the game is in the form of a co-op multiplayer that lets you and a friend pilot through the levels of Rogue Squadron II, and really adds value where there is little replayability.
Overall, this game is worth a rent for Star Wars fans, as you can see all you need to in a matter of days. For the rest of you, find something else.