Previous Next

Domark's second conversion from the trilogy of Atari/Lucasfilm Games Division Star Wars arcade machines loosely follows the cinematic plot of its inspiration across four different scenarios. Each section is presented using wireframe vector graphics and the first takes Luke (That's you) across the icy wastes of Hoth, attempting to blast down hundreds of probots which are scouring the planet, searching for the Rebels' underground hideout. Whenever a Probot sights the base's generator (the only visible part of the complex) it sends a signal back to the waiting Imperial fleet, and four such signals must be received before the Rebel's position is confirmed. The signals can be blasted to delay the fleet's arrival, but the Rebel base's fate is pretty much sealed.

The second episode thus begins once the Empire's AT-AT and AT-ST (All Terrain Armoured Transport and Scout Transport) forces have made planetfall and are advancing on the Rebel installation. Still in the snowspeeder, Luke has to destroy as many of the walkers as possible before they reach the base. This is achieved by firing at the red cockpit windows or, in the case of the AT-ATs, by launching tow cables which wrap around their legs, tripping them up.

After the evacuation of Hoth, you are then firmly placed in the jackboots of Han Solo, piloting the Millennium Falcon against the massed might of the Empire's TIE fighters. These are simply fended off by copious amounts of blasting before entering the final section in which Han attempts to evade the Imperial Fighters by flying through an asteroid field. No amount of firepower can destroy the huge boulders, which must simply be avoided. If Han survives, the cycle continues with Luke reappearing against even more Probots back on the surface of Hoth.

Each section has a specific goal which, once completed, is awarded a 'Jedi bonus': the letters J, E, D and I are collected on the corresponding sections and completing the word 'JEDI' is rewarded with temporary invincibility against the Empire's laser bolts.

Considering the ineptitude of the C64 for doing vector graphics, The Empire Strikes Back comes off fairly well. Authors Vektor Grafix have cut one or two corners to accommodate the action but the gameplay doesn't suffer too much in comparison with the arcade version. However, the limited amount of variety proves to be its major downfall: once all four sections have been played through a couple of times (not a particularly difficult task), the lure to continue is severely depleted. Unlike its predecessor, which had the increasingly difficult trench sequence to negotiate, The Empire Strikes Back provides little in the way of a long-term challenge except for increasing your score. Fine for fans of the arcade, but not so hot for everyone else.