When Rogue Leader launched with the GameCube, it was clear that any sequel was going to have some rather large shoes to fill. With its E3 announcement of Rebel Strike, LucasArts has chosen to return to the classic Star Wars universe, only this time, the Rogue Squadron game allows you to play cooperatively, in Empire vehicles and in the roles of Luke, Leia Han Solo, Wedge, Storm Troopers and even Chewbacca.

Clearly this is a significant change for the Rogue Squadron franchise, but don’t worry about the new character-based action replacing the aerial gameplay. The levels in which you pilot X-Wings, B-Wings, Y-Wings, the Millennium Falcon, speeder bikes and other craft each looks as movie-like as the graphics on Rogue Leader. What’s more, it feels practically identical to the aerial combat for which the franchise is known.

The refined graphics engine in Rebel Strike, though, supports literally hundreds of vehicles in the air at once, which makes the already-crammed skies of Rogue Leader look “average” in comparison. And then there’s the new two-player co-op mode, which fills the skies with yet one more craft - and of course adds a massive amount of depth and replayability to the title.

The new character-based levels jive with the rest of the game in that they take place in the classic Star Wars universe. On Hoth, you’ll find yourself slashing Stormtroopers and fighting your way into the underbelly of an At-At. On Endor, you’ll hop onto the speeder bikes and cruise through the redwoods before dismounting and taking out Scout Troopers with your blaster. These character-based levels even vary slightly in their gameplay depending upon the person you choose: Luke lends himself to a more battle-oriented level, while Wedge Antilles is more apt to turn the level into a trip through the friendly skies.

As far as the environments are concerned, the game already looks impressive, even though it’s not scheduled to release until this fall. On Endor, for example, ferns on the forest floor wave with the wind, while trees can be felled or their foliage incinerated by AT-ST laser blasts. Since the game takes place in several locations from the classic universe, you can expect a variety of space- and land-based locales, and from what we’ve seen, we can assure you that not one will disappoint in the graphics department.

Adding co-operative play would’ve been a great touch on its own for the Rogue Squadron franchise, but adding both co-op play and a new character-based gameplay dynamic provide an incredible shot in the arm. With the combination of gameplay, graphics and a great franchise, Rebel Strike will undoubtedly be one of the standout GameCube titles of 2003.

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