Back in 1996, something great happened for which I was too young to be aware of. In order to reignite fan interest in Star Wars, a plan was set in place to release a game, graphic novel and toy line based on a new Star Wars story. This story would be set between episodes V and VI and as I discovered in 2020, it was one the brightest moments of the franchise.
I’m talking of course, about ‘Shadows of the Empire’.
THE GOOD OLD DAYS
It was a multimedia crossover project the likes of which we wouldn’t see until ‘The Force Unleashed’ in 2008, which was left unfinished following Disney’s acquisition of the franchise. Rediscovering ‘Shadows of the Empire’ as an adult, I could still feel how massive and exciting the project was almost 25 years later. Reading the book, playing the game and getting in that 1996 Star Wars vibe reminded me of the days of the Jedi Knight series, which were peak Star Wars for me.
DAYS OF DARKNESS
Alas, following the microtransaction boom of the past decade and the fact that Electronic Arts somehow got the rights to make all major releases in the franchise, Star Wars games have completely lost their magic. Even after a series of cash-grab mediocre games, EA tried to win fans back with ‘Jedi: Fallen Order’. While the return to a single-player-only adventure was very welcome, it was rushed to make the Holiday 2019 release of ‘The Rise of Skywalker’, the movie ending the latest trilogy. The game was, and still is, a buggy mess on all versions, clearly unfinished and owing all of its success in its fantastic storytelling.
FAILURES HURT THE FRANCHISE
In 2020, we need a new ‘Shadows of the Empire’, a new ‘The Force Unleashed’. Whatever EA tried to do with their Battlefront I, II releases was clearly an attempt to achieve a multimedia project with the scale and cultural impact of past efforts, but the motivation was purely financial. The project had no soul. And fans could smell the BS a mile away.
HOPES FOR THE FUTURE
With ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ dabbling in some extended universe story elements and a plot that reminded me of the late 90s/early 2000 Star Wars games, I can only hope Disney urges EA or a more competent company to craft something that will be remembered for years to come; a Star Wars story than can hold it own when compared to the original trilogy and the prequels with books, video games and toys that will make fans’ heads spin. Give Star Wars the love it deserves, fans will pay much more for it than any stupid microtransaction gambling element the wretched hive of scum and villainy that is Electronic Arts can inject in their games.
If you want to experience ‘Shadows of the Empire’ or ‘The Force Unleashed’ in all its glory, the books and video games can be found online and they are incredibly cheap and easy to get.