Game Review - by Dan Piparo
Shadow of the Empire is set in the time between the Star Wars films The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Shadows of the Empire features incredible high-resolution graphics; five distinct types of gameplay; 10 unique and vast levels spread throughout four storyline twists; intense Star Wars sound effects and music, including the classic John Williams soundtrack; and new characters, vehicles and locales. Will light emerge from the shadows?

Storyline:
Enter Prince Xizor - sinister servant of the Dark Side. Lord of the Black Sun crime ring. Mastermind behind a brazen plot to assassinate Luke Skywalker. But YOU, as maverick mercenary Dash Rendar, have other plans. Stop Xizor. Protect Luke. Rescue Han Solo from the carbonite-cold clutches of Jabba the Hutt and Boba Fett. All with your blaster, brains and bravery.

Features:
The Shadows of the Empire follows the adventures of a new hero character � Dash Rendar, a tough, roguish mercenary and friend of Han Solo. In addition to his efforts to help the Rebel Alliance against the Galactic Empire, Rendar's overall mission is to protect Luke Skywalker from the clutches of a new evil force in the universe, Dark Prince Xizor (Shee - zor). Xizor, leader of the feared underground criminal organization Black Sun, is determined to assassinate Skywalker so Darth Vader falls from Emperor Palpatine's grace, enabling Xizor to replace Vader as the right hand of the evil Emperor.

Graphics:
Shadows of the Empire will take advantage of Direct 3D and will support a variety of 3D acceleration cards. Diamond Monster 3D, Orchid Righteous 3D, etc. recommended for optimum performance. Some 3D cards will have varying degrees of performance. Check the bottom of this page for more additional 3D video cards with similar or better performance.

Gameplay:
There are a variety of gameplay options available in 10 expansive, beautifully rendered and detailed levels with multiple camera viewpoints offered for each level. They include a jet-pack adventure, interior point-of-view maze battles, snowspeeder battles and spaceshooter levels. Just as Han Solo has the Millennium Falcon, Dash Rendar has the Outrider, a heavily armored, multipurpose transport craft. Conflicts in Shadows of the Empire are fought against a bevy of familiar Star Wars backdrops including Hoth and Mos Eisley/Beggar's Canyon, as well as a variety of new settings such as the sewers of Imperial City, Xizor's Palace and Gall Spaceport.

New Enemies and Weapons:
Battles will take place against several new and classic Star Wars enemies, such as AT-AT walkers, stormtroopers, TIE fighters, Star Destroyers, swoop riders, IG drones, train guards and the feared bounty hunter Boba Fett. Players will have at their disposal an assortment of weapons including blasters, seeker missiles, pulse cannons, a stunner, and the Disruptor, the most powerful weapon available. Good luck Gamers and may the Force be with you.