STAR WARS: Squadrons is an action and simulation game centered on starfighter combat in the Star Wars universe. Players take on the role of pilots fighting for either the New Republic or the Galactic Empire in both a single-player campaign and competitive multiplayer matches. The experience emphasizes first-person cockpit views, precise ship handling, and team coordination during space battles set after the events of Return of the Jedi.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around piloting starfighters with systems that require active management during combat. Pilots adjust power distribution among weapons, shields, and engines to adapt to different situations, such as boosting speed for evasion or strengthening defenses during assaults. Each ship belongs to one of several classes that influence its strengths, whether focused on agility, firepower, or support roles.
Customization options allow adjustments to loadouts before matches, including selection of weapons, hulls, and other components. The New Republic fields ships like the X-wing, A-wing, Y-wing, U-wing, and B-wing. The Empire deploys the TIE fighter, TIE interceptor, and TIE bomber. These choices affect how a squadron approaches objectives and counters opponents.
Combat unfolds from a strict first-person perspective inside the cockpit, where instrument panels provide critical information on targeting, damage, and systems status. This setup demands attention to surroundings while executing maneuvers in open space or around larger structures.
Game Modes
Multiplayer centers on two primary formats that support up to ten players total. Dogfight operates as a 5v5 team deathmatch where teams accumulate tickets by eliminating enemy pilots, with the first side to reach thirty tickets claiming victory.
Fleet Battles expands the scope into larger engagements. Two teams of five compete to destroy the opposing flagship while protecting their own capital ship. Matches can pit players against each other or against AI opponents, and the mode incorporates strategic elements like targeting subsystems on enemy vessels.
The single-player campaign presents a narrative experience viewed from alternating sides. One perspective follows New Republic pilots in Vanguard Squadron, while the other tracks Imperial pilots in Titan Squadron. Both groups become involved in efforts surrounding Project Starhawk during the later stages of the Galactic Civil War.
Progression and Customization
Players advance by participating in matches and completing objectives, unlocking new components such as weapons, engines, shields, and hull variants. The system follows a straightforward path without additional purchases required for core content. Squadron composition can be adjusted to match preferred tactics, encouraging experimentation across different playstyles.
Briefing room sessions precede missions in the campaign, where pilots review objectives and plan approaches before launching into the evolving battlefields. These include locations like the gas giant Yavin Prime and the shattered moon of Galitan.
Is It Worth Playing?
STAR WARS: Squadrons suits players who enjoy simulation-style flight controls combined with team-based objectives in a Star Wars setting. The self-contained structure delivers all content from the start, with progression tied directly to playtime rather than external requirements. Multiplayer rewards coordinated squadron play in both quick deathmatch rounds and extended fleet operations, while the campaign offers a focused story from dual faction viewpoints.
Those seeking realistic cockpit management and strategic space combat will find the mechanics rewarding. The game remains available on Xbox One and Xbox Series platforms with no ongoing seasonal content or required updates confirmed in recent years. It appeals most to fans of the franchise who value authentic piloting over broader action elements.
