As it is a PC/Windows-based game, let's get the requirements listed:

• Windows (9x, ME, NT/2K, XP) OS
• Pentium II 233 or Athalon equivalent processor
• 4Mb video card
• 16-bit stereo card
• 28.8kbps modem for multiplayer mode
• CD-ROM
• Mouse/Keyboard

Now that you have all the specs, onto the game itself. Star Wars Battlegrounds is LucasArts' next-generation RTS and is built upon the successful "Age of Empires" game engine. Not having ever played Age of Empires, that tidbit doesn't mean very much to me, but I'm sure it means something to those who are familiar with this style of gameplay. It does, however, follow with LucasArts' recent practice of outsourcing some development of new games to third-parties. For example, LucasArts is working with Raven Software (developers of one of my favorites, Soldier of Fortune) to produce the sequel to Jedi Knight using the Quake III engine. So it would seem that LucasArts has learned from the past (*cough* Episode I game *cough*) to realize that it's not a bad thing to get help from experts on the outside.

With all that ingested in my psyche, I downloaded, installed and fired up Star Wars Battlegrounds. The download and install, by the way, worked very well, though it did require that I install DirectX version 8 and reboot *sigh*. If you don't have DirectX 8, don't worry - it'll be included on the full version disc.

The general backstory to the game takes place in the timeframe soon following the Rebel Alliance victory at Yavin IV. There are six "civilizations" to choose from on the menu screen: the Empire, the Alliance, Wookiees (Yeah!), Gungans (Boo!), the Naboo, and the Trade Federation. The menu also includes several campaign options: Training, Single Player, Multiplayer, Scenario Editor (to use in creating custom campaigns), Options and the Databank.

In the demo, you're allowed only one option, and that is to play as the Empire, and your mission is to assist Lord Vader and his men in capturing General Dodonna on Yavin IV. Of course, the underlying implication is to not get yourself or all your troops killed in the process. In the full version, the player will also be expected to effectively manage resources, upgrade their technology and if the occasion calls for it, negotiate diplomatic solutions.

Once you choose your campaign, you decide on the difficulty (easy, normal, difficult) and are then taken for a quick briefing. A woman's voice explains the nature of the campaign, and for this particular mission, she describes how she's watched Vader from the shadows of her Master's chambers. Could this be Mara Jade?

After the overview, you are given a set of objectives you are to complete for the mission to be successful. You are also provided with Intelligence and Reconnaissance reports regarding your objectives. Once you are fully briefed, the mission begins.

Almost from the beginning, I was in trouble...mainly because I didn't take the time to read the briefing on how the controls worked *cringe*. I'm sure anyone who's familiar with this type of game could dive right in and start directing troops, but my unit kept walking into trees before I figured out what I was doing wrong. Once I got them going in the right direction, Vader and his stormtroopers were fairly well self-guided in what they had to do. For example, one of the first objectives was to take out the Rebel sentry towers. No problem - stormtroopers mounted on dewbacks and armed with flame-throwers made short order of those towers. Vehicles with nose-mounted blades were able to saw through many of the Rebel garrison walls without problems. However, I wasn't good enough to keep my stormtroopers alive. By the end of the campaign, which I did lose, I had Vader, a dewback and one medical droid left. Ouch.

So, what has this RTS neophyte learned? Not how to succeed in this game, that's for certain! Actually, if I take the time and effort to learn the controls and the appropriate strategies needed, I'm sure I would have a good time with Star Wars Battlegrounds. I'm going to give this game a subjective grade of B. I say subjective because it was only one level, I lost, and I'm pretty clueless as to how to play in the RTS environment. However, there's nothing bad I can say about the game. If RTS games are your thing, then I'd say Star Wars Battlegrounds is a good bet for your game collection.

Light Side features:

• Good information briefing before and during the campaign
• Great control interface - troop unit stats, controls and other information is easily accessible from the control panel
• Fast and well-made graphics; there was no lag between choosing a unit and moving them to the desired location
• You have to love the visual impact of a little Vader single-handedly taking on a Massassi Temple

Dark Side features:

• Steep learning curve for non-RTS gamers
• Confusing control scheme, but again, it would be familiar to RTS regulars

(Jody Reeves would much rather just shoot at everything than take the time to actually plan out an effective military or diplomatic strategy. She's eagerly awaiting the release of Jedi Knight II so she can Force throw first and ask questions later.)

Purchase Galactic Battlegrounds for Windows 95/98/Me
Purchase Prima's Official Strategy Guide for Galactic Battlegrounds