October saw the release of EA's Star Wars: Squadrons, and so far fans seem very pleased. An interesting Star Wars hybrid of arcade flying games and first-person in-cockpit flight simulators, Squadrons has gifted players with both an engaging adventure through a galaxy far far away, as well as an addicting multi-player built for newbies and force adepts alike.
While flying fighters, bombers, interceptors, and many other types of space-craft is sure to eat up a few hours, some players may have already blasted through and finished the game. So for anyone who has already flown through Squadrons, here are 10 titles to help scratch that ever-expansive Star Wars itch, or to take off into the new frontier of space flight combat simulators
10 House Of The Dying Sun
Let's start things off with the first of several entries that will give players an excuse to dust off their VR headsets. A tactical space combat game that mixes flight simulation with rogue-like gameplay elements, Marauder Interactive's House Of The Dying Sun is a pretty straightforward "fly around and blow up the bad guy" experience.
Players assume control of a fleet of playable ships each with their own load outs and power-ups, and they control this fleet in real-time dogfights by giving orders to squadron members as the action progresses. The system has depth, but the learning curve is not steep and players will be barrel rolling around and wreaking havoc almost immediately. Ships feel great, cockpits look great, the combat is exciting and engaging, and this Battlestar Galactica-esque universe has more than its fair share of fun.
9 Star Wars: Battlefront II
The first of many Star Wars titles to make the list, Star Wars: Battlefront II is one of the most definitive gaming experience set in a galaxy far far away currently available to players. It offers a straighter mode that is similar (in a barebones way) to Squadrons, but it also features an abundance of other fun to be had.
Players get to blast each other to smithereens with classic laser-based weaponry, take each other on as über powerful (and very familiar) force-enabled heroes, and do battle with all the classic mechs and machinery fans have come to know and love. If an all-out Star Wars extravaganza is what players want after flying their final Squadrons mission, then there isn't a better game in the parsec.
8 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic is a classic BioWare role-playing adventure. In it, players take control of a force-sensitive amnesia patient aboard a soon-to-be-destroyed ship during the height of the Old Republic, and they must quickly embark on one of gaming's most celebrated RPG adventures.
Players get to experience the joys of becoming a Jedi first hand, completing their training and building their first lightsaber. They then get to explore one of BioWare's early masterclasses in world-building, as well as getting to spend time speaking to (and possibly romancing) some truly charming characters. Sure, this game is a little bit of an oldie, but by the Force, it is a goldie, and it features one of the coolest plot twists in all of video game storytelling.
7 Elite Dangerous: Horizons
Back in 2014, Frontier Developments decided to break their theme park Tycoon mold and venture out into the last frontier: spaceflight combat. Elite Dangerous: Horizons is the result of this brave adventure, and what an adventure it is. The game features a built-to-scale replica of the galaxy (complete with billions of discoverable star systems), mysterious alien invasions, and gorgeous space ship designs complete with maximum customization options.
The controls are nuanced without being too intricate, and there are tons of cool realizations of space's wonky physics. For example, ships can build momentum in one direction, then flip around and look behind them as they continue hurdling in that same direction. It's a smooth, pretty, and very fun space simulator with enticing combat and an exciting frontier for any space sim fan.
6 Rogue Squadron 3D
Inspired by the Hoth mission from Shadows Of The Empire, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 3D was one of the highlights of 1998. Now it's available on Steam to give players the blast of action-packed X-wing nostalgia that they may or may not have longed for.
Players get to hop into the cockpit of all of their favorite classic vehicles and blast their enemies to smithereens. Sure, it's not that nuanced or complicated, but it's an arcade classic that is so '90s, it practically has frosted tips.
5 End Space
End Space is a pretty bare-bones game in terms of presentation, story, characters, rewards, or online leaderboards. In fact, there's none of that stuff at all. It does, however, provide some intense VR space combat with exciting firefights and unique level designs with some nice space vistas.
If players are so hungry for more first-person space combat that they don't mind the absence of a story (or much of anything else), then this will definitely curb their appetite. If they want spaceflight but are unwilling to sacrifice all other parts of a game, however, then this may be one to sit out.
4 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Respawn's recent foray into the years between the original and prequel trilogies, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order provided gamers with a sci-fi souls-like game along with an interesting addition to Jedi canon. Sure, some may think that this game has a little bit of a Vader problem, but most everyone agreed that this was a step in the right direction for narrative-based Force-sensitive games.
What everyone definitely agreed on, however, was the conclusive manner in which this title scratches that classic Star Wars itch. Players get to swing a lightsaber to their hearts' content, explore classic locales as well as a few new ones, do battle with Empire scum, learn new Force powers, and constantly debate whether or not the dark side is cooler than the light side. If Squadrons leaves players wanting to feel like a Jedi, they should set a course to this game right here.
3 EverSpace
Another game on this list with rogue-like progressions and another opportunity for VR capability, Everspace is one of the more addicting space shooters out there. Like most rogue-likes, levels are randomly generated, and any death means players start over.
What makes this game unique is how it incentivizes players to move forward. After each death, players get to spend credits on new upgrades and equipment to take into their next life. This in turn usually helps with survival, buying players enough time to just reach a new phase of the level.
2 TIE Fighter
A favorite of many die-hard fans and old-school gamers, TIE Fighter is actually an incredibly complex and nuanced combat simulator. When it was originally released for PC in 1994, players first experienced the variety of controls and considerable learning curve as they tried to assault the rebels. But as they stuck with it, they came to master a rewarding system with a fascinating story.
The early game is dominated by the sense that TIE fighters are incredibly weak, so players must grow their abilities and understanding if they want to make it to the end. It's difficult, deep, nostalgic, and fun, and it might be the most underrated Star Wars game.
1 Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Bandai Namco's return to the arcade dogfighting flight simulator, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is the definitive modern fighter jet title. It may be light on tutorials, explanation, or even story, but once players get a hang of the incredibly nuanced controls they will be taking down enemies and bombing bases with the best of 'em.
It's a good looking and intuitive take on third-person aerial combat, and it's both deep and fun enough to justify players sticking through the learning curve to become an ace pilot. Dogfights and bombing runs may not be set to the celestial backdrops, but if intricate flight controls and airborne shootouts are what players want, this title will definitely deliver.