N-Philes

If there's one small redeeming factor to the mess that is Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike, it's the ending showdown with the Executor. This colossal 17.6 kilometer instrument of terror is the flagship of the Empire's fleet and a symbol of its might. With over 400 turbolaser cannons and a couple hundred ion and missile launchers, this is indeed a daunting juggernaut––especially when you consider that you are the lone pilot of an A-wing fighter. In Star Wars tradition though, this is not a beast without an Achilles' heal. Your target is the bridge.



After taking on a few waves of TIE-fighters and disabling a trio of Star Destroyers, you'll fly into the city-like island in the center of the Executor to take refuge from its massive array of defenses. As you weave through the building and turrets, it feels somewhat reminiscent to the first Death Star run. Except this time, when you reach the end of the trench... you are the missile. After all, you are playing as a nameless A-wing pilot and according to Sci-fi law, nobody is going to remember you... Might as well go kamikaze before you are horribly mangled in another battle, eh? Even if you choose not to ram into the bridge, you still lose control, hit it, and watch the headless Executor fly into the second Death Star. If you really don't want to be Mr. Expendable A-wing pilot––who is technically General Dodonna's son––you still have to beat the level, but after that you are free to choose any other available starfighter.



Unlike Rogue Leader––which any Sci-Fi action fan can appreciate––Rebel Strike is really only appealing to the hard-core Star Wars fan. There is no better example of this than the final fight with the Executor. It's really the fact that you are reenacting the Executor scene from Return of the Jedi that makes this familiar fight "cool", feel different, and worthwhile. So yes, it's fan-service, but at least you get to ram yourself into the bridge.

While I'll admit it wasn't nearly the awesome experience of facing the second Death Star in Rogue Leader for the first time, I still very much enjoyed it. After all, that scene has been my personal favorite from the first time I saw Return of the Jedi. Hopefully some day, Factor 5 and Lucasarts will revisit the fight in Rogue Squadron IV... if they ever decide to make one.