Red leader, standing by…

By Virgin TV Edit

Since the culmination of the epic Skywalker Saga in cinemas and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order’s arrival on consoles late last year, Star Wars fans have been craving a new story to sink their teeth into from a galaxy far, far away for far, far too long…

Now, with Motive Studios’ Star Wars: Squadrons, not only can fans and gamers now be gripped by an all-new original story for the franchise, but also get to grips with a fleet of iconic spaceships from the Star Wars universe!

We’re not sure about you, but we think it looks absolutely epic. But where does it fall within the Star Wars saga? What kind of gameplay are we talking? WILL THERE BE VR? Simply read on below to find the answers to all the big questions being asked ahead of Star Wars: Squadrons’ release.

Oh, and when you’re done checking out all you need to know about Squadrons, make sure to have a gander at our cracking graphic featuring our top 10 Star Wars games of all-time (albeit, in no particular order)…

Setting?

Like the recent sequel trilogy of films, Squadrons takes place after the destruction of the second Death Star in Return Of The Jedi. But, unlike the sequel trilogy (which takes place 30-odd years following Return Of The Jedi), Squadrons picks up immediately after the second Death Star has gone kaboom.

Plot?

The story is a fast, frenetic and utterly engrossing exploration of the immediate aftermath of the original trilogy. Players experience the consequences from both sides of the conflict, too, controlling customisable characters in Rao Highmoon (a pilot for the New Republic) and Case Kessandora (a pilot for the defeated Empire).

Gameplay?

Fans of Elite: Dangerous’ first-person space pilot gameplay will find a lot to love in Squadrons, with players piloting a multitude of both New Republican and Empire spacecraft. Outside of the main story, players can also hop online with up to ten players and duke it out in team vs team “Dogfights”, or an objective-based mode called “Fleet Battles”. Expect tight controls, plenty of action and fast, fluid battles.

Platform?

Star Wars: Squadrons is set to release on the PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. And, in a move that makes us feel like we’re living in the future, cross-platform play will be available for players on all systems.

VR?

PC and PlayStation 4 players will also be able to almost literally leap into the cockpits within Squadrons through the use of VR, which, combined with Motive Studios’ customary “so-good-you-can-almost-taste-them” visuals, is sure to be one hell of an experience.