STAR WARS: Squadrons

70%
Game Brain Score Based on 17,963 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
STAR WARS: Squadrons Game Cover
Welcome to the galaxy far far away where you must don the suit of a pilot for either the New Republic or the Empire as you battle across the galaxy for the fate of the galaxy as you know it.
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Master the art of starfighter combat in the authentic piloting experience STAR WARS: Squadrons. Buckle up, feel the adrenaline of first-person multiplayer space dogfights alongside your squadron, and learn what it means to be a pilot in a thrilling STAR WARS single-player campaign.

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Reviews

70%
Audience ScoreBased on 17,963 reviews
story1,467 positive mentions
optimization160 negative mentions
  • story6,061 mentions

    The story in "Star Wars: Squadrons" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it predictable and lacking depth. While some appreciate the dual perspective of playing as both the Empire and the New Republic, others criticize the dialogue and character development as shallow and uninspired. Overall, the campaign serves primarily as a tutorial for the multiplayer experience, with a relatively short runtime of around 7-10 hours, leaving many players wanting more substantial content and variety in missions.

    • “The story is surprisingly really good and it is very fun to play as both the empire and the rebels.”
    • “The story mode is a great way to learn the game and the controls.”
    • “The campaign features tutorial-based tasks before most missions to show you the basics of the game, mission tutorials will help you prepare for the online modes if you decide to try it out.”
    • “The game mechanics are very poor and the singleplayer story seems to be written by a 3-year-old.”
    • “The story is too predictable and the characters are empty, with useless dialogue that we just want to get through as quickly as we can.”
    • “The story is nothing new; we can play both sides, but that's all that can be found interesting in this story.”
  • gameplay2,465 mentions

    The gameplay of "Star Wars: Squadrons" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its flight mechanics and immersive dogfighting experience reminiscent of classic titles like "X-Wing" and "Tie Fighter." However, players have noted issues with the game's depth, repetitive missions, and a lack of content, particularly in the single-player campaign, which some describe as a lengthy tutorial. While the mechanics, such as power management and ship customization, are appreciated for their complexity, the overall execution has been criticized for being unbalanced and sometimes frustrating, especially in multiplayer settings.

    • “The flight mechanics are incredibly satisfying, and the sense of speed and maneuverability is thrilling.”
    • “With deep customization options and strategic gameplay mechanics, every match feels fresh and engaging.”
    • “The gameplay is fantastic and has a vast amount of potential for future multiplayer content.”
    • “The gameplay is boring and unimaginative; the actual combat doesn't have the same kind of excitement as other combat flight sims like Ace Combat or Project Wingman, or even the older Star Wars flight sims from the 90s.”
    • “Gameplay is repetitive and frustrating; the story is not interesting at all, and the graphics are not even good.”
    • “The gameplay feels so cheap; even if you have 100+ frames continuously, it feels like you have something like 15.”
  • graphics1,797 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received widespread praise for their stunning detail and immersive quality, particularly in VR, where players feel fully engaged in the Star Wars universe. Many reviewers noted the impressive visuals of the cockpits and environments, likening them to a cinematic experience, although some pointed out inconsistencies and performance issues at lower settings. Overall, while the graphics are a highlight, there are mixed opinions on their optimization and the game's overall execution.

    • “The graphics are stunning, the gameplay is fluid, and despite being an EA game, it's reasonably priced and doesn't ram microtransactions down your throat.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful and the sound design is perfect.”
    • “The attention to detail in both the visuals and sound design is impeccable, making every dogfight feel authentic and thrilling.”
    • “The game is poorly optimized for PC, and there are very few settings that lower the graphics but would improve performance.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely terrible; I have a high-end system with all the settings turned to ultra, and the graphics in this game look like they are 10-15 years old.”
    • “The graphics are very low resolution for a VR experience; I was expecting graphics similar to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, but they were far less detailed.”
  • optimization584 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly in VR mode, including stuttering, lag, and crashes. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay on high-end systems, others have struggled with poor performance even on recommended hardware, indicating that the game may be better optimized for console controllers than for PC setups. Overall, while there have been improvements through patches, many players still find the game unplayable in VR and in need of further optimization.

    • “Very good graphics and very well optimized; more than 144 fps with a 1060 all in ultra.”
    • “I'm just starting out, but I can see that it's a good game that I've been waiting for years, great graphics engine, runs smoothly on older hardware and looks great.”
    • “The game is gorgeous in flatscreen and VR, but I had to refund it on Steam due to poor performance - found out that on Origin it performs incredibly better on my system.”
    • “The game has plenty of potential in VR and looks cool and immersive, but it is clearly not designed or optimized for VR on PCs.”
    • “The performance of the game is terrible, and the in-game options for configuring the game in a way that could increase it are weak.”
    • “This game is so poorly optimized that every couple of seconds there is a moderate to massive FPS slowdown, which makes playing with any kind of precision impossible.”
  • stability516 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting persistent bugs, crashes, and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Many users have experienced issues with launching the game, freezing during missions, and problems with the user interface, particularly in multiplayer and VR modes. While some players have managed to enjoy the game without major issues, the overall consensus is that it remains a buggy and unfinished product, making it difficult to recommend at its current state.

    • “The game runs great, I'm running at almost 200fps constantly and they haven't dropped below 180 with plenty happening in-game.”
    • “I've not experienced the first bug or issue, it runs great and I get steady high framerates with everything on ultra.”
    • “It runs great, plays great, looks great, and isn't full of BS microtransactions -- an immediate classic for all Star Wars fans, and an excellent homage to the X-Wing flight sim series of the 90s.”
    • “The missions are buggy, poorly communicated in-game, and often don't actually make a great deal of sense tactically.”
    • “After 3 days of troubleshooting every known method on earth (reinstalling the game, re-linking Steam & EA accounts, fiddling with firewall/antivirus and RGB apps, doing it all over again in safe mode), I couldn't get the game to launch.”
    • “The game is really fun, but it is really buggy so be prepared for your game to crash.”
  • monetization295 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing relief that it features no microtransactions or loot boxes, which is a notable departure from EA's typical practices. While some view the absence of additional content and the game's pricing as indicative of a cash grab, others appreciate the straightforward unlockable content model and the overall value for the price. Overall, the lack of aggressive monetization strategies has been praised, though concerns remain about potential future changes.

    • “Zero microtransactions and enough content to distract you for hours.”
    • “No microtransactions and balanced pros/cons to all loadouts means there's no way to buy your way to success or dominate because of a loadout.”
    • “This game has no microtransactions which I feel is a huge step in the right direction and we should support it.”
    • “No content, no expansions, just disappointing gameplay and microtransactions.”
    • “Another half-arsed cash grab by EA.”
    • “It feels like a half-assed cash grab that is fun to play for a little while.”
  • music190 mentions

    The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many reviewers praising its authenticity and the inclusion of iconic Star Wars soundtracks, particularly those composed by John Williams. While some players noted that the music can feel sparse or recycled from previous titles, the overall sentiment is that it enhances the immersive experience of the game, capturing the essence of the Star Wars universe. However, a few critiques mention that certain tracks lack the excitement expected from the franchise, leading to mixed feelings about the soundtrack's originality.

    • “The music hits all of the right notes you would expect from a Star Wars game (or anything in the franchise).”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the sound design accurate to the movies, the voice talent believable, and - best of all - there is much original Star Wars soundtrack music!”
    • “The music is great, the visuals are spectacular, and I've always loved the laser-hitting-shields sound from the Star Wars universe.”
    • “The music is bland and uninspiring, which is especially egregious considering how Star Wars has a legacy of leveraging music as another dimension to storytelling.”
    • “I tried twice, failed twice at even appreciating the music.”
    • “The music of the game isn't music from the movies and the new characters that they bring into the game can't be taken seriously.”
  • replayability104 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting its limitations due to a linear campaign and a lack of diverse modes. While some enjoy the multiplayer aspects and the potential for replay through difficulty levels and achievements, others feel that the single-player experience lacks depth and variety, leading to a quick sense of completion. VR mode enhances the experience for some, but many agree that without additional content or modes, the game's replay value is ultimately constrained.

    • “In addition, playing the game in VR mode is a whole different amazing experience and adds great replay value to the game if you've already played it on a screen.”
    • “There is tons of replay value - with higher difficulties to attempt and achievements to ... uh, achieve.”
    • “The campaign missions are fun with lots of optional objectives and tons of replayability.”
    • “Replayability is limited and not desirable without more play options.”
    • “These issues severely limit the game's replay value and longevity.”
    • “The campaign has extremely limited replay value.”
  • atmosphere101 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and strong connection to the Star Wars universe, creating a captivating experience for players. However, many reviewers express disappointment over the lack of in-atmosphere missions, wishing for more diverse environments and gameplay that includes planetary battles. Overall, while the game excels in creating an atmospheric setting, there are calls for additional content to enhance the experience further.

    • “Star Wars: Squadrons has an incredible atmosphere through excellent visual and sound design.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game overall is really quite nice.”
    • “The visuals, atmosphere, and sounds in this game are simply gorgeous, be it in 2K on my ultrawide panel or in VR.”
    • “The atmosphere in the game feels washed. Colors are not rich, no real atmosphere.”
    • “100% of the game takes place in space, which is a departure from the most recent Star Wars fly/fighter games like Rogue Squadron, which took you inside the atmosphere of far-flung worlds in glorious 64-bit graphics.”
    • “Entire game is spent in space, no 'in atmosphere' planet levels.”
  • grinding97 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players describing it as tedious, repetitive, and time-consuming. Users report spending excessive hours to unlock content, often feeling that the grind detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game, particularly in multiplayer modes where matches can feel like a slog. While some acknowledge that progress can be rewarding, the general sentiment is that the grinding mechanics are poorly implemented and lead to frustration rather than engagement.

    • “At first you will struggle with the controls till you find a mapping you like, once you overcome that bump, it's a hell of a lot of fun, not grindy, not pay to win.”
    • “No microtransactions (yet), everything is unlockable in-game and not grindy.”
    • “Not grindy at all - unlocks come easily compared to other EA games.”
    • “Moreover, it’s pretty clear that this was geared to be a game primarily played online, grinding out the ranks, and I think it was a huge misstep to prioritize this — which harkens back to the space shooters of the 90s — as a live service game.”
    • “The space combat is also really repetitive and grindy feeling.”
    • “It will take you hours, even days, to rank up which in itself is annoying, but after all that grinding you lose one match due to poor matchmaking and it will literally take 60% of all the score and MMR you've earned over the past several hours away from you.”
  • humor65 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding the character interactions and dialogue amusing, often highlighting the comedic elements of the campaign and the absurdity of certain gameplay mechanics. While some appreciate the lighthearted tone and funny moments, others criticize the poor writing and execution, leading to a blend of genuine laughter and frustration. Overall, the humor adds a quirky charm to the experience, though it may not resonate with everyone.

    • “The 'squadron' in the campaign made me laugh so hard I couldn't breathe.”
    • “The characters are really interesting and the idea of a Trandoshan joining the rebellion so that he can avoid his death mark is hilarious to me.”
    • “I have been smiling most of the time playing as I am really getting involved and laughing a lot too.”
  • emotional62 mentions

    Overall, players express a lack of emotional engagement with the game's story and characters, describing it as boring and unmemorable. While some appreciate the immersive flight experience, many feel that the narrative fails to create meaningful connections, leading to a sense of detachment from the gameplay. Despite its potential, the emotional depth is criticized as shallow, leaving players wanting a more compelling and engaging storyline.

    • “The first time I flew an X-wing in VR with a flight stick, I cried.”
    • “It's amazing, it's gorgeous, and it feels like a heartfelt apology letter from EA for all their past screw-ups with the IP.”
    • “This is hands down my favorite game to play in VR, it is incredibly immersive and made me feel like a kid in Disneyland living my Star Wars fantasy.”
    • “Extremely boring storyline to the point where this game helps me go to sleep more than any sort of lullaby.”
    • “This game had the potential to be good, but the laziness in implementing controller functions onto the PC version, and the very bland and boring storyline truly make it an undesirable game.”
    • “My issues with the game aren't mechanical, but its bugs galore, broken matchmaking, broken ranks, and boring story all leave a bad taste in my mouth.”
  • character development24 mentions

    Character development in the game has received significant criticism, with many reviewers noting a lack of depth and meaningful progression for characters. While some players appreciated the side conversations and development of squadmates, the overall narrative and character arcs were described as corny, forgettable, and often forced, leading to a disappointing experience. The writing was also criticized for being heavy-handed with social agendas, detracting from the immersion and quality of character design.

    • “The character development of your squadmates is similarly good, and I found myself liking every single character (which hasn't been true of a lot of new Star Wars content for me).”
    • “I like the side conversations with your squad - the added character development of your team added something new that wasn't in the original Star Wars space sims.”
    • “Not all is horrible; I think the two female imperial pilots look pretty badass, so to sum this up, in my opinion, it's not a social justice agenda; I just think EA has had a long issue with making character design not fit their role.”
    • “The character development isn’t there.”
    • “Campaign is extremely short, and there's a massive lack of character development.”
    • “All of the character development is crammed into strange feeling monologues wherein they just kind of talk at you.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

Buy STAR WARS: Squadrons

Play time

8hMedian play time
49hAverage play time
9hMain story
15hCompletionist
5-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 139 analyzed playthroughs

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