Is Star Wars: Empire at War still worth playing today?

Absolutely! Despite its age, Empire at War offers a deep and engaging strategy experience, especially with its active modding community that keeps the game fresh with new content and improvements.

Can I play as both the Empire and the Rebellion?

Yes, the game features separate campaigns for both the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance, allowing you to experience the story and gameplay from two distinct perspectives.

Does the game have multiplayer?

Yes, Star Wars: Empire at War includes skirmish modes that can be played against other players online, offering competitive strategic battles.

What are the essential mods for Empire at War?

Some popular mods include 'Thrawn's Revenge', 'Fall of the Republic', and 'Republic at War'. These mods significantly expand the game with new factions, units, and campaigns.

Star Wars: Empire at War

In short: Star Wars: Empire at War is a strategy game released in 2006 by Petroglyph Games, available on PC. Our score: 8.5/10 (highly recommended).

A real-time strategy game set in the Star Wars galaxy, allowing players to command either the Galactic Empire or the Rebel Alliance in ground and space battles, controlling iconic heroes and units.

Star Wars: Empire at War is a real-time strategy game developed by Petroglyph Games and released in 2006. Set in the iconic Star Wars galaxy, the game allows players to experience the galactic civil war from both sides: the tyrannical Galactic Empire or the heroic Rebel Alliance. The game uniquely blends two distinct layers of strategy: a galactic conquest map where players manage resources, build structures, and move fleets and armies across planets, and real-time tactical battles that unfold on the surface of planets or in the vastness of space. One of the defining features of Empire at War is its innovative approach to strategic warfare. Players engage in a grand campaign to conquer or liberate the galaxy, making crucial decisions about resource allocation, fleet positioning, and technological research. The game features a wide array of iconic Star Wars units and characters, from colossal Star Destroyers and nimble X-wings to legendary heroes like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. These heroes bring unique abilities and can turn the tide of battle, adding a significant layer of depth to the tactical engagements. The ground battles are fought with infantry, vehicles, and air support, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, requiring thoughtful unit composition and tactical deployment. Space battles are equally thrilling, featuring epic clashes between capital ships, fighters, and bombers, demanding precise command and control to outmaneuver and destroy enemy fleets. Th…

Game details

Developer: Petroglyph Games
Publisher: LucasArts
Release year: 2006
Platforms: PC
Category: strategy

Our review

Star Wars: Empire at War offers a fantastic real-time strategy experience set in the beloved Star Wars universe. The dual-layered gameplay, combining galactic conquest with tactical ground and space battles, provides immense depth and replayability. Commanding iconic units and heroes feels incredibly satisfying, and the strategic decisions you make on the galactic map have a tangible impact on the real-time engagements. While the graphics might show their age by today's standards, the orchestral score and authentic sound effects brilliantly capture the essence of Star Wars. The campaign narratives for both the Empire and the Rebellion are engaging, offering different perspectives on the galactic civil war. With its robust skirmish modes and modding community, Empire at War continues to be a go-to title for Star Wars strategy fans.

Pros

Engaging dual-layered gameplay
Authentic Star Wars atmosphere
Iconic units and heroes
High replayability
Strong modding community

Cons

Dated graphics
Occasional pathing issues

FAQ

Is Star Wars: Empire at War still worth playing today?: Absolutely! Despite its age, Empire at War offers a deep and engaging strategy experience, especially with its active modding community that keeps the game fresh with new content and improvements.
Can I play as both the Empire and the Rebellion?: Yes, the game features separate campaigns for both the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance, allowing you to experience the story and gameplay from two distinct perspectives.
Does the game have multiplayer?: Yes, Star Wars: Empire at War includes skirmish modes that can be played against other players online, offering competitive strategic battles.
What are the essential mods for Empire at War?: Some popular mods include 'Thrawn's Revenge', 'Fall of the Republic', and 'Republic at War'. These mods significantly expand the game with new factions, units, and campaigns.

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Last updated: 01/04/2026