Star Wars: Squadrons is a first-person space combat simulator developed by Motive Studios and published by Electronic Arts. Released on October 2, 2020, it sought to recapture the magic of classic LucasArts space combat games such as X-Wing and TIE Fighter from the 1990s, while updating them with modern visuals, immersive VR support, and competitive multiplayer features.
Set shortly after the events of Return of the Jedi and the fall of the second Death Star, Squadrons places players in the cockpit of iconic New Republic and Imperial starfighters. The game provides an immersive experience where every mission is seen through the pilot’s perspective, whether you’re blasting enemies out of the stars or managing your ship’s power systems during tense dogfights.
Narrative and Setting
The story of Star Wars: Squadrons is told from two alternating perspectives. Players experience the galactic conflict through the eyes of two customizable characters: one serving in the New Republic’s Vanguard Squadron and the other flying for the Imperial Remnant’s Titan Squadron.
The narrative begins in the aftermath of the Battle of Endor, where the New Republic is working to consolidate its hold on the galaxy. They develop a new weapon, the Starhawk, a powerful warship built from salvaged Imperial vessels. The Empire, still reeling from the death of Emperor Palpatine, sees this as a serious threat to its efforts to regain control. The game follows the missions of both factions as they attempt to outmaneuver one another, protect or destroy the Starhawk, and maintain order or chaos across the galaxy.
While the campaign isn’t especially long—taking around 8 to 10 hours to complete—it does a competent job of fleshing out its characters and their motivations. Each squadron features memorable personalities who embody the ideals of their respective factions. The narrative doesn’t break new ground but adds enough emotional weight and camaraderie to complement the high-octane action.
Core Gameplay
At its heart, Squadrons is a space combat simulator. You pilot one of four ship types per faction: Fighter, Interceptor, Bomber, and Support. Each ship has its strengths and weaknesses. X-Wings and TIE Fighters are the most balanced, A-Wings and TIE Interceptors are agile dogfighters, Y-Wings and TIE Bombers deal heavy damage but are slower, while the U-Wing and TIE Reaper offer team-based support such as repairs and resupplies.
What sets Squadrons apart from many modern games is its commitment to cockpit realism. There’s no third-person view, and players must rely on in-cockpit displays, indicators, and visual cues. This design decision creates a deeply immersive experience, especially for those playing in VR. The cockpit instruments aren’t just for show—they provide real-time readouts of shield levels, targeting systems, radar, and more.
One of the game’s standout features is the power management system. Players can divert power between engines, lasers, and shields (or in the case of TIE Fighters, which lack shields, engines and weapons). Mastering this system is essential for surviving dogfights and contributing to team success. Want to make a quick getaway? Divert power to engines. In a duel with an enemy ace? Shift power to lasers or shields for maximum offense or defense.
Flight mechanics are tight and responsive. Players can drift, boost, and perform sharp turns, all while juggling resource management and coordinating with squadmates. It rewards skill, precision, and situational awareness in a way that feels both rewarding and challenging.
Multiplayer Focus
While the single-player campaign provides a good narrative entry point, Squadrons is clearly designed with multiplayer in mind. There are two main online modes: Dogfight and Fleet Battles.
- Dogfight is a straightforward 5v5 mode where the objective is to rack up the most kills. It’s fast-paced and intense, ideal for players seeking quick matches and honing their piloting skills.
- Fleet Battles is the game’s flagship mode, pitting two teams of five against each other in multi-stage engagements. The goal is to destroy the enemy’s capital ship, but before that, players must first win a battle for supremacy by defeating enemy players and AI. Once momentum shifts, your team pushes forward to take down subsystems and ultimately the core of the flagship.
What makes Fleet Battles engaging is the strategic layer. Success depends not just on skillful piloting but also on teamwork, timing, and target prioritization. Support ships can repair allies and disrupt enemies, bombers can disable shield generators or turrets, and skilled fighters can protect or hunt these key roles. The dynamic flow of offense and defense mimics the structure of real military engagements, making each match feel like a miniature campaign.
At launch, Squadrons offered a fully featured multiplayer suite with a fair matchmaking system and a progression system based on cosmetics only—no pay-to-win mechanics. Over time, players could unlock new ship components and customizations through gameplay, providing a sense of reward without compromising competitive balance.
Visuals and Audio
Graphically, Squadrons is stunning. The environments—ranging from asteroid fields to orbital debris clouds and war-torn space stations—are beautifully rendered. The ships are painstakingly detailed inside and out. Dogfights are filled with visual flourishes: laser blasts light up space, engines burn bright, and ships explode in fiery bursts.
VR support was available from launch and offered one of the most immersive experiences in gaming at the time. In VR, players can turn their heads to track enemies or admire the stunning interior of their cockpit, adding an entirely new dimension to gameplay.
Sound design, as expected from a Star Wars title, is top-tier. From the familiar hum of TIE engines to the satisfying thud of proton torpedoes, the audio experience enhances immersion. The orchestral score blends original compositions with iconic Star Wars themes, heightening the sense of cinematic grandeur.
Technical Performance and Accessibility
On PC and consoles, Squadrons runs smoothly and with relatively modest system requirements. The controls are responsive across mouse and keyboard, controller, or HOTAS (hands-on throttle-and-stick) setups. The game is accessible to newcomers yet offers enough depth to satisfy veteran flight sim fans.
Despite the limited scope of post-launch support—EA described Squadrons as a “complete” experience rather than a live-service title—developer Motive Studios did release a few content updates including new maps, additional ship components, and minor tweaks.
Critical Reception and Legacy
Upon release, Star Wars: Squadrons received generally favorable reviews. Critics praised its tight gameplay mechanics, immersive presentation, and commitment to sim-style authenticity. Some felt the single-player campaign was too short or lacked narrative depth, while others appreciated its restraint and focus.
More importantly, the game filled a niche that many fans had been craving—a return to the cockpit-focused Star Wars experience of old. It struck a balance between hardcore flight simulation and arcade accessibility, carving out a loyal player base in the process.
Although it didn’t reach the popularity of larger live-service titles, Squadrons gained recognition as one of the best Star Wars games in recent years and a spiritual successor to beloved classics.
Conclusion
Star Wars: Squadrons is a love letter to space combat fans and Star Wars aficionados alike. It combines immersive design, strategic depth, and thrilling dogfights in a package that is both accessible and rewarding. With its focus on player skill, teamwork, and cockpit realism, it stands out in an era dominated by third-person shooters and action RPGs.
While it may not have the longevity of games with ongoing content roadmaps, its tight mechanics and faithful presentation ensure it remains a standout title in the Star Wars gaming universe. For anyone who’s ever dreamed of flying an X-Wing or diving into battle in a TIE Fighter, Squadrons delivers an experience that is as exhilarating as it is unforgettable.
