Electronic Arts officially announces their upcoming space combat title Star Wars: Squadrons with a dramatic reveal trailer, along with a release date that’s surprisingly near.
After Microsoft botched the big surprise by prematurely putting up a Star Wars: Squadrons ad on the Xbox website, publisher Electronic Arts responded by confirming the game’s existence and asked fans to stay tuned for its June 15 official announcement.
The California-based video game company didn’t disappoint, showing off a rousing cinematic reveal trailer filled with X-Wings, TIE fighters, and full-scale space battles.
EA also unveiled the game’s release date, which is a lot sooner than most fans expected. Star Wars: Squadrons is set for an October 2, 2020 debut on the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam, Origin, or Epic Games Store.
"You are the Empire's Strength." Be among the first to see the #StarWarsSquadrons reveal trailer this Monday at 8:00 AM Pacific: https://t.co/EeJWzgPTOe pic.twitter.com/tjHPyawyHt
— EA Star Wars (@EAStarWars) June 14, 2020
For hope or for vengeance
While EA’s grand reveal trailer didn’t showcase any gameplay footage, the two-minute-long video did set the stage for Squadron’s game-world, getting fans pumped with a bevy of dogfights and explosions, all the tune of a familiar Star Wars soundtrack.
Of course, no video game trailer based on a massive-scale space war would be complete without a couple of pre-flight inspiring speeches, and a badass pilot squad slow-motion walk. A little played out? Maybe. Still fun to watch? Definitely.
What to expect from Star Wars: Squadrons
According to the official Electronic Arts website, the upcoming space shooter is designed to be an “immersive piloting experience,” and will feature squad-based gameplay which allows for strategizing even before the missions begin.
Gamers can choose from an array of starfighters either Imperial or New Republic, which can be modified to suit their playstyle. Furthermore, Star Wars: Squadrons will feature intense 5v5 multiplayer battles that support cross-play between Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, and VR.
For fans looking to fly solo, Squadrons has you covered, as the game will also have a single-player campaign with an all-original storyline revolving around the events following the fall of the Death Star.
The campaign sports an interesting dynamic, as gamers follow the exploits of two pilots from opposing sides, alternating between the Vanguard Squadron from the New Republic, and the Titan Squadron from the Empire.
Star Wars Squadrons reveal trailer; launching October 2nd for PS4, XBO and PC (Steam, Origin and EGS)https://t.co/eClyiqq4od
– first-person dogfighting game
– set after ROTJ
– SP and MP campaigns
– cross-play support
– VR support on PC and PS4Gameplay at #EAPlay2020 pic.twitter.com/3648iANdzf
— Nibel (@Nibellion) June 15, 2020
Learning from the failures of their recent Battlefront series, EA and developer Motive Studios have decided that game will include cosmetic items and other unlockable customization options, but they can only be obtained through gameplay and not through microtransactions.
The best is yet to come, however, as EA saved their gameplay footage for the upcoming EA Play Showcase which is set for June 18, 2020, at 4:00 PM Pacific Time.
Star Wars: Squadrons is already open for pre-orders at US$40 [AU$58], and doing so will net you some cool skins and suits for your pilots and starfighters.
Featured image courtesy of Star Wars Squadrons/EA