I have to say that I'm not usually a fan of strategy games like Command and Conquer so the fact that I bought this having known this surprised me more than anyone else. I guess if it's Star Wars I'm willing to give it a go. Despite taking a critical bashing over the years, there is a solid albeit nightmarishly difficult game to play here if you learn to persevere for the Empire.

Yeah the Empire! As the cover shows, you take control of the Imperials for one of the first times in Star Wars gaming history. All the classic vehicles are there for you to command including the behemoth AT-AT! In some respects it has to be said that this game is just a C&C clone; the same game in a party frock. That would be a fair criticism to level but I fell that Galactic Battlegrounds is more deserving of that criticism than this game.

There's a good storyline to the game that takes you through and beyond the original trilogy with over 20 levels to go through both for the Empire and later the Rebel Alliance! Taking control of a young cadet as he learns the ropes of commanding an Imperial force, he soon becomes disillusioned and is forced to defect after showing a degree of morality in a mission. It's interesting to see a game from the Imperials viewpoint, which is rarely done and makes a refreshing change. The other Star Wars game to do this well was Tie Fighter.

Graphically it's reasonably good, and utilises the game 'fog' for a genuine purpose, although it can make it a nightmare when a mass of enemies appear out of nowhere and obliterate you and you have to start the mission again. There is a monstrous difficulty curve in the later levels so be prepared to take forever trying to complete a mission well.

Units can be bought in-game by spending command points, a currency earned by completing objectives or by killing enemy units. These can be used in later missions to by useful extra features like an airfield and hospital for troops. The former is brilliant for killing troops from a distance.

It's not a great game by any means but Force Commander isn't as black as it has been painted since its release. Although very difficult, there is a fun and solid game hidden away here. And it isn't anywhere near as bad as Galactic Battlegrounds!