Star Wars: Squadrons gameplay trailer promises an exciting experience

The Star Wars: Squadrons gameplay trailer reveal did not disappoint

Thursday’s EA Play presentation brought with it the gameplay trailer for Star Wars: Squadrons, a pilot-focused video game set after Return of the Jedi. The game was teased on Monday to much interest from Star Wars fans, and Thursday’s trailer reveal provided further reason to be excited about Squadrons.

Take a look at the trailer below:

The upcoming video game features a single-player story mode that will focus on both sides of the conflict: the New Republic and the remnants of the Empire. Players will create a pilot to control on each side as the campaign shifts from one perspective to the other. It’s clear that familiar faces will pop up in the story mode, as evidenced by cameos of Rebels‘ Hera Syndulla and Rae Carson from A New Dawn.

Squadrons‘ campaign will serve as a warm-up for the game’s other main attraction: five-on-five multiplayer. The trailer states that players will have to gain experience in all eight — yes eight — vehicles before hitting the multiplayer section. Possible starcrafts are divided into four categories: Fighters (TIE Fighter and X-Wing), Interceptors (TIE Interceptor and A-Wing), Support (TIE Reaper and U-Wing), and Bombers (TIE-Bomber and Y-Wing).

Each class comes with unique vehicle stats, promising a diverse experience for players across ships. The differing vehicles are designed to play their own special roles, allowing users to find a style of play that suits their skill or interests best.

Customization will also play a big factor for those looking to personalize their ships. The trailer showed varying paint jobs and pilot suits that can be earned simply by playing the game. Additionally, “components” can be earned that adjust ships’ flying and combat capabilities. Finally, cosmetics are unlockable as well — one of the trailer’s highlights involved showing off an Ewok bobblehead in a pilot’s cockpit:

One the multiplayer modes showcased in the trailer is Dogfights, a five-on-five battle where players will seek to eliminate the other team.

Squadrons‘ signature multiplayer mode is Fleet Battles, an intricate, multi-part skirmish that involves an opening dogfight, attacking and defending medium-sized capital ships, and lastly an assault on one team’s flagship. Each stage will see one team go on the advantage, while the other team plays defense.

Squadrons looks like a thrilling Star Wars experience

Squadrons follows past Star Wars pilot-focused games with a modern spin. The setting of space on current platforms provides a picturesque environment for players to battle it out.

The gameplay mechanics themselves are extremely promising, as the trailer showcases pilots being able to stop their ships on a dime and whip around to launch fierce counterattacks. It’s clear that the game will reward creativity and learning of the controls. The trailer even points out that “stealth” attacks are possible, which is yet another intriguing wrinkle that will keep gameplay fresh.

Squadrons looks to combine a unique single-player story and intense multiplayer to provide a new and exciting Star Wars video game experience. If the game proves to be a success, it could help EA retain its license and continue the content it has planned.

Star Wars: Squadrons will release on Oct. 2 for Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC. You can preorder the game now for $39.99.