Star Wars launched George Lucas’ career into the stratosphere and broke grounds for the sci-fi genre. A film franchise revered for its fantastic world-building and iconic characters, Star Wars and its creator will forever hold a place in the hearts of fans across the globe.
Beyond the Star Wars cinematic universe and the wealth of written material spanning the shelves of bookstores world over, Star Wars’ influence has impacted several coveted creatives within the gaming industry and has given rise to a series of games set within the galaxy. Not only did the success of Star Wars spearhead Star Wars-based video games but provided the funds for George Lucas to found the videogame company LucasArts that would back these features and an array of other games across the spectrum of genres. From first-person shooters (FPS) to massive multiplayer online (MMO) games, year after year LucasArts brought quality to the table and served as an inspiration for the community.
In this article, we will take a look back at LucasArts’ lengthy catalog of games to find out which amongst them have stood the test of time and prove to be essential parts of any gaming enthusiast’s assortment of titles.
Outlaws
As already mentioned, LucasArts delved into the pool of genres to produce games for every type of gamer, but western features were rare amongst the catalog. So, it came as a surprise when the company published Outlaws. Though the game didn’t make the money producers had originally thought it might when it hit the market, a cult group of fans cherished the title for its gripping revenge narrative and game-changing sniper zoom feature, which is now a staple of the FPS genre.
Zak McKraken and the Alien Mindbenders
With sci-fi origins underpinning LucasArts, the release of gripping space-bending installment Zak McKraken and the Alien Mindbenders, which also comes off the back of Maniac Mansion’s success, gamers were treated to some next-level playtime. With extraterrestrial encounters serving as the inspiration for the endeavors our main character faces during the story, this game was a conspiracist’s dream come true and an eccentric game lovers paradise.
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge
Kicking things off where Secret of the Monkey Island ended, Monkey Island 2 continued the thrilling tale of Guybrush Threepwood and Elaine Marley searching for Big Whoop’s bountiful treasure, while having to endure LeChuck’s relentless wicked schemes. Rooted in the successful mechanics of the original title and elevating the story to new heights, Monkey Island 2 took what gamers knew and loved and rewarded them with a riveting conclusion to the story. Exceptionally well-received by critics and gamers alike, Monkey Island 2 is an astonishing feature in LucasArts’ collection.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars fans rejoice as we have saved the best Star Wars title released thus far for last. This immersive RPG is chock full of Star Wars references, lightsaber duels, memorable character cameos, and top-notch voice acting. The title is an ode to the fandom but you don’t even have to love the movies to get stuck into this game. It will introduce you to a new side of the galaxy utilizing carefully considered mechanics that make the most of the RPG genre. Plot twists, fascinating conversational pieces, and riveting fights all propel the story forward and give gamers something to lose themselves in for hours on end.
