Star Wars: Rebel Assault II: The Hidden Empire is a rail shooter video game released in 1995. It is the sequel to the 1993 game Star Wars: Rebel Assault and was developed and published by LucasArts.
The game takes place in the Star Wars universe, following the story of Rookie One, a new recruit in the Rebel Alliance. The game features full motion video cutscenes with live actors, as well as computer-generated graphics for gameplay.
In the game, the player assumes the role of Rookie One as they complete various missions for the Rebel Alliance, ranging from space dogfights to on-foot combat. The game’s story follows Rookie One as they uncover a plot by the Galactic Empire to create a new, hidden empire.
One of the standout features of Rebel Assault II is its use of full motion video. The game features live action cutscenes that help to advance the story and immerse the player in the Star Wars universe. The cutscenes feature a cast of actors, including Ian McDiarmid, who played the villainous Emperor Palpatine in the original Star Wars trilogy.
The gameplay in Rebel Assault II consists of rail shooting segments, in which the player controls a spaceship or other vehicle and must shoot down enemy ships or targets. The game also features on-foot segments, in which the player must navigate through enemy-occupied environments and defeat enemies using a variety of weapons.
One of the criticisms of Rebel Assault II was that its gameplay was too repetitive, with many players feeling that the rail shooting segments became monotonous after a while. However, the game’s storyline and use of full motion video were generally well received, and the game received mostly positive reviews upon its release.
Overall, Star Wars: Rebel Assault II: The Hidden Empire is a solid entry in the Star Wars video game franchise. Its use of full motion video and immersive storyline help to transport players into the Star Wars universe, and its gameplay, while somewhat repetitive, is still enjoyable for fans of the series.