I try to keep my blog positive and insightful, but I fear that while searching my mind for topics, one kept coming up, so it is the one that I'll write about. I try so hard not to use my blog to rant, but I fear that this may come very close. In all my years of using video games to help immerse myself into the Star Wars universe, it was X-Wing that was the benchmark and really did the trick. Right behind X-Wing (and it's sequels) was Dark Forces and the Jedi Knight games, now I really felt like I was in Star Wars, be it in the sky or on the ground.

But I have felt a void as of late in my Star Wars gaming. While games still provide the exciting ground games, I feel as though the pilots in the universe have not received their full justice. Sure there is Jump To Lightspeed in SWG, but I've already posted my feelings on that game as a whole. And now I see the Battlefield II will have space combat, and so my hopes rise some but not all that high (don't have to fall as far if it doesn't meet my expectations.) But I feel that since X-Wing Alliance, the pilot has not really received the love they deserve. Even with the games I just mentioned, being a pilot is part of the adventure, but I have to admit I miss the days of exciting dog fights and even the most simple of space cargo missions in a game dedicated to space flight.

I know those games touch on what I would like to see, and so far of the games out there, Jump to Lightspeed for SWG probably comes the closest to what I'm looking for. But there is something they are missing. Something that made X-Wing, Tie Fighter, X-Wing Alliance, etc. special. Perhaps it is because as I get older those game have raised the bar so high in my mind that nothing will compare.

For now all my hopes rest on BattleFront II to be the space adventure I'm looking for. But based on the goal of the game and how it's designed, I fear that it will come close, but will not make it. I have no doubt it will be fun, but just will not fill that void for me personally.

I guess I just will not be happy unless X-Wing Alliance II were to be announced.