Preview: Star Wars Empire at War: Forces of Corruption

We can resist the power of the dark side, but chose not to. It's more fun that way.

Those hanging out to dabble with the dark side of the shwartz, err, force, will be delighted with the latest add-on for LucasArt’s RTS flagship, Star Wars: Empire at War.

Star Wars Empire at War: Forces of Corruption now allows players to harness the forces of evil as an aspiring underworld crime figure, Tyber Zann, facing off against the weak and ineffective Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire.

Become the most notorious criminal leader since Jabba the Hutt? Bring it on! (So long as I have one of those gladiatorial death pits in my palace...)

Keeping close to the original Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi plots, Forces of Corruption throws you into a universe in which the Death Star has been destroyed and the galaxy is ripe for exploitation.

Accordingly, the add-on features new game play elements which focus on manipulation and subterfuge. Players now gain the ability to influence other factions, steal their funds, slow their production and spy.

On the field of battle, your army under the auspices of Tyber Zann can also access a range of under-handed tactics such as the use of chemical weapons, radioactive contamination, mines, holograms, disguises and camouflage.

More attention has also been given to the battlefield with the inclusion of terrain modifiers, bunkers, mobile defences and troop transports. Bases can also be customised and upgraded and all factions in the game gain access to new unit types such as the Rebel B-wings, Imperial TIE interceptors and Super Star Destroyers.

Doing nothing for Mark Hammill’s acting career, but surely hat hit with fans, Luke Skywalker pops up as a battlefield hero, as does Yoda, and bounty hunters Bossk and IG-88 all adding their skills and expertise to your army.

A decent thirteen new planet maps, including Bespin’s Cloud City, Mustafar, Kamino, Utapau, Felucia, Mandalore, have been added to complement Empire at Wars 43 existing maps, which should prove a decent incentive for the multiplayer fans.

And what may be the prize for all this underhanded behaviour (aside from ruling the galaxy)? You guessed it. It’s a light-speed capable 1970’s Winnebago. No, wait for it. It’s a Super Star Destroyer equipped with a super laser rivaling the potato gun on the Death Star. And you better believe it’s capable of hitting ludicrous speed.

If that isn’t a reason to go and fork-out $49.95, what is?