Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Game
Game2017
STAR WARS™ SHADOWS OF THE EMPIRE™
Developer LucasArts
Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire is a 1996 action video game developed by LucasArts and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. It is primarily a third-person shooter, with multiple types of vehicular combat and third-person shooting sequences. A version for Windows was released by LucasArts in 1997. The player controls the mercenary Dash Rendar to help Luke Skywalker and rescue Princess Leia from Prince Xizor. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
188 reactions from 1 source (Steam reviews) · newest Sep 15, 2026 · last updated Oct 8, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
68
Fresh
127 positive · 61 negative
95% range 61–74%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 127 | 61 | 0 |
Steam's own rating
Mostly Positive
651 of 878 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What people are saying
Summary pending — the reactions are listed below.
Reactions
60 of 188 · most liked firstWhen the expanded universe ruled the earth.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →UPDATE! I spent around 4 weeks reverse engineering and binary patching the game in order to include a new music track in the main menu just like the N64 version! I uploaded it into the guides page of the game, be sure to check it out :) I played this game all throughout my childhood on the N64. This is my honest take on the game, I’ll give my experience with it and a pros/cons. For starters, this game is the original Windows 95 release of the game. It’s quite dated not greatly optimized for…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I remember beating the N64 version of this as a kid so having Shadows of the Empire be 60+ FPS was kind of weird for me. For what it is, it's a good game from a bygone era. This and Dark Forces set the standards for what a Star Wars shooter should play like (at the time) and although I prefer Dark Forces a lot more than this game, Shadows of the Empire is still a game people should at least try if they love playing or are interested in playing old Star Wars games. I wish they would port Rogue…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Controls used to be horrible. I'm glad to say the controls are no longer an issue, as the game no longer launches.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Man, I cannot believe that AT-ST in the Hoth base stonewalled me so hard back when I was a kid. Got by it in one go and even took down IG-88 which was the last time I stopped playing. The game runs just fine on a modern system. The controls are.... old, they're very very odd and might take you back to the pioneer days of PC gaming, but they're not impossible to get the hang of. I dread platforming segments since I'm sure they'll be impossible. Good burst of nostalgia, though. For a moment, it…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game was a classic of my childhood, I remember spending many hours with my now departed father trying to beat IG-88. This game was amazing, and I bought it to relive some old memories. But Lord is this port absolutely abysmal, there was little to no work done on ensuring that this game is in any way playable on modern systems: the keymapping is atrocious, you can't even use the triggers on your controller, Big Picture Mode's controller remapping not only doesn't work, it turns off your…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A novelty from older days, but ultimately did not age or port well. Controls are abhorrent.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I REALLY hope Nightdive does a remaster for this one.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This does work on modern systems so ignore any reviews that say it doesn't. This game would benefit massively from a remake/remaster though cause the controls are difficult to say the least. Loved this on N64 and still better than anything Disney has made.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →One of the first Star Wars games I really enjoyed. I think I prefer the OG port on the Nintendo 64, but for $6 this is plenty of entertainment. The controls on steam are wonky and it's fairly short when played on easy mode. The mechanics and graphics are obviously dated to hell, but put that aside for once and enjoy the Hoth battle, as well as shooting baddies and listening to them scream as they fall from a ledge. The IG-88 battle is still scary even to this day.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The best way to experience Shadows Of The Empire is to spend the $5 you saved for this game on the Legends novel, then download a ROM of the N64 version and play that instead. By doing so, you'll get the best versions of both the story (Aside from potentially the comics, which I haven't read) AND the gameplay. I actually played both versions back-to-back just to verify this statement. The PC release is sketch as hell, and while it runs fine on modern-day hardware even without the help of…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Although very short, this game was very fun to play in 1998, also in 2024.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's a very good game with a thrilling story, almost like an actual good star wars movie. To play on modern hardware set your frame rate to 30 FPS to play it very smoothly. Just be careful and take your time on Gall Spaceport, the rocks are very slippery on a slope.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Dude, i'm a 03 zoomer but i made it trough the IG88 bossfight on first try while playing on medium. People are exaggerating how hard this is. Everything works fine and unless you're really REALLY inpatient you'll quickly learn how to play it well.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →>>IMPORTANT NOTE<< If you're going to play this game. Play it at 20-25 FPS. It's an older game so that's what the game was intended for. Higher FPS will cause bugs and glitches. You'll be sliding around and sliding right off of cliffs. You'll even slide and float in air. During the Boba Fett boss when you have to fight his ship (Slave 1 not Firespray. That's a dumb change). His ship will be stuck in place in the air. Even when you bring the ship's health to 0. It will remain stuck in the air…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →You know all those third-person shooters you play nowadays? The ones that are all "cinematic" with seemingly obligatory vehicle sections? Yeah, you can thank this game for all that. Releasing in late 1996, this game is the blueprint for your average TPS today. Is it super smooth like all those new games? No. Is it an unplayable mess or too "old" to be good. Absolutely not. Whether you're a Star Wars fan or want to play a piece of gaming history, you cannot go wrong playing this game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This Nintendo 64 game attempts to expand the Star Wars universe with mixed results. While it offers a variety of gameplay styles (from third-person shooting to vehicle combat), the execution is dated and uneven. The graphics, though representative of its time, are poor, and the controls can be challenging. The storyline adds depth to the Star Wars lore but I feel it suffers from pacing issues. Overall, Shadows of the Empire provides a nostalgic look into early 3D gaming and Star Wars…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →its a great game, but expect to spend some time getting the controls setup. Bought to play on my Steam Deck and I was not disappointed. Max settings 60 fps.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Barely playable, but when it is, it's decent fun. I can see what the fuzz was all about back in the day, it definitely didn't age well. But it's a short Star Wars adventure from more civilized times. Pro tip: cap the fps to 25/30 so you don't go insane. The clunky controls you get used to, but the stuff unlimited FPS do is something else. I tried to play it on normal and gave up because it wasn't worth it to break my desktop, then beat it on easy, which wasn't that easy and really had fun.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The first 3D Star Wars game, while highly influential, has never been good. The game has numerous problems from floaty on foot physics, terrible speeder physics to unavoidable enemy shots and bad level design. I have some good memories of this one back on N64, the first level is fun at it's peak but the further you progress the worse the game gets. Shadows of the Empire is not difficult it's just way too clunky. This PC port is actually more playable than the N64 original because of the HD…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great game on the N64 back in 1996. Really hasn't aged well. Mouse controls are terrible.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game where every level is a different genre and none of them work perfectly. It’s like playing a fever dream of every Star Wars toy that was made in the late 90s including the most dramatic shoulder pads in the galaxy.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →this is a pretty great game. janky as all hell and the controls are ass. but i enjoyed it. got pretty difficult toward the end though. also the flying is terrible so be prepared for that. i was actually pleasantly surprised that it works on modern hardware without any patches or fixes. would definitely recommend this game. temper your expectations and you'll have a good time.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Lowkey one of the best star wars games. All the bad reviews here are from literal teenagers/kids who don't understand that this game came out within 3 years of Doom 2, so it's gonna be a bit dated lul. Nobody tell these kids how Doom 1 and 2 had mouse-movement and if you wanted mouse-look you had to manually enable it, they'd lose their minds.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →One of my all time favorite Star Wars games. Wild replaying it on the Steam Deck. 10/10.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Unfortunately unenjoyable. An N64 classic but an absolute mess of a PC game. It tries to do too many things and ends up doing them all rather poorly. The abysmal controls are what truly ruin this game. It's a shame it's so clunky because the characters are cool. I wish this title would be remastered, remade, or reimagined.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's not horrible, but if you are playing it with a mouse and keyboard, your mouse AND your keyboard can move Dash forwards and backwards. Pair this with the fact that you can't actually aim (but if you are in any way used to shooters, you'll be trying to because Dash is also incapable of aiming up most of the time), and you'll be falling off ledges, jumping out of cover, or going two steps forward but one step backwards during a boss fight.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Game is still fun but really needs a remaster for more quality of life improvements as it's really outdated. This was the first 3D game I played ever
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Game old. Controls janky. Graphics primitive. Music decent. Gameplay fun. Difficulty cheap at times. Game good. Me like game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great story, great fun bosses, and I recommend you try this game out because at least it's better than Star Wars Outlaws.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →its tough, the controls are bad, but its a classic. Still canon in my mind...
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Game is as a good as I remember. I cant get my xbox controller to work with it though. Keyboard and mouse is ok, just takes some getting use too.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This was a fun game in my childhood on the N64.. unfortunately the PC port is clunky. Controls are pretty clunky with keyboard & mouse. Also pretty bad with controller. Makes playing pretty difficult.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A classic with no DEI
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Fun game! I remember playing back in the 90's at my cousin's house. I couldn't even get passed the first level. 30 years later, I finally did!! The game is a product of its time, and even back then, the game was considered a bit janky. Controls are horrendous once you get on foot, even if you're using a controller. Setting them up is a mess and not intuitive enough, yet you have to do it, or else, you won't have all the functions, or they will be mixed up between KB and controller. Flight…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Moving Dash has convinced me he's suicidal.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I just do not care for this game on any level. An odd collection of levels with a story that is barely anything that is aggressively janky and full of bugs and issues. Most of the gameplay is fighting the game to work with you. If you're here for the story, read the book. If you're here for the gameplay, don't.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →🌟 A Classic Star Wars Adventure That Still Shines! 🌟 If you’re a Star Wars fan and love retro gaming, STAR WARS: SHADOWS OF THE EMPIRE is an absolute must-play! Released in 1997 by LucasArts, this game takes you on an unforgettable journey through the galaxy as Dash Rendar, a rogue pilot caught in the battle against the Empire. 🔥 Why This Game is Amazing: ✅ Epic Storytelling – Set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, the game expands the Star Wars universe with an…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This was a great game on N64 when I was a kid. This port of the PC plays like crap, it stutters on modern hardware, and the controls were somehow better on the batarang of an N64 controller. It is super unfortunate that this is a half baked port just like Rogue Squadron. Save yourself the money and just check out the Shadows of the Empire novel at your local library, its more fulfilling than this.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I had this for the 64 when I was a kid. this game was a horror game for me then! there was a lot of cool exploits to defeat the bosses. I remember the purple pulse bullets would hit enemies through walls - doesn't do so in this port. Wonky controls + the level design makes for a hard game to beat !
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Party like it's 1996
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Not saying it's a bad game but the controls are just super clunky to use. Needs to be remade.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game was my very first video game. I played it with my Father on N64. Today I'm 32 and my father passed away months ago. Playing this game again is like playing with him again... When he played he was always saying "I'm Dash Rendar ! I'm Invincible !" This game will be forever in my heart. Thank you.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →SOTE on N64: 12 FPS if you're lucky SOTE on Steam: Oh you wanted to jump across a small gap? How about half the map. Still fun, but in need of an actual remaster.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Another Game from my childhood that is barely playable and needs a Remaster. Like Rogue Squadron, this Game is even more unplayable unless you've got an N64, but I remember more the PC Version of this Game with it's full rendered Sequences. I had a lot of fun playing this but nower days it's not really playable. It definetly needs a remaster.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Kathleen Kennedy ruined this franchise! Don't support the corporate whales.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I got this game because I had it on the N64 and thought I could have some nostalgic fun. And I would have, if the game supported controller input. There is a user defined input option, but it's still limited to the keyboard. Which is fine if your used to that, but not if your a controller person. So if your a keyboard and mouse type person then give this a try, otherwise, STAY AWAY!
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →One of my favorite games for the N64. Brought back awesome memories and the fact that it’s way more enhanced in terms of graphics and story explanation I was way too eager to replay it again. However, the controls are terrible. Trying to use my XBox controller and it’s not as easy to setup as it should be. It got really frustrating and somewhat uncomfortable.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I first played this game on the N64 and loved it. Now that i own a PC i like to go back and see how the same games fair on Windows and its like playing the game brand new again. BUY it
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Seriously broken. Play the N64 ROM instead.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →STAR WARS: Shadows of the Empire is a fun and classic STAR WARS game with an surprisingly strong story and characters. However the gameplay feels quite clunky, although it must be remembered that it was an N64 title from 1997. But still the PC port is alright and even though most of the game was clunky, it was fun nonetheless.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It is an old game but it still slaps today. It has a lot of charm and oozes Star Wars vibes.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Problems with controls, camera angles, and a frustrating save system keep Shadows of the Empire from reaching its full potential, yet it remains an ambitious and fascinating product of its time. There was a moment early on when I first played Shadows of the Empire where I genuinely felt like I had stepped into the Star Wars universe. The opening level on Hoth is nothing short of spectacular. Piloting a snowspeeder against Imperial Walkers, weaving through laser fire, and wrapping tow cables…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →1. No controller support unless you BUY software that allows you to. 2. Frames Per Second need to be at 20fps or below in order to run properly. 3. Only supports low resolutions. 4. Not an N64 port. this is the 1997 PC release. 5. AMD graphics cards will have a harder time running this game.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Elvis Presly fights the Green Goblin. This is real Star Wars
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Classic Star Wars, worth the nostalgia and it's actually still a fun game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If you were a fan of this game on the N64, you definitely need to pick up the PC version of Shadows of the Empire. The pc version plays basically the same as the console release, but features full motion cut scenes, voice acting, and higher quality music. I'd recommend playing this with a controller, and there's plenty of good controller setups out there if you're playing on the steam deck. This is definitely a challenging game, especially towards the end, but for 6 bucks you're getting a…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's good and what you remember from back then , if you encounter a glitch where everything is 100x speed go to your gpu panel (nvidia or amd) and turn on V-sync + limit your fps to 60, it will fix it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Shadow of the Empire – A Glorious Mess Worth Experiencing If you approach Shadow of the Empire expecting a bit of jank, you're in for a great time. Do you enjoy platforming on ice? How about aiming systems that barely work—for you, but not for the stormtroopers? Or maybe you’re into the kind of game that makes you want to rip your hair out in pure frustration? Then this game is calling your name. It's like the N64 version tumbled down a flight of stairs—and somehow, the jank was cranked up…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Despite the immense suffering, the joy I felt upon completing this nightmare was very satisfying. I played on Jedi difficulty from the get-go, blind, never playing this game ever before. When I got to the last level I realised that if you didn't save up enough lives (9 minimum), you're toast. So I thought my nightmare was over, but it wasn't - I was going back! Finally, I saved up the lives, and after many attempts - I beat the final level. Good luck, and remember to take a break.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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