In 1993, Star Wars: Rebel Assault held the distinction as the first CD-ROM-only computer game. It was up to you to guide Rookie One through computer-generated worlds from the Star Wars universe on your way to destroying the Death Star and thwarting the malevolent plans of Darth Vader and the Empire. But the battles you won back then were only the first step in winning the war. Since then, the Dark Lord of the Sith has developed a new scheme to crush the Rebellion. It's time for you to take that second step in Star Wars: Rebel Assault II -- The Hidden Empire.

Like the first outing, the game features an eclectic mix of action as you both pilot ships and battle it out with Stormtroopers on foot. In all, you have 15 stages to fight through as you take command of a B-wing, Y-wing, X-wing, Corellian freighter (nearly identical to the Millennium Falcon), speeder bike and even a couple of Imperial vessels. Your opposition in the air includes everything from TIE interceptors to Mynocks, and you'll also have to work your way through obstacle courses like asteroid fields and canyons. Along for the ride once again is Rebel soldier Ru Murleen, though the only recognizable faces from the movies are Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine and Admiral Ackbar. (The Rebel Assault games occur outside of traditional Star Wars continuity.)

This entry to the Rebel Assault franchise once again utilizes cut-scenes to move the story along between missions. However, they have been upgraded from computer-generated to live action and represent the first Star Wars-related newly recorded footage since 1985's television movie Ewoks: The Battle for Endor.