Unlike the Star Wars: X-Wing computer game series that emphasizes space combat simulation, Rogue Squadron is a fast-paced, arcade-style flight action game.[3] Each of the game's 16 levels introduces mission objectives that must be completed to progress to the next level. These objectives are divided into four categories: search and destroy, reconnaissance, rescue, and protect.[2] Enemy aircraft are primarily composed of TIE fighters. Ground defenses are more varied and include three different walkers, laser and missile turrets, tanks, probe droids, shuttles, stormtroopers and speeder bikes.[4]
Gameplay is presented from the third-person perspective, however a view from a craft's cockpit is also available. The heads-up display features a health meter, a radar, and an ammunition count for secondary weapons.[5] The player can control five craft: X-wing, A-wing, Y-wing, snowspeeder and V-wing.[6]Each vehicle offers a unique armament arrangement, as well as varying degrees of speed and maneuverability.[7] The game initially restricts the player to a particular craft for each level; however, after a level is completed, it can be replayed with any available craft.[8] Levels set on non-atmospheric moons expose the player's craft to space; thus disallowing the speeder and V-wing (which are repulsorcraft) from being used; but as on other levels, the craft is vertically confined.[2] Nine bonus power-ups are hidden in different levels throughout the game. These bonuses improve a craft's weapons or durability and are applied to each eligible craft for the remainder of the game.[7]
The player's performance is measured throughout the game, and performance statistics are checked after each level against three medal benchmarks. Each benchmark contains five categories: completion time, number of enemies destroyed, shot accuracy, number of friendly craft and structures saved and number of bonuses collected. If a player's performance exceeds one of the level's three benchmarks in all five categories, a medal—bronze, silver, or gold—is awarded on completion. Acquiring these medals promotes the player's rank and helps unlock hidden content.[9]
