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Power Mac 8600/300 w/96mb RAM |
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N/A |
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Reviewed by Jonathan Dreyer
All images in this review can be enlarged by clicking on them
LucasArts takes it's first step towards it's return to the Mac with the Star Wars: Episode One Insider's Guide.
Episode One Insider's
Guide is a two CD set loaded with every single scrap of
information on The Phantom Menace in existence. It combines
text, pictures, audio, and movies to provide a full
multimedia Episode One experience.
Insider's guide is
nicely divided into sections for easy browsing on
information. It includes a lot of information not seen in
the movie or book. The Insider's Guide provides names and
backgrounds on pretty much every character you see on screen
in the movie. So detailed and informative in the guide, that
it includes names for practically everything, characters,
ships, weapons, you've seen, it names it.
The discs are divided evenly between in-story information, and behind-the-scenes information. Disc 1 deals with the characters, technology, vehicles, and locations. It is a massive amount of background information on even the most remote part of the movie. As usual, Lucas has created the entire universe, not just the parts that the movie focuses on, but an entire universe of people, places, and things. All of the information on the characters, technology, vehicles and locations is organized by groups. Different sections for the Sith, Trade Federation, Naboo, etc... Most major entries include galleries of pictures, audio clip, and video clips from the movie itself.
Disc 2 deals with
more of the behind the scenes information. It includes
hundreds of behind the scenes photos detailing the making of
the movie, along with many behind the scenes video so you
can see and hear the making of the Phantom Menace. Also on
disc 2 is the "Expanded Universe" section. This section has
listings for every single movie tie-in, from toys to books
to games, they're all listed and include photos.
The interface, although lacking several of the usual Mac amenities, is nice and friendly. The information is easy to navigate to find what you're looking for. I found the buttons on the bottom of the the window not to be as useful as they first seemed, especially the "Next" and "Up Level" buttons which I found a a little awkward in actual use.
The only thing that
really annoyed me about Insider's Guide is that it only runs
in 640 by 480 resolution. If your resolution is at a higher
setting, it will run in a window. Now some people may prefer
that it didn't force you to change resolutions, but I would
have preferred an options box at the beginning asking me if
it could change to the lower resolution. That's isn't a
detractor from the actual guide, but just a pet peeve for
me.
In conclusion, Star Wars: Episode One Insider's Guide is an informative and fun look at all of the aspects of the movie. It is not a stellar first step back to the Mac market for LucasArts, but it is a step in the right direction. I can't wait for Pod Racer on my Mac, and Insider's Guide is a nice appetizer in the meantime.
