The Darkstryder Campaign wraps up with the appropriately though generically named Endgame (1996). Unlike the previous volumes, this is one big scenario supported by a fair amount of material detailing the world where the final conflict takes place.

True to Star Wars form, that conflict is split between a massive space battle and hijinx on the ground. The imperial villain finally takes center stage, the secret behind his strange technology is revealed, a new breed of fairly terrifying aliens are introduced and, because it is Star Wars, the Force finally becomes a big part of the plot.

Its all scripted to hell and back, but here the scripting mostly pays off, I think? It is certainly a wild, high stakes, no holds barred affair. I think, perhaps, if you can get to this point, the over-scripting in previous volumes maybe pays off. Maybe all the scripted player characters are dead and the custom ones can take center stage. I don’t honestly know, but it was certainly an entertaining read.

If nothing else, Darkstryder an interesting relic from a transition point in game design to bigger, more elaborate meta-plots. I think the most interesting thing about Darkstryder is to wonder what West End could have made had they gotten a chance to do another epic scale campaign using what they learned making this one. I suppose, though, we’ll never know.

If you’ve played Darkstryder, let me know how it went!