Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace Walkthrough

-----Intro -----

The Phantom Menace is a wonderful action/adventure game (heavy on the action). It does take a bit getting used to the odd, overhead view (but that can be changed with a cheat). The beginning levels are fairly easy, and allow you to get used to moving your character around. This walkthrough is for the PC version of the game. As of this writing the PSX version has not been released, and it is unknown if it will vary from the PC version. However, since the official strategy guide says it covers both the PC and PSX versions, I don't think they will differ.

Everything necessary to complete the game is included here. The strategies one can use to fight boss monsters, kill battle droids, and complete other actions are endless. The method in which you fight your battles will vary slightly because of who you've talked to, what you talked about, how you've moved into enemy territory, what weapons you have left, or any number of variables. Everyone will have to complete certain common actions to get through a level. But the AI of enemies means that the battleground may be slightly different. Please remember that the strategies given in this walkthrough are rough guides to what you can do. From there, you can develop your own.

I have tried to be as accurate as possilbe in writing this walkthrough. However, if I have inadvertantly made an error, please let me know.

----- TIPS -----

There are several skills you will have to learn to become good at. You need to learn the running double jump (run, jump, and jump again in mid-air). This skill is vital to getting onto overhead vines and ropes, and jumping onto platforms and pillars. You can't get through the game without learning this skill. Practice it whenever you get the chance.

You will also need to become good with your saber. There are times when regular weapons won't do. Learn the overhead saber move, the twirling saber move, and the jump and slash technique. Read your manual for more information. You can also reflect enemy blaster shots off your saber and back towards them. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan move slightly different with their saber moves. Obi-Wan, being the younger of the two, has more athletic flair.

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Here are some special character moves. When you TAP, you are very quickly tapping the key. When you PRESS a key, this is describing how you would normally press a key on the keyboard. When you HOLD a key, you are continously holding down the key and not releasing it. The Jumping spin attack and twirling saber combo are pretty fun. When you are trapped in a corner and being gang banged by a group of droids (they are surrounding you) the Circle Jerk move is pretty effective. It's a slash and spin move similar to the twirling saber combo, except you are stationary.

Here are some character moves that Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon can use:

Normal slash -- PRESS attack key
Overhead slash -- TAP attack key
Forward slash -- HOLD forward key + PRESS attack key
Retreating slash -- HOLD back key + PRESS attack key
Slash combo -- HOLD attack key
Overhead slash combo -- TAP attack key, then HOLD attack key
Forward stepping combo -- HOLD forward key + HOLD attack key
Twirling saber combo -- HOLD forward key, TAP attack key, then HOLD attack key
Retreating slash combo -- HOLD back key + HOLD attack key
Run slash -- Run forward + PRESS attack key
Run double slash -- Run forward + TAP attack key
Run overhead slash -- Run + TAP attack key, release forward key before next attack
Run forward slash -- Run forward + HOLD attack key
Jumping attack -- Jump, then PRESS attack
Jumping spin attack -- Jump, then HOLD attack
Circle Jerk -- HOLD attack + HOLD left or right movement key
Here are some martial arts moves that Captain Panaka can use:
Punch -- PRESS attack key
Running punch -- Run + PRESS attack key
Punch-Kick combo -- HOLD attack key
Roundhouse punch-kick combo -- HOLD forward + HOLD attack

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Don't forget that you can roll and hop depending on what character you're playing. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan can dodge blaster fire by rolling left or right. Captain Panaka and Queen Amidala can hop from side to side. This is a useful tactic to employ when taking on a group of enemies.

Force push is a convenient weapon sometimes, as it can temporarily stun an enemy (but not for very long). Try using it when you have the chance. It's also handy because you can push enemies off platforms. However, you can't force push enemies unless they are on the same "level" as you. This means that if an enemy is on top of the stairs, you can't push him when you're at the bottom of the steps.

If your gameplay is slow during battles, try turning off some of your performance options. The game may not look quite as pretty, but you'll be able to move around and fight more quickly. I'm at the minimum requirements for the game, and gameplay was a bit slow during battles with groups of droids. I found that I was able to kill more efficiently when the performance options were set to low.

When you are protecting a character, make sure you don't stray too far from them. Enemies can show up and try to take them out while you're off scouting ahead. Sometimes when you cross an "invisible line", the game will say that the protected character has died, even if there are no enemies around him or her. This is the game's way of telling you that you are not to go into this new area without that character following behind you.

On the levels where you protect a character, there are certain checkpoints in the game where they will automatically stop. They are relatively "safe" at these points if you've cleared the area of enemies. You should always talk to the person when he or she stops because you may have something to say, such as "wait" or "follow me." Or they may have something to say to you.

Destroyer droids (the droids that roll around and have personal shields) are a pain in the butt. They have a distinct sound so you know when one is in the area. The most effective way of killing them is using a couple of proton missiles on them. They are most vulnerable when they are rolling around or right after they stop, because they don't have their shields up. Try to get the first shot in before they get their shield up. If you can get in any blaster shots or saber thrusts while they are rolling or right after they stop, then all the better for you!

Sometimes a non-player character you're travelling with can provide cover fire for you. They can take out destroyer droids or battle droids for you, or help you in your battles. You may occasionally run into a soldier or two that will help fight your battles. Keep your eyes and ears open, and observe. But if they start ducking down or screaming, it usually means they need help.

If you come upon a heavy repeating cannon in the game that you can use, that usually means that there are destroyer droids and a big group of battle droids coming your way. Definitely make use of this wicked weapon.

If you see a battle tank, avoid it at all costs. You can sometimes take them out, but not without wasting a lot of weapons, ammo, and time. It is not necessary to take them out to finish a level. In other words, don't try unless you want to show off. You should preserve the big ammo for the destroyer droids (which you can't always run away from) and the boss monsters. Run away from the battle tanks or do what you need to in order to get around it as quickly as possible.

---------------- OTHER RESOURCES ----------------

Please keep in mind that I only wrote a walkthrough, and I'm just one person trying to help others get a little more enjoyment out of the game. I can only answer your questions about the walkthrough or strategies for the game. As much as I would like to help, I am not an information kiosk. I can't or don't have answers to specific questions about tech support issues or other programs related to the game. Please defer your questions to the appropriate person. The following is a list of other resources available to help you with other questions you may have about the game. I hope you find it useful.

I can't help you with technical support issues, as I am not qualified to do so. The obvious solution if you are having problems with bugs, crashes, video, or sound problems is to contact tech support via phone. You can also try the support section of the http://www.lucasarts.com home page.

Another excellent source is the Phantom Menace Forums at http://www.jediknight.net. You can read the forums to see if anyone else has the problem you're having, and if there are possible solutions. People often leave messages helping each other out with technical problems they are having. Sometimes a developer or designer of the game may even pop in. You can also chat about different battle strategies if you could not get through a particular area of the game.

One common video problem is not being able to see through the bubbles (they should be transparent) on the Otoh Gunga level. You need to fool around with additive blending. Please see the jediknight.net Phantom Menace Forums for a possible solution.

If you would like to view the cutscenes (the movie sequences) for the game, go to http://www.smacker.com and download the BINK video tools for free. It allows you to view the movies from the game that are in the /gamedata/movie directory of your cdrom. It's interesting to view them separate from the game. I had my performance options set to low, which meant that the resolution for the video wasn't as good as it could be. I didn't know just how good the videos actually look. Kudos to the graphic artists!


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