Since Star Wars Squadrons was announced, we cranky old PC gamers have had one question: how much is it like X-Wing and TIE Fighter? There seemed to be little reason for EA to chase the highs of classic space simulation games, but remarkably, Squadrons does have plenty in common with those old-school favourites. Today, the devs have broken down exactly how the power management system works.
Like X-Wing and TIE Fighter, Squadrons lets you divert your ship's power between engines, shields, and lasers. More engine power means you move faster, while more shield or laser power lets the relevant systems recharge faster, just as you'd expect.
The difference in Squadrons is that you get bonus abilities when you max out the energy for one of the subsystems. You can charge an arcade-style speed boost when your engines are maxed, for example. You can overcharge your lasers, giving yourself a damage boost until the stored-up extra power runs out. And you can similarly charge up overshields for your fighter, boosting your shields up to 200%. (Separately, you can also divert shields to cover the front or back of your fighter, perfect for when someone's on your tail or you're about to make a run on a capital ship.)
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