The huge impressive fan remake of classic 90s space simulator Star Wars: TIE Fighter is back with a massive update that makes the already spectacular-looking game even better.
Star Wars: TIE Fighter Total Conversion is built upon a fan remake of Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance, allowing for gorgeous new graphics, HD models, lighting effects, expansive sound, and even dynamic cockpits.
Detailed in a new 10-minute breakdown video, the fan project’s new 1.4 update fully converts the entirety of Star Wars: TIE Fighter into the X-Wing Alliance Upgrade engine in both Classic and Reimagined versions.
In the new update, these two versions are completely separate installs, allowing players to install both a smooth, upgraded version of the game with a rose-tinted glasses version of the original aesthetic, as well as a completely remade, modern-day looking reimagined version with all of the fancy rendering effects you could want.
“Since TFTC was originally a single mod mesh together with two versions, it meant having to painstakingly separate out both versions and rebuild them piece-by-piece onto their new foundations,” the project lead explained in the breakdown video.
The new version of TIE Fighter: Total Conversion boasts more stable performance and newer lighting techniques. As the “biggest major overhaul” of the classic graphics version of the game, gamers playing on the classic version will also experience a much closer replication of the original with slower lasers, and more.
Additionally, the Reimagined version now has access to a brand new mission that replaces Battle 3, Mission 4, as well as revamps and rebuilds of the campaign’s first third. A lot of work has been done over the last year, and Star Wars: Tie Fighter fans now have a much more stable and even better looking version of the game to play if they want to.
While a lot of work has been done on the game, the team isn’t finished just yet. The video teased a possible addition of co-op in the future, “which is now generally possible without desync”, adding that “adding in co-op functionality to the campaigns is something we still really absolutely want to do”.
As one of the most iconic flight simulator games of all time, the work that this team is doing is nothing less than spectacular. Even with new rebalancing to the game which may not please everyone, it’s always inspiring to see fans bring some of the best classic games back from the dead.
