So how are the bots when playing solo? Challenging or brain dead? And how about the AI allies? I'm thinking about buying it, but I'm not much for multiplayer, mostly because of my hours.
Oo. OO. I'll take this one:
The default difficulty is fairly balanced. Nice sense of challenge overall with a few tough sections, but nothing that really puts lines of concentrated focus on your brow. You get attacked by one or two bots at a time, and damage is pretty forgiving.
On Veteran difficulty, get ready to get smacked around. The AI is extremely aggressive. Precision maneuvering is a must, and power configurations
must be constant. (That's not true of every engagement, but if you're pressed, you will die very quickly unless you are managing every system on your ship, working with your AI wingmates, prioritizing targets, and using missiles and what not on the right targets at the right time. I was honestly a bit shocked at how vicious the AI was being. When you get hit with 3 wings of TIEs...it feels like you're insanely outnumbered and fighting just to survive.)
Max difficulty is insane. 2-3 hits can blow a TIE. Maybe 5 for shielded craft. One solid turret hit from a Star Destroyer, and you're gone. Everything is suddenly made of glass -- you and them.
What I noticed most, though, is that the AI is not doing the classic "make one pass at you, then turn 180° to offer you their six and just weakly weave a bit until you kill them." AI fighters will use maneuverability to out-turn you. They will hammer on you if you're in their sights as well as use ordnance the instant they have a lock. Interceptors will strafe you, then boost out of range...and if you're foolish enough to tail chase them, their two wingmates will suddenly drop behind you and open up at the same time. Charge a capital ship without reinforced shields, and you'll be dead in literal seconds.
Overall, it's excellent. You'll definitely learn how to handle your craft for multiplayer. If anything, don't be expecting a "nice slow start". The first tutorial mission will have you trying to take out turbolaser turrets while fending off two entire squadrons of X-Wings. (I recommend Veteran if you're into sims -- it feels white-knuckle in all the right ways.)