However, after they arrive on Gunray's ship, the meeting room begins to fill with poisonous gas. Hoping to resolve the conflict peacefully, the Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, Finis Valorum, sends two Jedi, master Qui-Gon Jinn and his padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, to negotiate with the Viceroy. The Trade Federation, led by Viceroy Nute Gunray, has established a blockade of the planet Naboo in the midst of an intergalactic trade dispute. The story features several boss fights, such as a Tusken Raider Chieftain, Jabba's Pit Beast, and Sith Lord Darth Maul ( Gregg Berger). It mainly surrounds Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn ( James Warwick) and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi ( Scott Cleverdon). For example, it follows Queen Amidala ( Grey DeLisle) and Captain Panaka's ( Jeff Coopwood) journey on Coruscant during Anakin Skywalker's ( Jake Lloyd) interview in the Jedi Temple-something that is never shown or mentioned in the film since the film follows Anakin's point of view.
The plot closely follows that of the film, although it expands on some minor events that were not present in the original film, or shows them from a different character's point of view. The game was among the first 3D Star Wars games to feature lightsaber duels as a combat feature. Throughout the game, the player fights against Darth Maul, Trade Federation battle droids, AATs, Tusken Raiders, Jawas, and various alien thugs and droids. The player may also encounter and interact with other non-player characters for directions, advice, trade, side missions (such as rescuing a captive or stopping a mugging) or to access otherwise locked areas. If the player is playing as either of the two Jedi, they can use a lightsaber or execute a Force push in addition to using blasters, proton missile launchers and explosives (which are available for Amidala and Panaka). The player is able to control either Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Queen Amidala or Captain Panaka, depending on the level. The game follows the plot of the film, but expands and alters points. The Phantom Menace is played largely from a top-down view.