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Following up the smash success of Star Wars Battlefront was no easy task. When you are the best selling Star Wars themed game in history, the bar is set very high as fan expectations for part 2 were lofty. Thankfully the designers at Pandemic Studios were more than up to the task. The game is Star Wars Battlefront II and like the original as well as Battlefield, 2 Battlefield 1942 and Battlefield Vietnam, players take on the role of soldiers who must battle on various maps for control of strategic points in order to obtain total victory. Unlike the previously mentioned games, Battlefront thankfully does not have many of the issues of the previous Battlefield games such as excessively long load times, difficult controls, and numerous bugs and instabilities directly out of the box.
In solo play mode; players can take on campaigns from the classic as well as the prequel series as they battle a myriad of A.I. opponents while the work with an A.I. teammates. There is a great campaign mode where players play as a member of the Elite 501st Squadron of Clone troopers as you battle in the deciding conflicts of the Clone Wars. The multiplay campaigns offers new maps from Prequel locales ranging from the opening space battle above Coruscant to Jabba’s palace. Fans will rejoice in the detail level of the game from the Rancor in the palace down to the frozen Han Solo on the wall in the previously mentioned palace. There is also a map of the Tantive IV which allows players to play in Princess Leia’s ship from the first Star Wars film and recreate the opening of the film in a grand scale.
As before, players not only attempt to eliminate enemy players, but they attempt to defend and seize key command points situated throughout the map. What is a nice plus is that by earning Hero Point for good play, players can play as Han Solo, Obi Wan Kenobi, Dath Maul, Darth Vader, and many more. When playing as a hero, players move faster, can withstand more damage, and can dish out quite a bit as well.
Unlike tradition shooters, Battlefront 2 can be played in either first or third person perspective and immerses you into the action in a unique perspective. Unlike the previous game, Space battles have been added to the mix and it is a very welcome addition. In the original game, I could fly X-wing and T.I.E. fighters in support of ground based battle. In Battlefront 2, I was able to play as part of a squadron in battles against other fighters and capitol ships. The twist is that each capitol ship has hard point targets such as weapons or communication arrays which have to be destroyed as part of the mission.
Players can also land their fighters in the hangers of enemy capitol ships and battle on foot to destroy strategic segment of the enemy ship from within. If flying is not your strong point, you can man a gun turret on the fighter or capitol ship, or skip flying altogether and be a ground defender. It is such variety that really makes this game enjoyable as the options as well as the variety of ships to fly makes this a real treat.
As in the original, players select a side such as Rebel, Republic, Imperial, or Separatist, and then from a class within. For example, there are various types of Clone troopers each with their own unique weapons and abilities. When you die in a mission, players are able to select from a different class to find one that is best suited to the changing missions and player preferences. It is also interesting to note that local and NPC characters such as Jawas, Gamoreans, and others inhabit the map.
Multiplay fans will be delighted with the abundant number of servers that are available to play and I noted that the players were not only very friendly, but were willing to help new players learn the ropes such as how to get around the maps and watching your back. Logging in, I was able to find numerous games all with varying styles and maps. The connection times were very good and lag was not much of an issue in the games I played to prepare this article.
The vast variety of weapons, units, and character classes ensures that Star Wars Battlefront 2 will have great replay value. Multiplay mode allows players not only to pick their unit but also to take up arms for either side be it Rebel or Imperial, Separatist or Republic depending on the map being played.
The menu and controls of the game are very easy to navigate and use and I have been unable to find any real issues with the game other than a need for a better save system for the solo play missions.
Graphically the game is very impressive as the rich landscapes from the films are well rendered and the detail level is amazing.
What really made the game for me was the sound effects that were taken directly from the films as staring down an opposing tank is one thing but to hear the trademark whine of the laser fire is a Star Wars fan come true even if it is the last thing your players hears before hitting the ground with a loud thud.
A true classic and one that will provide endless hours of casual and diehard fans alike, Battlefront 2 is a winner and one of the nicest surprises of the year.
5 stars out of 5
Interview with Associate Producer James Morris for BattleFront 2
Recently James Morris, Associate Producer at LucasArts was kind enough to answer a few questions for us relating to the pending release of Star Wars Battlefront II. I want to thank him for taking time from his very busy schedule to share his thoughts..
GVK: What are some of the new features that players can look forward to in the game?
For the first time ever, players will be able to take the space battle from the deck of their capital ship, into deep space, and then into the enemy's ship. Additionally, players can now earn the ability to wield a lightsaber and incredible Force powers as a Jedi hero. There are all new maps from Episode III and the Classic era. The story mode features open-ended, objective-based missions that take the player from the beginning of the Clone Wars and into the original trilogy, exploring the evolution of the clone troopers into lethal stormtroopers under the direct command of Darth Vader. Players now earn awards and medals that accumulate with each game played to unlock improved weapons and abilities. There are all new Instant Action game modes and customizable options. And, the Galactic Conquest game has been greatly expanded to include deeper strategy and an opportunity to build your own personal army.
GVK: How have mission objectives changed in the new game?
In the Rise of the Empire story campaign, players will be given open-ended mission objectives. Players can use any combination of vehicles, weapons, and abilities they want to complete these objectives. Each completed mission advances the story of the elite 501st Legion of troopers as the last remnants of the Old Republic are supplanted by the Galactic Empire. And of course, you can choose to play in classic Conquest mode in Instant Action or in the Galactic Conquest campaign.
GVK: What planets and locales will be featured in the game?
Episode III introduced a lot of great new worlds in the Star Wars universe, and you'll find most of them fully realized in the game. Utapau, Felucia, Mygeeto, Polis Massa, and more are in the game. You can even re-create the epic clash between Obi-Wan and Anakin on the volcanic world of Mustafar. In addition to the great Episode III maps, there are all-new classic era locations like the Death Star interior, Dagobah, and Princess Leia's starship, the Tantive IV. Many of the favorite maps from the first game make a comeback as well, many of them featuring a brand new look and play style.
GVK: Will any characters from the films or the expanded universe appear?
Lots of them. The characters in the game span all six films in the Star Wars saga and include a number of characters that have been developed through the comics, novels, and the Clone Wars animated series. Classic favorites like Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and Han Solo are playable characters, as well as heroes of the clone war era like Ki-Adi-Mundi, Aayla Secura, and General Grievous. The game also features a wide variety of character art for the units in each faction, reflecting the different looks seen in the six films.
GVK: Will players be able to operate vehicles, and what sort of vehicles will the game feature?
There are over 30 different vehicles in the game. The vehicles are taken from all six films, and some have been created specifically for the game. Players can now pilot an ARC-170, a Droid Tri-Fighter, an AT-RT, a BARC speeder, an Armored Droid Tank, and many other new Episode III vehicles. Classic favorites like the A-wing, the TIE interceptor, and the Imperial shuttle are available as well.
GVK: What sorts of character classes can gamers play?
Each of the factions in the game has five standard classes. The Soldier is great against enemy infantry. The Heavy Trooper can take down even the toughest vehicles with his rockets and mines. The Sniper can pick off opponents at a distance or place defensive turrets. The Engineer has a deadly shotgun and a fusion cutter that can be used make repairs, or hijack vehicles. We've also introduced a new Commander class that can boost his allies or weaken the enemy. There's also a sixth special class in each faction that features powerful unique abilities like a jetpack or a personal shield.
GVK: What type of weapons will be available and what are their functions?
Each character in the game carries multiple weapons. Some are designed for attacking infantry, others for attacking vehicles. Some are great at long range, while others need to be used in close quarters. The variety of weapons really adds strategic depth to choosing a character. There's a stealth field that allows the Bothan spy to sneak behind enemy lines. The det pack can be detonated remotely, allowing players to set devious traps. The incinerator gun dissolves an opponent at close range. And the auto-turret can be placed to defend an area automatically. These are just a few of the new weapons in the game, and each has its own unique strategy.
GVK: Making a game based on a license as popular as Star Wars can be very difficult as fans not only have high expectations, but scrutinize every detail. What are the main objectives you wanted to achieve going into the game and how did you manage to accomplish them?
Star Wars Battlefront gave players their first opportunity to relive all the classic Star Wars ground battles any way they wanted. In the sequel it was important to stay true to the open-ended gameplay of the first game, but to also take it to the next level and deliver a complete Star Wars experience. Fans wanted epic battles in space, they wanted to play as Jedi and other favorite heroes, and they wanted a rich story that grounded the game in the universe they know and love. It was important that the game deliver on all these points. We also work closely with Lucasfilm and Lucas Licensing to ensure that game complements all of the other great Star Wars content and has nailed the look and feel of the saga.
GVK: What gaming engine is the game built under and what features will it allow that players have not seen in other games in this genre?
The game is built on the engine that Pandemic Studios designed for the first Star Wars Battlefront. In that game, players could relive the classic Star Wars ground battles using any character, vehicle, or weapon that they wanted to. In the sequel Pandemic took this to the next level combining ground combat and space combat in an unprecedented way. Players can fly out into space from their capital ship, dogfight with enemy starfighters, and then literally land inside the enemy ship, get out, and take the battle inside their opponent's home base. This combination of land and space battles was made possible by the great open-ended game engine and is something that players will find only in Star Wars Battlefront II.
GVK: What forms of multiplay are available for the game?
The multiplayer game is totally customizable. It's like having all of the Star Wars action figures, vehicles, and locations at your fingertips to live out your ultimate Star Wars fantasy. You can play in classic Conquest mode, or in all new objective-based modes like Capture the Flag, Assault, and Hunt. Hunt mode is really exciting because for the first time you can play as Star Wars creatures like the wampa snow beast, a Gungan soldier, and even an Ewok.
GVK: Thank you.
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Gareth Von Kallenbach
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