Review: Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (Xbox)

Review: Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (Xbox)

Brian Costelloe, Australia

15/01/2006 11:43 PM

 

It’s been a life time of success. A franchise that has held it’s supremacy in the box office, toy stores and home video markets for as long as Lucas dishes out the Sci-Fi sagas. No other movie series stirs up the fan base devotion quite like Star Wars does. Unique in every department whether it be visuals, music scores, sound effects… Star Wars is cutting edge quality in every department. Except video games that is. Sorry to say but when it comes to movie-to-game translations suffering a bad reputation it has to be said that Star Wars has traditionally been the worst offending franchise. Till a little title called “Star Wars: Battlefront” came along and not only delivered the best Star Wars selling title ever but it also gave a new hope to all Star Wars game heads… Now the sequel has been out for a short while and it certainly delivers in spades! For all those who enjoyed fraggin’ Ewoks by the gaggle load (or whatever a bunch of Ewoks are called) in the first game read on.

 

As for presentation this game remains consistent with the original with its front end screens and menus. Also the same options apply here as the first for the most part. Single player was somewhat enjoyable in the original but a lingering feeling of shallowness remained. Till you had the chance to take multiplayer by the reigns and really experience what the LucasArts team had in mind for this title. But it can be said that LucasArt have spent a bit more time here with single player mode with new atmospheric introductions leading you into each battle. Giving you more of a reason to win rather then simply whamming you straight in the middle of a meaningless battle. For the hardcore SW buffs you’ll see backgrounds to battles that take place outside of the movies and gain an insight to situations not explained in the movies. Also each battle is set out to achieve objectives that give progress to the overall storyline. Also as an addition you’ll gain benefits with each victory as you unlock new units, weapons and vehicles if you choose to play the all new Galactic Conquest mode.

 

But enough of this single player nonsense. Let’s get straight into the real reason for playing this title. Multiplayerness! Whether it be on Xbox Live or in a geek enraged LAN party you’re gonna be exercising all your 1942 Battlefield antics in this newly updated Star Wars guise that is now beginning to tow away from it’s originations. A word of warning from the get go. This game is high on the speed factor. Everything is happening in real time at a relentless pace and the majority of foes you’ll meet out there on Live are unforgiving. My first battle took place on the Planet of Kamino (the water planet featured in Episode II) with an audio feast of thunder and explosions causing my neighbours to complain as the action raged all over the place. This stage featured two bases with pathways and platforms linking them together high above the raging seas below. CIS vs the Republic was the showdown in this dramatic landscape that boasts brilliant level design and quite a large scale battle considering it’s a non-natural landscape you’re fighting on. While you are duking it out with nearby enemies you’ll see laser blasts from all angles in non related fire, explosions in background action and people cursing out left right and centre in your headset. I was having a right ball! Each of the planets you get to fight on are as diverse as in the films. From Mustafar’s intense lava setting, Endor’s forest landscapes to the Deserts of Tatooine where all this began! Also featured in this new sequel are the space dog fights using Tie Fighters, X-Wings or the more recently introduced Jedi Starfighters. These battles add a whole new dimension to the game and can be challenging to get use to at first. Also new are the “hero” characters for each clan. You only get a short space of time to utilise these guys and can only select them once you have met certain conditions. And select them you will as you’ll scare the fur of any Wookie after they see Darth Vader’s cape gliding towards them!

 

This is one busy game. Options galore and lots to keep you coming back. Perhaps one of the biggest crowning achievements here concerning Xbox owners would have to be the utilisation of the Xbox Live options. Finally you can hit eject and put Halo 2 back in it’s case. You’ve got new reason to send out Party Invites. Strong AI in the bots, new features by the Sand Crawler load that make you at one with the force. Still not sure if you’ll be impressed by Star Wars: Battlefront 2? “Oh you will be… you will be!” I was!

 

Verdict

One good turn deserves another and LucasArts are finally turning them out! A new reason to hop on Xbox Live besides Halo 2!

Pros: Loads to Explore! Wild battles in Star Wars Universe!

Cons: Perhaps not as smooth as Halo 2 graphics wise. Annoying audio announcements!

Score: 8.5/10