A lot has been said about Star Wars Battlefront 2. It has gotten the internet into a frenzy. It feels like the rebels vs the empire in real life (with keyboards and politics instead of blasters), but what is the game actually like?
Battlefront 2 has had a hell of a rocky ride to release. It has been the centre of a PR nightmare that has opened up a huge debate in the videogame community. This debate is centred around the use of Microtransactions in game which allow players to purchase Star Cards (in game abilities and weapons) that may or may not affect the game’s progression and player skill level. There was also controversy surrounding how much it costs to unlock key characters in the game. EA has since taken the decision to reverse this policy and lowered their in game price.
Since my first draft of this article, EA has changed their stance yet again and have now scrapped microtransactions until further notice, with many people predicting they will emerge again, but for cosmetic items only. Ok, so now all that is out of the way – what is the game actually like?
A Blast
I really like this game! There I said it! Sometimes I feel like I have to defend or hide what I think about it which sucks. Ignoring all the bullshit, this game is tons of fun. We now have a campaign! And all forthcoming DLC will be free (please EA don’t backtrack on that). The game feels weightier than the 2015 Battlefront, with the combat feeling a lot more focussed and tactical. Loads of issues have been addressed with this game. The class system in multiplayer gives variety, it is nothing new for FPS but still makes this game feel fresh.
There are less game modes in the multiplayer…kind of. Galactic Assault is now a mixed playlist with 20 vs 20 games. In this mode you will find Walker Assault and other big game modes that are extremely cinematic. The game feels like a extended fight in Rougue One. All Star Wars eras are catered for in this game, from Naboo to Maz Castle, there is a location for every type of Star Wars fan. As well as ground based combat, the fighter squadron has been updated, so fans of space battles have a lot to like.
Content
For people who complained there was not enough content in BF1, this should appease those critics. There are 5 multiplayer modes (Galactic Assault, Blast, Strike, Hero’s vs Villains, Fighter Squadron) as well as offline Arcade mode. I have played for around 15 hours and I feel like I have not scratched the surface. The game features 11 Galactic Assault maps with games averaging around 10-15 minutes. I would like to see the ability to select maps rather than playlists, this is something I am sure is in the works.
An Official Star Wars Story
I still cant get over the fact that the story in Star Wars Battlefront 2 is now Cannon! It is an official story in Star Wars lore. That, simply put, is nuts. The gameplay is a little generic, go here, shoot that, destroy those, pretty standard FPS gameplay. The overall story is pretty decent, at times it feels as if it is rushing through at a breakneck pace without allowing for full character development. The thrill of seeing a recognisable character in game is great. At times it can be geek overload. The story itself is decent enough – it is not going to set the world alight, but it does reveal some key Star Wars plot points that preceed The Force Awakens.
It’s So Freakin’ Star Wars
So why buy this game? The answer is simple. It’s so much fun. From the fear of hearing Darth Maul enter a game, to the sheer spectacle of two heroes fighting while an AT-AT stomps down the battlefield. If you are a Star Wars fan, this game is for you. Yes it has it’s problems, the campaign is not amazing and the much hyped progression system at this point is a mess. The bad press almost put me off and I am so glad it didn’t. If you liked 2015’s Battlefront then this game expands and improves on it in almost every-way. From the way heroes are activated in multiplayer modes, to the level of detail in each map. If you can’t get over the negativity surrounding this game then fair enough, I get it. If you still have some curiosity then give it a whirl. It may surprise you.