Summary & Thoughts:
Battlefront is the ultimate Star Wars experience! From the snowy banks of Hoth, to the forest moon of Endor, you can relive your favorite Star Wars battles. With beautiful graphics, and authentic sound tracks, you really feel like you are in a Star Wars movie. The twist though, is that you are not the “hero”. You are a soldier in a giant battle, and just a small part of a larger event. Whether you’re blasting Rebel scum, or fending off the evil Empire, there are a variety of weapons and power-ups to choose from.
Battlefront is a fun, fast paced shooter. There isn’t any wall running, or matrix style stunts. You run, jump, and blast your way through classic Star Wars environments. For special abilities, you can fly vehicles, drive AT-ST”s, and call in bombing runs. The wildest power-up you get, is a jet-pack that launches you across the map in an uncontrollable fashion. The weapons feel different, but pretty standard to most shooter games. Each time you play, you gain credits which allow you to buy more guns, and special abilities. There isn’t as much weapon customization as some games(like Call of Duty), but there is a decent variety of weapon types. What makes Battlefront stand out, is the look and sound of the weapons. They feel very “Star Wars”. You don’t reload, you vent and cool your blasters. You don’t have bullet casings flying around, but instead have red lasers gliding through the air.
AT-ST’s are walking tanks, that have lasers and rockets. They are a bit sluggish, but pack a punch, and they serve as one of the only ground vehicles in game. I hope to see a vehicle expansion in the near future. Most of the fighting is carried out by soldiers, unlike games like DICE’s Battlefield, where helicopters and tanks rule every map. The level designs feel right. They are large open battle zones, with trenches, and bases to explore. Running around inside Rebel forts, and Imperial bunkers is very cool. The interior part of the maps is extremely well done, and they look just like the movies. Running through the Endor bunkers, and seeing the blast doors open and shut felt epic. Walking under a massive Imperial Walker is unlike any game experience out there. You can see the ground shake with every footstep, and hear the creaking of the massive AT-AT legs. Where some games make the combat feel special, Battlefront makes the world feel special.
There are a variety of modes to play, from capture the pod style, to domination, and survival mode. You can play single player, or Co-Op modes on the same console. The massive online battles are restricted to one player per console though. I enjoyed the large online battles, but found the most fun in playing Co-Op survival mode with my wife. There are a number of challenges to complete on each survival map, and each level is very unique.
I thoroughly enjoyed Star Wars Battlefront, and think that the game is well done. The main thing to note, is that it isn’t a “Call of Duty” or a “Battefield” game. It’s a Star Wars game, and it feels like one. The voice over, and weapon sounds feel like they were pulled right from the original trilogy. The action is less violent than many shooters, and there is no cursing. These both contribute to the “T” for Teen rating, as opposed to the “M” rating that many 1st person shooters receive. I would recommend this game, for anyone of age to play it. It is very fun, and easy to get into. With the holiday season fast approaching, and a new Star Wars movie coming out, it would make a great gift for any gamer in your life.
Release Date: November 17, 2015
Rated: T
Price: $59.99 (Target.com)
Platform: PC, XboxOne, Playstation4
HFR Rating:
