Star Wars Battlefront 2

Lucasarts’ sequel to last year’s well-received Battlefront MKI title promises to deliver more of the same - but this time bigger, better, louder and altogether much cooler.

Platform:
All formats
Release Date:
4 November 2005
Publisher:
Activision
Genre:
Action

Once more we’re dropped straight into the heat of the action. There’s a wealth of memorable environments from the Star Wars universe – often neatly introduced by cut scenes from the movies themselves. LucasArts has improved single player missions, added Jedi combatants, epic space battles and a host of weapons characters and locations from Episode III.

The story-lead single player campaigns are more solidly objective-based. New features/characters are unlocked as missions are completed – including reams of favourite SW players such as Darth Vader, Yoda and, oh yes, General Grievous. All have unique abilities, and it’s always worth repeating levels with different characters to see what else opens up. As you might expect, the playable Jedis are more powerful than most and can make fancy use of the force. However this comes at a price – their life-meters, represented by a lightsabre icon, is topped up only as long as players continue to complete objectives and advance the cause of their side. Failure to do so results in an early demise. Be nice to your Jedi, you have been warned.

Space battles should be familiar to many from other Star Wars games, although they’re excellently done here. May more craft are playable and unlockable than in Batttlefront I, and they’re speedy enough to bring the sense of movie realism alive. Lucasarts has added some innovative touches too, such as the thoroughly ace ability to fly into an enemy ship’s hangar, disembark and take the fight on foot to the unsuspecting foes on board. Better still, it’s possible to take control of enemy turrets and create true galactic carnage.

Battlefront II really comes into its own in the multiplayer battles. Online melees comprise up to 24 PS2 players, or 32 luckier Xbox owners. Inevitably PC owners get the best deal – 64 can play together.

Related links

Interviews

SCREENSHOTS

Star Wars Battlefront 2 Screen Shot 1Star Wars Battlefront 2 Screen Shot 2Star Wars Battlefront 2 Screen Shot 3Star Wars Battlefront 2 Screen Shot 4Star Wars Battlefront 2 Screen Shot 5Star Wars Battlefront 2 Screen Shot 6Star Wars Battlefront 2 Screen Shot 7Star Wars Battlefront 2 Screen Shot 8Star Wars Battlefront 2 Screen Shot 9Star Wars Battlefront 2 Screen Shot 10Star Wars Battlefront 2 Screen Shot 11Star Wars Battlefront 2 Screen Shot 12Star Wars Battlefront 2 Screen Shot 13Star Wars Battlefront 2 Screen Shot 14Star Wars Battlefront 2 Screen Shot 15

REVIEWS

Battlefront II is a classy sequel to a worthy original. The single player experience is now more gratifying, plus the addition of genuinely cool playable characters and the awesome space battles greatly enhance the game’s appeal. However, it is the potential for hilarity and havoc of the multiplayer modes that it irresistible.

Legal Notice

LucasArts and the LucasArts logo are trademarks of Lucasfilm Ltd. Star Wars Battlefront is a trademark of Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. © 2004, 2005 Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. Or Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM as indicated. All rights reserved.