Coming To Blast you Away (Star Wars: Battlefront (PS2))

Member Name: elmosgotagun

Product:	Star Wars: Battlefront (PS2)
Date:	16/02/05 (230 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Ewoks, Frantics gameplay, Did i mention that you Could kill Jar Jar Binks and the rest of his annoying race

Disadvantages: Too Short, Can Become Repetative

Star Wars games are very much like the new films - much anticipated but don't quite live up to expectation.

This game bucks the trend in many ways - its great fun and looks fantastic but not quite enough for true longevity.

It does, however, do exactly what it sets out to do: create an immersive frantic battleground on which to go to war with the enemy on various planets in the star wars universe.

The in-game graphics are excellent, the colours and the locations are well realised especially on the ice planet of Hoth and the forests of Endor.

The front end graphics are a bit poor but the game is interspersed with clips from the films, which set the scene perfectly before each battle.

The battlefields are basically arenas - you can roam around but you can not leave the battlefield - this doesn't present a problem as the arenas are large and spacious and offer many different vantage points.

At the outset you can choose between 3 different game modes (including Historical Campaign and Galactic Conquest)- these are variations of the same theme and ultimately you will always be drawn to the 'instant action' mode.
In this you can choose any battlefield, from the dozen or so on offer, and then choose which side you want to fight for.

There isn't the facility to mix and match the different eras so as an Imperial (stormtrooper) you will always be fighting against the rebellion (rebel) and as a republican (clone trooper) you will always fight separatist (battledroid).
The gameplay is the same whichever side you choose with slight variations to their abilities in battle.

The rebels and imperials are evenly matched but its a nightmare fighting against the seperatists - the battledroids are difficult to pick out in battle especially on the oceanic world of Kamino.
This is one of several truly stand-out arenas to fight on (but sadly its one of the few restricted ones - this arena only allows republic v separatist). A thunderstorm rages overhead as you command your forces from the pristine white interiors to the murky darkness of the rain soaked platforms outside.

Once you selected your side you then have a choice of combatant - you can choose between 4-5 different troopers (they tend to be variations of soldier, sniper, cannon firer, and pilot) and you will also be able to choose to be a jet pack stormtrooper or a Chewbacca style Wookie! Your weapons tend to be variations of blasters and grenades (there are, sadly, no lightsabres).

The objectives of the game are very simple - capture command posts and/or kill all the enemy and the beauty of this game is once you are on the battlefield you can do whatever you want - you can summon troops around you to join you (there are 4 basic commands you can issue) and either stand your ground against the marauding enemy (and when they attack they attack in droves!) or you can go on a stealth mission to attack the enemies command posts and cut off their reinforcements.

If you are killed in battle then you can 'respawn' from a choice of command posts - hence the importance to capture and retain command posts during the game.
You can respawn as a different type of trooper if you wish, which is ideal if you spot a good vantage point and wish to be a sniper.

The default view is 3rd person view (where you can see your character) but there is the option to change to 1st person (where you see only the weapon you are holding and firing)
The controls are easy to pick up and play especially if you've played Medal of Honor-style games before.

The Artificial Intelligence is ok - its hard to gauge as there is so much going on during the conflict. It does seem to become a free for all but troops do run for cover and take up positions to attack the enemy.

The sounds are superb - from laser blasters to shouts of 'grenade', each side has voices unique to them which is a nice touch from the robotic voices of the separatists to the antipoedean twang of the clone troopers - it is very effective.

Plantery natives also play a small part in the proceedings - if only to add atmosphere and perspective to the battles.
You'll see Jawas, Ewoks and the truly annoying Jar Jar Binks'. On the desert planet of Tattooine you'll even find yourself under attack from Tusken Raiders who have their own command posts.
They are not part of the objective but their inclusion provides a welcome (if singular) change as you can find yourself fighting on 2 fronts.

In these 'instant action' battles you can choose an option to have lightsabre wielding Jedi Heroes to fight alongside you (they are Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Count Dooku and Mace Windu) they look impressive and cut a swathe through the enemy forces and they are virtually invincible. Once the novelty has worn off you'll find yourself turning the Jedi Hero option off as its frustrating to encounter one (conversely its thrilling to fight alongside one).

Star Wars fans will love this and non-Star Wars fans will greatly enjoy the gameplay but their interest will probably wane more quickly.

This is great fun to play and you'll find yourself hooked on the frantic gameplay and atmosphere evoking environments. Also as it's been out for a while down it's come right down in price, Blocbusters at my bit are selling it for £14.99

Summary: