Star Wars Battlefront

Like a young padawan learning the ways of the force, if there is one thing us Star Wars fans have had to come to terms with, it’s patience in the promise that ‘there is another’. Just like the hotly awaited episode 7 in theaters next month, a decade since the conclusion of the prequel trilogy; battlefront fans can finally rejoice in the release of Star Wars Battlefront from EA.

I will say this at the outset. Star Wars Battlefront is beautiful. Probably the most well-presented game I have experienced to date. Not just in terms of the graphics; the highly detailed textures and true to life dynamic lighting, but also the soundtrack, which is rich and immersive. Star Wars Battlefront is, if nothing else, a cinematic experience.

For those less familiar, Star Wars Battlefront is a first and third person skirmish shooter set in the backdrop of some of the most iconic battles of the Star Wars saga. Unlike the previous titles you will not find the 5-0-First of the clone army, nor droideka rolling out for the Trade Federation; as Battlefront initially focuses on the original trilogy content. Those hoping to take over the galaxy one star system at a time will also be disappointed to hear that battlefront is basically online only, doing away with the previous campaign mode and instead providing missions that can be played in 2 player offline split screen or online co-op. While these moves away from the previous instalments have some fans decrying ‘It’s a trap!’ and swearing off the title, there is something to be said for their focusing on what truly makes this series great; the online competition. And in this regard I find myself in a whole new experience.

While a long time fan of the Battlefront series, and indeed Star Wars games as a whole, I generally am not an online gamer; my previous battlefront experience being via 4 player split screen and single player. So my determination to see out this new iteration of Battlefront meant confronting my inner turmoil (which is what I call my internet connection) and finally taking the plunge online. An experience that was surprisingly positive. Presented with a range of 9 online game modes, including fan favourites ‘Heroes vs Villians’ and ‘Walker Assault’ as well as variations on your usual FPS deathmatch and capture the flag modes, I was able to quickly jump into a match and begin my assault.

In the notion of full exposure to the online gaming experience I quickly went to grab my headset, gearing up to be called a range of names not suitable for radio by competitive 12 year olds, before I quickly realizing that there is no public in game chat. While relieving to be protected from the inevitable abuse I would suffer as a ‘noob’, this did also deny any real ability to coordinate with fellow teammates, the absence of which is quickly felt when opposing a team of organised and experienced players. In the absence of particularly quality internet I am always fearful of the effect of lag on online game play, and while I’d love to believe this has some effect, in reality my experience was smooth and my tendency to be quick cannon fodder, of my own making. Indeed after 35+ matches, some of which hosting up to 40 players at a time, I did not experience a single drop out or play-breaking network disruption I have to credit EA on their server management.

But I can’t leave off without discussing the Bantha in the room. That is the Star Wars Battlefront Season Pass. As has been previously discussed on the show this collection of 4 DLC packs to be released over the next year comes at a steep price tag, the equivalent of purchasing an entirely new AAA title. And although some extras such as new maps and weapons have been announced as free to all players,  the current consensus is players wanting the full Battlefront experience will have no choice but to hand over their credits. Until actual details of what constitutes these DLC packs, and how much free content will be released to players is apparent, it’s hard to make a value judgement on the legitimacy of this.