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I dug out SW:BF1 the week before SW:BF2 released and played it for a day or so just to remind myself of the general gameplay. Others have already listed pros, cons, and recommendations; let me add to their lists rather than duplicate them:
PROS:
– You get to (a) dogfight in space and (b) play as a Jedi or other ‘hero’ character (e.g., Boba Fett), all within the context of a given mission.
– The “Rise of the Empire” campaign is well thought out, if a bit dark (e.g., you get to assassinate the Queen of Naboo; I’m just grateful you don’t have to kill the ‘younglings’ in the Jedi Temple).
– The overall gameplay is great, with larger and more complex environments.
CONS (all relatively minor):
–The Options/Controls panel is a pain to use (as when setting up a joystick). Someone needs to improve the UI design and general behavior on this; it strikes me as being somewhat ‘quick and dirty.’
–The shift to story/objective mode moves SW:BF2 towards the classic problems of a ‘railroad’ game, namely, you have to figure out how the designers intended you to complete the objectives and in what order. For example, in the Kashyyyk: First Line of Defense mission, I tried to destroy the CIS cruiser heavy turrets before I destroyed the enemy frigates, but SW:BF2 wouldn’t let me.
–Each mission has a number of sub-objectives, and there is no way to save a game within a mission. In other words, if you get to the very last mission task and die, you have to start the entire mission all over again.
–There are a few glitches here and there. For example, in that same mission, SW:BF2 seemed to have a hard time figuring out when the other clone troopers should follow me over to the CIS cruiser.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
– First, get a joystick. It’s a lot easier to do the space combat with one, though you’ll have to take some time to set up the controls (under Options).
– Second, if you don’t have a lot of spare time, get the strategy guide. It doesn’t have all the answers, but it does give you a heads up as to the overall flow of the mission.
– Third, experiment. I’ve been able to solve specific objectives more than one way.
As of this writing [Nov 9], I’m about 2/3rds of the way through the Rise of the Empire campaign (I’ve completed 11 of 18 missions). I’ll update my review once I’ve finished it and have had time to play in Galactic Conquest mode as well. ..bruce..
Rating: 4 / 5
Following up the smash success of Star Wars Battlefront was no easy task. When you are the best selling Star Wars themed game in history, the bar is set very high as fan expectations for part 2 were lofty. Thankfully the designers at Pandemic Studios were more than up to the task. The game is Star Wars Battlefront II and like the original as well as Battlefield, 2 Battlefield 1942 and Battlefield Vietnam, players take on the role of soldiers who must battle on various maps for control of strategic points in order to obtain total victory. Unlike the previously mentioned games, Battlefront thankfully does not have many of the issues of the previous Battlefield games such as excessively long load times, difficult controls, and numerous bugs and instabilities directly out of the box.
In solo play mode; players can take on campaigns from the classic as well as the prequel series as they battle a myriad of A.I. opponents while the work with an A.I. teammates. There is a great campaign mode where players play as a member of the Elite 501st Squadron of Clone troopers as you battle in the deciding conflicts of the Clone Wars. The multiplay campaigns offers new maps from Prequel locales ranging from the opening space battle above Coruscant to Jabba’s palace. Fans will rejoice in the detail level of the game from the Rancor in the palace down to the frozen Han Solo on the wall in the previously mentioned palace. There is also a map of the Tantive IV which allows players to play in Princess Leia’s ship from the first Star Wars film and recreate the opening of the film in a grand scale.
As before, players not only attempt to eliminate enemy players, but they attempt to defend and seize key command points situated throughout the map. What is a nice plus is that by earning Hero Point for good play, players can play as Han Solo, Obi Wan Kenobi, Dath Maul, Darth Vader, and many more. When playing as a hero, players move faster, can withstand more damage, and can dish out quite a bit as well. Unlike tradition shooters, Battlefront 2 can be played in either first or third person perspective and immerses you into the action in a unique perspective. Unlike the previous game, Space battles have been added to the mix and it is a very welcome addition. In the original game, I could fly X-wing and T.I.E. fighters in support of ground based battle. In Battlefront 2, I was able to play as part of a squadron in battles against other fighters and capitol ships. The twist is that each capitol ship has hard point targets such as weapons or communication arrays which have to be destroyed as part of the mission. Players can also land their fighters in the hangers of enemy capitol ships and battle on foot to destroy strategic segment of the enemy ship from within. If flying is not your strong point, you can man a gun turret on the fighter or capitol ship, or skip flying altogether and be a ground defender. It is such variety that really makes this game enjoyable as the options as well as the variety of ships to fly makes this a real treat. As in the original, players select a side such as Rebel, Republic, Imperial, or Separatist, and then from a class within. For example, there are various types of Clone troopers each with their own unique weapons and abilities. When you die in a mission, players are able to select from a different class to find one that is best suited to the changing missions and player preferences. It is also interesting to note that local and NPC characters such as Jawas, Gamoreans, and others inhabit the map.
Multiplay fans will be delighted with the abundant number of servers that are available to play and I noted that the players were not only very friendly, but were willing to help new players learn the ropes such as how to get around the maps and watching your back. Logging in, I was able to find numerous games all with varying styles and maps. The connection times were very good and lag was not much of an issue in the games I played to prepare this article.
The vast variety of weapons, units, and character classes ensures that Star Wars Battlefront 2 will have great replay value. Multiplay mode allows players not only to pick their unit but also to take up arms for either side be it Rebel or Imperial, Separatist or Republic depending on the map being played. The menu and controls of the game are very easy to navigate and use and I have been unable to find any real issues with the game other than a need for a better save system for the solo play missions.
Graphically the game is very impressive as the rich landscapes from the films are well rendered and the detail level is amazing. What really made the game for me was the sound effects that were taken directly from the films as staring down an opposing tank is one thing but to hear the trademark whine of the laser fire is a Star Wars fan come true even if it is the last thing your players hears before hitting the ground with a loud thud. A true classic and one that will provide endless hours of casual and diehard fans alike, Battlefront 2 is a winner and one of the nicest surprises of the year.
Battlefront I is and always will be a classic for it’s day, but at times the gamer would fly vehicles around on ground-based maps, with one eye on the ground, and their other eye, heart and mind on what lies beyond the atmosphere. In Battlefront I, you may have noticed the lack of a good plot or story, as the basic scheme concerned battle after battle for fun and points. How could Pandemic and LucasArts make Battlefront II any better, but to go above and beyond the call of duty to make the sequel worthy of attention?
Simple. You flesh out, increase, rebuild, glorify, enhance, expand, re-imagine, recondition, and make land & space reachable.
The second installment for the Star Wars: Battlefront series is absolutely beautiful. If you purchase one Star Wars game along with your DVD copy of Episode III, this is a must have!
Live the chaotic and blaster infested army battles you dream of conquering, leap into the air in a dazzling somersault only to finish off your landing with a Force push to the enemy and lightsaber slash to the chest, jump into the cockpit of a Tie-Bomber and scream from the belly of an Imperial Destroyer…land in a Rebel Frigate and take the battle to the belly of the beast, maneuver your A-wing in a twisting corkscrew-reverse maneuver to break enemy lock and return fire down your enemies throat, and live moments as characters from the Star Wars Galaxy like Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Jango Fett, Yoda…and the list goes on. Battlefront 2 is AWESOME!
The good:
1) Galactic space battles & dogfights
2) New worlds to explore
3) New characters & the ability to play classic characters
4) Incredible supply of vehicles to operate
5) Beautiful graphics and design, almost movie quality
6) Play in 1st or 3rd person
7) Online play for up to 64 players
This list could go on and on…
The bad:
1) Not much!
2) Lack of a “cockpit” view for spaceships
3) Prone position is no longer available for crawling
4) Difficult to find partners or buddies in battle
*The PC version is amazing. Expect further patches and upgrades to make this the ULTIMATE experience.
THIS COULD & SHOULD BE THE GAME OF THE YEAR FOR 2005!
Rating: 5 / 5
This is a wonderful game that I got after playing it at a friend’s house. If you’ve been reading some other reviews, you probally know all about the jedi (plus), space battles (plus…I guess…), and the planets taken off (MINUS). When I was going to buy this game, the two big questions were (a) BF1 or BF2 and (b) PC or Console?
BF1 or BF2?????
Battlefront I has the old maps and the lower price, but personally, I think that BF2 is worth is for better online play, heros, space, and graphics.
PC or Console?????
-The one(s) with internet get a plus.
-Console: You will get the beautiful splitscreen mode that has hidden itself from the PC…also a nicer menu w/ scenes from the movie. The PC one looks slapped together a bit. Also no worries about PC stats.
-PC: If you are a fan of programming like me, BF2 has some great mod tools out to make your own maps, mods, etc, without having to hex edit. Also, you can download user made maps from the internet.
A fun game with hours of playtime, 2 different single player games, and several different online games, this game does have its pros and cons…
Pros: Slightly better graphics than Battlefront 1. Better cut scenes and a better stroy line.
You get to control Jedi’s.
Space battles, you can fly almost every space cruiser you’ve seen on the movies.
Cons: One level, Yavin 4 is timed and is near impossible to pass. There are no cheats for the PC version as there are for other consoles, so a trainer program may be needed to help out.
Jedi control… After playing Star Wars Jedi Academy, I’m really disappointed. Many of the Jedi’s are ‘handicapped’ and move slow. You’re extremely limited in Jedi Powers, and you just don’t get the moves that Jedi Academy gives.
Overall: The game is worth your money… several options, and several games. If you’re into Jedi action, look into Jedi Academy.
Rating: 4 / 5
July 12th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
I dug out SW:BF1 the week before SW:BF2 released and played it for a day or so just to remind myself of the general gameplay. Others have already listed pros, cons, and recommendations; let me add to their lists rather than duplicate them:
PROS:
– You get to (a) dogfight in space and (b) play as a Jedi or other ‘hero’ character (e.g., Boba Fett), all within the context of a given mission.
– The “Rise of the Empire” campaign is well thought out, if a bit dark (e.g., you get to assassinate the Queen of Naboo; I’m just grateful you don’t have to kill the ‘younglings’ in the Jedi Temple).
– The overall gameplay is great, with larger and more complex environments.
CONS (all relatively minor):
–The Options/Controls panel is a pain to use (as when setting up a joystick). Someone needs to improve the UI design and general behavior on this; it strikes me as being somewhat ‘quick and dirty.’
–The shift to story/objective mode moves SW:BF2 towards the classic problems of a ‘railroad’ game, namely, you have to figure out how the designers intended you to complete the objectives and in what order. For example, in the Kashyyyk: First Line of Defense mission, I tried to destroy the CIS cruiser heavy turrets before I destroyed the enemy frigates, but SW:BF2 wouldn’t let me.
–Each mission has a number of sub-objectives, and there is no way to save a game within a mission. In other words, if you get to the very last mission task and die, you have to start the entire mission all over again.
–There are a few glitches here and there. For example, in that same mission, SW:BF2 seemed to have a hard time figuring out when the other clone troopers should follow me over to the CIS cruiser.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
– First, get a joystick. It’s a lot easier to do the space combat with one, though you’ll have to take some time to set up the controls (under Options).
– Second, if you don’t have a lot of spare time, get the strategy guide. It doesn’t have all the answers, but it does give you a heads up as to the overall flow of the mission.
– Third, experiment. I’ve been able to solve specific objectives more than one way.
As of this writing [Nov 9], I’m about 2/3rds of the way through the Rise of the Empire campaign (I’ve completed 11 of 18 missions). I’ll update my review once I’ve finished it and have had time to play in Galactic Conquest mode as well. ..bruce..
Rating: 4 / 5
July 12th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Following up the smash success of Star Wars Battlefront was no easy task. When you are the best selling Star Wars themed game in history, the bar is set very high as fan expectations for part 2 were lofty. Thankfully the designers at Pandemic Studios were more than up to the task. The game is Star Wars Battlefront II and like the original as well as Battlefield, 2 Battlefield 1942 and Battlefield Vietnam, players take on the role of soldiers who must battle on various maps for control of strategic points in order to obtain total victory. Unlike the previously mentioned games, Battlefront thankfully does not have many of the issues of the previous Battlefield games such as excessively long load times, difficult controls, and numerous bugs and instabilities directly out of the box.
In solo play mode; players can take on campaigns from the classic as well as the prequel series as they battle a myriad of A.I. opponents while the work with an A.I. teammates. There is a great campaign mode where players play as a member of the Elite 501st Squadron of Clone troopers as you battle in the deciding conflicts of the Clone Wars. The multiplay campaigns offers new maps from Prequel locales ranging from the opening space battle above Coruscant to Jabba’s palace. Fans will rejoice in the detail level of the game from the Rancor in the palace down to the frozen Han Solo on the wall in the previously mentioned palace. There is also a map of the Tantive IV which allows players to play in Princess Leia’s ship from the first Star Wars film and recreate the opening of the film in a grand scale.
As before, players not only attempt to eliminate enemy players, but they attempt to defend and seize key command points situated throughout the map. What is a nice plus is that by earning Hero Point for good play, players can play as Han Solo, Obi Wan Kenobi, Dath Maul, Darth Vader, and many more. When playing as a hero, players move faster, can withstand more damage, and can dish out quite a bit as well. Unlike tradition shooters, Battlefront 2 can be played in either first or third person perspective and immerses you into the action in a unique perspective. Unlike the previous game, Space battles have been added to the mix and it is a very welcome addition. In the original game, I could fly X-wing and T.I.E. fighters in support of ground based battle. In Battlefront 2, I was able to play as part of a squadron in battles against other fighters and capitol ships. The twist is that each capitol ship has hard point targets such as weapons or communication arrays which have to be destroyed as part of the mission. Players can also land their fighters in the hangers of enemy capitol ships and battle on foot to destroy strategic segment of the enemy ship from within. If flying is not your strong point, you can man a gun turret on the fighter or capitol ship, or skip flying altogether and be a ground defender. It is such variety that really makes this game enjoyable as the options as well as the variety of ships to fly makes this a real treat. As in the original, players select a side such as Rebel, Republic, Imperial, or Separatist, and then from a class within. For example, there are various types of Clone troopers each with their own unique weapons and abilities. When you die in a mission, players are able to select from a different class to find one that is best suited to the changing missions and player preferences. It is also interesting to note that local and NPC characters such as Jawas, Gamoreans, and others inhabit the map.
Multiplay fans will be delighted with the abundant number of servers that are available to play and I noted that the players were not only very friendly, but were willing to help new players learn the ropes such as how to get around the maps and watching your back. Logging in, I was able to find numerous games all with varying styles and maps. The connection times were very good and lag was not much of an issue in the games I played to prepare this article.
The vast variety of weapons, units, and character classes ensures that Star Wars Battlefront 2 will have great replay value. Multiplay mode allows players not only to pick their unit but also to take up arms for either side be it Rebel or Imperial, Separatist or Republic depending on the map being played. The menu and controls of the game are very easy to navigate and use and I have been unable to find any real issues with the game other than a need for a better save system for the solo play missions.
Graphically the game is very impressive as the rich landscapes from the films are well rendered and the detail level is amazing. What really made the game for me was the sound effects that were taken directly from the films as staring down an opposing tank is one thing but to hear the trademark whine of the laser fire is a Star Wars fan come true even if it is the last thing your players hears before hitting the ground with a loud thud. A true classic and one that will provide endless hours of casual and diehard fans alike, Battlefront 2 is a winner and one of the nicest surprises of the year.
5 stars out of 5
Rating: 5 / 5
July 12th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Short, sweet, simple: Battlefront II is a BLAST!
Battlefront I is and always will be a classic for it’s day, but at times the gamer would fly vehicles around on ground-based maps, with one eye on the ground, and their other eye, heart and mind on what lies beyond the atmosphere. In Battlefront I, you may have noticed the lack of a good plot or story, as the basic scheme concerned battle after battle for fun and points. How could Pandemic and LucasArts make Battlefront II any better, but to go above and beyond the call of duty to make the sequel worthy of attention?
Simple. You flesh out, increase, rebuild, glorify, enhance, expand, re-imagine, recondition, and make land & space reachable.
The second installment for the Star Wars: Battlefront series is absolutely beautiful. If you purchase one Star Wars game along with your DVD copy of Episode III, this is a must have!
Live the chaotic and blaster infested army battles you dream of conquering, leap into the air in a dazzling somersault only to finish off your landing with a Force push to the enemy and lightsaber slash to the chest, jump into the cockpit of a Tie-Bomber and scream from the belly of an Imperial Destroyer…land in a Rebel Frigate and take the battle to the belly of the beast, maneuver your A-wing in a twisting corkscrew-reverse maneuver to break enemy lock and return fire down your enemies throat, and live moments as characters from the Star Wars Galaxy like Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Jango Fett, Yoda…and the list goes on. Battlefront 2 is AWESOME!
The good:
This list could go on and on…
1) Galactic space battles & dogfights
2) New worlds to explore
3) New characters & the ability to play classic characters
4) Incredible supply of vehicles to operate
5) Beautiful graphics and design, almost movie quality
6) Play in 1st or 3rd person
7) Online play for up to 64 players
The bad:
1) Not much!
2) Lack of a “cockpit” view for spaceships
3) Prone position is no longer available for crawling
4) Difficult to find partners or buddies in battle
*The PC version is amazing. Expect further patches and upgrades to make this the ULTIMATE experience.
THIS COULD & SHOULD BE THE GAME OF THE YEAR FOR 2005!
Rating: 5 / 5
July 12th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
This is a wonderful game that I got after playing it at a friend’s house. If you’ve been reading some other reviews, you probally know all about the jedi (plus), space battles (plus…I guess…), and the planets taken off (MINUS). When I was going to buy this game, the two big questions were (a) BF1 or BF2 and (b) PC or Console?
BF1 or BF2?????
Battlefront I has the old maps and the lower price, but personally, I think that BF2 is worth is for better online play, heros, space, and graphics.
PC or Console?????
-The one(s) with internet get a plus.
-Console: You will get the beautiful splitscreen mode that has hidden itself from the PC…also a nicer menu w/ scenes from the movie. The PC one looks slapped together a bit. Also no worries about PC stats.
-PC: If you are a fan of programming like me, BF2 has some great mod tools out to make your own maps, mods, etc, without having to hex edit. Also, you can download user made maps from the internet.
Hope this helps.
M
Rating: 4 / 5
July 12th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
A fun game with hours of playtime, 2 different single player games, and several different online games, this game does have its pros and cons…
Pros: Slightly better graphics than Battlefront 1. Better cut scenes and a better stroy line.
You get to control Jedi’s.
Space battles, you can fly almost every space cruiser you’ve seen on the movies.
Cons: One level, Yavin 4 is timed and is near impossible to pass. There are no cheats for the PC version as there are for other consoles, so a trainer program may be needed to help out.
Jedi control… After playing Star Wars Jedi Academy, I’m really disappointed. Many of the Jedi’s are ‘handicapped’ and move slow. You’re extremely limited in Jedi Powers, and you just don’t get the moves that Jedi Academy gives.
Overall: The game is worth your money… several options, and several games. If you’re into Jedi action, look into Jedi Academy.
Rating: 4 / 5