If, like me, you’ve had a chance to play the Star Wars Batlefront trial, thanks to the EA Access service on Xbox One, you’ll have your idea of what to expect from DICE’s foray into the Lucasfilm franchise, but for me it is ever so slightly bittersweet. I can only hope that our biggest nemesis proves me wrong.
That big enemy, ladies and gents, is time. Sure, we can have a few hours where the phrases “OH MY GOD, IT’S VADER!!” and “I’M FLYING THE FALCON, MAN!!” will become commonplace to more or less EVERY fan who picks up a pad and plays Battlefront. We may have been able to do this before via Pandemic’s original two Star Wars sandbox brawlers, but times and console power has changed and it is very noticeable here
Everything is in 60 frames per second, with only the odd hiccup here and there, but to a point where it is hardly going to make you walk out in frustration. Graphically, Battlefront is nothing short of stunning, especially when careering through Endor. The forestry is just exquisite and every detail is just meticulous. There are four worlds to fight over in the form of Endor, Tatooine, Hoth and Sullust, and 12 multiplayer maps spread throughout these areas. It’s hard to gauge how accurate Sullust is, as it has only really been mentioned in the movies, but the rest just have that FEEL. You look at them and in your mind’s eye you can see the Empire attack on the Rebel base on Hoth, with all the tow cables you can imagine.
The one section that really impressed me in the 10 hours I got with the game was, believe it or not, in the training missions. There is a particular task involving you riding a speeder through the Endor forest, all Return of the Jedi-like, and it is just incredible. I’m not even just saying that because I’m a fan, it really is a lot of fun. This is what DICE are really trying to encapsulate with this game, the transition from what you have in your head and the memories of Star Wars on celluloid to actually being in control of these using a controller. It really does feel lovely and they could not do a better job visually.
The one thing that worries me though is that the element of time may well put a damp squib on those childhood visions of X-Wings and Tie Fighters, for while the game plays really nicely and all, there aren’t a huge amount of options from the off, especially for those expecting any sort of a campaign in there. It was always said that the campaign section would not be the conventional, but if this is what the whole game will contain, then we’re in for a lot less than we bargained for. I can only hope that this is slimmed down because on the trial there are only four levels, which are like multiplayer maps. You have to get 100 points by killing the enemy and that is more or less it. The Heroes equivalent has you as, yes, you guessed it, a hero, and it is a lot easier to get to that magic number. On the play I had, I was Luke Skywalker and won 100 to 0, it was that easy.
With DICE though, it is the major multiplayer options that will impress the most. Heroes and Villains is pretty cool, allowing each player a chance to be a major player in the films and attack the other squad in a first to wipe them out kind of job. There’s also a you vs the world option where you play as a big character and the rest of the lobby are trying to take you out, but it will be in the territorial modes where this game will really shine. Supremacy is just an all out battle and it is an absolute scream, especially in third person. That may not sound like a revelation, but I was always expecting to play this in first person mode, but I thought I’d give it a bash in third and have not looked back since. Fighter Squadron is more or less a dogfight in the big ships from the franchise, which is good for living out those Han Solo fantasies (doesn’t sound awkward) as well as your usual mix of capture the flag and mini deathmatch modes, but Supremacy for me is the place where this title will really shine.
As I said at the beginning though, the one worry for me is time. Will the coming months begin to put a bad taste into the mouth of even the most die hard fan with a potential lack of game modes outside of what is there? Twelve maps is not exactly a huge amount to begin with and with the already tension filled point of the £40 season pass, this could be a little too much to take. There isn’t a huge amount of missions either, but we’ll have to see what happens over time. There is a huge amount to like on Battlefront though and that is the most important thing. Supremacy is just so much fun and could be a bigger riot with a lot of friends, and although the missions are sparse, you can play them with a friend or against them and that could be an interesting prospect.
There is enough here to get excited about and the mix of beautiful graphics, the mesmerising score from Mr Williams and that solid DICE gameplay which we have come to expect will result in a great piece of Star Wars cake that we can gorge and get fat on, just in time for Christmas. Stay tuned to Absolute Gaming for the main review once this comes out and we can get our mitts on the full release.
The force is pretty strong in this one. Just how strong remains to be seen and we will come out swinging (we’ll even make the noises if you like…)
Once again, a huge thank you to the Xbox Community for helping us out with the game.