A Galaxy on Your Computer
Realistic retellings of iconic Star Wars moments in your hands.
Fans of Star Wars old and young will be able to get a fantastic experience out of Star Wars: Battlefront. If you’ve been a fan since the seventies with the original trilogy, or if you came in alongside the prequels and discovered the original trilogy later, there is something in this game for you. How will a game do something like that?
Just keep reading and I’ll let you know the big points.
1. Get Immersed into the Game and the Galaxy
(The game reveal trailer from the EAStarWars YouTube channel.)
Just look at those stunning graphics that make you feel like you’re sitting in the movie set!
EA and DICE were honored but concerned about how to make Star Wars: Battlefront something that pays homage to the multifaceted universe that George Lucas originally created decades ago. So, they went to the source to make it as realistic—erm, as realistic as they could when we’re talking about a galaxy far far away—as possible.
The team made Battlefront look as much as a representation of the Star Wars universe as possible with the help of Physical Based Rendering technology. The result is an immersive and near-realistic computer-generated game that looks and feels like you are in on the action.
2. Play as the Hero or the Villain
Because you’ve all secretly wanted to play as this guy forever.
The creators of Battlefront know that it’s nearly every fan’s dream to play as not only Luke Skywalker or Han Solo, but also Darth Vader and Boba Fett. So far, the only revealed playable characters are Luke, Darth Vader, and Boba Fett, but EA promises more characters to be revealed in the future. Who you play changes your objectives and potentially the outcome of the mission.
For example, in the “Walker Assault” Mission, you can play as the Rebels, trying to bring down the AT-ATs by calling in Y-Wings for backup, or you can play as the Empire as you guide the AT-ATs along their path of destruction while stopping the Rebels from calling in those Y-Wings.
3. Different Characters have Different Powers
The iconic Force Push.
Luke has his trusty Lightsaber at his side because he is a Jedi and wouldn’t be caught without one. Luke can also use the Force Push as well as a move entitled “Saber Rush” which is reportedly a fast and damaging attack.
Darth Vader has his own Lightsaber, as well as his ability to Force Choke and throw his Saber. Boba Fett has a wrist-launched rocket and a wrist-launched Flame Blast.
Each character comes with his own strategy to play as. This is also dependent on the enemies you find yourself facing. It might take some getting used to, but once you’re a master, the game will only get that much more fun.
4. Engage in Combat from the Ground or from the Air
Fancy piloting a speederbike?
While EA did say on twitter that they were “focusing on air battles and dogfights that take place on the vistas of [their] planets rather than space” (@EAStarWars, April 17, 2015), don’t you worry about not having any fun. As far as piloting vehicles goes, you have your choices from AT-ATs, TIE Fighters, X-Wings, speederbikes, snowspeeders, and the Millennium Falcon itself.
EA also promises to add more vehicles to this list. Based on those vehicles alone, there is plenty of room for complicated strategic battles on the ground and heart-racing dogfights in the air. Not to mention, there’s still the promise of Lightsaber battles!
5. Want First Person? Cool! Want Third Person? No Problem!
Have what you will: it’s no matter to the creators of Battlefront, they’ve thought of both!
Some people really prefer the third person, slightly more tactical view, while others prefer the more-immersive first person. Whichever one you prefer, Battlefront will let you stick with it. You can even switch between them at your leisure.
Battlefront is not conceptually different if you play it first-person or third-person, so the choice is yours.
6. Partner Up and Strategize in Online Multiplayer or Fly Solo
Fight this guy alone or on a team. (Or you could be this guy.)
Never fear those of you who want to play offline and single-player. Battlefront has Missions inspired by the Original Trilogy which are specifically made to be played solo or in a small co-op via either split-screen offline or online through console co-op. The single-player option is there.
Battlefront is marketed as a multiplayer game and the creators are not ashamed of that fact, but they are looking out for those of you who want to play offline and/or in smaller settings. Multiplayer options will allow for strategizing and sharing the spoils and Battlefront has many different modes that support anywhere from 8 to 40 players. However, you can still have a good experience playing solo.
7. Different Difficulty Settings
Official art for “Survival” mode.
Battlefront has different difficulty settings in “Survival” mode. If you want more of a challenge, you can up the difficulty setting and make the threat of the other side more intense. Alternatively, more casual gamers who just want to see the world of Star Wars and live out some fantasies can keep the game to a lower difficulty setting and still have fun.
Points are awarded for completing challenges and you can always replay to get a better score. Naturally, not having to re-spawn results in a higher score, and the higher the difficulty, the easier it is to die. It all depends on how much of a challenge you want.
8. Know that this is a Reboot
But a reboot with awesome graphics.
The original Star Wars: Battlefront came out in 2004 and the second one in 2005. Those games certainly heavily influenced and inspired this new game, but EA and DICE decided that it was more of a re-boot than a continuation of a decade-old game. Star Wars: Battlefront promises to be an epic retelling of Star Wars in November 2015 with top-of-the line graphics and the most realistic feel you can get from a video game.
9. Original Trilogy with some Episode VII Thrown In
Pre-order offer for Episode VII DLC releasing in December.
Star Wars: Battlefront takes place during the Original Trilogy. Scenarios will thus include Hoth, Endor, and Tatooine. EA hints at another planet, Sullust, which has up until this point, been unexplored. There is currently no say on whether or not there will be future content released regarding Episodes I, II, and III.
What is more exciting, however, is the promised DLC of the Battle of Jakku. This DLC pack has its parallels with the upcoming Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. The DLC will be released closer to when the movie releases.
If you preorder the game, you’ll get one-week early access to Battle of Jakku on December 1, 2015.
10. Every Developer is a Fan
DICE leads observing game progress.
If you were at all concerned that Battlefront would not live up to your expectations, do not worry. Every developer on staff is a fan of the Star Wars universe. One person on the team collects parts of Lightsaber props from the movie sets themselves.
The developers do everything from scan film props and use original sounds. Battlefront is made for fans, by fans.
Now that you know…
As I said before, Battlefront is a game made for the fans of Star Wars by the fans of Star Wars. It’s built to give an authentic Star Wars feeling and allow fans like you to have your way in the galaxy. Force your own way and pave your own path in a galaxy far, far away (but still on your computer.)
Because, who hasn’t wanted to be able to do any of this stuff?
