There’s no denying that Star Wars Battlefront is an enjoyable game. But it’s also a disappointing one at that.
While it’s hard to deny the fact that there’s something missing in terms of quantity and substance, developer DICE certainly nailed the quality and style. Battlefront looks, feels, and emits everything Star Wars.
There will be different moments when all of this finally sets in. For some, it’s the opening menu when that familiar music starts chiming in. Others will feel the emotion run through them once they enter the battle. That familiar sound of blaster fire that brings a smile to your face will wash your worries away. We can’t forget about that all too recognizable sound of a TIE Fighter, either. Everything about the presentation in Star Wars Battlefront is pure perfection. It brings back this feeling of nostalgia that resonates well with the player, bringing you into the game’s atmosphere.
It’s also stands as one of the title’s biggest weaknesses.
Battlefront feels like it relies a bit too much in terms of nostalgia. Light on game modes and planets, players are instead tasked to relive their childhood memories and dreams on different parts of Endor or Hoth. While the change of pace is both present and enjoyable, let’s face it…there are only so many ways you can re-skin a snow covered planet. The result is a game that attempts to draw its value from feelings rather than actual gameplay, which isn’t too shocking considering its simplistic mechanics. The complexities of Battlefield, DICE’s main franchise, aren’t there. Instead, we’re given an accessible shooter that meshes with emotion rather than strategy.
Some won’t be bothered by this design decision. There are a large number of gamers out there who just wanted another title in the Star Wars Battlefront series. You can argue though, that there’s exists a larger amount of gamers who wanted to see DICE take the foundation of Battlefield 4 and bring it over to the Star Wars universe. Battlefront isn’t that, at least not now; it’s possible that an eventual sequel will make this happen. This wouldn’t happen until the future, so instead we’re left with a bittersweet reality for the present: an enjoyable experience that brings about a childlike wonder from our now adult minds, even if it relies a little too much on relating to the kid in all of us.
