martok2112
November 1st, 2005, 09:40 PM
VIDEOGAME: STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT II
DEVELOPER: PANDEMIC STUDIOS
PUBLISHER: LUCASARTS
SYSTEMS: PS2, XBOX, PSP, PC (this review based on PS2 version)
RATING: (T) TEEN- for Violence and Mild Language
Graphics: 3.5/6
Sound: 5/6
Control: 4/6
Story: 6/6
Endorphin Factor: 4/6
Frustration Factor: 3/6
Scoring system:
Average: 4.25
GAMES IT COULD BE COMPARED TO: STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT, STAR WARS JEDI KNIGHT SERIES, UNREAL TOURNAMENT
DETAILS: Well, the boys and girls at Pandemic Studios have done it again, and given us a game worthy of the name Star Wars. This game is a blast to play. So far, the review is based on the Story mode in the game (called Rise of the Empire), in which you play a member of the 501st Clone Trooper Regiment (which is a namesake for a large fangroup known as the 501st--many of whom have their own stormtrooper and Vader, and other Imperial regalia and costumes). The story starts out with you playing around the time of Palpatine's Executive Order 66. Temuera Morrison reprises not only his role as a Clone Trooper, but also Boba Fett, and plays a couple of other characters. The story plays out quite interestingly, as you hear the retired Clone Trooper recount not only the days leading up to the Rise of the Empire, but you hear some small regrets in the trooper as he had to carry out Order 66.
And the cool thing is, the story doesn't stop with the just the creation of the Empire, but so far it seems to carry right over into the original trilogy, as you switch from being the 501st Clone Trooper Regiment, to being the 501st Imperial Strike Regiment, or Vader's Fist. There is even some cross generational combat, seeing Imperial Stormtroopers take on their old enemies, the Trade Federation and the CIS. I am anxious to see if I get to take part in the assault on Hoth, or in the boarding of Princess Leia's Tantive IV. Lots of historical moments in this game.
Visually, the game is a lot like a beefed up version of Unreal Tournament (sans blood and gibs) and even plays similarly to it. The new story mode is actually somewhat mission based, so you get a sense of accomplishment as you progress. The variety of characters you can use to play the game is also greater than the original Battlefront. You are also awarded more advanced weapons, or other bonuses if you accomplish so many kills, or score so many points with one life usage. My favorite Imperial trooper to use right now is the Clone/Imperial Engineer. Why? 'Cause he gotsa SHOTGUN (called a Flechette Launcher.) However, the game has more of a similarity to Halo 2 in that you only carry a couple of weapons per character (in addition to maybe thermal detonators, detpacks, or whatever your character specializes in.) So, if you use the Heavy Trooper, he carries a Rocket Launcher, and a blaster pistol. Scout troopers have sniper lasers, and blaster pistols. And don't just think that these are token characters to play for the sake of variety. They all actually serve a purpose. For example, the Engineer can fix damaged/destroyed ammo and health droids, carries extra ammo and health for other troopers (or himself if the player's greedy), and also apparently can hack into other stuff. The pilot is capable of keeping his fighter in flight (gradual repairs) as his ship takes damage. The scout is a sniper specialist. And so on. In this story mode, you play the Republic cum Empire...but in other areas of the game, you can play Rebels/ Trade Federation or Clones/Empire.
Starfighter combat is also very nicely done, with a variety of ships to use, each having their own specialties as well. Bombers aren't near as maneuverable as fighters, but can inflict much more damage on capital ship shields and hulls. And the nice thing is, in some space missions, you can hop into a fighter, fly over to the other capital ship, and jump back into foot combat....seamlessly.
It's not quite X Wing Alliance, or X Wing Vs TIE Fighter, but it holds its own quite well.
Sound is of course always Star Wars perfect. John Williams' score sets the mood for this game, as it does for all the other Star Wars games.
There are a few "Holy Frak" moments in the game...and sometimes, you find yourself saying "OOOH...I love this weapon!"
Once you get used to the controls (customizable, thank God), the game is pretty much a snap to play. The levels in story mode are actually quite short, but LOADED with action goodness. You can set the viewpoint to third person, or my preferrence of first person. (Starfighers and Jedi usage are third person only.)
Oh, did I mention Jedi? Yes, after doing so well on certain missions, you are given the option to become a Jedi hero/Sith villain. You only have a limited time to use these powerful characters, but the more damage you do to the enemy, that time increases some.
The frustration factor is actually quite balanced in this game. If you get killed, you can select your respawn point (as long as you control that point), and can change your character. You can also kill off the character you are currently using to change into another character type in the middle of battle (again, starting from a selected respawn point.)
The downside to this game is mostly in the load times between levels, but the action in the game play more than makes up for it. I have yet to try multiplayer online, but if it is anything like the original Battlefront, then this game will kick some bantha booty. It is loaded with a ton of gametypes, especially for multiplayer.
BOTTOM LINE: If you own a PS2, Xbox, PC (duh), and you picked up the movie Star Wars Episode III on DVD, you owe it to yourself to get this game. It truly feels like you are in the Star Wars universe, doing these epic deeds. And Xbox owners, if you have not picked up the game, but did get the movie, then you have a special treat, because the DVD movie comes with two complete levels of Battlefront II, playable on your Xbox.
Respectfully,
Martok2112
DEVELOPER: PANDEMIC STUDIOS
PUBLISHER: LUCASARTS
SYSTEMS: PS2, XBOX, PSP, PC (this review based on PS2 version)
RATING: (T) TEEN- for Violence and Mild Language
Graphics: 3.5/6
Sound: 5/6
Control: 4/6
Story: 6/6
Endorphin Factor: 4/6
Frustration Factor: 3/6
Scoring system:
Average: 4.25
GAMES IT COULD BE COMPARED TO: STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT, STAR WARS JEDI KNIGHT SERIES, UNREAL TOURNAMENT
DETAILS: Well, the boys and girls at Pandemic Studios have done it again, and given us a game worthy of the name Star Wars. This game is a blast to play. So far, the review is based on the Story mode in the game (called Rise of the Empire), in which you play a member of the 501st Clone Trooper Regiment (which is a namesake for a large fangroup known as the 501st--many of whom have their own stormtrooper and Vader, and other Imperial regalia and costumes). The story starts out with you playing around the time of Palpatine's Executive Order 66. Temuera Morrison reprises not only his role as a Clone Trooper, but also Boba Fett, and plays a couple of other characters. The story plays out quite interestingly, as you hear the retired Clone Trooper recount not only the days leading up to the Rise of the Empire, but you hear some small regrets in the trooper as he had to carry out Order 66.
And the cool thing is, the story doesn't stop with the just the creation of the Empire, but so far it seems to carry right over into the original trilogy, as you switch from being the 501st Clone Trooper Regiment, to being the 501st Imperial Strike Regiment, or Vader's Fist. There is even some cross generational combat, seeing Imperial Stormtroopers take on their old enemies, the Trade Federation and the CIS. I am anxious to see if I get to take part in the assault on Hoth, or in the boarding of Princess Leia's Tantive IV. Lots of historical moments in this game.
Visually, the game is a lot like a beefed up version of Unreal Tournament (sans blood and gibs) and even plays similarly to it. The new story mode is actually somewhat mission based, so you get a sense of accomplishment as you progress. The variety of characters you can use to play the game is also greater than the original Battlefront. You are also awarded more advanced weapons, or other bonuses if you accomplish so many kills, or score so many points with one life usage. My favorite Imperial trooper to use right now is the Clone/Imperial Engineer. Why? 'Cause he gotsa SHOTGUN (called a Flechette Launcher.) However, the game has more of a similarity to Halo 2 in that you only carry a couple of weapons per character (in addition to maybe thermal detonators, detpacks, or whatever your character specializes in.) So, if you use the Heavy Trooper, he carries a Rocket Launcher, and a blaster pistol. Scout troopers have sniper lasers, and blaster pistols. And don't just think that these are token characters to play for the sake of variety. They all actually serve a purpose. For example, the Engineer can fix damaged/destroyed ammo and health droids, carries extra ammo and health for other troopers (or himself if the player's greedy), and also apparently can hack into other stuff. The pilot is capable of keeping his fighter in flight (gradual repairs) as his ship takes damage. The scout is a sniper specialist. And so on. In this story mode, you play the Republic cum Empire...but in other areas of the game, you can play Rebels/ Trade Federation or Clones/Empire.
Starfighter combat is also very nicely done, with a variety of ships to use, each having their own specialties as well. Bombers aren't near as maneuverable as fighters, but can inflict much more damage on capital ship shields and hulls. And the nice thing is, in some space missions, you can hop into a fighter, fly over to the other capital ship, and jump back into foot combat....seamlessly.
It's not quite X Wing Alliance, or X Wing Vs TIE Fighter, but it holds its own quite well.
Sound is of course always Star Wars perfect. John Williams' score sets the mood for this game, as it does for all the other Star Wars games.
There are a few "Holy Frak" moments in the game...and sometimes, you find yourself saying "OOOH...I love this weapon!"
Once you get used to the controls (customizable, thank God), the game is pretty much a snap to play. The levels in story mode are actually quite short, but LOADED with action goodness. You can set the viewpoint to third person, or my preferrence of first person. (Starfighers and Jedi usage are third person only.)
Oh, did I mention Jedi? Yes, after doing so well on certain missions, you are given the option to become a Jedi hero/Sith villain. You only have a limited time to use these powerful characters, but the more damage you do to the enemy, that time increases some.
The frustration factor is actually quite balanced in this game. If you get killed, you can select your respawn point (as long as you control that point), and can change your character. You can also kill off the character you are currently using to change into another character type in the middle of battle (again, starting from a selected respawn point.)
The downside to this game is mostly in the load times between levels, but the action in the game play more than makes up for it. I have yet to try multiplayer online, but if it is anything like the original Battlefront, then this game will kick some bantha booty. It is loaded with a ton of gametypes, especially for multiplayer.
BOTTOM LINE: If you own a PS2, Xbox, PC (duh), and you picked up the movie Star Wars Episode III on DVD, you owe it to yourself to get this game. It truly feels like you are in the Star Wars universe, doing these epic deeds. And Xbox owners, if you have not picked up the game, but did get the movie, then you have a special treat, because the DVD movie comes with two complete levels of Battlefront II, playable on your Xbox.
Respectfully,
Martok2112