Star Wars: Battlefront II Review (no fat)

Game Description

Star Wars: Battlefront II pushes the newborn PSP to its limits with large involving worlds and exciting multiplayer action. The exclusive content in the PSP version will more than please fans of the console versions, and give them a reason to purchase the on-the-go version of this LucasArts value.

The once forgotten Battlefront series has caught on and gone past the adoring Star Wars fanatics. Now it touches base with action seeking FPS fans. With the nice selection of multiplayer options available, including the much loved capture the flag, gamers everywhere will get more bang for their buck with this fine release.

SWB: II Game modes/Multiplayer action

As involving as the one player modes are, it is more true that multiplayer is where the PSP will make its sales. Wireless online multiplayer is still a new craze, and the idea of playing against friends as well as co-op destroys any chance that this title will become stale.

Capture the flag in its usual rampant fun is the simple object of taking your opponents flag and returning it to your base. An old formula, but still one of the best for multiplayer gaming.

Overall multiplayer expands to 12 new locations, making what could have been a bland part of the PSP port a lot more fun than expected. There are many multiplayer types available, but many will probably stick to the shoot-first-question-later deathmatches.

Along with the wireless gaming comes the gift of two handfuls and a half of characters. A broad character selection that surprisingly is balanced will make quick, and long games, more interesting.

Single player holds true but isn’t the standout that multiplayer is. But, among the many options, being able to play more Jedi and Sith characters than the original makes it worthwhile. The usual Star Wars mechanics apply here as well, even without being a fan of the movies you will get doses of information on past and present.

Since the game pretty much covers all of the Star wars movies in bits and pieces, but without too much of a wealth of information, players can move along at a brisk pace without worry of following a tedious storyline.

SWB II demands a lot with its mission based one player storyline, covering plenty of ground and enhancing playability with new game elements. The space battles will give unique options of dominating with a small ship, or docking on an enemy ship and taking over. Even ground vehicles hold great playability, with players able to catch a ride and so forth. There are many options within the game that will welcome players of Halo, which SWB II seems to borrow a couple of things from.

Other modes of play are timed objectives, and the PSP exclusive Challenges mode that offers: Rebel Raider, Rogue Assassin, and Imperial Enforcer. All three modes fit the mobile on the go play of the PSP, offering a challenging time-waster.

SWB II Controls

No one expects perfect control from a handheld, but sometimes making a button pattern too simplistic can hinder gameplay. SWB takes the middle ground and sort of handles like a station wagon on a straightaway. Now since the in-game action is considered a Dodge Viper, you can see where that can sometimes land gamers in screen covering battles.

The usual mapping would be the analog for moving, and the buttons for aiming. Seasoned vets will raise their nose at the idea of using the inbuilt auto aim functions, but wise is as wise does. That pretty much means it would be your best bet to use some form of aiming help, or you will find yourself on the wrong end of a Sith’s lightsaber.

SWB II Graphics

For a handheld, the visuals are great up close but suffer from the usual ‘what the heck is that’ from far away. Considering this is a console to portable game, it does a great job of mimicking its older more powerful brothers. With that said, this cloning of action is blessed with frame rate slowdowns and limited action onscreen. Not a huge problem but noticeable especially in the space dogfights.

SWB II Sound

If you have watched a Star Wars movie, then you know the soundtrack. Hero-like orchestral music with the usual touch of low horns with the bad guy. Speech has been ripped from the PSP port but is really isn’t a big loss. The biggest thing about the sound is that they kept the cool sound effects intact. With the unsettling aiming functions, it is a big help to hear as well as see what’s happening.

SWB II Summing up

The PSP is still a new handheld, from a dominant competitor in the console market. As good as the game is, for the console price of $49.99 it would have benefited from cutting down on the solo missions and expanding the online elements. Joining clans is available, but with only a few other options it is not a must have for multiplayer.

But the lacking ability to play to the games strengths, and instead opt to squeeze and strip a larger game into something smaller, makes it look like a Mona Lisa painted on a teacup. A good game to pick up and have fun with, but only with dedicated friends.

SWB II Cost

Star Wars: Battlefront II currently retails for $49.99.