I also spent a lot of time with Survival, Battlefront's version of a wave-based cooperative option. Walker Assault is the embodiment of innovative game modes. In the end, we still lost-a well timed orbital strike brought our offensive juggernaut to its knees-but the battle remained engaging throughout. So I began sniping from Ewok tree structures above the battle, focusing my aim on enemies operating laser turrets. The Rebels made better use of their defensive turrets and whittled away at the AT-AT's health during bombing runs. So of course, I wanted to protect those stations.īut as the game progressed, and both sides adapted to the other's strategy, things changed. If they captured enough of these, they would call more Y-wings in for bombing runs against our quadrupedal machine. As a member of the Imperial team, I prioritized speed over anything else, sprinting along pathways toward Rebel uplink stations. That dichotomy between objectives means a different experience for both sides, and with numerous offensive and defensive options, battles unfold with surprising variety. Imperials escort-and rebels attempt to destroy-AT-ATs as they march toward the base at the end of a path. Walker Assault offers more emergent gameplay moments and, in contrast to much of the game's combat elsewhere, it lends the sense of a bigger objective. And then there's Walker Assault.īattlefront feels more like an homage to Star Wars than a substantial Star Wars game in itself. There's Droid Run, a unique variation of zone control in which the zones shift locations throughout the match. Villains, which plays out exactly how it sounds: as if a box of Star Wars action figures came to life and, unsure of what to do next, resorted to violence.
Star Wars Battlefront offers nine competitive variants, each of them distinct, for better or worse. Battlefront's best maps encourage these tactics across its various game modes.Īnd make no mistake, there's an abundance of game modes here. This also allowed me to flank a trio of enemy soldiers at a nearby capture point, and with a barrage of grenade launcher rounds, I cleared them out. By darting into a nearby bunker, I avoided AT-ST fire. There are exceptions in some of Battlefront's locales, however-Tatooine's blend of exterior and interior environments, for instance, creates engaging battles from one match to the next. Hoth's barren fields impart a sense of distance, but few creative sight lines. Endor's undergrowth lends cosmetic appeal, but not much cover. Maps look fantastic, yes, but they lack focused design.
Luke's force push is best used against groups.īeneath all this grandeur, however, are shallow experiences. It speaks volumes that I considered turning the ubiquitous soundtrack off at times, just to hear the detail in Battlefront's world. The ambient wildlife surrounds you and explosions carry through bunker walls, even as the pitter patter of rain strikes ferns in the wind. This is all stunning, of course, but it's Battlefront's sound design that truly reels you in. You can even see clouds of dust billow across Tatooine's arid scenery. Now Playing: Star Wars: Battlefront - Video ReviewĪnd yet, what a beautiful homage this is: dynamic lighting, vivid textures, windswept forests-developer DICE has crafted a nuanced, detailed world begging for a closer look, enveloping you at every turn. By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's