A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…. (Cue music). I don’t think there is anyone out there who has not heard of Star Wars, whether they have seen the films, read the books or perhaps played any number of the computer games. Battlefront II continues on from Battlefront making this the latest instalment in the Star Wars Universe.

Gameplay

For those of you who have never played Battlefront than a brief introduction is needed. You take part in various battles on many planets trying to gain control by either wiping out the enemy or taking control of all command posts. During the battle you can switch between different classes of soldiers ranging from infantry to heavy weapons as well as use any vehicles that you might stumble across. Thus ends the brief recap. Battlefront II not only builds on the first but improves, giving a more in-depth single player Campaign as a diary based story within the 501st squadron. Here you will be treated to the story from a Republic Clones point of view starting from Geonosis where they fought alongside the Jedi right thru to when the Chancellor gave the order for them to turn against the Jedi and hunt them down. Once again you can select between five classes with one additional bonus class but unlike the first game, instead of being aided by a hero character, you get to control them and hopefully turn the tide of battle in your favour. Another major difference is the inclusion of space battles allowing you to dogfight in X-Wings, A-Wings, Tie Fighters, Jedi Star fighters and several other space craft and if that didn’t take your fancy, you could always climb into one of the gunner positions based on the main capital ships and control the gun turrets.

Multiplayer action can be accessed via system link or Live allowing up to 32 players to battle it out either on one of the many planets or above them in space. There are several modes including Conquest (defeat all enemies) and Capture the Flag as well as some new features like ‘Hunt’ where you must eliminate as many of the indigenous species as possible before time runs out. For the space battles you can play CTF or Assault. In Assault, you must destroy all of the enemies’ critical systems, frigates and fighters.

Graphics

It’s so easy to just say that the graphics are fantastic but that would not do it justice. To start with, each battlefield has been carefully detailed giving you impression of actually being there. The vastness of the deserts of Tantooine, snow and ice of Hoth and the lush green forest of Endor, to the enclosed corridors of Kamino and Bespin. The character models of each of the soldier classes are of the highest standard and you would think that they have been digitalised straight out of the films, considering that most of the soldiers in Episode I & II were computer generated. The fluid movement of each class is wonderful including the rag doll effect when they have been shot, trampled over or blown up. The vehicles move accordingly, the speed of the X-Wing, Snow Speeders and Tie Fighters to the cumbersome AT-ST and Republic Gunships. The controls are very simple employing all the buttons and triggers but can be customized to suit your style. The game can be played either in first or third person perspective depending on your preference, with a split screen used for offline multiplayer action.

Sound

The atmosphere is enhanced by all of the original music found in the films that was composed by John Williams. As for the sound effects, nothing short of excellence as every laser shot can be heard, lightsabers humming and explosions of thermal detonators seemed to have come straight from the special effects department for the films.

Longevity

With a massive single player story driven campaign as well as the four types of Galactic Conquest, this game can and will last as long as you want it too or until the next best thing comes along. With the addition of Live and system-link can only enhanced the value of this great game.

Overall

With over 20 new battlefronts on land and in space, this is a great sequel with a lot more added features improving the original tenfold. If you haven’t got the first game, than this is a must have for any Star Wars fan and if you’re not, than rent it out but I’m sure you will end up buying this.

Pros:

• Every major battle from all of the six Star Wars Films.
  
• Excellent Soundtrack.
  
• Live play.
  

  Cons:
  

  • None that can be considered.