Very different than expected - gameplay, look and feel is very different from Battlefront I

User Rating: 9.2 | Star Wars: Battlefront II XBOX
By vidbusters | Review Date:
Getting this game today from Fry's Electronics (for a very nice price, $37.99 I might add), I was pretty excited to get home and play it. I have to say I was disappointed that the look, feel and gameplay that I had grown to really like in Battlefront I was very different. I had expected a new version of Battlefront I with new vehicles, maps, characters and weapons, and while all this happened, the look and feel that I was counting on being the same really changed. Most of the weapons behave or perform differently - e.g., the Rebel Vanguard rocket launcher, from Battlefront I, that had become a classic with the three rockets that had a slightly variable pattern - well, sadly, this is one of the weapons which is now different - its a single shot and nothing like it used to be.

Also, you'll be furstrated to know that many of the characters that you were used to being able to play with right away won't be accessible to you until you "earn" them. Kind of a bummer if you ask me. This is how getting the Jedi's works too btw, but this seems fair given the extra powers here, but not giving out the jet pack troopers, Chewy and others right from the get-go?? Come on, that's lame!

These criticisms aside, the new vehicles, maps and ship to ship combat (in space) are all very cool. Also, the graphics on the players are very well done - you can really see the detail, e.g., in the stormtroopers that have capes - the capes move with great realism that helps pull you into the game. This realism goes for the jedi's as well - great jumping and fighting graphics with these characters.

To wrap it up, this is a great game overall, but I have to give it some criticism because of the changes in look, feel and gameplay that shouldn't happen in a sequel. Its like having a sequel movie directed by a completely different director and starring different actors - no matter how good the efforts, you are going to lose a lot respect from the fans of the first movie. It would seem to me that the game engine changed here, perhaps needed to add the jedi's and space combat? Also, little things like the command points being blue and red, instead of green and red, the type font being different, etc. - little things like this that changed have made for an initial disappointment.

Update after two weeks of playing:

I've forgotten Battlefront I and I've updated the ratings on this game. I'm still disappointed that you can't get some of the characters like the commanders and the spy right away, because these characters aren't THAT great anyway, so who wants to switch to them late in the game when the crap is hitting the fan and you don't have any stupid AI guys left anyway?

The jedis and heroes rock - I have to give this game big points just for this feature.

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