Check out the next entry in our series, where we take a look at the best Star Wars video games ever!
Welcome to the next episode in our series where we take a look at the best Star Wars video games ever. This time we look at the original Star Wars: Battlefront II from 2005. We reveal why it had such an impact on not only Star Wars games, but gaming in general.
We also dive in to the Battlefront II’s story, space battles, hero characters and more!
Read our rundown of the best Star Wars video games ever!
Transcript
Hey how’s it going guys! Welcome to the next installment in our rundown of the best Star Wars games ever. We run down a brand new game every week, and we’ve already covered the likes of Republic Commando, The Force Unleashed and The Phantom Menace. So if this sounds like something you’d be interested in then hit the subscribe and the notification bell for more videos like this. And don’t forget to tell us what your favourite Star Wars game is in the comments below.
2005 was a stellar time for Star Wars games, with no less than 4 titles released that year making it onto this series. Of this impressive crop, it’s hard to argue that Star Wars Battlefront II doesn’t have the most impressive legacy. The sequel to what was up until this point, the best-selling Star Wars game of all time, it takes the formula of eliminating enemy factions and capturing command posts while adding in some new features.
The most significant update was the inclusion of space battles, high above the surface of some of the franchise’s most iconic planets. Being able to pilot ships from both the Original and Prequel Trilogies was phenomenal, offering a much faster, kinetic experience than ground offensives. It also helped to broaden the scale of the warfare taking place; what was once a blurry animation of a Star Destroyer in the original Battlefront was now an enemy command post that you could either drop bombs upon, or force your way into to destroy from the inside out.
Aside from the usual graphical and model touch ups, the other significant inclusion was that of playable hero characters. Whereas in its predecessor, characters such as Luke, Vader, Obi-Wan and Count Dooku would randomly spawn as NPCs to help you, in Battlefront II you can occasionally take control of them. Their added strength can really turn the tide of a battle in your favour, not to mention the cathartic joy to be found in mowing down swarms of enemy troops. In fact, Hero Assault Mode, in which you play in a goodies versus baddies match consisting of only hero characters is what I remember most fondly about playing the game.
Another thing that Battlefront II had over its forebear was a full story mode. Presented as an autobiography of a veteran Clone Trooper, who would go on to be part of the infamous 501st Legion of Stormtroopers, it takes the player on an adventure throughout almost the entire film series. From aiding their Jedi superiors to eventually wiping them out, and even forming part of Vader’s personal army known as Vader’s Fist, we’re shown how the 501st have been present at many of the key moments of the Skywalker Saga. As Clone Troopers, it was they that inadvertently recovered the materials needed to build the Death Star. It was they who stormed the Jedi Temple during Order 66. It was they who helped Vader capture Princess Leia aboard the Tantive IV during the opening scene of A New Hope.
As you can probably tell by this point, I’m a sucker for lore. And although like most of this list, Battlefront II is no longer considered canon, it’s interesting to explore the transition from the clone army of the Galactic Republic to the ruthless Stormtroopers of the Empire – something that is seldom seen in the new timeline.
And that’s a wrap on this edition of the best Star Wars video games ever. Do you have fond memories of Battlefront II? Please let me know in the comments below, I’d love to read them. In the meantime, if you enjoyed this video, please hit subscribe as there’ll be plenty more all about the best Star Wars games coming very soon.
My name has been Tom, and may the force be with you!
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