‘Star Wars: Battlefront’ Is Not a Very Good Game

Looking up at the crisp blue skies of Hoth, another X-Wing pilot inexplicably ****s it straight into a cliff. Four rebels sprint down a corridor, but sort of can't get past each other, and get a bit stuck. Luke Skywalker appears, everyone throws a grenade at him, and then Luke Skywalker decides to go home. It's like you're in the films!

Star Wars: Battlefront puts you in the shoes of either the Good Star Wars Men or the Bad Star Wars Men and allows you to fight large numbers of other human players online with spaceships, lasers, and cool space-grenades. It is either perfectly acceptable or a little bit ****, depending on how many panes of rose-tinted glass you've willingly smashed straight into your face. I'll get to the frankly terrifying cultural side of things shortly, but let's just get something simple straight early: Star Wars: Battlefront is not a very good game.

There's been clear marketing messaging from publishers EA that the game is aimed at Star Wars fans rather than gamers, drawing parallels to the classic cry of "it's for kids" with an extra dollop of condescension. This mentality feels crass—a shrugging implication that the game is little more than aesthetic content to be passively consumed, the chosen medium of a video game seen as something of only minor relevance.

[Scottyxboxoneandps4]

Yes it is.

[Spoonsx]

No. No it's not.

[bobtheimpaler]

BattleFront 2 is on GOG.com for $15 bucks if anyone's interested. Went half n half with my brother. Get that instead.

[SolidDuck]

There's no campaign. Its 40 player modes, walker assualt and supremacy, rotate thro 4 maps! 4 maps! 4 F Ing maps. Battlefront is beyond shallow. If your going to do multiplayer only, there should be tons of maps, weapons, unlocks. It has 11 weapons. It barely has half the multiplayer content that games with a campaign and multiplayer. Its pathetic. It should be $30 at the most. Half the content, half the price.

[Yetter]

well just pay another 50$

[ChrisW]

@Yetter,

The DLC will be necessary to enjoy more than just 4 maps... But the way EA will probably do it is each DLC will be a 1/4th of a whole map.

[Concertoine]

4 maps?!

That is inexcusable right there.

Everyone hated on the multiplayer key code thing back in 2010, but it let us get free maps for a year in bad co 2!

[OB1Biker]

It's not true. Walker assault and supremacy have similar looking maps sharing some bits but they are different plus a new mode turning point I think is coming with two more maps. Also there are lots of other modes that haters conveniently forget.
The Internet is feeding out of people own frustration and they fall for it and waste their time meanwhile most gamers playing it are having a blast.

[SCW1982]

It might not have a lot of "filler" content but what is there is extremely balanced.

[PaleMoonDeath]

We must be playing a different game entirely.

This BattleFront hate is unreal, the game is dope as hell. Doubt anyone of these clowns have even played the damned game.

[spicelicka]

I don't think the hate is unreal, actually I don't think the hate is on the game even, it's on the content. The game itself is great.

[Crimzon]

I think that if EA had priced the game more sensibly to reflect the content available, the game would not have underperformed sales-wise at launch (I'm referring to an earlier article on N4G which had retailers stating that) and everyone would have been happy.

I think that the game should have launched for $40 to be honest. When they launch for $60 and have a season pass ready to go at the same time and want people to spend such a ridiculous amount on a bundle of the two, it's no surprise that people are angered. EA took the Star Wars license as an excuse to commit daylight robbery and while the game may be fun, I don't think that complaints are unwarranted.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@Crimzon- "earlier article on N4G which had retailers stating that) and everyone would have been happy"

"retailers" or "retailer"? As GameStop had that issue, the number 1 retailer in the world had Battlefront i their top 15 in gaming as 6 of their slots.

http://deadline.com/2015/11...

Mind you...They stated the very same thing I stated regarding Amazon.

"Sales at Amazon suggest that demand for Star Wars Battlefront “remains robust and that the game should hit or exceed” 13 million for EA’s fiscal year"

http://www.amazon.com/best-...

Though dropped down since after release, it still has 3 versions up on the best sellers top 20 along with COD, Fallout 4 etc.

Out of the top 26, 5 are Battlefront. I'm not sure if we should go off of the sales from a retailer like GS as who knows why they didn't get more sales then they expected, maybe they think they still have that pull with gamers, who knows. That is again their expectations, not a result in the game not performing well. Could I not own some game store and say it did poorly to my estimates? Isn't that based on my own estimates though?

Mind you, Battlefront broke a bunch of sales records and is stated by EA to still be in the ball park to hit their goal of 13 million by march 2016.

http://www.gamespot.com/art...

Also hard to call the fastest selling Star Wars game "underperformed" Compared to what Star Wars game? It just became the fastest selling and will very likely become the best selling Star Wars game to release thus far.

[Nodoze]

And yet the peak player count today was 240k on all platforms?. EA may ship 13 million, but no way in hell they are going to sell that many copies.

The real test here is to see how DICE handles patching and balancing. There ARE issues that need to be addressed.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@Nodose- Shipped is sold. Retail buys those games from publishers.

They can't ship a product that a retail store doesn't want to carry due to low sales. Retail buys those games and again...if they don't sell, they don't buy up more units.

"And yet the peak player count today was 240k on all platforms?"

http://bf4stats.com/

BF4 did over 7 million units, 50k are playing right now. I'm not too sure if the number of peak people playing a day matters as much as you might think. I've found that only a small few are actively playing daily on titles. That doesn't really have much barring on sales or even to publishers.

They care more about getting sales vs if you stop playing, unless its for a reason other then exhausting the fun out of the game.

So, shipping is selling, the retail store pays EA long before the game touches your hand.

I see this title crossing that 13 million mark pretty easy. From what I've played, its very accessible, top notch graphics and effect and over all fun. I don't generally buy that 13 maps is "low". Mind you, but next month it will be 15 maps. I'm fine with the number of maps, fine with the quality of the content and very much can see this title doing those numbers.

The people who talk against the game are a extreme minority, evident by all the records this game is currently breaking in terms of sales. Its not no GOTY, but its not a bad title either, the exaggeration on this title is beyond strange. I'm sorry but again....they are in the extreme minority.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Agreed. Whats funny, is someone can not like that its not as content packed as a game released 10 years ago....fine.

But I can't say its "not a very good game" based on if Battlefront 1 nor 2 never existed, pretty sure MOST would not be trying to paint Battlefront as a bad game.

Most of what I've read on forums as been this comparisons to the last games, I'm very doubtful anyone would be saying this as this had been the first Star Wars game of this kind..

The reality is, this game is the best feeling Star Wars MP title to ever release, subjective....yes, but recently playing Battlefront 1 and 2, I just can't say they were amazing titles. They were pretty awful feeling.

The exaggeration of this title might be the strangest thing this year. Many legit need to be happy they at least get a Battlefront game, last I recall Battlefront 1 and 2 were not well received titles by many, many reviews anyone can read right now.

The 3rd game getting cancelled and Disney not giving the license to Pandemic sorta shows its not as if the game series was setting the world on fire.

@Shloo- who stated they didn't?

Clearly not well enough to stop the 3rd from getting canned and handing the series over to DICE and EA.

Also consider this Battlefront is the fastest selling Star Wars title to date by 117%..

http://www.unilad.co.uk/gam...

Its also apparently on track to do 13 million according to EA. Which would be more then both of the first games combined. Mind you, Battlefront 1 and 2 released 4 and 5 years into its gen.

[rdgneoz3]

"Whats funny, is someone can not like that its not as content packed as a game released 10 years ago....fine."

Actually, the sad thing is BO3 beats it by a mile in content (a series that always gets hate). The game looks beautiful and runs smooth, but it basically looks gutted for the $50 season pass.

[EverydayJoe]

Well said ED

[Omnisonne]

Its a fun game to hop on for an hour or two, especially with friends its good fun. But judging by the responses of many others on here, I suppose i'm in the minority

Don't really care though, I think many are just disappointed with Battlefront, which is imaginable

[SolidDuck]

The hate is not unreal. Its very real. First the graphics and sound are fantastic. No your right I don't own battlefront. I played in the beta tho, and then 10 hours of the full game thro ea acsess. I feal like that's plenty to say this game is shallow. It was enough that I decided not to buy it. Not nearly enough maps or weapons.

[Perjoss]

Its certainly not goty material, but to say its not a very good game is way off, I'm having lots of fun with it and actually thinking about investing in the DLC. There are a lot of legitimate complaints from the community but nothing major, nothing that spoils the overall fun factor.

[Chaosdreams]

Quick pitchforks everyone, they insult our one and only. Our holy deity, EA.

[Jerredh]

I just finished a session. Its a great jump in, have fun, no stress shooter with AMAZING graphics. All of the no content haters dont know, nor do I, how much this game costed to produce to this point. Im not defending im just saying if it was you millions going into it would you give it away at a loss or try and figure out a way to make the most out of your product you could. I know what i would do.

[moomoo319]

"No content haters", are you on crack? Opposed to what, people who enjoy paying for no content?

[Aenea]

As opposed to people who actually are having fun with the game and thus are not hating on the game at all...

Sure, it would've been bloody fantastic if it had had more maps, more weapons, etc., etc. but I'm still loving it the way it is!

[Rookie_Monster]

The title is a little bit harsh. The game is OK, but the contents and reply value without then $50 money grabbing DLC pretty much is the issue. Mediocre would be a better choice of word than bad.

[rdgneoz3]

Yep. Without the Star Wars name, the game wouldn't have sold nearly as well for the content it released with (as well as a $50 season pass).

[OB1Biker]

Sometimes I really wonder if people saying that have played the game. It's not a 'Star wars name', the game is Star Wars game, all of it. It's not just a name. That's really ridiculous the number things people try to downplay about the game. StarWars is the reason why the game exists.

[PizzaSteve]

It's a good game that's worth $30.

[sullynathan]

Some of this article is literally just saying that you sucked at the game. If you have a problem trying to kill people in a vehicle while not crashing, then you should get good.

The complaints about the shooting being "simple" should extend to the whole series as a whole because that's how it's always been.

[Nodoze]

Um, the levels are SUPER confined for flight, the flight controls suck, and he was right that trying to snipe players from the air is crap.

This was probably the most honest review yet.

[Timbo81]

It's cool hate - oh, it's cool to hate. Too bad those hate blinders will have many miss out on what is a very polished and exquisitely detailed recreation of the Star Wars Universe. Do I wish that there was a campaign? Like you wouldn't believe, bah god it would be awesome. Wouldn't it be nice if there was more content included and less paid for DLC? Why yes, though hard to say for sure since the game just came out and there is no way to know just yet exactly how much additional content we will get. Guess it's a good thing I have a decent job so I can afford my favourite, if at times a little too pricey of a past time. Wish more people would play the game and enjoy it for what it is, a highly accessible co-op 1st/3rd person shooter (which, IMO, plays equally well as both).

[PixelGateUk]

Nah

[Timbo81]

A very interesting and thought provoking response.

[PixelGateUk]

I know right, almost as your awful attempt to justify aggressive DLC by saying 'Guess it's a good thing I have a decent job so I can afford my favourite, if at times a little too pricey of a past time.'

[OB1Biker]

Haha I feel like the Emperor is behind the Internet hate campaign and feeding on it.
I didn't see the news on N4G maybe they don't like good news about the game but check out the new mode coming with Jakku free on the official site. It s very exciting.

[Brugal]

My friend gave me this game along with the season pass as a gift. This game to me is awesome. However, I don't play many first person shooters and I can see the gripe people have with the price of the game and the season pass. To me the game is a ton of fun.

[Psytrix]

I lol'd.

[xPaYDaYx]

It's funny all these people online crying about the game when they haven't even played it. I had yet to meet a person in game or irl that actually said the game sucked lol. Everyone is too busy crying about how the game lacks content except the people playing the game, funny thing is they're having a blast.

[parentsbasement]

naw , its pretty good imo...your trying to take down walkers , darth vader appears outa nowhere , lasers blasting everywhere , whats not to like ?...I mean , wtf do people want out of a plastic freaking box anyway ?

[SegaGamer]

"I mean , wtf do people want out of a plastic freaking box anyway ? "

More content maybe ?

[TeamLeaptrade]

I haven't played much of it yet, but from what I have played of it, I really have had a blast. I should have some more time with it this week as I have enough free time, so I should be able to delve deeper in.

[Nodoze]

At its core Battlefront is really a jogging simulator with lasers. God awful spawning at the ass ends of the map, jog jog jog jog jog pew dead rinse repeat. Yes there are fun moments, but good god fix the spawn points. Make the players more robust as only a few hits brings them down. The fact there are no classes shows....I would rather have medics and health packs than the magic regen feature....that is just stupid.

[Allsystemgamer]

If it's a jogging simulator for you then you're obviously running the wrong way. I constantly get over 30 kills and capture objectives.

Someone hasn't played it.

[Tedakin]

Walker Assault and Fighter Squadron are pretty awesome. I agree the rest is not good and feels messy. The insta-death is even worse than COD.

[alfcrippinjr]

bad company 2 is better play online.

check it out

[quenomamen]

Best FPS on last gen and still better than a lot of next gen FPS.

[Dee_Blessed]

Sooooo should I buy this or blops 3?me and my brother need a splitscreen shooter

[quenomamen]

Anybody expecting a great game pushed by Disney to coencide with the movie and some truely stupid marketing (really M&M candies shaped like Darth Vader ?) is delusional. This game is for 10 year olds who just saw the movie. Ooh and guess what Star Wars fans be prepared for another 20 crappy Star Wars movies and another 10 crappy games, u think Disney paid 500 million to make 3 more movies ? Yea right.