Product test

"Star Wars: Battlefront II" review: Solid sequel held back by greed

15.11.2017

Translation: machine translated

The sequel to the successful multiplayer shooter doubles down and now also delivers a much-desired single-player campaign. The gaming experience of "Star Wars: Battlefront II" is dampened by a cumbersome upgrade system and a questionable business model.

A murmur went round the room when the very first teaser for "Star Wars: Battlefront" was shown at E3 2013. The "Battlefield" makers are developing a "Star Wars" game? How cool. It was a dream come true for many gamers. The multiplayer shooter released in 2015 did not fully live up to hopes and seemed a little thin overall. Swedish developers Dice wanted to do everything better with the second instalment. They have succeeded in many things, but new problems have been added.

A feast for the eyes and ears

Optically and sound-wise, there's never been anything to criticise about Dice titles. The "Star Wars" universe has never looked so impressive. Those who played the first instalment may not be quite as blown away, but the presentation is definitely a highlight. Along with the iconic sounds, fans will grin every time the robot shouts "Roger, Roger" at the start of a round or your blaster goes "ziupziup". You feel like you're in the middle of a "Star Wars" film.

An entertaining but coherent campaign

Unlike in 2015's "Battlefront", there are not just the horde mode-like arcade missions for lone fighters, in which you mow down enemies in shooting gallery style. No, there is a real single-player campaign. It won't keep you busy for more than four hours, but you'll never get bored. The story offers no surprises, but is told in an interesting way thanks to numerous cutscenes. In terms of time, it is set around the events of "Star Wars VI". You visit numerous familiar locations and some scenes directly from the film - but from a new perspective. This is pure fan service, even if it does feel a little contrived at times.

The mission sequence is not very varied and the enemies are just as bad as the Stormtroopers from the films. One minute you're on an alien planet fighting flying insects and the next you're chasing after a Tie-Fighter in a gigantic space battle. These battles are particularly spectacularly staged and give you an impressive feeling of grandeur.

All in all, the campaign entertained me well. It is an ideal tutorial and appetiser for the multiplayer. However, it also whetted my appetite for a real single-player "Star Wars" game with a complex story, fresh gameplay and role-playing elements. It may yet come.

Multiplayer: Little variation, but still fun

The main course of "Battlefront II" comes in the form of the multiplayer mode. There are currently five modes to choose from. In "Assault", two teams of eight players compete against each other in objective-based scenarios. "Skirmish" is a simple deathmatch. In "Starfighter Assault", two teams engage in multi-stage space battles with fighters, bombers and hero ships. "Galactic Assault" is the 40-player equivalent on the ground (most of the time). In "Heroes vs Villains", two four-player teams of "Star Wars" heroes and villains compete against each other.

The number of modes is small, but they offer enough entertainment. As before, you can also control vehicles in many modes. Unlike its predecessor, however, you no longer have to collect the corresponding symbol on the playing field. You can invest the points you earn during the match to pilot a Tie-Fighter, drive a tank or take on the role of Chewbacca or other iconic characters. The price for this varies greatly, ranging from 400 for a battle robot to 8000 for Luke or Darth Vader. The problem is that many players can never accumulate that many points in one round. It has also happened to me that I saved up until the end, but then all the expensive heroes in the game were occupied so that I could no longer select them. Then it was too late and the game was over. You're left out in the cold. Dice needs to do some fine-tuning here.

Apart from that, the different modes are a lot of fun. Whether you're racing around gigantic star destroyers in the Millenium Falcon with Tie interceptors breathing down your neck or taking down rebels as Darth Maul with your double laser sword. You can feel the power of "Star Wars" through and through.

I find "Heroes vs. villains" particularly fun. You don't have to unlock Bobba Fett and co. first. The game dynamics are significantly different, as everyone shoots from full throttle with their super abilities. And the duels between Han Solo and Darth Vader or Kylo Ren and Rey are simply epic.

Inconvenient equipment management and a lot of hate on Reddit

Numerous characters and spaceships must be unlocked in exchange for credits.

There are four standard classes to choose from, each with four weapons. You unlock three guns with kills. In addition, each character - including the heroes - can be equipped with three cards. Initially one, the last two slots must be unlocked. A card can, for example, replace the standard grenade with a flashbang grenade or increase your life regeneration. You can upgrade or craft each card if you don't already have it. To do this, you need upgrade parts, which you can obtain from loot boxes. Special characters such as Luke Skywalker have to be unlocked in exchange for credits. EA has now backtracked somewhat and reduced the initial cost of 60,000 credits. Now you still have to invest 15,000 credits, which you can earn in a few hours depending on how well you play. And here we come to the crux of the problem. Firstly, the whole map system is confusing and cumbersome. You can only get new cards via loot boxes. You buy these with the same currency you use to unlock heroes. However, you can get practically everything immediately for real money.

EA has dispensed with a paid Season Pass, but is now trying to recoup the money with loot boxes. There's nothing wrong with that in principle. However, money can buy you clear advantages in the game. What I find worse, however, is that the entire card system has been built around this loot box system. At least you can't get rid of this feeling. It seems artificial.

This didn't really bother me when I was playing the game, but it does leave a sour aftertaste. Gamers rightly rebelled against it and punished a comment from EA on Reddit with a record number of downvotes. It was neither the first nor the last time that the publisher felt compelled to make a statement regarding "Battlefront II". Changes have already been made to the game on several occasions in order to minimise the upgrade system.

Conclusion: Impressive in both positive and negative ways

"Star Wars: Battlefront II" offers you a spectacle that only blockbuster games can provide. Unfortunately, it also includes a payment model that only blockbuster games can afford. Although the resistance is greater than expected, I remain sceptical as to whether EA will be impressed by this in the long term. However, it is definitely a positive signal from the gaming scene that people won't put up with everything.

It's a shame that an actually good game, into which a lot of work has been put, is overshadowed by merciless profit optimisation measures. The campaign is simple, but offers the best fan service. The multiplayer mode has a little more depth and variation than its predecessor. The space battles are an absolute feast. Characters and locations from all trilogies are included. The upgrade and equipment system, on the other hand, does not convince me. In English they say "Vote with your wallet". It would therefore be logical to boycott the game in order to put a stop to the money-making. However, most of the developers can do little about the financing model and have worked hard for a game that, all in all, has turned out really well. For my part, I say: "Join the Dark Side: We got cookies" - but don't buy any loot boxes, that's where the fun ends.