Sometimes for self-indulgent reasons, I’ll play older games which (if asked) I will say I play in order to review them, but we both know this is all an excuse to play old games. At least that’s what I tell myself when I have issues running said old games on newer systems. You see, some games stand the test of time; sometimes even older games are better than their reboots. Tomb Raider 3, minus the now awkward control scheme is one of those games; Star Wars: Battlefront 2 is almost… Perfect?

In my personal view, Star Wars: Battlefront 2 set the bar for everything that is a large battle or multiplayer now. Not perfect, that’s for sure. However, it does stand on its’ own as a fantastic game nonetheless, even now as I’ve been playing for the first time since almost 2009. It is filled with content and feels huge. In fact, the entire reason the game has had any success is a result of how large the XL battles feel.

I, like many, played Battlefront 2 with some friends when I was younger and enjoyed multiplayer. Now I detest the idea of multiplayer with a passion. Clearly, with that said I have no interest in the recent reboot of the Star Wars Battlefront series; especially Star Wars Battlefront 2 (the one without the colon). The new series that has been marred by the loot box controversy for being too predatory towards players, particularly those with gambling tendencies.

That’s enough about the present, let’s jump in this TARDIS and flick the left testicle off of Hitler. What is this first-person shooter, third-person hack-and-slash, turn-based digital board game, and capture-the-flag style game all about? The battles of the early rebellion in a galaxy far far away. Battles that have been part of a large war that has raged on for 41 years against parents wallets, and an evil and vengeful ruling empire.

If you don’t know the story by now, Disney and Robert Iger would like to speak with you. The second largest movie series that has launched several million game based ships, including this one which is one of the only reasons I personally have enjoyed Star Wars, aside from the original movies, and the most recent main series entries.

Let’s first speak about the least interesting thing; the campaign is partly based on the Star Wars movies of the time, the prequels. However, don’t let that put you off, as it is generally a decent story. The issue comes from personal views to tie such a game into some of the least popular Star Wars movies. In retrospective, it may have been more advantageous to write something about other sections of the canon or focus less on referencing the movies.

The only reason many enjoyed Battlefront 2 was the size of the battles, some maps, and playing as the heroes on the Mos Eisley map. On this map you could jump on the ship out the front of the fort by the Cantina, and have a blast. As a kid, I knew the battles were impressive, but this was on the PS2. Now, many years later I see why people were raving about the PC’s use of the XL maps: Battles are longer, larger, and generally feel chaotic.

However, the only mission based system that is included, other than the campaign, is the Galactic Conquests. Here you command a fleet of combatants through battles on several planets throughout the galaxy, fighting the overbearing evil of the Empire (or as the Empire) during the Clone Wars. It is essentially a massive game of Risk, but infinity more interesting than the board game as you shoot the billionth clone trooper in the face from fifty paces. Lacking a story, the Galactic Conquests are the only single-player content that really feels like a campaign without the prequel nonsense getting in the way.

You accrue a collection of planets as the rebellion, confederates, and in the final conquest as the Empire. While collecting your united federation of orbs (or UFOs for short) the other side, which often is one of those three, will fight for the already stored accumulation of planets on your side of the map. Alternately, depending on how adventurous you feel that day they may take the fight closer to you. This is the first turn-based strategy I enjoyed, and still do. As much as I will begrudge it for having almost no state of loss (unless you are really bad), it is still a fun and engaging game mode that allows you to worry about the fall of Yavin-4 or Endor, despite knowing you’ll win the war.

The final single-player mode that is of interest is the “Instant Action” mode. A mode that allows you to play any battle you desire, on any map, with any game mode you want, and with two separate eras on some of these maps. This is where Star Wars: Battlefront 2 for PC stands out the most. As you will most likely select Hoth, turn on XL mode, and watch as the sea of bodies pour out of the hanger and spill onto the battlefield, with AT-ATs crawling over the snow and dead bodies. The staple point of the entire game sits in that description alone.

However, I have mentioned the battles on Mos Eisley. Here, of all places, you can set up a battle between every playable Jedi and Sith in the game: As far as I know, in the entire universe at that point. This is the Jump Force or Mortal Kombat of Jedi game modes as Yoda takes down General Grievous or… No, that’s about as obscure as my early Star Wars knowledge goes.

Thus far I’ve neglected the space battles. I don’t think I’ve played a game mode as enjoyable in space since. As you dodge torpedos and immediately crash into the Star Destroyer you didn’t notice three feet away, you still wind up having a blast. Personally, I am god awful at these, however, they are fun when you take a carrier over to the enemy ship, to watch the AI fly said carrier ship into the wall. Not to mention these are almost as long and large as the XL battles on Hoth.

Is Star Wars: Battlefront 2 perfect? No, of course not. However, let nostalgia and fandom carry you and you will love Star Wars: Battlefront 2. If you do decide to pick up this now (almost) fourteen-year-old game, I would like to warn you of technical issues you may find. G.O.G has done a good job fixing some issues, though you are locked into fullscreen and will be, in my experience, unable to play media (music, YouTube videos, and such) while playing.

In conclusion, if you have already played Star Wars: Battlefront 2 you know what you are getting into. Everything still stands as it did all those years ago, and now you are likely to find a mountain of mods to fix any issue you have. If you have not played this beautiful (or rather,well-aged) game then you are missing out: If there were a definitive “must-play” list of games then this is a candidate, or at least shortlisted.

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Star Wars: Battlefront 2

$9.99

8.7

Score

8.7/10

Pros

• Huge battles
• Star Wars power fantasy
• Good multiplayer
• Mods to Fix Most Issues/Bugs

Cons

• Technical issues