Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection Review – Fire Away
In the galaxy of video games, few franchises stir as much nostalgia as the original Star Wars: Battlefront series. Developed by Pandemic Studios, the first two Battlefront games are cherished memories for many, including myself, who lost countless hours commanding clone troopers and stormtroopers across the battlefields of the Star Wars universe. With the release of the Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection by Aspyr Media, we’re invited back to revisit these iconic moments. But does this collection strike a balance between honoring the past and updating for today’s gaming landscape? Here’s an in-depth look.
Gameplay Analysis
At their core, both games in the collection provide a robust Star Wars experience, offering the chance to engage in epic battles spanning both the Clone Wars and the Galactic Civil War periods. With a variety of multiplayer modes and maps, including six post-launch maps and two previously Xbox-exclusive heroes (Kit Fisto and Asajj Ventress) in Battlefront 2, the game attempts to refresh the content for long-time fans. Features like cross-gen multiplayer support and 32v32 matches aim to elevate the gameplay, yet these improvements feel superficial against the backdrop of the games’ fundamental issues.
The gameplay mechanics that once defined the series now present its greatest challenges. The original games were groundbreaking for their time, introducing a diverse range of soldier types and special units, each adding a unique dynamic to the overall battle strategy. However, the dated graphics and gameplay mechanics struggle to engage modern players accustomed to the refined visuals and fluid controls of contemporary shooters.
Graphics and Sound
The graphics and sound in the remastered collection receive a touch-up rather than a full overhaul. While character details and map expansiveness benefit slightly, making targets easier to discern and firefights more spread out, these improvements are not enough to compete with today’s graphical standards. The nostalgic value of the original audio and visual elements does lend charm, but it also highlights the collection’s missed opportunity to truly modernize these classics for a new generation.
Nostalgia vs. Innovation
This collection treads a fine line between catering to nostalgic fans and attempting to welcome new players. Unfortunately, it leans more towards the former, with its limited updates underscoring the unbalanced and often unrewarding gameplay. The nostalgic allure is undeniable for those of us with fond memories of the original games, but for newcomers, the aged mechanics and visuals might not offer the same charm.
Value and Final Verdict
The Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection invites us to take a walk down memory lane, but it’s a path that’s become overgrown with the advancements in gaming technology and design since these titles first captivated us. For die-hard Star Wars enthusiasts and those wishing to relive their glory days on the battlefront, this collection might be worth the trip. However, its failure to align with modern expectations of gameplay innovation and graphical fidelity limits its appeal to a broader audience.
In conclusion, while Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection retains its place in the hearts of fans, its significance today lies more in its historical value than in its playability. It’s a testament to a bygone era of gaming—a relic of the past that, despite its best efforts, struggles to ignite the same fervor in the contemporary gaming world. Whether or not it finds a place in your gaming library depends largely on your fondness for nostalgia and your tolerance for dated gameplay mechanics.
