**The following review of Star Wars Battlefront II was written before EA temporarily removed the in-game Purchases (microtransactions) from gameplay. While the gameplay may be impacted differently now I did review the game based on what I experienced during the last few days. I believe that the score should stand since it was in that state when I played it. Hope you enjoy the review**


Back in 2004 Star Wars Battlefront finally returned but to a lackluster response. It was heavily scrutinized for being rushed and its lack of content. Many are hoping that its sequel, Star Wars Battlefront II, will not only address the issues of the first game but provide the experience originally promised by DICE and EA. Star Wars Battlefront II is a stunning game with a lot of multiplayer content and a satisfying single-player campaign. You fight through luxurious Star War themed areas and earning your way up the ranks before finding out that much of your improvement is locked behind a vexingly slow system that encourages you to pay more.

Single-Player Tutorial

The first set a non-existent bar for single-player content since it was absent in the original game. It starts off strong with you taking control of an Imperial officer named Iden Versio, a skilled pilot and foot soldier. She gives a dark perspective of what it means to be part of the Empire’s army and serves as an excellent tutorial for multiplayer.

Eventually, the campaign starts to become sloppy and predictable. Too many breaks are made to shoe-horn in other characters that fans know just to see them in there, like Luke Skywalker killing giant bugs. This gave Iden less screen time. It’s short and doesn’t leave a lasting impression. By the end you’ll realize the entire campaign was intended to link up with the movies.

Bigger and Better

Multiplayer has been refined greatly from the first game. Unlockables have been considerably increased and maps are intelligently designed to encourage all types of playstyles.  With 11 maps ranging from outer space battles to dense jungles, players can find a lot worth exploring here. Regardless if you choose hectic 40 player fights or 8 player battles maps have been designed with specific chokepoints so players can choose to head into the fray or take a more tactical approach.

Classes are separated into 4 categories that include Officer, Specialist, Assault, and Heavy. Each one has their own strengths and weaknesses such as the Heavy able to absorb much more damage than any of the other classes for frontline assaults. Regardless of what class you choose DICE has designed matches so you can pick any class and still contribute thanks to the Battle Point system.

Pickups have been removed and changed to Battle Points. These points are earned within matches by simply playing and can be traded-in after death for vehicles, equipment, or heroes. Each upgrade requires a definite amount of points and depends on your performance. Heroes, if selected, don’t earn battle points but can shift the tide of battle depending. This new system is an improvement from the luck-based pickup arrangement from the previous game, rewarding players for being frugal with their points or by contributing more in battle.

Hero and Villain diversity has been increased from the previous game. With 11 heroes ranging from iconic characters like Yoda and Darth Vader to newcomers Rey and Kylo Ren. Heroes do act as unstoppable juggernauts but have notable weaknesses that a well-coordinated team can exploit such as Iden Versaio’s lack of close-range attacks.

6 modes are available here, some with unique maps tailored to a particular mode. Strike has 2 teams of 8 completing objectives, Blast focuses on close-quarter combat, Heroes versus Villains are 4v4 duels with heroes and villains, Arcade is horde mode, Starfighter Assault brings spaceship battles, and finally the biggest mode has teams of 20 facing off in one large battle.

Star Cards have been altered for the better. Unlike the previous game where they were linked to your abilities here, they modify existing skills. This can range from boosting damage or gaining more Battle Points and for Heroes they alter their existing skills. Star Cards play a massive role in improving your performance by providing modified skills that can give players an advantage over others. Unfortunately, the microtransaction system tries to encourage players to spend more to unlock powerful Star Cards.

Premium Pay-to-Win

In-game currency is provided at a vexingly slow rate. Grinding to obtain enough credits to earn a new loot box is incredibly slow and the drop rate is even worst. Players can earn duplicate items, which are automatically changed into a laughably small amount of credits, and things for heroes they don’t have unlocked. Most of the unlocks consist of victory poses, emotes, and other cosmetic pieces but since loot boxes unlock Star Cards, the items that can benefit one’s performance, the act of buying them becomes more enticing. What’s worst is that when killed the kill cam shows what Star Cards and items the other player were using to advertise their monetization system.

This system is something you would expect from a free-to-play game but not a $60 purchase. EA has stated that all future content for Star Wars Battlefront II is free because of this operation but considering that Titanfall 2 also delivered on that same arrangement, without the same execution, provides more reason to be frustrated at this. It’s a practice that encourages you to spend money on credits since earning them has been reduced after the recent decrease in Hero prices. This entire system encourages you to spend money not only on cosmetics but items that bolster one’s performance.

Star Wars Battlefront II has a lot of potential but once again stumbles due to questionably avoidable decisions. The single-player, while brief, is a satisfactory tutorial for newcomers and the exciting multiplayer experience provides a wonderful array of maps, classes, heroes, and challenges that could keep you busy for weeks. Then it quickly falls flat when you realize the amount of grinding required to unlock necessary performance items can be simply purchased. The predatory microtransaction system strips away a lot of the desire to continue playing despite large improvements made from the first game. Star Wars Battlefront II shows that greed can easily destroy what could’ve been an outstanding game.

Star Wars Battlefront II Review
The Pros
  • Large Diverse Maps
  • Better Selection of Heroes and Villains
  • Pickups Replaced with Battle Points
The Cons
  • Predatory Microtransaction System
  • Slow Progression
  • Large Credit Requirements
6Overall Score
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