Not that there's really time to stop and take this stuff in - the nature of the online game and also perhaps Battlefront's MO is that if you stop to look, you're shot dead.
Visually the game soars again with the volcanic hues feeling like they're from Hawai'i more than anything - I've yet to see a lava field erupt or take in even if that's possible, but the backgrounds are breathless. You're thrown into teams, and the beta alternates you between rebels and empire, so there's no clear indication in the final game if you get to choose sides or whether you get thrown into the middle of conflict. It's perfectly enjoyable fun as you race to claim the pod, then defend it, then inevitably get shot by those opposed to your plans. The pod drop on Sullust is a variation of the likes of the capture the flag games we've all played in CoD or Destiny. Once the waves are over, with stormtroopers and snipers in the mix, you're rescued and it's onto the next part of the game. When tasked with facing an ATST, simply hide near rock or just above its blasters on a rockface and it can't get you it's a simple trick to survive, but seems to be one that's easily exploited - and one that could become a bugbear in the final game. But that doesn't mean you can't manipulate the backgrounds to your advantage. Playability of these levels is fine too - it's constant and clever, as well as relatively intuitive. This is a game that captures the essence of Star Wars and the reason it's so beloved. Rendering is superb and the level of details on the troopers as they hurtle towards you, blasters firing is nothing short of graphically impressive. This is one of the few levels you can play solo, - or if you prefer with a local co-op or an online mate in a splitscreen. The survival mission on Tattooine sees you stranded after an assault and with Admiral Ackbar shouting at you there's a trap coming with stormtroopers, you have to survive 6 waves of enemies, capture some pods and try and grab some collectables, as well as power ups. The bad news is twofold - one, it's constantly online (more on why this is a niggle a little later) and two, it's fiendishly addictive. The good news is that the servers appear to have held up just fine - not once have I been kicked out of the lobby at all or left waiting for a match up. With the 7GB beta for the Star Wars Battlefront Beta, gamers have a chance to dabble on three of the levels of the game a survival mission on Tattooine, a 40 player assault on Hoth and a capture the pods outing on volcanic world Sullust. And the fact it was open to all was also a major boost to fans. It's also generous with the points too, meaning that you can get there - with just 3 games, the maximum level was hit, showing the generosity and ease of the new system.Īnd that wasn't just a million voices crying out at once and then gone (though possibly with the late delivery of the beta into the PSN Store, I'm not ruling that out) - it was a chorus of incessant fanboys and girls excited at their chance to get their hands on the DICE shooter that set the world alight at E3 this year. The game also wisely has dispensed with tokens that spawn all manner of power ups, preferring now to let you gain points to meet your goals. It's again been polished and made sure to stand a little better to those who are new to flying but without alienating the old guard. The main pull of Star Wars Battlefront II was the Galactic Assault, a space-set battle that takes the best bit of the VR X Wing experience and gives you more control of your ship.
Though not that you get time to take it all in - doing so puts you slap bang in the middle of respawn land.Īnd respawning is a lot quicker than previously, ensuring you can get a good game out of the time if you're prone to dying repeatedly. Shooting feels a lot more controlled than previously, but it has to be said at times, it's hard to tell if any damage is rapidly inflicted on your opponent or it's like flies being swatted away.īut the game does feel smoother, and graphically, it's gorgeous. Elsewhere, Star Wars Battlefront II beta gave you the chance to play the map of Theed from the Clone Wars and battle your way against clones.