I was so excited when Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection was announced. Wrapping up the two iconic Battlefront games from the early 2000s is like wrapping up my childhood. I put countless hours into these games and always look for an excuse to replay them. Launch day came and went without me because I was busy, but I jumped into the fray as soon as I could. Here’s what I found:
The Good – A Blast from the Past
The collection includes Star Wars Battlefront (2004) and Star Wars Battlefront II (2005), both of which have held up surprisingly well in terms of gameplay. The essence of these games - the large-scale battles, the iconic settings from the Star Wars universe, and the simple yet engaging mechanics - are still as fun as they were two decades ago. The nostalgia factor is strong, and it’s evident that many players share this sentiment, with some reviews highlighting the joy of revisiting these classics.
The addition of new content like bonus maps and heroes (Kit Fisto and Asajj Ventress) provided a fresh twist to what many of us already know, which is a nice touch. The campaign modes, especially the memorable 501st Journal from Battlefront II, still deliver a compelling narrative that resonates with fans of the saga.
The Bad – Technical Nightmares
However, the excitement quickly turned to frustration. The multiplayer experience, which was one of the main attractions for this re-release, was a complete disaster at launch. With only three servers available initially for thousands of players, finding a match was like searching for Obi-Wan Kenobi in the sands of Tatooine. Server issues, high ping, and matchmaking errors made online play more of a Sith show than a Jedi celebration.
The controls felt clunky and not optimized for modern hardware, with complaints about sensitivity issues and no option to invert flight controls, which is a significant oversight for any game with flying mechanics. Visually, while some appreciated the texture improvements, others found the game's look outdated, especially considering the hefty storage requirements compared to the original games.
The Ugly – Overpriced and Undercooked
Priced at $35, many are arguing this collection is a cash grab given the state it launched in. The lack of significant modern enhancements, coupled with the numerous bugs and server problems, has led to a wave of negative reviews on platforms like Steam. It's clear that fans expected more from Aspyr, especially after their previous work on other Star Wars titles. The absence of crossplay, which is almost a standard feature in 2024 for games of this nature, was another letdown.
The Verdict
In its current state, Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection feels like a missed opportunity. While the core games are still enjoyable for solo play or those willing to overlook the technical issues, the multiplayer component, which was supposed to bring back the community feel of these classics, has been severely undermined by its launch woes.
For those who have never played these games, it might still be worth a look if you can snag it on sale, but for anyone looking for a polished return to the Battlefront series, this collection is more of a Sith’s chaotic reign than a Jedi’s peaceful order. Here's hoping Aspyr can muster the Force to patch up these issues because beneath the mess, there's still a beloved set of games trying to shine through.
Until then, if you're in Nigeria or anywhere with a love for Star Wars, maybe hold off until the bugs are squashed. May the Force be with the developers to make this right.
